Exhibition News October 2022 | Page 15

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Absolute capacity

Andrew Harrison director of the Event Supplier and Services Association ( ESSA ) warns that the past two years have magnified the pressures already faced by suppliers and calls all sides of the industry to work together to make healthier working environments for all . Words : Emily Wallin

As an association the Event Suppliers and Services Association has been working on a set of benchmarks so great suppliers can demonstrate their health and safety credential . ESSA Accredited is company level accreditation , with a focus on health and safety .

But it goes further the trade association ’ s director Andrew Harrison says , covering insurance , training ,
certifications and more as well as training courses for members .
He says it is a great starting point for businesses to prove their credentials – but that the suppliers side of the industry is under mounting pressure and standards will inevitably fall if they are stretched further .
One of the biggest causes of lapses in good practice comes down to missed opportunities in communication .
Andrew Harrison
He says : “ Delays in pertinent information within our industry can be a real inhibitor to what I would call ‘ the best we can be ’. Lost opportunities for communication between all stake holder groups . At the end game we ’ re basically a building site , and with every missed opportunity or delay in communication in the lead up to this , leads to greater pressure and delays when we can least afford it . If we think
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