Although directly applicable to participating AEV member venues, much of this guidance provides a useful start point to any UK-based AEV venue.  It must be stressed, however, that whatever the venue, these are guidelines.  If meticulously followed, these guidelines should ensure that you are compliant with current health and safety law.  Nevertheless, you must always check the particulars of your own exhibition (or similar event) with the venue in question.  Whether you are an organiser, suppler or client/exhibitor, you must remember that it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure that you address health & safety, and other operational issues properly, in compliance with current UK law. 

It must also be stressed that any employer has a legal duty to employ staff that are competent to manage health & safety, and other operations that are relevant to their level and range of responsibilities.  This guidance alone is not a substitute for proper training and experience.

This project is a continual ‘work in progress’ and does not cover every possible subject.  Indeed, its online format was deliberately chosen, so that the featured guidance had the capacity to remain fluid and up to date.  The committee will continue to meet twice a year, and produce/discuss new standards and relevant updates.  An obvious current omission is electrical standards, which are subject to a separate review by the AEV/ESSA Technical Committee – watch this space!

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