“Event organisers must act now to protect the public” states White Paper

The new document highlights that, while the introduction of the Protect Duty (also known as Martyn’s Law) may still be some months away, event organisers should not wait until the legislation is in place to take action.

The White Paper also provides guidance on the approaches and steps that event organisers ought to take to ensure the safety of their employees, volunteers and members of the public.

This document has been put together by HVM experts at Hardstaff Barriers, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of HVM solutions and the company responsible for delivering the Government’s National Barrier Asset framework.

One of the main authors, Niall Griffin CSyP, said: “Anyone who attends an event, whether it be a small gathering or a sports event attended by thousands of spectators, has the right to be safe and protected. Event organisers have a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of these individuals, and that they are not exposed to risks.”   

Griffin continued: “The underlying message throughout the White Paper is all about the importance of planning ahead and taking proactive steps to keep people safe. Such proactivity will not only protect people’s lives, but also serve to safeguard the reputation of an event and those of the organisations behind it.”  

Hardstaff Barriers’ own HVM products are approved to standards including EN 1317, IWA 14-1, PAS68 and VADS.

*Free copies of ‘Time to Act Now: Hostile Vehicle Mitigation and the Responsibilities Facing Event Organisers’ are available on request by visiting the Hardstaff Barriers website at www.hardstaffbarriers.com