Health, Safety and Wellbeing Stand Down event, July 2021
We recently supported a client with the delivery of a 2-day event for over 250 attendees from the construction industry. The purpose of the event was to bring the workers together to share a range of information and key messages about health, safety and wellbeing in the workplace – these events are critical for workers who spend their days and in many cases also nights (shift workers) in high risk environments.
Our role
Our role was to project manage and deliver the event, liaising with speakers and content providers, venue liaison on catering, room layouts, AV, ordering marquees, generators, banners and other branded giveaways, communications (joining instructions), briefing volunteers, managing registration, managing the event budget.
Risk Assessment
The event took place in the UK, where restrictions around social distancing and mask wearing were in place, so in the run up to the event, it was essential we completed a detailed Covid-19 risk assessment which ensured the event was planned and then delivered as safely as possible.
Communications with delegates and speakers in advance of the event gave clear information about the measures being put in place to ensure the event was being run as safely as possible, and what would be expected of all those attending, both in advance of, and during the event.
Just some of the measures in place to protect all delegates were:
- All delegates requested to take a lateral flow test within 24 hours of attending, and temperatures were also taken on arrival at the venue
- Delegates were asked to book from a range of start times which were staggered throughout the day. Delegates then moved through the event in groups of no more than 25. This limited the number of people in the venue at any one time
- Sessions took place in rooms with all doors and windows open for ventilation – as well as outdoors and in large marquees so that delegates were moving outdoors as well as indoors
- All spaces were cleaned and sanitised between sessions
- Face coverings were worn and social distancing was in place, clearly marked
- Lunch was all served by staff – no self service
- All delegates were provided with a face covering and personal hand sanitiser on arrival
Attendance at the event was really good, and from our perspective, it’s nice to see there is some confidence coming back in terms of people feeling comfortable in attending (safely run) events again.
The updated Government guidance on events out today (19 July) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-covid-19/events-and-attractions#eventplanning places a big emphasis on carrying out risk assessments, and having had specific events-focused training in this, we at Event Works are confident and skilled in carrying these out on behalf of our clients.