Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) / Contractors

CIV recognises that to keep people safe they must wear the most appropriate PPE. Depending on the task correct PPE should be used at all times. Minimum site requirements for bump-in /out are hi-vis tops/vests and enclosed footwear. However it is expected that contractors at all times are conscious of their surrounding and wear the most appropriate personal protective equipment.  If using power tools hearing and eye protection may be required.

Only CIV approved contractors / tradies are allowed onsite.

CIV recognises slips and trips are common causes of workplace injury and have the potential to injure exhibitors at events. Good housekeeping and a clean site is essential in providing a safe workplace. Trip and slip hazards should be eliminated or cordoned off. It is everyone’s responsibility to clean up after themselves.

Typical Hazards

Trips are commonly caused by tripping hazards on the floor, narrow thoroughfares or slippery surfaces, for example:

• Cluttered untidy storage areas
• Inappropriate footwear, e.g. worn or no tread
• Obstacles on floor, e.g. equipment, boxes, cords, chains
• Polished or slippery floor surfaces, e.g. entrances, exits, landings and stairs
• Poor housekeeping, e.g. objects on floor
• Poor lighting, especially at night
• Raised or exposed floor coverings, e.g. carpet edges
• Raised or uneven platforms and ramps, e.g. stand edges
• Spills or leaks, e.g. food or drink, burst pipes or oil from machinery
• Tent supports and guy ropes
• Weather (wet grass)

The event manager at the show will assist in minimise the risk to exhibitors. Exhibitors to assess their own risks and manage slip and trip hazards using the highest practicable level of control.

CIV recognises that the combination of pedestrian traffic and vehicles in our workplaces presents real potential for injuries, fatalities and property damage. Everyone to travel at a brisk walking pace only. Hazard lights are not required but you must use blinkers when turning.

Whilst traffic movement at events is generally slower than that on public roads (10 KPH), the risk is generally greater due to a large number of people and vehicles on site, busy move in and move out phases, lack of designated roads and pathways and a high number of pedestrians moving throughout the venue.

Key traffic hazards at events include:

• Inexperienced/unlicensed drivers
• Cluttered aisle ways
• Forklifts and scissor lifts
• Trucks and delivery vans
• Drivers unaware of traffic management plan
• Pallet jacks
• High traffic levels in loading areas
• Load dock access
• Inexperienced and untrained spotters
• Poor visibility (night time)
• Pedestrians and vehicles in the same space
• Poorly maintained vehicles
• Speeding vehicles
• No safe work procedures for drivers
• Wet weather
• Venue layout and visibility around corners
• Workers vehicles
• Drivers / pedestrians being distracted

• Public roads surrounding the venues
• Venue roadways
• Stock loading/unloading areas
• Venue car parks

The event manager at the show will assist in minimising the risk to exhibitors. Exhibitors to assess their own risks for managing traffic movement and ensure all vehicles onsite travel at no faster than walking pace – 10 KPH.   Vehicles are to be parked out of traffic paths wherever possible and all loads are to be secure – double check.

CIV recognises emergency plans and procedures are required should there be a need for the rapid evacuation of people from its shows in the event of an emergency.

Exhibitors are required when at shows to plan and note an emergency “exit path” in case of an emergency. Take note of site evacuation instructions and site maps.

Report any suspicious activities or packages to CIV staff or security.

CIV recognises that electrical hazards can cause fatal electrical shocks, fires and explosions and is committed to managing electrical risks at shows. Exhibitors should ensure all leads and extension cords are tested and tagged prior to entering a show.

It is the Exhibitors' responsibility to isolate any damaged leads and cords immediately and inform the Show Manager of the hazard. On informing the Show Manager a joint solution will be actioned.

Typical Electrical Hazards

• Leads placed across traffic areas

Common sources of electrical shock or injury include:

• Burns from surfaces, e.g. Hot lights
• Equipment close to electrical overhead wires
• Inadvertent contact with exposed or hidden electrical cables
• Inexperienced and unlicensed electrical workers
• Unauthorised modifications to electrical equipment
• Not isolating circuits, e.g. Lock out/tag out before commencing work
• Temporary wiring installed inappropriately, e.g. Strung from trees
• Working on live power circuits
• Working with untested portable electrical equipment.
• Leads placed where they present a trip hazard

CIV recognise that many accidents occur when people fall when working at heights and should only use ladders if safe to do so.

It is expected that Exhibitors, if working above 2 metres must use safety control measures. All ladders must be safely used on stable level ground with locking devices in place. There will be no overreaching, or standing on the top rungs.

It is expected Exhibitors will get assistance to stabilise ladders as required.

CIV recognises the hazards associated with temporary structures not being secured properly a gazebo lifted and moved by wind could easily be turned into a missile causing serious injury.

When an exhibitor is providing their own temporary structures such as marquees, etc. they must be secured to the extent that they can safely withstand heavy wind. Long tent pegs (not short ones originally supplied in many cases) should be used and legs to be secured with weights e,g. sand, water, concrete or metal.

These weights must be securely attached to the legs. In heavy gusty wind conditions it may be necessary to remove sides to allow the wind to go through the structure.

Inflatable structures may need to be deflated in windy conditions.

CIV recognises that manual handling is a key risk at shows and is responsible for over one third of all workplace injuries, including muscle, ligament and tendon tears, disc prolapses and general muscle strains.

All manual handling activities are to be managed using control measures from the highest practicable level of control by exhibitors. Manual handling may be defined as any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move or hold or restrain any object.

Exhibitors at shows are at risk of injury due to the heavy and awkward nature of the workplace, the nature of the equipment and the volume of equipment handled, often in a relatively tight timeframe. Common injury sources include:

• Working with awkward postures
• Inexperienced workers
• Carrying loads long distances
• Laying matting and carpets
• Carrying loads with one hand
• Carrying large boxes with no handles
• Lifting boxes repeatedly
• Handling Heavy equipment (caravans)
• Handling awkward stands or boards

Parking vehicles in proper areas is very important. At each show we have vehicles parked in incorrect areas and left unattended, usually resulting in frustration for others and people trying to manoeuvre vehicles and vans around these vehicles. This can result in risking both personal injury and potential property damage.

Vehicles should be parked on your designated site only. If they need to be parked temporarily close by, then you need to be close by. If for any reason you need to leave your vehicle unattended for a short period of time your mobile phone number should be clearly displayed on the dashboard.

All caravans and trailers must be securely in position before the show commences. This includes steps into the vans. Steps must be sturdy and non-slip.

Take into consideration public movement and weather conditions such as high winds, rain etc.

It is good safety practice to always have the brakes applied to vans and trailers and this is a site mandatory requirement. The use of wheel chocks will also assist in securing the van.

Gas cylinders on vans should be turned off, even if they are empty. OH&S practices stipulate empty cylinders should be treated the same as full cylinders.

Safety Induction

It is in everyone’s interest to prevent injuries. This safety induction must be completed by everyone. Managers must ensure all site personnel have completed this safety induction.

Random checks will be conducted and anyone found to have not completed this will need to leave the site and will not be allowed back until both the safety induction has been completed and permission granted by the show manager.