According to Carol Weaving, MD of Thebe Venue Management, this agreement with Gearhouse puts the division at the forefront of event safety in South Africa.
“With a significant joint interest in the events industry in South Africa, Thebe and Gearhouse will facilitate widespread compliance to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which sets very specific safety standards at special events that are attended by members of the public. We will work closely with the South African Meetings Industry Federation in this regard,” she says.
In terms of the agreement, a full audit of the safety aspects of Gearhouse's business will be done and, where necessary, compliance documents related to aspects such as rigging and structural compliance will be put in place to compile a comprehensive safety procedure file. In addition, all Gearhouse staff will receive training on the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Mike Lord, GM of Thebe Venue Management, says the safety policies that will be developed will not only relate to the act, but also to local council bylaws, construction regulations and national building regulations. “This will also ensure that Gearhouse appoints contractors that operate within the parameters of the required safety standards.
“We will ensure that internal safety policies are implemented correctly on an ongoing basis and assess the work and construction carried out on site, identifying and managing any safety risks or threats. Each client will also receive proof of the safety compliance that Gearhouse undertakes,” he says.
Peter Day, manager of the Johannesburg branch of Gearhouse, says the agreement with Thebe is the solution to a rather complicated scenario where businesses have to comply with numerous rules and regulations related to safety at special events. “One gets overwhelmed, quite frankly, when all one really wants to do is play it straight and be legal.
