Health & Safety: St James Quarter
Background
St James Quarter (SJQ) needed support in conceptualising and delivering an event direction for the launch of St James Quarter in Edinburgh. This involved a 1.7 million square foot scheme consisting of multiple event spaces, and the creation of go to locations for key pillars, including fashion, music and arts. The main aim of the launch was to engage the local community, and win the hearts and minds of Edinburgh and its visitors. With this in mind, We Are OPS were asked by We Are Placemaking to support on Health and Safety services for the 10-day series of both live and virtual installations, performances and workshops at SJQ. The team had to oversee a wide range of installations including market stalls, a demountable 4m stage, and decorative structures, in addition to managing a spectacular pre-opening light show. During the build, OPS were in charge of overseeing all Health and Safety aspects of the event, within a pre completion construction environment.
In addition to the SJQ Launch, OPS have continued to support WAP with a variety of events taking place at St James Quarter. From overseeing the safe installation of domes for Edinburgh Style, to auditing caterers for Seafood Festival, OPS have overcome such a wide range of challenges and we look forward to working more with the SJQ team in the future.
Challenges
Operating in line with a 4-point PPE site during the construction phase.
Ensuring continuous compliance of staff, suppliers and contractors in line with the agreed Health and Safety procedures in place.
Auditing a wide range of suppliers and retailers prior to arrival onsite, and identifying any potential issues with documentation to ensure these were promptly resolved to allow for the build to begin.
To focus on the safety pre practical completion whilst producing a large-scale light show.
Coordinating work in tandem with multiple shopfitters.
Undertaking RAMs for each of the retailers with activations in the common space.
Ensuring COVID protocols and guidance were followed at all times whilst operating within step 3 guidance.
Understanding the St James Quarter safety absolutes and combining them with those of OPS to ensure suitable and sufficient procedures were in place to create a safe working environment.
Gaining and proving familiarity with venue specifics and safety information to ensure understanding of existing procedures and adapting these to the type of work taking place.
Delivery
Close work with the SJQ developer team, allowing for challenges to be thoroughly discussed and overcome.
Onsite Safety Advisor throughout the duration of the build, live and break periods to oversee compliance and ensure all involved were operating in line with plans.
The creation of multiple H&S documents, including an Event Safety Management Plan, Risk Assessments and Wind Management Plans.
Undertaking extensive audits of suppliers and contractors, to ensure competency of personnel, and provision of up-to-date, detailed H&S documentation.
Results
The successful management of a large scale pre-opening light show, receiving positive feedback from both the client and attendees.
Excellent customer engagement throughout the duration of the Launch events.
Continuous work with the client on a number of exciting future events.
