Health and safety

Although health and safety is often down to common sense, it is important to make clear the possible dangers at a venue. During this post I will list potential hazards at a gig.

During Performance

Whilst performing, water is necessary to stay hydrated. Dehydration at an energetic performance can lead to headaches and at extreme levels it can lead to fainting.

Band members, audience members and staff are all responsible for their own drinks. Not only can spilt liquids lead to slippery floors but they are also hazardous to electrical equipment. Performers on stage should leave their drinks in a safe place where they are least likely to be spilled. This might be in front of the kick drum on a raised platform or alternatively to the side of the stage on the floor. If drinks are left on top of amplifiers, the vibrations can knock them off. If drinks are placed inside tubs then the liquid will be contained if they are knocked over. Water bottles are preferable to cups to prevent spillages.

Guitarists and singers need to ensure that their leads are long enough to allow them to move across the stage. A short lead may cause an amplifier to be pulled from its stack and onto a band member or into the crowd.

Some venues, such as outdoor festivals, may allow people to smoke. If this is done on stage there may be pyrotechnic equipment nearby depending on the venue. These could cause injuries if exposed to a lit end of a cigarette.

Drummers commonly throw drum sticks into the crowd at the end of a performance. Although this rarely causes an injury it is still possible to hit somebody in the eye.

Fire exits should be unobstructed by equipment. This means that in the event of a fire everybody can leave the building unharmed. The audience should also be made aware where the nearest one is in case of a fire. If the venue's capacity has been exceeded then it will be more difficult for people to leave, causing danger to everyone at the venue.

Before Performance

Cables should be checked for damage before any performance. Open wiring can cause damage to equipment as well as electric shocks.

During stage construction it may be dangerous to stand directly beneath overhead PA speakers and lighting equipment. Although it is usually perfectly safe there have been instances where an item has come loose and fallen onto the stage.

Heavy equipment may require more than one person to handle. If so, wait for someone to become available before attempting to lift. If it doesn't, lift from the knees with a straight back to prevent back injuries.

Catering staff should ensure that food and drink is safe to consume to avoid illness for anybody at the venue.

Apart from the ones that require free movement, all cables on stage should be taped down by thick tape that is unlikely to come undone. This will prevent people tripping over them. This is essential if there is stage smoke involved in a performance because people on stage are unlikely to see wires.

Venue owners may want to prohibit glass bottles. Broken glass can cut skin and cause injuries. It may also be difficult to clear up during a performance if the venue's capacity has been reached.

Equipment cases should be left in an appropriate place with the lids down and butterfly catches fastened. With the amount of people required to construct a stage for a large venue, open butterfly catches could cut people. Open lids may close on people's hands if they don't handle cases responsibly.