The Stage

Technical talk

Published Thursday 13 May 2004 at 12:40

For those of you who collect entertainment acronyms, I have a new one that you may not have come across. It is the Broadcasting and Performing Arts Joint Advisory Committee, or BJAC. Chaired by the Health and Safety Executive, BJAC is a group that meets twice yearly to discuss matters relevant across the sector. Members include the BBC and commercial television companies, the theatre industry unions, managements and associations as well as the National Union of of Journalists, as well as representatives from the areas of radio and film. There are about 40 members.

Before you scream that we do not need another health and safety committee, this one serves a unique and useful pool by sharing information and guidelines. The theatre industry has its own group- the Theatre Safety Committee - which considers our problems, however, having a wider view in the sector helps us and the HSE to understand and formulate ways of making legislation workable.

Major concerns at the moment are the implications of the new Noise at Work Regulations and what guidance can be put in place to make compliance less burdensome than it, at first look, it seems. Two groups are looking at relevant areas in the hope of producing some helpful documentation. The HSE, as I write, are investigating the legal status of any future guidelines produced by the groups to see whether they constitute an approved code of practice or merely guidelines.

The two groups cover live music and recorded music. The first will look at the operations of orchestras, symphony orchestras, open-air events, pubs and clubs, rock and pop events, etc. They have been researching and gathering information and hope to have some guidance written within the next two years with first drafts produced within the next couple of months. The second group consists of recording studios, pubs and clubs, bars, hotels etc and seemingly has a harder task in agreeing commonalities that would be the basis of writing guidance. Both groups have asked that the Health Directorate come along to the next BJAC meeting in order to help clarify some grey areas that implementing the new legislation might invoke.

In order to get a flavour of what the groups are discussing I spoke with Pauline Dalby, health and safety officer at the Musicians’ Union. “Much has been said about the new action levels i.e. the demise of certain repertoire,” she said, “but its not true. With careful scheduling of repertoire, sensible seating arrangements in pits/orchestra platforms/examining venue acoustics etc. noise levels can be reduced - of course we also have to educate conductors, some of whom think that loud is best.

“Obviously the main focus of the completed draft is to give practical guidance on noise control solutions and we now know that this will include a variety of measures - how this document will embrace all genres of music will need to be thought out - but the MU’s aim is to have a document that gives practical advice to employers and musicians to include the self employed enabling all to benefit from not only health and safety legislation but also ensuring that current and future work opportunities are not jeopardised.”

The MU is committed to working with others to ensure that there is protection against hearing damage whilst working in the theatre industry. The results should be forthcoming within the next six months.

That this subject is being discussed at such a senior pan sector level should be encouraging news but even with the co-operation that palpable there are still some imponderables. For example - controlling the noise output of live or recorded music is achievable but how do control the noise the audience makes especially when their clamour exceeds acceptable levels? Have you ever measured the decibel level in a crowded Wetherspoons pub (a chain famous for its non-music policy)? I have and I can tell you that it exceeded legal levels by over15%. What do you do? Tell the punters to keep it down?

As with any new guidance, pitfalls will occur during the drafting process but at least something positive is underway.

Howard Bird