Posted By Darren J Fraser
I also have not read the article but from what I have heard, it sounds like some jobsworth is going overboard again.......remember conkers in childrens playgrounds.

Having taken part in a number of rememberence parades, I for one cannot see why a risk assessment is required, this is due to the route is blocked to all traffic by the use of barriers, the parade is carefully co-ordinated so that all parties are in position to commenarate those that gave the ultimate sacrifice to enable the rest to enjoy the life that we know.

I am sure that this will cause discussions today, these are my own personal thoughts on this issue, not as a safety professional, but as a compassionate human being.

From a safety view point..............sounds to me like some people have nothing better to do but use H&S as a way of making out they are more important than they really are, and should get out there and deal with real issues, not perceived issues.

Sure this post will be blocked by the moderators..........'The content of this message cannot be displayed'

Posted By Mike Grey
The fact that the road is blocked and barriers are in place leads to the fact that an assessment has been done and those are just two controls put in place. It makes sense to assess this kind of gathering, it is the media that twist the facts to make it look like people are going OTT.

Posted By David-J-Jones
Like the others I havent seen the story but I assume we are again being used as an excuse, sorry logical reason to block another event

We all agree that organisers of any event have a duty to those taking part to ensure that the event is managed safely. However as commented on events like this, normally roads are closed to traffic,stewards are organised, there is liasion between parties involved etc.

Presumably at some time someone has considered how to organise the event safely, identified the hazards, evaluated the risks and decided on suitable control stratagies

Hang on starting to sound like risk assessment to me

The process is nothing new and to a greater or lesser extents has always happened. Risk Assessment at varying levels is an integral part of life.

It is the idea of formally evaluating the procedure and the perceived mystique which seems alien to our culture. When it becomes integral to our normal terminology perhaps some of the pressure may ease off

Posted By Mike Herbert
£300 insurance!. I'm shocked that any insurance company would not provide it free of charge just for PR.

I would have imagined that the local council controls the highway on which the march would take place.
Would they not bear some responsibility for allowing the marchers to use it? And hence bear insurance cost.

If the local police are not able to carry out a risk assessment and put in place appropriate emergency plans to support this group there is something very wrong.

I doubt any PL insurance would cover any terrorist activity. Otherwise what risks are there that are not already considered and controls in place?

Makes me seethe but i suppose typical tabloid journalism.

Posted By Les Welling
I agree that normally the local police and the LA would complete a risk assessment for this type of parade. Cannot see what the fuss is about. However, we must be very careful in this day and age because of the risk of terrorist activity. However, I still beleive that the police will have this covered. BUT possibly only for their officers? The organisers must liaise with both the LA and the police if they are to carry out any risk assessment that will be meaningfull.

Posted By Mike Palfrey
Just out of interest, how much was the premium for the Notting Hill Carnival?

Posted By Les Welling
Cheers TBC. But as a coffin dodger myself and an old warrior I can tell you its not the old un's the terrorists are interested in it's the PR. It do'es not matter who they kill, just how many. Rock on Terry!!

Les

Posted By TBC

I don't see it as a H&S issue at all. As stated before it's the Council who want them to have their own liability cover to save them from paying out. Something may have happened in the past, which was caused by poor maintenance of the roads and footpaths.

Posted By Jeffrey Watt
Any parades/festivals we organise/control we take the view it is our PLI that covers it.

If we permit an event on our land that we do not have direct operational control over we ask for PLI (e.g.historic re-enactment with viking disembowelments, roast pigs on spits lots of beserkers shooting arrows and burning longboats).

If there are small community events that fall betwen the two examples above we usually cover them in the interest of the public good.

Personal opinion-These days I trust the BBC as far as I could spit a barb wire rat.

Jeff

Posted By David McGuire
sounds like another jobs worth who doe's not know what he is talking about, it should be down to LA and the local police ie as part of the organisation a threat assessment is carried out by the police which is always done.

people like this really xxxx me off as they give us all a bad name. I for one will be attending the rememberance day parade wearing all my medals and look forward to the bar afterwards not worry about risk assessments.

some people should just get a grip!!!!!!!!!

Posted By Ian P
Why does insurance and H&S get so mixed up? H&S should be sensible risk management, insurance is belt and braces, worst case scenario take the premium but do everything possible to make sure their isn't a claim that has to be paid out.

Our insurers in theory need to be told about every event we hold, from coffee morningss to home made raft racing but in reality can only handle the admin for what they describe as anything with a "thrill element". In general they are pretty good but insist on risk asessments before they will confirm cover or ask for an additional premium. That's just life if you want to make sure you are insured if somebody decides to sue you.