What Is The Legal Requirement

[stevie m]

Hi. Can anyone tell me the number of employees that should be in attendance at all times for a small theatre/cinema with a capacity of around 250 people. At the moment the establishment leaves just one non managerial person on the premises for around 2hrs. To my mind that is a huge task. Thanks for any help received

[Zacs-Master]

To fulfill what role?

I also presume you mean when paying customers aren’t there.

[stevie m]

Hi Zacs, No actually this is while the performances are ongoing

[Zacs-Master]

See section 9 of this (although I think it may only be relevant to theatres in Westminster):
http://www3.westminster.gov.uk/docstores/publications_store/Entertainment%20Rules%20of%20Management%20106.4.pdf

[stevie m]

Thanks Zac. I'm not sure if that also equates to provincial theatres as well but it's a good reference point.

[Zacs-Master]

See under ‘venue management’!
http://www.abtt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Theatre-Essentials.pdf

[stevie m]

Zac, I think this is more for Staff/ tradesmen responsibilities behind the scenes rather than their public safety responsibilities, but it's useful info thanks

[carrot99]

I worked as a barmaid in a theatre 40 years ago. There was always a chap employed as fire officer present whenever the theatre was open to the public no matter how many other staff were about. The fire man used to make sure all entrances and exits were clear etc. I can't imagine that theatres don't have to have a fire officer now. So there should be at least two people, I would have thought. Hopefully one of them would be a first aider too.

[stevie m]

Carrot, This is my thinking but there seems to be no definitive info tha I can

[stevie m]

sorry(pressed the wrong key) Cont, that I can find, the theatre has 3 small auditoriums spread out over some area. My concern is that if there was a major incident the remaining 1 member of staff would not be able to cover that distance to ensure safe evacuation of the building inc any disabled customers

[carrot99]

Sounds like an accident waiting to happen.
Pages 5 and 6 of Zac's Westminster document explain that it's a document updated by the District Surveyors Association/Fire brigade and it is recommended that all entertainment premises adopt it. So not just for Westminster. It also says if you need Health and Safety advice contact the council's Environmental Health department . So I should think your best option is to contact the E H department for the borough that the theatre is in.
As you say one person couldn't possibly evacuate that building in an emergency, the document recommends one person in each auditorium plus a fire officer.

[webbo3]

Have they carried out a risk assessment ?

[webbo3]

Im slso there should be a fire officer and first aider on the premises

[webbo3]

sure^