Health & Safety: Marylebone Christmas Lights Switch On
Background
We Are Placemaking used the OPS Team to assist with the delivery of the Marylebone Christmas Lights Switch On that took place on Wednesday 13th November 2019.
Funded by The Howard de Walden Estate, the Christmas Light Switch on event encompassed Marylebone High Street, Devonshire Street, Paddington Street and St Marylebone Parish Church Gardens. The event brought the local community together with live entertainment, a tombola, food and drink and a Santa’s grotto.
All proceeds from 2019 were donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust charity.
Challenge
Working outdoors for long hours during the winter meant that the team needed to pay special attention to staff welfare ensuring they had access to shelter and warm drinks.
The entire build, live and de-rig took place within a single day.
Street repairs and modifications on Marylebone High Street including the installation of additional street furniture and changes in the width of pavements.
Having to enforce staggered road closures on a busy high street.
Some of the roads remained open whilst the build activity was taking place.
Managing crowds accessing the regular Cabbages and Frocks Market in the courtyard of St Marylebone Parish Church that took place at the same time as the event.
Managing trader vehicles for the Cabbages and Frocks Market coming in and out of St Marylebone Parish Church courtyard during the setup of the event.
Activities of other shops and businesses which remained open during the event.
Managing crowds and crowd flow around the main stage area especially during the switch on moment.
Establishing an effective queuing system at Santa’s Grotto to remedy issues with queueing that occurred the previous year.
Ensuring all food traders are health & safety compliant with their own hand washing facilities.
Reducing instances of trailing cables to prevent slips, trips and falls.
Delivery
Health & Safety Advisor on site for the build, live and de-rig of the event
Road closure planned and implemented
Supplier Auditing
Event Safety Management Plan
Emergency Evacuation Plan
Risk Assessment
Results
Managing all aspects of Health and Safety at the event
Successful and safe delivery of the Christmas Lights Switch On Event attended by 10,000
Increased footfall to Marylebone High Street