As we all adjust to the new normal we will have to adapt to new measures concerning safety. One of the most unanimous results of our COVID-19 Benchmark Report for Event and Promo Staffing Agencies was that Crew overwhelmingly wanted PPE in place to ensure their safe transition back to work on the front line of events.
Who’s Responsibility is PPE provision for Promo and Event Staff?
Under Health and safety law, Employers are responsible for providing, replacing and paying for Personal Protective Equipment that should be of good quality and in good working order.
An Event and Promo Agency’s first concern would need to be who is responsible for supplying PPE – themselves or the end client.
By virtue of Section 9 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HASAWA), no charge can be made to employees for the provision of PPE which is used only at work. The act states that:
“No employer shall levy or permit to be levied on any employee of his any charge in respect of anything done or provided in pursuance of any specific requirement of the relevant statutory provisions”
HASAWA Section 9
What is PPE?
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) refers to protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer’s body from injury or infection. Some event staff will be used to PPE, especially Crew involved with rigging and stage building etc. high vis vests, safety shoes, hard hats, gloves and eye protection are familiar uniforms for some event staff. However, in our current Coronavirus days PPE will most likely be applicable to all event and promo staff.
PPE Products Available for Event and Promo Staff
We’ve all had to get used to masks, gloves and hand sanitiser but there are lots of products out there that can help manage events and keep your staff and delegates safe. We’ve done some research to find some products we think will be useful – we are in no way affiliated with any of these companies, nor have we tried or tested the products.
DRJ Supplies – Born out of need and a desire to help
When COVID-19 hit, crew hire company DRJ Crew wanted to proactively DO something in response to the pandemic and its impact on the events industry.
“Setup in response to the ongoing health crisis surrounding the CoviD-19 pandemic, DRJ Supplies exists in order to enable its founders to help the UK and the wider world to get back to normality – in some small way.
Without medical training we found ourselves wondering how we could best help during the crisis. With a wide range of skills in procurement and logistics, we decided that sourcing protective and cleaning equipment would allow us to make a worthwhile contribution, while also supporting our nearest and dearest.”
Gloves, sanitisers in all shapes and sizes, masks, disinfectant wipes, face shields – DRJ Supplies have got the events industry covered
Involution
Essential back to Work Kit
Involution has designed a useful PPE essentials kit, to support businesses through the back-to-work journey. To help keep employees safe the kits come with the key PPE equipment to adhere to the important health and safety guidelines.
“Each kit can be completely custom-tailored to your business, staff, or industry. You can have as little or as many items as you would like, and can include PPE equipment, clothing, and merchandise.”
Example items can include, but are not limited to:
- Anti-bac hand gel / sanitiser
- Floor markings and stickers
- Workwear / hi-vis clothing
- Desk guard / partition
- Face masks (medical / disposable / reusable / natural yarn)
- Face shields
- Protective gloves
- Safety goggles
Social Distancing Products
As well as PPE listed above Involution also make the following:
- High Vis Vests
- Bespoke Floor Stickers
- Social distancing floor tape
- Desk/Reception Guards
- Partitions
Non-touch Products
Keep Safe Commuter Hooks
These look pretty savage – and you may feel a bit like Captain Hook – but your event and promo staff that have to commute to work may be interested in this, or if a venue requires your event and promo staff to open lots of doors your agency may want to consider using these.
Multi-tool and key ring
Smaller and more friendly looking than the commuter hook above, we think these could be pretty handy for event staff. This adaptable tool can reduce transmission on common surfaces.
Useful for operating buttons or switches, it can also be used to open doors, cupboards or drawers.
Clear, white or black, printed on both sides. Supplied with a drilled hole for attaching to lanyards.
Branded PPE
There are plenty of companies that provide branded PPE, we picked one to feature that we found on a Facebook group called Delegate Wranglers – a great group that provides support for the events industry. Nettl have a vast range of PPE from branded face masks to sneeze guards. They also have a free Prevent and Protect Guide available for download.
Tech that keeps you safe
Also on Delegate Wranglers we found CG Labs. They can provide some branded items but they also have some awesome tech, like a fever scanning detection solution, UV light sanitisers and Bluetooth proximity and distance enforcement watches.
Show us your PPE
If your agency is using any products you could recommend, or if you’re currently sporting the the coolest face mask around, we’d love to hear from you in the comments. Sharing knowledge, resources and some pics to keep everyone smiling is what this industry is great at!
