OSH Manual

2.0 General Health And Safety Matters

2.1 Emergency Procedures:

• In the event of a partial or complete evacuation of the exhibition halls, exhibitors, staff, contractors and agents are requested to muster in the areas as directed by the venue security staff.
• The venue public address system will be used to convey evacuation and‘all-clear’ instructions.
• Exhibitors are asked to be constantly aware of unidentified packages, cases or bags left on stands. In any case of doubt the article should not be touched, but security informed, via the Organiser’s Office.

2.1 Department Of Health

Contact local council/Dept of Health offices for up-to-date and fully comprehensive guidelines/regulations on the following topics:

• Food Handling demonstrations;
• Personal grooming exhibits i.e., body piercing, make-up application, etc;
• Pool/spa water hygiene.

2.3 Exhibitor Responsibilities:

• Ensure that persons in your employment and any others affected by your actions and omissions are safe and are not at risk to their health and safety.
• Ensure that relevant risk assessments have been carried out in relation to
• your own stand/area during build-up and pull-down.
• Co-operate/co-ordinate your actions with the organizers/contractors on-site.
• Where potential risks are identified during the risk assessment process make all parties aware of any potential risks as might arise during build-up and pull-down.
• Ensure that your workman/contractors are both competent and following safe systems of work.
• Seek advice where necessary from the on-site health and safety official, this will enable you to comply with the relevant statutory provisions.

2.4 Contractor Responsibilities

• Ensure the health, safety and welfare of any persons including subcontractors on-site during build-up and pull-down.
• Work is to be carried out by licensed trades people as appropriate.
• Where significant risks are involved ensure that risk assessment and method statements detailing methods of work are completed.
• Ensure that risk assessment and method statements are produced in preshow meetings.
• Comply with Occupational Health & Safety Legislation, during build-up and pull-down and comply with all legal requirements that are relevant to their operations.
• Ensure the competence of employees and sub-contractors to carry out the designated work.
• Co-operate and co-ordinate your actions.

2.5 Stand Designers

• Must be competent and have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience pertaining to stand design backed up by the relevant qualifications.
• Ensure that erection and maintenance of the design, has the ability to be carried out safely and in accordance with the relevant legislations by the contractors in the time available.
• Comply with regulation 13 of the construction and design regulation 1994 designers duties and related legislation to stand construction.

2.6 Working At Heights

• The task to be performed must be reviewed to ensure suitable access equipment is used.
• For all tasks involving works from heights, preference should be given to the use of scissor lifts, scaffolding or elevated work platforms.
• Wherever possible ladders should only be used as a means of access or egress.

2.7 Insurance

• Neither dmg, the venue or any staff, employees, agents or other representatives of dmg or the venue shall be held accountable or liable for any damage, loss harm or injury to the exhibitor, employees, agents or other representatives of the exhibitor or for goods sent to the venue before or remaining after the exhibition, or whilst in transit to or from, or during the exhibition.
• Exhibitors should consult their own insurance companies and/or broker for proper coverage of their exhibits and display area.
• It is a requirement that exhibitors have appropriate insurance cover for their stand area, including public liability.
• If you have this cover please send a Certificate of Currency detailing the following:

2.8 Guidelines For Build-up & Break-down And During The Exhibition

• No children are allowed on the premises (either the Hall or Dock areas) during build-up or pull-down. For the purpose of OH&S, children are under 16 years of age.
• NO ALCOHOL to be consumed during build-up or pull-down.
• A person must be appointed who is responsible for health and safety matters on the stand during build-up, pull-down and during the duration of the show.
• Keep clear aisle ways, as indicated on the floor plans, at all times.
• During the build-up and pull-down periods, your staff and subcontractors should be constantly reminded of the need for vigilance regarding the health and safety of themselves and those working in their vicinity.
• Any violations or concerns regarding any of the above points should be reported to our on-site Occupational Health & Safety Officer or to the Organiser’s Office.
• Portable electric tools must be used with the minimum length of trailing leads and such equipment should not be left unattended with a live power supply to it.
• Electrical cables must not cross aisle ways and fire exits. All portable electrical equipment should have a current inspection tag attached, and when in use, should be connected to a Residual Current Device.
• Before starting work overhead, the area directly beneath the workplace is to be cleared and cordoned off with signage displayed to indicate overhead work is in progress. No work is to be carried out above any person.
• Operatives should wear suitable protective clothing relevant to their job, which includes eye, hearing, foot, head and hand protection.
• Work areas should be maintained free from general waste and packaging materials, which could be hazardous to operatives.
• All parking restrictions and speed limits must be adhered to.
• Fire exits and emergency equipment must not be obstructed.
• You must ensure that portable power equipment is used for the purposes for which they were designed and that re-wired units comply with regulations before they are installed on site.
• Exhibitors are responsible for the safe use and storage of flammable liquids and substances and segregation from waste and other risk areas.
• Proper scaffolding must be used during the construction of any building within the halls, safety features of the scaffolding is provided as per laid down standards, and that any tower scaffold in use is properly stabilized and propped.

