The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Nick Kendrick
Nick Kendrick works as a health and safety officer for Compass Point Business Services (East Coast) Limited, a back office service of South Holland District Council.
Nick says each week brings different challenges – no two weeks are ever the same.
“I see it as my duty to dispel the myths of ‘elf and safety’ and make sure that the council and its workforce take a sensible risk management approach to everything they do”, he added. Last Friday (Oct 3), Nick had one of the busiest days of his work year, making sure Spalding’s Pumpkin Festival passed off safely – clocking up 15 miles walking in the process!
Here’s the diary of his day:
08:00: Arrive at South Holland District Council Offices to check emails and re-check Event Safety plan for the day.
This is one of Spalding’s premier events and this plan is essential for events of this size. It provides a practical plan that can help to avoid dangerous situations arising and details what needs to happen if things do go wrong. As the event organiser, South Holland District Council must have plans in place to respond effectively to health and safety incidents and other emergencies that might occur at the event.
09:00: First safety inspection of the day around the market stalls before they start trading. This is the second year in the Sheep Market but our first year of using marquee style stalls. The inspections ensure the traders are operating safely and that any other potential hazards and risks are identified and dealt with.
09:30: The fairground ride has arrived in the town. I lend a hand to ensure the operator can safely reverse his trailer and vehicle down Red Lion Street to position himself outside the Red Lion Quarter. Construction of the stage structure is already under way in the Market Place and, once satisfied all is in order, I return to the offices once more to review the traffic management plan which will come into effect later in the day.
11:00: We embark on a parade route inspection with Maxine from Highways, checking the route is clear and where problems are identified they can either be resolved or other controls implemented. This is a chance to re-check the event does not have a significant impact on the traffic flow around Spalding. We always try to ensure that road closures go on as late as possible, and come off as soon as possible, whilst still protecting all those taking part in the parade.
12:00: Next a meeting with the traffic management team to ensure all is in order and they are ready to swing into action at the appropriate time. Town is now beginning to look and feel busy.
14:00: We meet with the fireworks company on the top of the South Holland Centre, to confirm they are ahead of schedule ready for the main event later in the day.
16:00: The official stewards have now arrived and are being briefed by their manager. They assist me in the installation of barrier areas in the town before making their way out to all the road junctions.
With schools out, the town is now beginning to buzz … now the fun really begins. We take a final walk round of all active areas.
18:30: At the sound of a single firework we estimate 2,000 people set off on the parade and I take up my position at the rear of the parade. This is to ensure that the rear of the route is protected and I can authorise the lifting of road closures when safe to do so.
19:00: The rear of the parade has now returned to the town centre and over the next 30 minutes with the help of the security team, we slowly coax members of the public into the safety zone we have created for the fireworks.
19:35: With estimated numbers of 6,000 people in the town centre, the fireworks begin. It’s a case of constantly checking to ensure everything is still going to plan and that no extra risks have occurred.
Once the display is over, I authorise the removal of the barriers to allow members of the public to
move freely again. Another successful Pumpkin Night.
22:10: After a bit of a tidy up I finally get home. A check of my phone pedometer reveals a staggering 15 miles walked throughout the day.
Not a normal day at the office, but one that brings the rewards of seeing and hearing a lot of happy people, who have one again enjoyed a great event put on by South Holland District Council.
