Venue's Own PLI

[Dazzle]

I am at the moment working in a voluntary capacity at a venue (A School - although I'm neither staff, nor a pupil, just helping out a friend who is a teacher). I have checked with the venue, and I am apparently covered by their own PLI (Although I am not a freelancer/contractor with my own PLI, nor staff).

 

If I'm covered by the venue's PLI, to what extent does that cover me?

Does it only cover me if I were to fall of a Scafolding?

Will it cover me if a light I hang falls on someones head during the show? (Or during the rigging)

 

The person in charge of H&S has checked with the comany providing the policy, and says that I'm covered, but is this likely to be true?

 

I couldn't find anything on the Search Function

 

Many thanks in advance,

 

Daz

[paulears]

To be honest, I doubt if it's true unless you sign in as a visitor each time. The places I visit use this system to wrap their statutory duties around people who will be on their premises, but are not staff or students. If you don't sign in, then they could simply say they didn't know you were there, and liability slips. However - it isn't public liability really, or employee liability. You are not a member of the public if you are doing things for them, unless you stretch the term - and in case of severe injury, I'd expect the insurance company would want to look at the status carefully. If you are on their scaffolding, it would suggest you have proven competence in managing such products or constructions. If you damage a member of the public, my guess would be the school insurance would pay out for them - however, if you fell off, and hurt yourself, I doubt that would be covered if it was going to be expensive. Best thing to CYA would be to email them to check. If they reply saying you are covered, you will have evidence. If they won't put this in an email, I'd wonder why not?

 

It's a grey area, and although you are verbally reassured, does the person saying it actually have the clout? If a few million quid are in the frame, people may well change their stories?

[Dazzle]

Thanks, yes, I sign in as a visitor every time. I was really most concerned about the situation if a fixture I hang falls on someone. Assuming that I am covered by the PLI (and I have been promised this in writing from the person incharge [I'm not sure if hes promoising it in wrtiting from the insurance company] ), then would they pay out?

[David Lee]

As long as you havn't been negligent in your hanging of said light and you have it in writing from the insurance company or your direct supervisor then I can't see how they couldn't cover you.

[tony g]

To be honest, I doubt if it's true unless you sign in as a visitor each time. The places I visit use this system to wrap their statutory duties around people who will be on their premises, but are not staff or students. If you don't sign in, then they could simply say they didn't know you were there, and liability slips. However - it isn't public liability really, or employee liability. You are not a member of the public if you are doing things for them, unless you stretch the term - and in case of severe injury, I'd expect the insurance company would want to look at the status carefully. If you are on their scaffolding, it would suggest you have proven competence in managing such products or constructions. If you damage a member of the public, my guess would be the school insurance would pay out for them - however, if you fell off, and hurt yourself, I doubt that would be covered if it was going to be expensive. Best thing to CYA would be to email them to check. If they reply saying you are covered, you will have evidence. If they won't put this in an email, I'd wonder why not?

 

It's a grey area, and although you are verbally reassured, does the person saying it actually have the clout? If a few million quid are in the frame, people may well change their stories?

 

If I were you I'd get it in writing from the person at the school responsible for H&S, then the school & insurance firm can fight amongst themselves if the worst ever happened - remember also that their PLI covers the public/pupils & staff if a light youv'e rigged somehow taps someone on the head. When we work in schools we get the site manager to give us a Permit To Work that effectively says that the school knows what we are doing and has permitted us to do it.

[slipstream]

If you are acting on their instruction, whether paid or not, you are an employee and covered by their insurance.

 

Sam

[Dazzle]

Cheers guys for all your help, it is really very much appreciated. It's helped put my mind at rest.

Cheers again,

 

Daz

[Chris Hannam]

I am at the moment working in a voluntary capacity at a venue (A School - although I'm neither staff, nor a pupil, just helping out a friend who is a teacher). I have checked with the venue, and I am apparently covered by their own PLI (Although I am not a freelancer/contractor with my own PLI, nor staff).

 

If I'm covered by the venue's PLI, to what extent does that cover me?

Does it only cover me if I were to fall of a Scafolding?

Will it cover me if a light I hang falls on someones head during the show? (Or during the rigging)

 

The person in charge of H&S has checked with the comany providing the policy, and says that I'm covered, but is this likely to be true?

 

I couldn't find anything on the Search Function

 

Many thanks in advance,

 

Daz

 

 

A concurrent post has been automatically merged from this point on.

 

Volentary workers are classed as employees by law so the venue you are working for has to provide Employers Liability Insurance to cover you. If they have other employees I am certain you will be covered.

 

You don't need Public Liability Insurance as an employee.

 

Chris Hannam.

STAGESAFE

www.stagesafe.co.uk