OSH Manual

1.0 Guidelines - Exhibition Health And Safety Matters

The following guidelines outline specific work practices that will contribute to a safe exhibition environment. These guidelines are not intended to be exhaustive nor are they a substitute for or a replacement of contractors or exhibitors own Occupational Health and Safety Polices and Procedures.

It is the responsibility of the exhibitor, contractor and/or agent to comply with the requirements of Occupational Health and Safety Legislation, Health and Safety Regulations, other applicable rules and regulations and work practices.

1.1 Aisles And Aisle Clearways:

• Aisles are public walkways and must not be used to display goods or to approach visitors.
• When conducting product demonstrations on your stand, you must place your demonstration counter at least one meter back from the front of your stand, to avoid crowds obstructing aisles;
• Exits and emergency equipment must not be obstructed;
• Aisle ways and fire exits should be clear of general waste and packaging materials, this includes the period during build-up and pull-down.

Absolutely NO CHILDREN in the halls during build-up and pull-down.

1.2 Fire Risk:

• The use of readily flammable material in stand construction, e.g. crepe paper, corrugated cardboard, straw, untreated Hessian, polystyrene or PVC sheet 1 is prohibited unless you have venue approval. (refer to Exhibitor Manual);
• Where sawdust, tan bark or wood chips (of reasonable size) is used to decorate floors, a protective membrane must be laid first and the chips kept slightly moist at all times.

1.3 Stand Construction & Design:

• Proper scaffolding must be used during the construction of any building within the venue hall.
• Please ensure that all safety features of the scaffolding are adhered to as per applicable regulations, and that any tower scaffold in use is properly stabilised and propped;
• Materials used for stand construction or display purposes must conform to the
  Building Code (AS/NZS 1530.3:1999) and be:
  • Of non combustible material;
  • Of inherently non flammable materials;
  • Use flame-proofed fabric – (documented evidence of such must
    be provided);
• Where your stand has a ‘ceiling’ or ‘canopy’:
  • The material used must be flame-proof (documented proof of such must be provided);
  • You must have a current/valid fire extinguisher and smoke detector on your stand;
• The Venue requires that stands are open for visual inspection at all times. No stands are to be enclosed by any fabric or material at any time.

Stands that require approval from Venue management »

1.4 Lighting On Your Stand:

• Lighting must be industry-approved: HPM Series 600, 500W are available from all leading lighting and hardware suppliers.
• All lighting must be at least 2.2m above floor level or protected in an approved
  way to prevent accidental burning.
• High-powered lights must be 1 meter away from flammable materials;
• Lighting and/or lighting equipment intended to be connected to the mains supply must be tested and tagged. To book testing and tagging prior to the show, please contact your show team for details of our electrical contractor;
• Our electrical contractors may check lighting and/or lighting equipment on site for compliance. Exhibitors will be required to disconnect lighting and/or lighting equipment that is found to be unsafe or that is not tested or tagged.
• All lighting and/or lighting equipment must have appropriate certification of Approval (i.e. meet Australian/NZ Standards);
• All lighting and/or lighting equipment must be switched off and disconnected from the mains supply prior to leaving each night.
• All personnel working at the stand must be informed of the requirements for lighting and lighting equipment.

During Build-Up and Pull-Down, Appropriate footwear is essential. NO open-toe shoes or sandals, please.

1.5 Electrical Equipment And Electrical Cables:

• The use of double adaptors is prohibited – Please use power boards.
• All cables should be routed away from pedestrian traffic, and taped down to minimise a tripping hazard;
• Electrical equipment intended to be connected to mains supply must be tested and tagged. To book testing and tagging prior to the show, contact your show team for details of our electrical contractor;
• Our electrical contractors may check electrical equipment on site for compliance. Exhibitors will be required to disconnect electrical equipment found to be unsafe or that is not tested or tagged.
• Electrical equipment includes light fittings, computers, appliances, etc.
• All personnel working at the stand must be informed of the requirements for electrical equipment.

NO ALCOHOL to be consumed during build-up or pull-down

1.6 Stand Certification / Structural Integrity

• Certification is required for stands of
  • two storeys or more - where the second or subsequent storey will be
    occupied; and/or
  • where the stand has a roof area greater than 18sqm & more than 3m in
    width;
    • Fire protection requirements = a smoke detector and dry powder-type fire extinguisher;
• The onus is on the builder of a stand to prove that the stand is structurally sound, safe for occupancy, and complies with the building code.
• Detailed plans of the stand, certified by an Engineer, must be lodged with the venue 30 prior to the opening of the show.
• The completed stand must be inspected and certified by the Engineer.

1.7 Naked Flames (i.e. Candles, Incense, Oil Burners, Gas Appliances, Etc):

• A safety barrier may be required in front of every lit gas heater;
• A vigilant stand attendant must be present on the stand at all times;
• A current/valid fire extinguisher, clearly visible and accessible to visitors, must be kept on your stand; (In addition, consider having a fire blanket on hand);
• Please ensure that flames are situated so that members of the public cannot come into direct contact with the flame or any surface which may result in burns or cause clothing to ignite;
• No flammable material shall be within one meter of the flame;
• Flames must be extinguished 15 minutes prior to the stand being vacated at the end of each day;
• Proposals for the use of naked flames on stands must be submitted to the venue 30 days prior to the exhibition.
• All personnel working at the stand must be informed of the requirements for naked flames.

1.8 Lp Gas Bottles

• Where exhibitors intend to use or store LPG or other flammable gas bottles on site, the venue must be advised prior to the show.
• LPG fuelled appliances must be installed and tested for leaks by a licensed gas fitter before they are used;
• Gas cylinders, exposed gas pipes and all connections to the cylinder must be protected from damage at all times;
• Gas cylinder must be protected by a fire-proof covering at all times (fire blanket);
• Fire extinguisher, (dry chemical) must be clearly visible at all times.
• Gas bottles are stored in cages outside the Venue when not in use.
• All personnel working at the stand must be informed of the requirements for the use and storage of gas bottles.

1.9 Heat-generating Displays (i.e. Steam Irons, Etc):

• You must ensure that heat-generating appliances are operated without risk to visitor health and safety e.g. consider using a barrier around your appliance,either within a roped-off area or operate behind a Perspex shield;
• When demonstrating heat-generating equipment, your display should not be on the perimeter of the stand. Rather it should be set back 1 meter within your stand area adjacent to the aisle e.g. when demonstrating an ironing board, place the board at right-angles to the aisle so the public can’t brush past the hot iron and burn themselves;
• dmg’s Health & Safety Officer will visit your stand to satisfy themselves that your exhibit complies with basic OH&S principles. You may be asked to provide safety barriers for your display. If you do not have any available, you may be required to hire them on-site.
• All personnel working at the stand must be informed of the requirements for the use operation of heat generating equipment.