Ventnor Carnival Processions 2012

 

Safety on Parade!

A Checklist for groups taking part.

 

In this growing climate of ‘blame and claim’ and increasing government legislation regarding Health & Safety and Risk Management for public events, the following guidelines are issued to protect you, the participant and members of your family or group, whilst taking part in the carnival.  We all want our carnival to be a safe, happy and accident free one so please read carefully and if anything is unclear – ask.

 

General Advice.

 

1.                  You are required to nominate an adult member of your group to be responsible for the safety and welfare of your own people at all carnival processions.  Please ensure this safety officer is known to the organisers on the day.  The driver of your group must attend a briefing 15 minutes before the move off at the front of the procession by the Police and the Carnival Safety Officer.

 

 

2.                  Be aware of any special needs of members of your group – e.g. Do they need medication, inhalers, suffer from diabetes/epilepsy.  Find out if any of your group are first aiders.

 

3.                  Carry a small emergency rucksack with you on the day, containing a few essentials supplies, for instance: water, tissues, wet wipes, scissors, sticky tape, and basic first aid kit, also sunscreen.

 

4.                  Always keep up with the entry in front of yours, whilst maintaining a safe distance between members of your group on the road any large vehicles.  Lagging behind and creating gaps in the procession allows the public to fill in the space or cut across and be dangerous.

 

5.                  Ensure no one gets on or off your vehicle while it is moving.

 

6.                  Always follow the advice given to you by the events organisers, official stewards and by the Police and Emergency Services.  The Stewards and Police are there to provide you with assistance should you need it along the route.  It is a requirement of Ventnor Carnival Association that all entries must provide at least two responsible adults to walk alongside the side of their entry, and be seen clearly by any drivers nearby.

Section 1 – for groups travelling on a lorry/float

 

Is the vehicle properly serviced and not likely to break down?  Check for common overheating problems and clutch burnout.

 

Is it in good working order and not going to create clouds of petrol/diesel fumes for your walkers and spectators to inhale?

 

Check your exhaust outlet are not blocked or covered.

 

Make sure your vehicle is carrying a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher.  Is the fire extinguisher unused and the correct type (dry powder)?

 

Check the driver’s vision through the windscreen and mirrors is maintained at all times.  Ideally the driver should have an assistant to help with vision and communication.

 

If your vehicle is decorated in such a way that it overhangs the body of the vehicle, make sure that it is clearly marked and will not present a hazard to other road users or spectators or members of your group walking alongside.

 

Organise how you are going to position everything on your vehicle.  Perhaps do a scale plan or a ‘dress rehearsal’ to make sure everything will fit?

 

Ensure that any large or heavy instruments or props are well secured on the platform of your entry.

 

If you are carrying people on the back of your vehicle please ensure you have adequate ropes and/or handrails in place to stop people or instruments from falling off.  Nobody should ride on a float with their limbs hanging over the side or between the towing vehicle and trailer.

 

That you do not allow people to climb onto the roof of the vehicle.  That only a reasonable number of people are carried given due regard to its size and type.  The towing vehicle and trailer must be in a legal and roadworthy condition, the trailer must not exceed the maximum towing capacity of the towing vehicle.  Tyres on vehicles and trailers must have the legal requirement of tread, and be inflated to correct pressure.

 

The driver of any vehicle in the carnival, including any vehicle pulling a trailer are responsible for the general safety of their vehicle and trailer including towing mechanism SUITABLE BREAK AWAY CHAIN and general sturdiness of the float including adequate insurance cover.

 

Section 2 – for groups using a generator on their float

 

Make sure your generator is compatible with the power output of your music system and other equipment.

 

The generator should be positioned away from combustible material and have adequate ventilation.

 

Generators are to be filled before being started and moving off.

 

Any further refilling of tanks to be carried out whilst the generator is turned OFF.

 

Use extreme care when filling a hot Generator.

 

Any personnel should be moved away from the generator whilst refuelling takes place – and a fire extinguisher to be on hand.

 

Fuel cans are to be of an approved type for carrying petroleum spirit/diesel, and these should be stored away from any heat source.

 

Please ensure all electrical items in use are fitted safety, waterproof and are suitable for outside use.  Remember light bulbs can get very hot.

 

In case of fire.

 

Ensure the fire brigade is summoned.  The emergency fire and rescue services in the carnival are to be found at the front of the procession.

 

Move all bystanders away from the fire.

 

Attempt to extinguish the fire without personal risk.

 

Move any combustible materials and any adjacent floats, costumes canopies etc. without personal risk.

 

The use of a diesel generator is advisable.

 

Section 3 – for groups and individuals walking in costume including bands.

 

Costume (mass) bands should be particularly aware of the following risks.

 

Large costumes can be very difficult to handle in high winds.

 

They can cause injury to the public or other performers if proper control of the space between costumes and vehicles is not exercised.

 

They can be awkward to lift and manoeuvre if the balance of the costume structure is not right.  Give your performers a dress rehearsal so they know what movements they can safety make.

 

Be aware that there are low trees and street lighting along the route (Max height 13ft).

 

Large costumes can be a fire hazard.  Make sure there is no smoking near them.

 

They can be very hot to wear and cause dehydration for the performer.  Ensure they have adequate water.

 

If you have young children in the band, position them in the centre of the section so that they are not immediately exposed to potential dangers from vehicles and crowds.

 

Make sure you have sufficient marshals from your entry to look after the performers, give them water, and release them from their costumes quickly in case of an emergency.

 

Section 4 – important crowd safety notes for all groups

 

Some parts of the route are very heavily congested and difficult to manoeuvre.  Both your safety reps and procession marshals have an essential function in ensuring safe passage of vehicles and members through these areas.

 

In particular we would ask you to ……

 

Make sure your moving vehicle is positioned well away from the near side kerb, as there is danger of people falling or being pushed into the road.

 

Allocate responsible adults to walk either side of vehicles and/or large costumes through congested areas.

 

Keep up the flow of the procession.  Gaps are extremely hazardous as they allow spectators (and sometimes vehicles too) to dodge across the road between procession vehicles – causing obvious danger.

 

Do no encourage spectators into the road by handing out leaflets or gifts from your float.  If you wish to distribute any items please check first with the procession organisers.

 

Do not encourage coin throwing.  This can cause injury – particularly to eyes and to young children, and can cause serious injury.  In return the spraying of water and throwing objects into the crowd is strictly prohibited.

 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CAREFUL ATTENTION IN THESE MATTERS