Work Health & Safety – Places of public entertainment experts

Introduction

Experts in this field have focused their studies on places of public entertainment such as music venues, comedy clubs, and entertainment centres. WH&S relates to the management of risks to the health and safety of anyone visiting a business, including workers, customers, and suppliers. In this case, it primarily relates to the patrons, performers, and other staff members working at the venue. These venues are often handling large groups of possibly intoxicated people alongside shows that can have potentially dangerous aspects to them off stage and on.

Some of the consequences of poor WH&S in places of public entertainment can lead to severe injury or death. There are the usual musculoskeletal considerations of any work space, but amplified due to the volume of people coming in and out of the venue, as well as the special risks related to some aspects of entertainment such as pyrotechnics, aerial wires, and mosh pits. Crowd management itself poses a huge risk, requiring stringent adherence to fire safety guidelines as well as properly delineated egress points and emergency exits. Larger venues may have the problem of crowd trampling, requiring extra exits and a security team ensuring the health and safety of all involved.

WH&S expertise in this area is usually sought to promote the well-being of all visitors and workers to the venue, and to ensure safe practices are being promoted and enforced during the show. Protecting workers and visitors in this way both safeguards their personal health and the interests of the entertainment company, protecting them from legal action.

Experts in this area come from many professional backgrounds. Many will come from an entertainment background, having worked in venue or event management themselves. Some will be trained OH&S experts, or generalised ergonomists. They may also come from a medical background, from doctors specialising in injuries at work to physiotherapists. The specific specialisation and background needed in your public entertainment expert will be determined by the matter which requires examination.

At the bottom of this profile are brief details of a number of the experts that Expert Experts represents. Call our office to discuss your requirements and to obtain a recommendation that suits your needs and budget.

Expertise in Action

Experts in WH&S as it relates to automotive repairs can be called upon to assist in policy design, enforcement and creation of safety measures, injuries sustained at one of these venues, and issues of crowd management amongst many others.

Sample Reports

For some fields of expertise we have some sample sections of de-identified reports. Please contact our office if you are interested in a sample.

Cost

The overall cost of expert opinion depends on the services required. Some of the key factors that affect the cost of advice include:

• The need for a view or inspection of a location
• The quantity of documentary material to be reviewed
• Whether there are reports of other experts to be reviewed and commented on in detail
• Whether there is a need for conferences with the expert either in person or by telephone/Skype

Relevant Articles Live entertainment - Safe Work Australia

A Safe Work Australia resource on public entertainment safety especially concerned with health considerations and safety measures.

Safety Guidelines for Live Entertainment and Events

A resource concerned with the enforcement and management of OH&S measures during live entertainment.

Relevant Cases Ryan v Port Phillip CC [2006] VCAT 1923 (19 September 2006)

A case concerning the licensing of a premises. It outlines some of the guidelines the venue must abide by including noise levels and crowd control safety measures.

Goddess Gentleman's Club PL v City of Melbourne [1999] VCAT 1871 (3 November 1999)

A case concerning the zoning of a venue wherein there is an outline given of some of the necessary safety measures in a venue such as this, for example security camera.

McHugh Holdings Pty Limited & Anor v Director General Communities NSW & Anor [2009] NSWSC 1359 (11 December 2009)

A case concerning assault rates at a venue and the creation of rules and regulations which would allow this venue to operate, including a venue safety plan.

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