Crowd Management Research Centre plays pivotal role in health and safety guide

The International Centre for Crowd Management and Security Studies, based at Buckinghamshire New University, is playing a leading role in developing a new edition of a guide to health, safety and welfare at events, which will be used across the industry.

The revised edition of the Purple Guide to Health, Safety and Welfare at Music and Other Events is due to be published in October by The Events Industry Forum (EIF), a body which comprises events industry trade associations and similar organisations, including The Centre at Bucks New University.

Teresa Moore, Head of Department – Music and Events Management at Bucks New University, who is Director of Education and Training for the Centre, is one of the four editors for the Guide and has contributed to chapters on crowd management and barriers and fencing.

Mark Hamilton, the Head of the Centre and one of the leading experts in the industry, chaired working groups of events industry professionals putting together the guide, whilst Tony Ball, of Show & Event Security and a board member of the Centre, also contributed to the chapter on crowd management.

The second edition of the Guide has been written by members of The EIF in consultation with the UK events industry and representatives from regional and national Government. It replaces the first edition originally published by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and will cover legislation and good practice for event organisers and suppliers.

Teresa Moore, who speaks extensively nationally and internationally on festivals and events, said: “Anyone who is connected to live events has probably referred to the Purple Guide at some stage, so The International Centre for Crowd Management and Security Studies is extremely pleased to be contributing to the latest edition.

“We feel this illustrates the important role The Centre plays as advisor and commentator on the events industry.”

Mark Hamilton added: “The Guide has, since its first edition, been the foremost piece of guidance available to organisers of all types of events to ensure the public are able to attend in a safe and secure environment.

“The success of what became known as the ‘Purple Guide’ can be seen through its longevity as an industry standard and in the way it has been adopted globally by event organisers.”