2.9 Notes On Demonstrations

• All demonstrations must be carried out in accordance with the Occupational Health & Safety Legislation.
• All exhibits must, where they are not sufficiently stable as freestanding models, be properly secured to the floor or other structure.
• Floors on exhibit stands must be kept clear of articles or substances likely to cause persons to slip or trip.
• All electrical conductors must be properly installed by licensed electricians and adequately protected.
• Any stand incorporating a demonstration or exhibits providing a potential fire hazard must be constructed in approved materials.
• Exhibits must be positioned so that at no time do they protrude into the aisle ways.

2.10 Manual Handling - For Loads That Can Be Carried By The Individual:

• Stand as close to the load, with feet apart for good balance, bending your knees and straddling the load;
• Always try to lift when standing or at least half squatting rather than kneeling or not using your legs;
• Keep your back as straight as possible whilst lifting and carrying; and Always keep the load as close as possible to your body, with elbows close to your sides making sure you can see where you are going
• Do not twist your body to change direction, use your feet

Any mechanical lifting devices utilised must be maintained and users must be trained in their use. No one shall operate a lifting device if it requires certification.

Loads carried mechanically should be within device size and weight limits. These should be carried safely and evenly balanced to prevent load slipping.

2.11 Lifting/packing Cases

• Forklifts are not to be used by anyone other than fully trained and licensed personnel.
• Work areas and exits should be maintained free from general waste and packaging materials, which could hazard operatives.
• Packing cases must not be allowed to obstruct aisle ways, passageways and fire exits.
• Nails, etc, must not be left protruding from any packing case or material.
• All packing cases and materials must be removed from the exhibition hall as soon as possible.
• All equipment must be regularly serviced and inspected.

2.12 Machinery On Stands

• All machinery should be fitted with guarding, fencing, lock immobilisation etc to ensure a safe environment for staff and patrons. The use of signage above machinery is not an acceptable protective method.
• No person shall demonstrate or operate a machine unless appropriately trained and clear instructions given; both in relation to the operation of the machine and as to responsibilities to members of the public in both normal and emergency situations. Persons demonstrating machines must wear adequate personal protective clothing and equipment.
• Clearly visible and accessible emergency stop controls must be available.
• All sources of power to and from the machine including electrical pneumatic and hydraulic, should be provided with an isolator which should be switched off when the machine is not actually being demonstrated by an authorized user.
• Adequate extraction or other equally effective methods must be provided for dust, chips and fumes.
• Adequate lighting must be provided both for the machine and its surrounding area.
• Where appropriate, screens must be used to provide adequate eye protection to members of the public.

2.13 Exhibits Requiring Additional Safety Precautions/ Written Approval

Notify the Venue at least 30 days prior to the show if your display has any of the following:

• A second storey – (Refer Stand Certification – Point 1.6)
• A solid ceiling or roof area more than 18 sqm – (Refer Stand Certification– point 1.6)
• A structure more than 3m high; the onus is on the Exhibitor to prove that the structure is stable.
• A motor vehicle (Refer Motor Vehicle on Display – point 1.13)
• Dangerous Goods – advise of type, size, volume and purpose of the dangerous goods, and supply Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)–obtained from the manufacturer of the product.
• A discharge of noxious waste – not to be discharged through the sewage system – collect and dispose of in a lawful manner.
• An LPG gas cylinder – (Refer LP Gas Bottles – Point 1.8)
• A cylinder containing compressed gas (other than LPG)
• A naked flame – (Refer naked flames – Point 1.7)
• Lighting or signage lower than 2.2m above floor level
• Animals
• Balloons
• .Special effects – pyrotechnics, smoke-generation, etc.