Health & Safety: Camp Wildfire
Background
Alongside We Are The Fair on production, OPS were asked to provide H&S services for the 2021 instalment of the spectacular Camp Wildfire. Like many events, the Pandemic meant that Camp Wildfire were unable to open in 2020, which resulted in the team wanting to expand the festival and return better than ever in 2021.
The festival took place over 3 consecutive weekend, the first weekend was open for 500 adults and 500 children. Weekend 2 was increased to 2,000 guests per weekend. OPS were tasked with providing general H&S services, in addition to overseeing the safety of over 200 unique activities, from beekeeping and paddleboarding, to self-defence and quad biking.
Challenges
An increase in activities, stages and entertainment resulted in greater monitoring for the onsite H&S team.
Working in tandem with a large number of activity leaders, to ensure all were competent and safe practice was being implemented throughout.
Obtaining and understanding a range of structural specifications, to understand necessary information to allow for sign off, such as the weight and wind loading of certain structures.
Auditing the H&S documentation for each activity prior to arrival, and ensuring plans laid out in their RAMS were being adhered to onsite. Also identifying any potential issues with documentation to ensure these were promptly resolved to allow for the build to begin.
Regular examination of the latest Covid-19 Government Guidance to ensure the events were compliant with the most up to date information.
Delivery of multiple daily site inductions for event staff and activity leaders, including emergency procedures, Covid-19 protocols, introducing key personnel and answering any further queries teams may have.
Close work with the Production Team at We Are The Fair to align plans and ensure a safe working environment.
Delivery
The creation of multiple H&S documents, including a detailed Event Safety Management Plan, Risk and Fire Risk Assessments and Supplier Risk Auditing.
Onsite Safety Advisor to ensure compliance and to ensure all those involved were operating in line with the plans and procedures in place.
Ensuring compliance of all contractors, through requesting and auditing H&S documentation including Risk Assessments, Insurance, H&S Policies.
Working closely with all teams involved, through regular meetings to align plans and procedures before, during and after the live periods.
Liaising with the Production team to ensure there was sufficient staffing and site coverage to account for the increase in activities, entertainment and stages.
Creation of a Child and Vulnerable Persons Policy to account for an potential situations that may have occurred in Weekend 1.
Results
3 successfully operated weekends
5,000 attendees in total
200 Activities taking place over the 3 weekends
4 Stages of music and performances
