Written Scheme of Maintenance and Examination
And
Risk Assessment
1Introduction
Great Dunmow, Essex is an ancient market town, which takes a civic pride in the traditional celebrations it holds on a regular basis. Notably these are the Dunmow Flitch Trials (held every 4 years) and the annual Carnival. Part of these traditional celebrations is the display of street decorations, notably bunting. It is also traditional to have a running commentary on these occasions which uses a system of lightweight loudspeakers.
The following written scheme and risk assessment is designed to record a safe system of operation and maintenance for the display of bunting and mounting of loudspeakers in specified roads notably the High Street and Market Place.
A scheme for the regular inspection and testing of the fittings by competent persons to which the items are attached to are laid out herein.
K Wheatcroft / D Dack
P Noble
Approvers in the first instance
V12 September 2018
V11September 2017
V10 September 2016
V9 September 2015
V8 September 2014
V7 September 2013
V6 September 2012
V5 August 2011
V4.0 21 July 2010
V3.0 03 September 2009
V2.0 16th August 2008
First Draft 28th May 2008
Index
1Introduction......
2Bunting......
3Sound System......
4Insurance......
5References......
6Out of House Contacts......
7Appendix A: Bunting Fixing Schedule......
8Appendix B: Horn speaker Fixing Schedule......
9Appendix C: Manufacturers data – Monacor IT35 Horn.......
2Bunting
Enquires with the supplier of traditional bunting (Piggotts of Essex, 01277 363262) indicates that an industry standard mounting methodology is not available for this purpose. The following scheme was therefore devised to ensure the safety of the general public and to demonstrate due diligence by the organisers of the towns special occasions (notably but not restricted to the Flitch Trials and the Carnival).
The erection of Bunting has taken place annually for many years (60 years) without any known structural fixing failure or safety incident relating to bunting.
A few certain specified items of street furniture (lamp posts) are used for securing the bunting to ensure a road clearance height of 5.8m (Cable catenary height specified in BS 7671 17th Edition, referenced in HSG195 The Event Safety Guide). Appendix A specifies the lamp columns used for this purpose and their numbers. It has been noted that it is not preferable to use lamp columns attached to the walls as advised by Essex County Council. The Carnival Committee have therefore endeavoured to install suitable dedicated ring fixings wherever possible.
The Town Council and voluntary representatives met with Essex County Council Highways Department on the 23/04/08. At this meeting it was agreed that, in principle, the street furniture could be affixed to provided that the installation was carried out in accordance with a written scheme prepared and executed by persons competent for this task in accordance with the guidance offered Essex County Council.
Experience of the chosen bunting shows it will survive gale force conditions when subjected to a mean hourly wind speed of 40 knots however the manufacturer (and others contacted) could not verify this scientifically.
The additional fixings required would be installed on behalf of the Town ensuring that they would be:
a)Suitable for the estimated load to be applied
b)Tested annually by persons competent for this task by the application of a horizontal force equivalent to the breaking strain force applied by the bunting. Bunting was tested at 67.4lbs (30.6KG), applied wind force to each fixing may therefore not exceed 33.7lbs (15.3KG). A test weight was applied to the fixings when installed of 56lbs (25.5KG) giving a safety factor of 1.66. Each year a 15kg force is applied by spring balance prior to installation to check the fixing has not deteriorated.
c)Visually inspected annually by persons competent for this task when erecting the bunting.
d)Deterioration test annually on the integrity of the bunting to ensure bunting has not suffered from reduced integrity due to age, moisture penetration or UV radiation of 25Kg applied via spring balance to bunting secured to fixed point.
2.1 Bunting Risk Assessment
Whilst the consequence of failure of one of the control methods listed here for such an occurrence is serious (car swerving to avoid broken tape) the likelihood is low. Therefore, after all controls are in place the risk to the public and installers of the bunting is assessed as low.
Task Description
Erecting and displaying traditional bunting through the ancient town of Great Dunmow
This activity re-occurs at least once each year.
Hazard Identification
Bunting falling from height onto the pavement or public highway hitting vehicles or pedestrians by:
- Failure of fixing
- High winds
- Striking by vehicle
- Vehicle swerving to avoid fallen bunting
- Interference
- Working at Height
2.2 Control Methods
Failure of Fixing
All fixings to be tested and inspected in accordance with the written scheme.. Failure is therefore unlikely.
Breaking in High Winds
Bunting has been sourced from reputable supplier.
Bunting replaced in 2008 and is condition monitored each year to ensure structural integrity. An additional amount was also procured in 2015.
Striking by Vehicle
Bunting erected to ensure lowest point above the highway is 5.8m (Cable catenary height specified in BS 7671 17th Edition revised 2008, referenced in HSG195 The Event Safety Guide).
Vehicle Swerving to Avoid Broken Bunting
Fixings to be constructed inspected and tested by person competent to carry out the task in accordance with the written scheme.
Bunting replaced in 2008 and is condition monitored each year to ensure structural integrity.
Interference
The bunting is mounted too high (over 5.8m) for normal access by, for example, minors or revellers.
The social environment is low risk.
Working at Height
As a significant proportion of the erection time is at height, a mobile elevated work platform shall be used to erect the bunting.
This to be provided by a reputable supplier. Certification to be checked before use.
To be operated by a trained operative.
All those working in a work platform (bucket or cage) must wear a harness and must be attached by a restraint lanyard / retractable lanyard restrainingdevice to the MEWP anchor point at all times.
