Blocked Exit

[Mazz]

Hi,

 

I was working at a leisure centre just outside Hull over the weekend. Just after the event had opened to the public, I tried to go out to my van thru the fire doors and short corridor that myself & the band had used during the load in.

 

At first, the doors refused to move, but after giving them a huge heave, I managed to get a gap just big enough to squeeze thru. The reason the doors would not open, was because the corridor, which was about 20 feet long, was full of gym equipment which had been piled against the rear of the fire doors When I finally made it to the exterior fire doors at the other end of the corridor, I found that they were locked.

 

At this point, the manager of the gym arrived. When questioned about the state of affairs, she explained that as there was a side door from the exit corridor to the gym, the public in the main arena could access the gym via the fire exit without paying, so it was common policy during events to block the fire exit with equipment!

 

I will not bore you with the details. She refused point blank to remove the blockage, event though she realised it was a fire exit and she was breaking the law.

 

I spoke to the duty manager of the centre and explained the problem. She was reluctant to act at first, ignoring the obvious fact that she was in breach of law, and that the courts have little time for anyone who willfully obstructs a fire exit on licenced premises.

 

It was only when given the option of either sorting out the problem, or being reported to the authorities, that she grudgingly instructed her gym staff to clear the exits.

 

Is it just me, or should both of the senior members of staff be sacked ? Has anyone else had dealings with such rampant stupidity ?

 

Mazz.

[paulears]

I've spent the past week in a school that lock one of the fire exits from their main space (it also serves as the eating area) at lunchtimes to stop people using that entrance and messing up the dinner queue. Once the room empties, they open it again!

[p.k.roberts]

Having been in a similar situation, I found that a friendly call to the local fire station worked wonders. The next day, a fire engine with a full crew and a senior officer turned up to do a 'random check' on the premises.

End of problem!

[Just Some Bloke]

Is it just me, or should both of the senior members of staff be sacked ?  Mazz.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Certainly whoever came up with the policy of locking fire exits should be sacked, but I suspect the reason neither manager wanted to move the blockage was in case they got the sack for acting against a company policy. It was a toss-up as to which course of action would be most likely to allow them to keep their jobs. When they found out you were serious the balance changed.

The worry is that, as you've now gone and probably won't be back for some time, the policy will not change, the exits will remain blocked next time and when a fire does start people will be seriously injured.

Trouble is - I don't think this is an isolated instance. This goes on all over the place every day of the week.

[Guest lightnix]

Having been in a similar situation, I found that a friendly call to the local fire station worked wonders...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What he said. Report the b*ggers - every time, if not to the fire station then to the local authorities

[Mazz]

Hi,

 

The local fire brigade safety officer is now aware of the problem, and will be visiting the venue unannounced for "a chat" next time they have a public function.

 

Mazz

[Jivemaster]

I had like! the fire exit was blocked by rubbish in black bags, and the food sink had paint tins open in the bottom, Oh as well the alarm panel was disabled by pulling the fuse.

 

It was a big email but the fire brigade and the council got a string of pics the next day.

[mac.calder]

Tell them that if they are worried about the fire exit being used for fare evasion etc etc etc,that they should change the locking/opening mechanism they use. Push bar alarmed doors for example, requiring a key to open them without setting off the alarm. They are not over the top price wise, and they will solve those problems.

 

I agree with the 'report the buggers' sentiment, however I would first try and suggest an alternative means of fixing the problem.

[foh_al]

I agree with the 'report the buggers' sentiment, however I would first try and suggest an alternative means of fixing the problem.

 

That is the venue's problem, though, not anyone else's.

 

Last time I was faced with the same situation, and the senior staff were particularly offensive when I explained that they were breaking the law, I offered the "clear it or let the licensing officer clear it" option, and let the local authorities know the next day anyway. If they were reasonable, removed the obstructions, and gave me the impression that they actually intended to change their policies for the future, I may have let it go.

 

Alex

[paulears]

Reporting people and being bolshy may well be one course of action, but I wouldn't expect anyone to take my word against the management, and I don't suppose you ever actually want to work there in the future, do you?

[Mazz]

"Reporting people and being bolshy may well be one course of action, but I wouldn't expect anyone to take my word against the management, and I don't suppose you ever actually want to work there in the future, do you?"

 

 

As profesional technicians working in the event business, we have a duty of care, which includes flagging deliberate breaches of safety law such as blocked fire exits.

 

It's not a case of a laypersons word against management - the law is the law.

 

Paul, have you ever been trapped in a burning building ? I have, it's not fun. That fire was caused by stupidity and ignoring safety legislation.

 

And no, I won't be working there again. Nor would I work in a sawmill on an unprotected ripsaw, or drive a truck without brakes. It's about risk assessment.

 

Mazz

[foh_al]

Reporting people and being bolshy may well be one course of action, but I wouldn't expect anyone to take my word against the management, and I don't suppose you ever actually want to work there in the future, do you?

 

As Mazz said, it isn't about my word against the management - if the inspectors go there, and find the exits blocked, they will have all the evidence they need for a prosecution, and it is their decision what course of action they take. If they find everything in perfect order, then the problem may well have gone for good.

