AusLeisure

Safety managers from Melbourne’s leading event venues came together at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on Monday to share information, hear about the latest safety practices and updates to legislation.

Organised by MCEC’s Safety Manager Sharon Friedman, workshop attendees were given an overview of the new contractor management system implemented at the venue - a first of its kind in Melbourne that assists with large scale safety inductions.

Friedman said it was important that safety managers had the opportunity to chat openly about common challenges and issues and discuss best practices across the industry, stating “if we all work to the same risk management and guidelines it will mean a more seamless experience for contractors and event managers as events rotate between venues.”

Victorian WorkCover Authority (previously WorkSafe) Inspector Ian Sandlant gave an update on the organisation’s name change, updated attendees on the 2014/15 events program strategic plan and a range of OHS topics.

Sandlant said it was encouraging to see the creation of the Melbourne venues safety managers’ workshop at MCEC, adding “the group provides a great platform to utilise their collective safety and industry knowledge to identify and implement safety initiatives.”

Major venues represented at the workshop included Melbourne Cricket Club, Victoria Racing Club, Melbourne Olympic Park, Etihad Stadium, Melbourne Showgrounds, Arts Centre Victoria, Tennis Australia, State Sports Centre and the Atlantic Group.

Atlantic Group Health, Safety and Environment Manager Bea Tomlin said she found the workshop beneficial and agreed the standardisation of safety processes was an important initiative.

Tomlin concluded “the core objective of developing and implementing these workshops is to provide a support network for safety managers around Melbourne, who often work autonomously in their respective businesses.”

The workshop is one of many MCEC will host in an effort to drive safety efforts across event venues, both at a local and national level, to positively influence best practice at MCEC and throughout industry.

Image of workshop participants courtesy of MCEC.

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