Storms, Temporary Structures & Your Event Insurance
This is a follow up to a post I wrote a couple weeks back about Event and Festival Insurance and stages falling down and to one I posted a while back about coverage (or lack of) for temporary structures. In the wake of the tragic stage collapse last weekend at the Indiana State Fair and the 3 people killed today by collapsing structures at the Pukkelpop Festival in Belgium due to a bad storm, I have to say more. Folks, these types of incidents are preventable!
I was recently interviewed by a national magazine regarding festival safety and the corresponding event insurance. The interviewer told me that he spoke to band managers, producers, tent contractors, etc. and they all claimed the these outdoor festivals are safe. I, of course, told a different story. Clearly, they are not safe! However, they could be a heck of a lot safer.
So, to all of you festival producers out there, listen when your insurance broker tries to talk to you about risk management and safety. Even the largest festivals (like Pukkelpop) that may have on site safety managers can learn a valuable lesson from these tragedies.
The problem is that the "buck stops" with the company that produces the event. Even small incidents can cause big lawsuits...and you better believe that those smart lawyers out there are going to go after everyone involved from the producer to the stage company to the lighting company to the venue and more. So, isn't it just a heck of a lot easier to take a few more precautions even if it costs a bit more money?
Here are 3 very simple but very worthwhile Risk Management Techniques that will help you avoid having something similar happen at your event:
- Have the structures inspected after they are erected. Even if this is not a government requirement it is still worthwhile. You can usually get the local municipality to send an inspector out to help you or if not, you can hire one from a private inspection or risk management company. Or, if all else fails, have your insurance broker come on site and inspect it (however, only do this is your broker has a lot of experience with Event Insurance & Risk Management). An objective trained eye can see a lot that you wouldn't necessarily expect.
- Do more than is required. If the minimum requirement to stake a tent is 2 per corner than ask your tent company to put in 3. If stage bracing cables are not considered mandatory but are available through your stage company by all means have them installed. Ask your stage, lighting, fencing, etc. contractors what extra measures can be taken to ensure the safety of your patrons.
- WATCH THE WEATHER!!! In the two incidents this week it was reported in both cases that the event organizers were paying attention to the weather but in neither case did they instigate any evacuations. What good is all the technology we have access to if we don't use it when we need it? Obviously this falls under the category of "it's better to be safe than sorry" but it is! It might be difficult but so much better to postpone the event for 30-60-90 minutes (whatever it takes) and evacuate people from major temporary structures. People might not like it but I guarantee it they like it less when a stage falls on them. So, just get the people out of there when you know a bad storm cell is headed your way. (Also, talk to your broker about what coverage might be available to add to the Event Insurance if you have to do this.)
There is so much more to say about this but really I urge you to take the simple steps to have a safe outdoor festival. The little you have to spend will more than pay for itself in the long run. And, if you have questions, as I always say, ask your broker. He or she should be a valuable resource and partner in your event. If that person can't answer your questions then seek out an Event Insurance specialist who can.
