Event Safety 101: The Importance of Using a SafeHire© Certified Catering Equipment Hire Company

When it comes to planning an event, I think we can all agree that the safety aspect is much less fun to plan versus picking out colour schemes or planning a menu that’ll wow your guests’ tastebuds. However, thinking about the safety of your guests and team is absolutely vital, and not a step you want to overlook. 

From intimate gatherings to full blown soirees, the responsibility lies with event planners to create an environment where everyone feels safe and can enjoy themselves without worrying about any potential hazards. 

So, how do you plan a safe event? And why do we recommend using SafeHire© certified equipment hire companies?  

How to plan a safe event 

When planning an event, you need to be thinking about safety every step of the way. So, how do you do this? 

Competency checks 

Whilst it may feel like a bit of a hassle, it’s important to take the time to assess the competency of all parties involved, including caterers and contractors. Make sure that they have the knowledge and skills to uphold safety standards throughout the event; it’s worth checking out or asking for reviews from previous customers, too!  

Collaboration and coordination 

You should always be working closely with the caterers, venue staff, and other contractors to make sure everyone is on the same page about safety. It’s important to talk openly and work together to spot and deal with any potential dangers before they become a much more serious hazard. If you see something that isn’t right, make sure you tell someone and get it handled before the event. 

Health and safety management arrangements 

Make sure you and your organising team have solid plans for health and safety. If you’re part of a big company, following their safety rules is super important. It’s worth appointing someone as your health and safety rep during the event, that way you know someone is specifically checking everything and there to assist if the worst does happen. 

And don’t forget the basics either, like knowing where the fire exits are and how to use tools like fire extinguishers properly!  

Safety plan development 

What’s your plan if the worst does happen and a health and safety issue does arise? Don’t wait until the moment to come up with a solution when you’ll likely be panicking and someone could be hurt. Instead, make sure you carry out a thorough risk assessment that is tailored to the event’s scale, e.g. audience, location, and duration. When you have this information, you can put a safety plan in place. 

Contractor selection 

You might not realise it but one of the keyways to ensure everyone at your event stays safe is to pick your contractors very carefully. We mentioned it above, but contractor selection goes beyond whether they’ll get the job done and what their reviews say. You want to also check their qualifications, workforce expertise, and certification to ensure they meet regulatory standards. 

Catering equipment hire: Choosing safe equipment 

Speaking of contractor selection, if you’re hiring catering equipment for your event, it’s so important that you make sure the equipment you hire is safe. This is especially important if you’re hiring equipment like ovens, BBQs or hot cupboards as they come with obvious health and safety risks. 

Before you agree to hire anything, it’s really important to check it out properly to make sure it’s safe to use and has been looked after well. Find catering equipment hiring companies that are known for making safety a priority (like us!). They should be able to show you paperwork proving they’ve kept the equipment in good condition and that it’s been checked by experts. At Plato, all of our equipment is thoroughly checked to industry standards before it leaves us, so you can be certain it’s safe – more on that below! 

Why is it better to choose a SafeHire© certified company? 

When it comes to event safety, we always recommend choosing a SafeHire© certified company when it comes to catering equipment hire. SafeHire© certifications aren’t just handed out easily; they’re earned through demanding evaluations and a commitment to industry standards. Companies like ours undergo thorough scrutiny of our processes, procedures, and customer service to ensure we meet the highest benchmarks of quality and professionalism. 

By choosing a SafeHire© certified company, you’re selecting a supplier that has been vetted and recognised as one of the very best in the industry. This level of expertise and scrutiny gives you the peace of mind that you’re partnering with a reliable and trustworthy provider, that is committed to ensuring the safety of you and your guests. 

Safety should always be a top priority, especially when it comes to catering equipment. When hiring equipment from Plato, you can be safe in the knowledge that any electrical equipment is PAT tested before it’s hired out. Plato is a member of the SafeHire© Certification Scheme, which means we have a proven competence in safety, health, environment, and quality. We’ll even provide training on how to use the equipment so users can be confident that they’re using the equipment correctly and safely. This ensures you’ll receive the highest possible quality of service and catering equipment hire.  

Plus, SafeHire© certification goes beyond equipment to also cover customer service. So, customers can expect exceptional support and professionalism from SafeHire© certified companies, ensuring a smooth experience from start to finish. 

Final checklist  

To help your event run like a well-oiled machine, here’s a little checklist that you can use to ensure you haven’t missed anything important regarding event safety. 

Double-check: 

• Is there a clear understanding within the organising team of who will be responsible for safety matters? 

• Have you risk-assessed your event and prepared a safety plan? 

• Is the equipment you hired safe to use? 

• Did you involve your workers during the planning of your event? 

• Did you liaise with other agencies? 

• Have you gathered and assessed relevant information to help you determine whether you have selected suitable and competent contractors? 

• Have you provided the right workplace facilities? 

• Have you planned for incidents and emergencies? 

You can access more event safety resources here. 

Looking for reliable catering equipment hire? Contact us today to learn how we can help you with your event!