Posted By s mac I work for a multi-site art gallery and am the only safety professional to cover many departments, all staff and issues of public safety. The culture is hopefully on the up now but for years before I joined, safety was seen as a lesser priority by many, largely due to the attitude of the former MD. We have a way to go in terms of line managers actually carrying out or having the appropriate training and knowledge to fulfil their safety responsibilities as defined in the safety policy. I have been trying to engage the support of the senior management team and they completed the Directing Safely course in September but it is a slow process to engage enthusiasm for health and safety generally, although they do better at 'reactive' issues, as opposed to 'proactive'. This environment is quite varied and specialised in risk areas, for example art handling and for particular exhibitions. There is also public safety for exhibitions and corporate events. I've inherited a serious lack of risk assessments and intend to train line managers this year but for now this responsibility and several things outwith my remit are falling to me. I wondered would anyone perhaps working in a similar environment be able to send me any sample risk assessments? Searching the web didn't generate anything except a risk assessment for school parties visiting art galleries, I've tried Google et al. It's the all too familiar scenario of one safety practioner trying to deal with everything and with no admin help or training officer, it impacts on what I can achieve as an individual. If anyone can offer advice re the above, particularly from a similar role, it would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

Posted By Lilian McCartney Is the Art Gallery Local Authority run? (in Scotland the main ones tend to be). The LA will/should have a H&S Adviser to help. In the longer term (doesn't help rigth away) try forming, or see if one exists, a group of H&S poeple in the same subject area - though I guess this migth mean a wide geographical area who you could meet and exchange views etc You sound as if you've 'hit the ground running' and have acheived something which some of us haven't - i.e. getting the Directors to training. Keep going and I hope you don't hit too many brick walls (not literally) and if you do, don't despair. Good luck p.s. I don't have anything for this are or I would send it to you Lilian

Posted By s mac Thank you for all the responses so far, much appreciated. Lillian - to answer your question, we are not run by the local authority (eg which I know Kelvingrove is in Glasgow) - we are a non departmental government body, classed as a 'charity'. As you say, it would be useful to establish contact with other safety practitioners in a similar role, even if geographically distant. I am in a safety working group with a couple of other practitioners but their environments are different.

Posted By s mac Thanks Ron. As you have identified, modern art involves many forms and it's no longer just 'safe' gallery rooms with paintings on the walls. I carry out specific risk assessments for 'unusual' or potentially hazardous exhibits and sometimes there is a 'imbalance' between the needs of the artist and the public safety but this should be considered within the assessment and control measures agreed. I'm aware of the changes in crown immunity under the Corporate Manslaughter Act which are going to affect government departments etc(Rospa bulletin referred).