Health and Safety

Executive

Example risk assessment for a nightclub

Setting the scene The club is cleaned every morning by cleaners from knowledge and experience of areas and activities, and
a general office cleaning contractors. The cleaners to listen to their opinions about health and safety issues
The manager did the risk assessment at this nightclub,
store the cleaning materials in a locked cupboard.in the workplace;
which is located in a city centre. It has three bars,
Maintenance
three work with the exception of the most Q Talked to the office cleaning contractors, and to his
dance floors and an additional ‘quiet bar’. Live straightforward
bands activities which are done in-house,
preferred suppliers of maintenance work, to ensure that
also perform there. is done by contractors. These are chosen from their a activities did not pose a risk to club staff, and vice-
preferred list of suppliers. Work is undertaken following versa; and
Thirty staff are employed at the club, which is open
procedures
to the set out in the club’s permit to workQLooked
systematfor the accident book, to gain an understanding
public from 8.00pm to 3.00am. Five staff members contractors.
do not of previous incidents.
speak English as their first language, but are sufficiently
fluent to be able to do their job, understand safety
The premises were built before 2000. The building 2 The has
manager then wrote down who could be harmed
instructions, deal with difficult situations, etc. There
been surveyed
is for the presence of asbestos. Asbestos by the hazards and how.
a staff room, where drinks can be prepared andcontaining
food materials (ACMs) were found but as the ACMs
heated, and separate toilet and washing facilities were forinstaff.
good condition and in places were they3were For each hazard, he wrote down what controls, if
unlikely to be damaged, worked on or disturbed, any, it waswere in place to manage these hazards. He then
decided to leave them in place. compared these controls to the good practice guidance
Important reminder provided on the HSE website. Where existing controls
How was the risk assessment done? were not considered good enough, the manager wrote
This example risk assessment shows the kind down what else needed to be done to control the risk.
of approach a small business might take. It can The manager followed the guidance in Five steps to risk
be used as a guide to think through some of the assessment. 4Putting the risk assessment into practice, the manager
hazards in your business and the steps you need decided and recorded who was responsible for
to take to control the risks. Please note that it1 isTo identify the hazards, the manager: implementing the actions identified as necessary and
not a generic risk assessment that you can just when they should be done. When each action was
put your company name on and adopt wholesale Q Looked at HSE’s web pages for small businesses done, he ticked it off and noted the date. He also made
without any thought. This would not satisfy the law (www.hse.gov.uk/smallbusinesses/index.htm), and it part of the induction process for new staff.
- and would not be effective in protecting people. for entertainment and leisure (www.hse.gov.uk/
entertainment/index.htm), to learn where hazards5At canthe staff meeting, the office manager discussed the
Every business is different - you need to think occur.1 findings of the risk assessment with staff and pinned
through the hazards and controls required in yourQ Walked around the club noting things that might pose upaa copy in the staffroom. He decided to review and
business for yourself. risk, taking into consideration HSE’s guidance update the risk assessment every year, or straightaway
Q Talked to supervisors and staff to learn from their if any major changes in the workplace happened.
1 of 6 pages
 Health and Safety
Executive

Company name: Date of risk assessment:

Smith’s Nightclub 01/10/07

What are the Who might be harmed and What

how? are you already doing? What further action is necessary?
Action byAction by
Done
hazards? who? when?

Fire Staff and public may suffer serious,

Q Full fire risk assessment, as per www.fire.gov.uk/Workplace+safety/
Q No further action necessary at this
possibly fatal, injuries from smokehas been done and is available in the manager’s office.
stage.
inhalation, burns, structural collapse.
Q Constant checks to ensure all control measures in fire risk
assessment are in place.

Falls from heightStaff may suffer serious, possibly

Q All
fatal,
platforms for performers and others are adequately
Q Nosings
fenced(front
with edges) of steps
Technical
to 30/11/07 29/10/07
injuries if they fall from any height.
safe means of access. be highlighted. manager
For example, performers mightQ fallLadders to be suitable, regularly inspected, and used only for light
from platforms; staff doing cleaning/
work of short duration by trained staff. Q Provide suitable nets underTechnical 30/11/07 29/10/07
maintenance, or working on the Q Only
lighting
trained, authorised staff may work on the lighting
balcony
rig. edge (and ensure safemanager
rig, might fall from ladders. Q All other work at height, such as above the roof lightsystem
– is done
of by
work, including the right
Also, staff/pubic risk serious injury
contractors
if under a permit to work system and usingequipment,
trained staff
for retrieving glasses/
struck by glasses falling from balcony
and appropriate equipment. bottles from nets).
to lower levels. Q Stewards extra-vigilant on the balcony.