The fitting of a fall arrest device will depend on capability of the MEWP manufacturer’sanchor point and will be fixed on the work platform (bucket or cage). Only a lanyard equipment designed and tested for this purpose must be used.
Restraint lanyards must be short enough to prevent a person reaching a position wherethey could fall. Persons present to lower the bucket to rescue the suspended person.
Bunting to be erected at a time when there is reduced pedestrian and traffic flow.
3Sound System
The town Council and voluntary representatives met with Essex County Council Highways department on the 23/04/08. At this meeting it was agreed that in principle, the street furniture could be affixed to provided that the installation was carried out in accordance with a written scheme prepared by and executed by persons competent for this task in accordance with the guidance offered Essex County Council.
Subsequently it was not possible for the council to confirm if the wall mounted type of street furniture would be suitable. Alternative mountings identified in Appendix B have been adopted, generally flat roof sections and flag pole sockets. The mounting method adopted is the use of 500mm long 38mm steel poles either attached to 300mm “tank trap” square plates or 800mm frame plates or inserted into flag pole sockets with industry standard pole top mounts attached to the tee sections to which the horns are mounted. A safety chain is required at each of these securely fixed to a structure. The safety chain fixing shall be tested in the same manner as the bunting fixings.
The following risk assessment supports the safe system of operation and maintenance of the horn speakers used for public entertainment and safety announcements, primarily during Carnival.
Cables are installed a minimum of 2.2m above pavements.
These are installed the day before the event and removed the day afterwards.
3.1 Sound System Risk Assessment
This risk assessment supplements the standard risk assessment for the Dunmow Carnival as the task has been identified as having hazards not identified in any other assessment.
Whilst the consequence of failure of one of the control methods listed here for such an occurrence is serious (equipment falling) the likelihood is low. Therefore, after all controls are in place the risk to the public and installers of the equipment is assessed as low.
Task Description
Erecting and running twin assemblies of Monacor IT35 100V line PA horns (or similar) in 4 circuits fed from 3 presenters positions. Position 1 upstairs in the Dunmow club, position 2 on the first floor of the old town hall and position 3 in a private Garden on the corner of Rosemary Lane and North St.
3 Presenters making public announcements.
Speakers are located in accordance with Appendix B.
This activity re-occurs once each year.
Risk Assessment
Whilst the consequence of failure of one of the control methods listed here for such an occurrence is serious the likelihood is low. Therefore, after all controls are in place the risk to the public and operators of the system is assessed as low.
Hazard Identification
5Kg Horn assembly or cable falling from height onto the pavement or public highway hitting vehicles or pedestrians by:
- Failure of fixing
- High winds
- Striking by vehicle
- Interference
- Electric shock
- Working at Height
3.2 Control methods
Failure of Fixing
Primary fixing – bar is 6mm thick x 30mm wide. Standard hook clamp is 5mm steel, fixings are 12mm threaded bolts with nylon lock nuts where appropriate. These fixings far exceed manufactures bracket fixing. Failure is therefore unlikely.
500mm Long 38mm diameter steel bar either welded onto a 300mm square “tank trap” steel plate or a 800 steel frame or slotted into a flag pole fixing. The construction far exceeds that of the manufactures bracket fixing. Failure is therefore unlikely.
A secondary safety chain fixing – 2mm x 6 x 15mm black jap welded chain with a 5mm diameter carbine join is employed to hold the assembly in the unlikely event that the primary fixing fails.
High Winds
Tank trap fixing and flag pole fixing is stable in very high winds. Secondary safety chain will stop falling even in extreme conditions as it is tested at 10 times dead weight of speakers.
Striking by Vehicle
The horns are mounted on flat roofs – it is not reasonable to expect a direct vehicle strike at this position.
Interference
The horns are mounted too high (over 3m) for normal access by for example minors or revellers. Cables are secured to building structure such that interference is also unlikely. The social environment is low risk.
Electric Shock
All normal precautions apply as identified in the generic risk assessments. Where cables are joined these are tied such that strain is not put on the connectors.
Horns are rated at IP66 – suitable for outdoors in all weathers.
Cable connectors are specialist Neutrik NL2 Connections designed for the application
The system shall only be live for testing and on the day of the carnival. The operatives shall turn on the amplifiers and shut them down before and after use limiting the potential risk exposure time.
Working at Height
To be erected by a trained competent operative.
System to be erected at a time when there is reduced pedestrian and traffic flow.
4Insurance
Suitable insurance will be arranged by the event organisers. For example, the insurance for the carnival event is arranged through:
Saffron Insurance Group,
Saffron House
67 High Street
Saffron Walden
Essex CB10 1AA
T: 01799 522293
F: 01799 521479
E:
This insurance indemnifies against third party risks to value of £5m.
Bunting is only insured for the period of the event (usually one week maximum) and no bunting is flown without insurance.
5References
Carnival Risk Management System (updated annually)
HS(G)195 “The event Safety Guide” HSE, ISBN 0717624536
BS 7671 “Requirements for Electrical Installations” 17th Edition (IEE Wiring Regulations) ISBN 978-0-86341-844-0.
Code of Practice for the erection of banners and bunting on or above the public Highway, Essex County Council.
6Out of House Contacts
Carnival: Mr D Dack, 07852 335999
Flitch trials: Mrs J Martin 01371 872404
7Appendix A: Bunting Fixing Schedule
See MS Excel File.
8Appendix B: Horn speaker Fixing Schedule
See MS Excel File.
9Appendix C: Manufacturers data – Monacor IT35 Horn.
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Written Scheme of Maintenance and Examination