A voluntary code of practice for safety at rock events and other indoor concerts was published yesterday. The Government is also to consider a new licensing system.
The Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, urged promoters of indoor concerts to support it. "The implementation of its recommendations will provide the safety that the public expects and deserves," he said.
The code was prepared by an inter-departmental working group and is the third in a series. The first two, the Code of Practice for Safety at Sports Grounds and the Code of Practice at Outdoor Pop Concerts, were published in 1996 by the Department of Education.
The new code points to the dangers inherent in particularly vigorous forms of audience participation, such as crowd surfing, crowd diving and moshing (members of a standing audience crashing violently into each other).
"The attention of the audience should be drawn to activities which are not acceptable and appropriate preventive measures should be put in place", the code says.
The code also warns against performances containing "any material or activity which could overexcite the audience or endanger safety. Performers should remain within the stage area throughout the performance and should not incite or encourage any dangerous or unacceptable behaviour on the part of the audience."
The code also identifies the tendency of people at such concerts to crowd towards the stage as a matter for serious concern. "In the interests of comfort and safety, seating represents the preferred way of accommodating people at a concert, avoiding many of the risks associated with standing concerts."
The code provides practical advice and guidance for concert promoters on other matters such as event planning and management, the use of barriers, stewarding and the provision of emergency medical facilities. It also deals with fire precautions and fire safety and structural matters.