Share

Safety First for Corporate Summer Teambuilding

Summer corporate teambuilding is becoming more popular and the Scottish summer weather fails to dampen the spirits of firms organising a company get together for staff.

Corporate BBQ’s are top of the events list in the warmer months, with the aim of bringing teams together and building work relationships. Of course, it’s also a chance for management to thank their staff for all their hard work. However, these events require a good deal of planning and health and safety issues shouldn’t be dismissed.

Leading North-east HR and health and safety firm Empire is warning that failing to ensure the correct procedures are in place for staff outings could lead to some employment issues.

Whether companies book an event through a venue or decide to host an on-site BBQ, the safety of employees and their guests is the responsibility of an employer, even if the event is taking place outwith normal company working hours.

As with every corporate event, a full risk assessment should be carried out to ensure that any potential issues can be identified and controlled prior to the fun getting underway.

Some employees find it difficult to separate work and play so it is vital that a few rules and reminders on behaviour are issued to avoid any embarrassment, injuries or possible claims.

Empire Health and Safety Manager, Gill Hutchinson, said: “It may seem over the top to some firms to carry out risk assessments for a relaxed staff event but it offers an assurance to employers that they have considered all eventualities. There are also many employment issues that could arise during company events particularly if alcohol is involved, such as harassment, fighting and drink driving. Employers have a duty of care towards their employees and it’s vital that they have specific procedures and policies in place to avoid any potential issues.”

Employers must make sure employees know that bad behaviour at a company funded event could mean company disciplinary action on Monday morning and it should be made clear exactly what behaviour is acceptable and what is not.

As an employer it is essential to get the balance right between work and play, therefore here are some key points that organisations should keep in mind when embarking on organising a corporate event this summer.

Planning

Forward planning is vital and the planning process should begin with a risk assessment of identified hazards. This requires communicating with relevant bodies and should be completed well in advance to allow any potential issues to be dealt with accordingly.

Venue

Always take into account expected numbers and location for travel and check if there is allocated parking as you may require parking attendants. It is crucial that fire drill arrangements are explained to the event organisers and responsible persons on the day.

Catering

A workforce with food poisoning is not good for business come Monday morning, so take steps to ensure that food preparation is up to standard if you are hosting an in-house BBQ. It is perhaps best to bring in a professional catering company to deal with food preparations and cooking.

Weather

We live in Scotland so the weather can be temperamental, but covered areas must be provided, whether to offer shade from the sunshine or shelter from the showers.

Alcohol

It is at the organisation’s discretion whether alcohol will be served or not at the event. It is important that if alcohol is to be served then appropriate licenses may be required even though a company may be essentially paying for the open bar. Employers should also take responsibility and try to book any taxi’s or shuttle buses in advance. Most importantly, remember that underage drinking is prohibited.

Entertainment

An entertainments license may be needed for the event and if partying into the dark hours there are further regulations for fireworks that must be adhered to. Bouncy castles are popular for family events in the summer but use a reputable company and ensure it is used by small children only to avoid injuries caused by larger children and adults. The company providing such equipment will have regulations in place.

Electrical Appliances

If any electrical appliances are used outside it is vital that the equipment is designed for such use and cables are not exposed to rain or damage and also that they don’t pose a trip hazard.

Safety

If your company is hosting a BBQ, all children and garden games should be well clear of the cooking area. The BBQ should never be left unattended and appropriate fire extinguishing equipment should be nearby in case of emergencies. A qualified first aider will be required for the event in case of any incidents and that person must be made aware that they are on first aid duties for the duration of the event.

After party

It is important that a representative of the organisation is responsible for ensuring that all of the attendees depart safely at the end and that they have a safe mode of transport home. Ensure taxi’s and buses are available to reduce the risk of employees getting behind the wheel.

To find out more on Empire’s health and safety service and any of their other services that Empire offer, call their advice line team on 01224 701383 or visit www.empirehr.com

100 views