DCC spearheads safety ahead of UK CoC13

DERRY City Council has released details of a Safety Advisory Group (SAG) which has been set up to provide essential guidance to organisers of events expecting audiences in excess of 500 people.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Nov 2012, 13:17 BST

Chief Environmental Officer Philip O’Doherty explained: “As civic leader, Derry City Council is responsible for ensuring that there are adequate provisions and facilities available for the health, safety and welfare of the public and participants at most public events and particularly large scale events.

“Looking ahead to 2013 and beyond, this Safety Advisory Group (SAG) will comprise of key Council Department officials together with other statutory regulatory agencies including PSNI, NIFRS, NIAS and DRD (Roads).

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“It is set to provide a forum within which the Council and other agencies can develop a coordinated approach to safety management for public events.”

Mr O’Doherty continued: “Derry City Council will strive with our partners to promote reasonably practical standards of public safety at all relevant public events held within the Council district by ensuring that event organisers have made adequate provisions for the health, safety and welfare of all those attending their events.

“The Group will become a focal point of contact for event organisers so that we can assist them in achieving good practice and high standards.”

Key areas include the promotion of high levels of health, safety and welfare at events, the promotion of good practice in health, safety and welfare planning for events through auditing of Event Plans and ensuring events cause minimal adverse impact to the environment, economy and human well-being.

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Frank Orr, Ambulance Service Area Manager with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service added: “NIAS is pleased to be part of the development of the SAG.

“We are confident that it will serve well in advising event organisers on planning for and holding safe and successful events. The multi-agency make-up of the SAG brings a broad spectrum of expertise and experience together as an invaluable aid in the event planning process.”

Derry City Council has made available the Terms of Reference of the Safety Advisory Group with an online guidance documents for the use of event organisers. The online documents are available to download at http://derrycity.gov.uk/Council-Services/Environmental-Health/Safety-Advisory-Group

Related topics:Philip O'DohertyCouncil