 

I agree that as professionals, we have a moral obligation, and often a legal one, to ensure, so far is as possible, the safety of the public. That moral obligation extends far beyond the specific responsibilities of our job: As a sound engineer, I would certainly consider it appropriate to point out, for example, a lighting guy rigging without safety bonds. I would first talk to the individual concerned, but if (s)he shrugged it off and continued this unsafe working practise, I would not hesitate to go as high up the ranks as is necessary to deal with the problem.

 

I don't feel that I was being bulshy or unjust - Clearly the management weren't about to address the problem of their own accord when I consulted them, so I simply did the minimum that I felt was necessary to resolve the situation permanently.

 

Alex

[V.A.]

Reporting people and being bolshy may well be one course of action, but I wouldn't expect anyone to take my word against the management, and I don't suppose you ever actually want to work there in the future, do you?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You have a duty under law to report anything which you feel is a risk to yours or others health and safety - if you don't you're just as much to blame, and are just as liable for any injuries or deaths which may occur.

[LXTECH]

Hello All,

 

Heres a terrible story of a venue I worked in 3 weeks ago. I was providing sound for a 5 night musical in a public hall. The following is a list of the dangers I came across.

 

All doors were light timber honey come type - VERY FLAMMABLE!!

Only one exit light worked out of 5 Exit Doors (When tested only lasted 4 mins)

NO FIRE EXTINGUISHERS!!!! AT ALL!!!!!!

NO EMERGCENY LIGHTING!!!!!

NO FIRE PREVENTION ITEMS AT ALL INFACT THE ELECTRICS ARE WAITING TO GO UP IN FLAMES.

During the performance I went to go back stage. Had to go outside and all around the back but when I went to the door I couldn't open it. INFACT they had locked the door because people were getting in without paying. INFACT I found out that this is standard practice for every event in the hall.

The hall was over crowded with all loose chairs and only one isle in the centre even though there were 10 chairs on each side in each row.

As a professional I couldn't believe what I saw. I was so frightened for my safety I packed up and left.

That afternoon I contacted the fire station which made an inspection during the 2nd night of the show (They had got another sound tech). 10 mins into the show the music stoped and a fire officer evacuated the hall and shut it down!!!

 

As professionals we have a duty to ensure that the public and all others are safe at all times during a performance. Please if anyone sees anything which is unsafe get it correcred or reported for the safety of all.

 

I'm sorry about my tone in this email but I am still so shocked about what I saw, I cant even describe it properly.

 

Keep Safe,

David :blink:

LX Services

[paulears]

Reporting people and being bolshy may well be one course of action, but I wouldn't expect anyone to take my word against the management, and I don't suppose you ever actually want to work there in the future, do you?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You have a duty under law to report anything which you feel is a risk to yours or others health and safety - if you don't you're just as much to blame, and are just as liable for any injuries or deaths which may occur.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Right - I can see I'm going to have to explain this.

 

I completely agree that it is everyones duty to prevent risk, wherever it exists. Reporting to the authorities, however, is a last resort process and the bolshy attitude of 'report first' is seriously going to damage your reputation, and walking out, refusing to work, calling in the heavy squad is going to damage your reputation just as much as taking an employer to an industrial tribunal. Not a good thing to have on your CV - any of this.

 

I have worked in places where there have been problems, and I'd like to think I have resolved them all - without threats, intimidation, or what appears to be blackmail.

 

I have never been anywhere that when a problem has been discovered, I haven't been able to get it sorted out.

 

I'd also like to point out that when everyone talks about duty - what about the duty to to the person who employs you? Who pays your invoices. It's damn easy to get on your high horse and close a show - but that is a LAST resort, and if it is you who makes it happen, that is a FAILURE, not something to be proud of. Everybody has a responsibility. Mac.Calder said it - try to sort the problem out first.

 

The last thing refers to my "take my word for it" statement. Imagine, if you will, a badly run venue - one that may well have lots of, shall we call them, 'issues'. You come in - maybe working for them, maybe working for the company putting on the show. You tell these people what they are doing is wrong, maybe illegal? You actually expect them to take notice of you? It doesn't matter if you are right or wrong. You are the guest, the outsider - what do you know? Dealing with venues like this isn't easy. In my experience, venues run by leisure centres are the worst culprits. There's one near me, actually got mentioned in a post the other day, where safety issues regarding 'the entertainers' are not taken seriously. Most incoming crews and companies deal with it on a 'sort it ever time' basis. Reporting them would close a huge venue, cost a lot of people their jobs and make you the scapegoat. The remote management would get away with it. Annoying though it is, sort the problem for the night by identifying the dodgy electrical system, repairing the broken items, removing the chairs from backstage areas, stopping the fire exit being used as an entrance etc etc are just part of the job we have.

 

I take safety very seriously - but I can't ever see me threatening the management. Very, in my humble opinion, shortsighted.

 

If you have reported a management to the authorities, you haven't won, you've lost. You will forever be known as "that person". In an industry where many jobs are due to word of mouth reputation - you may have just committed professional suicide.

 

I'll end by just thinking about things you have personally done, that you were sure were safe. How would you deal with the bod who tells you it isn't safe, when you know they are. Then because you don't agree, reports you. You may be right, you may be wrong - Would you emply that person again? Two letters, second one is 'O