The Theatres Trust has written to the IHBC to update our members on their discussions with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), to note especially that the requirement for suspended plaster ceiling inspection is applicable to any building open to members of the public, not just theatres, and that 1 September is the deadline that theatre owners must have inspected their suspended plaster ceilings to ensure they are safe.
Claire Appleby, Architecture Adviser at The Theatres Trust writes:
I am writing from the Theatres Trust as we have recently been in discussion with the Health and Safety Executive regarding the requirement for suspended plaster ceiling inspections within all theatres. As you are no doubt aware, the requirement to survey ceilings followed the collapse of the fibrous plaster ceiling at the Apollo Theatre in 2013. However, it is important to note that the requirement for suspended plaster ceiling inspection is applicable to any building which is open to members of the public, not just theatres.
The deadline for the survey of all suspended ceilings in buildings is now fast approaching and both the HSE and the Theatres Trust are keen to ensure that building owners and operators (theatres and otherwise) understand their responsibilities….
The 1 September marks the deadline that theatre owners must have inspected their suspended plaster ceilings to ensure they are safe. Details about all of this can be found on the ABTT (The Association of British Theatre Technicians) website at http://www.abtt.org.uk
Mr Melvin Sandell from the HM Inspector of Health and Safety, Entertainments has asked us to pass on the following notice:
‘I will be writing to all local authorities shortly after 1 September to explain that theatres with suspended plaster ceilings should now be able to provide evidence that their ceiling has been completely inspected by a competent person and explain how that competence was determined. If you have not done this I recommend you contact your local authority as soon as possible to explain what you are doing to ensure the safety of your ceiling.’
If anyone has any queries about suspended plaster ceilings they can contact Claire Appleby at the Theatres Trust.
Please do not hesitate to call me if you wish to discuss the above or if you would like to speak with the HSE direct please contact Flip (Melvin) Sandell on Melvin.Sandell@hse.gov.uk’
