Managing Health and Safety in the Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Industry

For safety-related communications, the use of mobile telephones should be discouraged. In emergencies their use may not be possible owing to the network becoming overloaded.

Important announcements relating to crowd safety should be preceded by a loud, distinct signal to catch the attention of the crowd, whatever the level of noise in the ground at the time.

The following recommendations should be considered:

1. Experience has shown that a three-event two-tone chime (that is, ‘bing bong, bing’) is most effective. This signal should be different to, and distinct from, any other signals which may be in general use on the public address system.
2. All ground officials, stewards, police, fire, ambulance and any other emergency personnel should be made aware of the pre-announcement signal.
3. The signal should be tested before the start of each event.
4. The signal should be sounded shortly before the start of the event as part of a general announcement on safety procedures, to reach the maximum possible number of spectators.

The existence of this signal should be explained in every event programme printed for circulation to spectators.

In the event of an emergency it is essential that clear, accurate information is given to spectators at the earliest possible time. Messages should be positive, leaving those to whom they are addressed in no doubt as to what is required of them. The messages should be scripted in advance with the agreement of the police, fire authority and, where a safety certificate is in force, the local authority. It may also be appropriate to pre-record certain standard messages, for use in emergencies.

In all cases it is recommended that the announcer practises using the public address system, while assessors comment on the audibility, tone and effectiveness of their delivery. It is also important that the announcer is familiar with the layout of the sports ground and the agreed evacuation procedures.

Management should ensure that for certain international events, announcers able to speak the appropriate language are in post at the ground, and are briefed on the use of the system and the content of any safety announcements.

1. Safety signs

   Safety signs appear in five different categories, and should meet the shape and colour requirements specified:

   1. prohibition signs; for example, ‘No Smoking’ (circular shape, with a black pictogram on a white background, red edging and a red diagonal line through the pictogram)
   2. warning signs; for example, ‘Low Headroom’ or ‘Uneven Steps’ (triangular shape, with a black pictogram on a yellow background, with black edging)
   3. mandatory signs; for example, ‘Spectators must not cross this line’ (circular shape, with white pictogram on a blue background)
   4. emergency escape or First Aid signs (rectangular or square shape, with a white pictogram on a green background)
   5. fire-fighting equipment signs (rectangular or square shape, with a white pictogram on a red background).

   All signs in this category should be easily seen and understood. In conditions of poor natural light it may be necessary to provide either artificial illumination and/or to make the signs using reflective material.

2. Information signs

   These are signs communicating information in relation to the ground, to the event, or to specific restrictions. Such signs include:

   1. ground plans; it is recommended that simplified ground plans are displayed at suitable locations, such as by ticket offices and main entrances, and, where appropriate, in places where they might benefit supporters of visiting teams. The ground plans should display any colour coded information relating to ticketing and entry requirements
   2. ground regulations, including information on prohibited items
   3. directional signs, both outside and inside the ground
   4. seat and row indicators.

   Signs in this category should not use predominant colouring which could lead to their being confusedwith safety signs. Neither should they be placed in such a way that they obscure or dominate over safety signs.

3. Commercial signs and hoardings

   Care should be taken that signs and hoardings in this category are located in such a way that they do not obscure or detract from safety or information signs; for example, by being too close, by blocking the line of vision, or by the over-use of predominant colours utilised in the safety or information signs.

All signs, and particularly signs relating to fire safety and emergency evacuation, should be presented and sited so that they can be easily seen and readily distinguished by those with impaired vision or colour perception. Only a minority of the general population has perfect vision, therefore clear, well designed signage will be of benefit to all spectators.