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The Vegetarian Food Fair Manual Project Hosted by Follow these links to learn more about VUNA and IVU:
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Vegetarian Food Fair Manual Draft Part II Section 17: Safety for participants, attendees, and volunteers Even if you have liability insurance, you need to take steps to make sure you provide a safe environment for everyone who participates in the food fair. Safety should be a top priority for participants, attendees, and volunteers. You should have a small first-aid kit available in addition to knowing the fastest way to call for emergency help. If a cellular telephone is available, keep it in a central location (the entrance table to the fair or at your organization's booth) and tell volunteers, participants, and attendees where to go if they have an emergency (see Section 21). Participants If vendors will be cooking on location at the food fair (as many vendors likely will), make sure that booths allow adequate space to work. Working in close quarters with hot foods and liquids can create a dangerous situation. Ask vendors to bring a fire extinguisher, or rent one that you can place near booths that are using open flames or grills. Ask them also to arrange cooking areas toward the backs of the booths, away from places where attendees will be standing or walking. During set-up, check to be sure that vendors are following these instructions. Also check extension cords for frays and make sure outlets are not overloaded. If you have set up tents, tables, or booths, make sure that they are secured and set up correctly and that they are stable and strong enough for the purpose they will serve. Double-check risers and podiums that you have erected for bands or speakers. Avoid looping extension cords across areas in which people will be walking and tape down or cover cords that must lie in these spaces. TOP Attendees Many of the steps you take to protect vendors will also protect fair attendees. Securing tents, tables, and booths is particularly important. Also secure all posters and signs. Make sure that chairs are in good condition and set up correctly. If you are renting portable bathrooms, you should include at least one handicapped bathroom (depending on the attendance you expect, you may be required to supply more. Be sure to review your permits. See Section 5). Make sure that the fair area is secured and cut off from vehicle traffic, and make sure that you clearly mark adjacent areas in which traffic will be permitted. Make sure that the activities you provide for children are age appropriate. Avoid choking hazards, and watch children carefully. Providing an adequate number of volunteers to watch children should be a priority. If possible, close the children's area off on three sides to improve safety. Make sure vendors are following health codes and instructions from the department of health to avoid food-borne illnesses. TOP Volunteers If you have created a safe environment for participants and attendees, volunteers at the food fair should be safe as well. Volunteers will be helping with set-up and teardown, however, so you should take steps to make sure these tasks are completed safely. Make sure there are enough people to complete tasks that involve lifting or moving heavy tents, tables, or other objects safely. If set-up begins before you secure the fair area, make sure volunteers are aware that traffic may be passing through. Let them know where traffic will still be permitted after the fair begins. TOP Checklist for food fair safety ___ Make sure tents, tables, chairs, and booths are secured and set up correctly. |
