Woodhouse worked closely with sustainability consultants EcoEvents, who specialise in sustainability management solutions designed specifically for the events industry, venues, and related supply chains. EcoEvents provided the consultancy and training to enable Woodhouse to gain certification after only eight months reviewing, developing and installing their sustainability policies and procedures. The certification was then awarded by AJA Registrars, a UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited Global Certification Body.

Tony Marsh, managing director, Woodhouse said “Achieving these certifications will ensure measurable bottom line benefits for us and will enable us to offer better value to our client base, to actively support their policies and assist them in achieving their sustainability goals. We are early adopters of the environmental & sustainability standards and together with all the 2012 family of suppliers we are required to supply impartial and independent evidence of our sustainability performance. Suppliers that have self-certified or been certified by the very consultants that helped them develop and implement their systems cannot say with any validity that they have achieved the internationally recognised certification. We knew that the best way of achieving the joint BS -ISO certification was by working with a specialist consultancy who fully understands the process, and then having the joint standards awarded by a UKAS accredited certification body”.

Sam Wilson, director, EcoEvents said: “Woodhouse passed both certificates with flying colours and is paving the way for suppliers within the events industry. It is essential that leading suppliers providing these essential services at the ‘front line’ have a pragmatic understanding of legislation and sustainability practices so that associated risks are identified, managed and reduced. We need to be discouraging so called first and second party ‘certification’ and combining our voices to protect our industry and deliver a clear message to those wishing to seek certification.  Anything other than independent third party certification will result in our industry being de-professionalised and result in a lack of credibility. We have a unique opportunity to lead the way in sustainable development and differentiate ourselves amongst other industries. It would be a shame if we did not take full advantage of this.”

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Explanation of terms

•  Sustainable development – an enduring, balanced approach to economic activity, environmental responsibility and social progress.

•  BS8901:2009– British Standard for a Specification for a Sustainability Management System for Events

•  ISO14001 – International Standard Environmental Management first published as a British Standard in 1992, now a robust and globally recognised standard that applies to all businesses in all sectors.

•  Accreditation – the term given to a certification body that complies with the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) requirements for certification.

•  Certification – not interchangeable with accreditation, is a term given to organisations that have been assessed and awarded certification by an accredited certification body (be aware that there are organisations that offer certification that have no form of accreditation and therefore do not comply with International requirements for their operations).

• First, second and third party certification – first party is self declaration of compliance; second party is where a client/interested party confirms compliance; and third party is independent verification by an independent organisation such as an accredited Certification Body

The following article is an interview with our MD Tony Marsh. It appeared in Event Industry news

Event Industry News recently conducted a Q&A session with Tony Marsh, the president of the UK Temporary Structure and Marquee association MUTA. Marsh gave the following answers.

What should organisers bear in mind when offered a ‘low cost’ marquee hire from a ‘less-reputable’ supplier? And, how can organisers differentiate between the two?

Many reputable suppliers, including MUTAmarq-accredited contractors, have events that they do every year, but they are generally flexible enough to take on more work if approached. The problem arises when event organisers who are dealing with a tight budget are looking for ways to minimise costs.

Unaccredited marquee hirers who are not working to recognised industry practice will have lower costs because they do not have the processes in place to minimise their risks. In doing so they may be taking on more risk through inadequate hire equipment maintenance, insufficient commercial insurance and cash-based contracts which promise little recourse should things go wrong. This puts them at an advantage as they are often able to charge lower rates than those who subscribe to best practice and are subject to inspections. Event organisers should bear in mind that a safe event represents best value for money and look for accredited contractors.

How can organisers find out if their structure company is working to industry standards?

MUTAmarq is the only accreditation scheme designed to ensure that hirers of marquees and other fabric structures work to recognised best practice. The scheme involves on-site inspections to enforce the standards. All accredited contractors are listed on the MUTA website and they all have annual compliance certificates to demonstrate their accreditation. Member contractors may also have put their crew through StructureSafe, a one-day site safety awareness training course, recognised by both the ODA and LOCOG. These crew members would have certificates and/or MUTA skills cards to demonstrate this.

Are there any standards?

The MUTAmarq Code of Practice, Safe Use and Operation of Temporary Demountable Fabric Structures (2012 update), covers structural integrity, flame retardancy, site safety and public safety. This is based on government regulations, British Standards, Institution of Structural Engineers guidance, and other safe working practices agreed between members. It is free to download from our website, and is supplemented by additional guidance on Inflatable Structures (2011) and Saddlespans (2012)

How can the MUTA Marquee Safety Checklist, Public and Private guides help?

The code of practice explains what event organisers should expect in their dealings with a fabric structure contractor and also provides a comprehensive outline of what constitutes best practice, which should give them peace of mind when using structures erected by competent professionals at their event. The completion checklist is a way of helping event organisers to ensure that contractors fully discharge their responsibility of handing over safe structures which are fit for purpose and public use.

Should Organisers safeguard themselves by only using MUTA members or are there reputable suppliers outside the association?

There may well be contractors who are not members of MUTA who operate to best practice but as they are not subject to our inspections they have no way of showing evidence of their compliance. The best approach is to look for MUTAmarq accreditation and the risk reduction peace of mind it offers.

What is the process for screening companies before they become a MUTA member?

Membership applicants provide references from other businesses in the industry and existing members are also given an opportunity to express opinions which would then be investigated. Our Health & Safety Compliance Officer visits their premises to ensure that their fabrics meet flame retardancy standards, and that they have risk-assessed method statements (RAMS) and adequate health and safety documentation to cover their activities. Applicants for full membership must also demonstrate at least two years of trading and have a credit check to ensure that they are a reputable commercial entity.

About the Author (Author Profile)

Adam Parry is the Publisher. If you would like to get in touch and learn more about Event Industry

News email editor@eventindustrynews.co.uk.

Horse & Hound: Are you ready to be tested?

Our Barn Stables featured in a recent article in Horse & Hound about doping. The caption reads: Stringent testing will no longer be limited to elite events like this summer’s Olympics.

http://www.eventmagazine.co.uk/news/bulletin/bulletintest2/article/1124767/?DCMP=EMC-CONEventnewsbulletin

Woodhouse Show and Event Specialists has designed, manufactured and installed 90 temporary stables for use by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery at their Wellington Barracks.

The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery has left their St Johns Wood Barracks after 65 years and has moved to a purpose built equestrian training facility in the Woolwich Garrison.

The Woolwich Garrison is too far from central London to be a practical base for the King’s Troop when making ceremonial appearances, so Woodhouse successfully tendered for and was contracted  to design and build temporary stables to fit within and maximize the covered car park area at Wellington Barracks. The stables will be used by the Troop ‘s horses when making ceremonial appearances at nearby venues including Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace and dismantled when not in use.

Peter Cook, general manager at Woodhouse, said: “This was a fantastic project to be involved in, and one which required a great deal of knowledge and technical expertise due to the limited space available in Wellington Barracks. They were designed to be  assembled quickly by the Troop personnel and then dismantled and stored on site when not in use. We worked closely with the Kings Troop  to ensure that the project was completed on time and to the exact specification, and everyone was delighted with the result.”

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This news of our three year contract with Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials appeared in the Feb/March issue of The Main Event magazine

Will the Games leave a truly green legacy?

 

 

 

This feature appeared in Event magazine (Feb/March 2012) and includes comment from Tony Marsh, our MD, commenting on our sustainability practices

 

 

 

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