If you are just starting out with health and safety, look at the 'making a start with health and safety' page first, which outlines your main responsibilities in health and safety. You should now be at the point where you are ready to start your risk assessment. This page outlines some of the common hazards associated with nightclubs to help you identify the main areas of concern. Of course there may be other hazards that you come across but these will start you off.

Premises License

Nightclubs must be issued with a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003.  For more information on applying for such licence or general licensing enquiries telephone: 01202 451180 or email Licensing team.

Slips, Trips and Falls

• Make sure there are no trailing cables
• Clear up spillages quickly
• Replace torn carpets
• Provide handrails and good lighting on stairwells
• Don't block passages and walkways

Staff Welfare

• Provide adequate toilet facilities
• Provide drinking water
• Provide rest facilities
• Provide ventilation
• A temperature of at least 16oC is recommended - ensure this is carried out

Electrical Installations

Electricity can kill. Installations must be properly maintained in a safe condition.
 
You could consider: -

• How long ago was the system last inspected?
• Is electricity being used in wet surroundings?
• Are extension leads used (they are liable to much wear and tear)?
• Is the person who carries out any electrical works competent?
• Are sockets overloaded?

Using Portable Electrical Appliances

These items will suffer a considerable amount of wear and tear, and so must regularly maintained by a competent person.  Planned maintenance and testing regularly of these appliances is advisable.

Gas Safety

Has the system appliances received regular inspection by a competent person?  Remember all gas appliances must receive annual safety inspection by a CORGI registered installer.

Window Safety

When considering window and glass safety, the main considerations should be: -

• Are windows cleaned safely by staff and contractors?
• Where windows form part of a door, are they made of safety glass?
• Is there a danger that a person could fall out of a window (the bottom edge of windows should be at least 800 mm above floor level unless there is a barrier present to prevent falls)?
• Where there is a danger of falling out of a window at height, devices should be provided to prevent the window opening too far.

Cellar Safety

Manual handling of deliveries can be a significant problem in cellars.

• Staff should be trained in manual handling procedures and where possible it should be avoided.
• A manual handling assessment should be made.
• Any gas cylinders should be appropriately stored and restrained.
• Chemical cleaners, such as beer line cleaners, can be extremely corrosive. A COSHH assessment will need to be carried out and any necessary protective clothing should be provided and worn.
• Adequate guarding or other equally effective measures should be in place to prevent fall from height via cellar drops, flaps or hatches.
• Risk assessments should consider the risks posed by individuals working in confined space (e.g. subterranean cellars, overstocked cellars, asphyxiation and lone working).  Adequate control measures should be implemented to reduce such risks.

Gas Cylinders

Any gas cylinders should be appropriately stored and restrained. Remember empty cylinders are just as dangerous as full cylinders.  Therefore, the installation of carbon dioxide (CO2) monitors in cellars are recommended.

Accidents

Certain accidents must be reported to the Iocal authority under the requirements of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR). This can be done via contacting the Incident Contact Centre:-

by telephone: 0845 300 9923 (8.30am – 5.00 pm)
by internet: RIDDOR website (anytime).
by email: RIDDOR
by post: Incident Contact Centre
              Caerphilly Business Park
              Caerphilly
              CF83 3GG  

All injuries to employees must be recorded in your accident book.  You should also record any accident, incident or dangerous occurrence that involves customers, contractors or others whilst on your premises, as they may also be reportable under the above Regulations.

First Aid

The regulations require that the following are provided: -

• An appointed person
• Adequate facilities

Fire Safety

For information on means of escape in emergency, fire fighting appliances, and fire alarm and detection systems, contact the local Fire Prevention Officer at Dorset Fire and Rescue Service on Tel. (01202) 538282.

Chemical Safety

Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) (as amended) you must make sure the risks from hazardous substances are controlled. Safety information is normally provided on the label or on a separate Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).  Check that staff are taking the necessary precautions in accordance with the product label or MSDS. 

Drugs

There is a code of practice that clubs must adhere to called 'Dance Safely Through the Night'. It relates to the provision of free drinking water, adequate temperature control and the chill-out areas for clubbers. For more information on this, call (01202) 451180.

For More Information

Use the links on the left to find out more about health and safety.

The Health and Safety Executive’s website also has comprehensive topics on complying with health and safety legislation