Slips, trips and Staff and public may suffer serious,

Q All stairs have handrails and midrails on open sidesQ with
Replace
kick loose
boards floor tiles byTechnical
the 30/11/07 29/10/07
falls possibly fatal, injuries if they fall where
from needed. sink in the staff kitchen. manager
or on stairs, or suffer injuries such
Q Allasenclosed stairwells have handrails on one side at least and both
sprains and fractures if they slip ifonstair wider than 1.8m. Q Check there is enough gritting Technical
salt 30/10/07 4/10/07
spillages, trip over objects, etc.Q All carpets firmly secured. for the path to the outside manager
bins, in
Q Adequate lighting, particularly on stairs. icy weather.
Q Good housekeeping – staff ‘see it and sort it’.
Q Electrical cables managed so as not to pose a trip Qhazard.
Spills to be cleaned up Technical 30/10/07 4/10/07
immediately using spill kitsmanager
located
around the club, glass collectors
and bar staff to be on the look out
for spills at all times.

Example risk assessment: Nightclub 2 of 6 pages

 Health and Safety
Executive

What are the Who might be harmed and What

how? are you already doing? What further action is necessary?
Action byAction by
Done
hazards? who? when?

Electricity Staff and public may suffer serious

Q Electrical installation and all equipment inspected Q byMake
a competent
sure that all starters HR
know Ongoing
and possibly fatal electric shock/burns
person according to a planned inspection programme, where
and the fuse box is and howManager
injuries from faulty electrical equipment
maintained as necessary. to safely turn off electricity in an
or installation. Q Staff trained to spot and report any defective plugs, emergency.
discoloured
sockets, damaged cable and on/off switches and to take defective
equipment out of use.
Q Staff know how to safely turn the electricity off in an emergency.
Q Clear access to the fuse box.

Noise Staff might suffer permanent orQ Noise limiter fitted to sound system and DJ informed. Q Make sure that protection of Manager
staff For next
temporary hearing damage from Q Regular
long- check of sound systems to ensure balance/proper from excessive
control. noise is designed
and year
term exposure to loud music. All
Q Quiet
staff areas provided. in during the refitting of bar
technical
areas/
assumed to be at risk, particularly
Q Staff
DJ rotation between quiet and noisy areas. dance floors planned for nextmanager
year.
and bar staff. Q Staff trained in noise risks and the protective measures needed.
Q Staff considered to be particularly at risk identified and provided
with ear plugs.
Q Health surveillance, including hearing tests, for ‘at risk’ staff.

Violence Staff and the public risk seriousQ injury,

Staff trained to spot potential trouble makers, defuse
Q No
tense
further action at this stage.
if assaulted or if caught up in fighting.
situations, etc.
Q Adequate number of trained, SIA badged security staff.
Q Staff trained in procedures re entry, queuing, searches, etc and
signs displayed for public.
Q Information sharing with police and other security staff at licensed
premises in the area.
Q CCTV system.
Q Walkie-talkie system allows bar staff to talk to security staff.
Q Overcrowding not permitted in any area.
Q Security staff aware of all exits.
Q Live bands told not to encourage stage diving etc.
Q Drinks not served to people obviously under the influence.
Q Glass collectors used.

Example risk assessment: Nightclub 3 of 6 pages

 Health and Safety
Executive

What are the Who might be harmed and What

how? are you already doing? What further action is necessary?
Action byAction by
Done
hazards? who? when?

Glazing and Staff and the public may sufferQserious

All safety critical glazing complies with British Standard
Q No further
6262. action at this stage.
mirrors injury from impact with windows/
Q Where necessary, glass is marked to make it evident.
mirrors that are not evident. Q No mirrors sited where they might cause confusion or disorientation.

Gas Staff and others risk injury from

Q fire
Boiler
and
checked and serviced annually by CORGI contractor.
Q No further action at this stage.
explosion if not properly maintained
Q Staffand
trained in defect reporting procedure.
used.

High temperatures
Staff and the public may sufferQfromAdequate ventilation supplies fresh air to public areas
Q Noatfurther
a rate action
of at this stage.
dehydration or fainting if it is too8litres/sec/person.
hot.
Q Air conditioning in hot weather.

Hypodermic Staff may suffer puncture injuries

Q Strict
fromno-drugs policy, enforced by club security procedures.
Q Reminder to staff that theyManager
must 4/10/07 4/10/07
needles discarded needles, which may Qresult
Staffin
trained in collecting discarded needles using always use the sharps kit when
serious ill-health problems. ‘sharps kit’ - puncture-resistant gloves, tongs and sharps
discarded
box. needles are found.
Q Staff trained to dispose of sharps container as clinical waste.
Q Train staff in action to be taken
Manager
in 4/10/07 4/10/07
case of needle-stick injury.

Manual handlingStaff may suffer from back painQ from

Kegs taken to and stored in cellar by brewery draymen.
Q Install portable ramp for rear
Technical
step, 30/11/07 29/10/07
carrying heavy or awkward objects
Q Beer drop properly designed and maintained. to prevent having to awkwardly
manager
including kegs, cases of beer, speakers.
Q Sack truck/porters trolley used where possible for cases
manoeuvre
of bottles,
the sack truck up or
speakers, etc. down the step.
Q Only authorised staff, trained in manual handling, handle the sound
system, speakers, etc.

Transport Staff may suffer serious injuries

Q if
Reversing of vehicles to be supervised if other people
Q Talk
in the
to the
area.
brewery about agreeing
Bar 30/11/07 15/10/07
struck by a vehicle, eg during deliveries. safe procedures for deliveries.
manager

Example risk assessment: Nightclub 4 of 6 pages

 Health and Safety
Executive

What are the Who might be harmed and What

how? are you already doing? What further action is necessary?
Action byAction by
Done
hazards? who? when?

CO2 leakage Staff risk potentially fatal suffocation

Q Adequate ventilation to cellar. Q Make sure all new starters Bar
know Ongoing
injuries from any CO2 leak in the Q Staff
cellar.
trained to check for and to recognise leaks, andhow
to turn
to check for and recognise
manager
equipment off if there is a leak. leaks, and how to safely turn
Q Brewery provides 24-hour cover for dealing with leaks.equipment off.
Q CO2 alarm installed, and regularly maintained.

Asbestos Staff and others carrying out normal

Q Insulating boards in good condition - asbestos unlikely
Q At to
next
be staff meeting, remind
Manager 4/10/07 4/10/07
containing activities at very low risk as asbestos
disturbed during normal activities. staff that the asbestos must
materials found only poses a risk if fibres are released
Q Systems in place to inform contractors and others whonotmight
be disturbed and to report
in two insulatinginto air and inhaled. Maintenance disturb the asbestos, where it is and to ensure safe working.
immediately any accidental
board panels to workers most at risk. Q ‘Danger, asbestos, do not disturb’ signs posted at cellar
damage
door.to the insulating boards.
the cellar door. Q Staff told to report any accidental damage immediately.
Q Condition of insulating boards checked periodically.

Pyrotechnics Danger from fire, explosion, direct

Q NOT TO BE USED WITHOUT PERMISSION OF LICENCING Q No further action at this stage.
impact and panic. AUTHORITY, ASSESSMENT OF SUITABILITY OF VENUE BY
COMPETENT PERSON, FULL RISK ASSESSMENT AND COMPLIANCE
WITH ABTT GUIDANCE.
Q If all above met then use only stage pyrotechnics with cold fall out
and according to manufacturers instructions.

Lasers Staff and public may suffer eye

Q damage
NOT TO BE USED WITHOUT PERMISSION OF LICENCING
Q No further action at this stage.
if used improperly. AUTHORITY, ASSESSMENT OF SUITABILITY OF VENUE BY
COMPETENT PERSON, FULL RISK ASSESSMENT AND COMPLIANCE
WITH HSG95.

Smoke and fogs Staff may suffer skin damage from

Q Only trained workers have access to the products, Qwhich
Download
are kept
HSEindocument SR25
Technical 30/11/07 29/11/07
handling dry ice. Fumes and mistsa locked container. ‘Smokes and fogs in nightclubs
manager
can cause irritation to eyes, nose
Q Only
and workers trained in the risk of the product, use the
andproducts,
small venues’ (www.coshh-
breathing. following safe systems of work – including wearing appropriate
essentials.org.uk/assets/live/
gloves, as recommended by the manufacturer. SR25.pdf) to check that the right
controls are in place.

Example risk assessment: Nightclub 5 of 6 pages

 Health and Safety
Executive

What are the Who might be harmed and What

how? are you already doing? What further action is necessary?
Action byAction by
Done
hazards? who? when?

Hangings, drapes,
May be flammable and obscure
Q exit
Must be flame retardant. Q No further action at this stage.
inflatables etc signs. Q Must not be hung anywhere that hides exit routes, signs etc.
used for
decoration

Assessment review date:

1/10/08

1 Look out for ‘Sound Advice’, an industry publication due in May 2008 that will provide guidance on straightforward, practical steps that employers can take to protect workers from the r
the ‘noise’ section of the HSE website (www.hse.gov.uk).

Example risk assessment: Nightclub 6 of 6 pages

Published by the Health and Safety Executive 02/08