Crowd control barriers are an excellent tool, not just for keeping thing orderly but also to ensure that everyone is safe. If you have ever been to a festival, convention, political event or parade, you’ll understand the importance of crowd management. Regardless of whether you believe that people are generally orderly or whether you’re hosting an event where the majority of your guests are well-mannered and good-natured, there are a variety of situations where crowd control barriers can protect everyone involved. It is important to think of them as an essential part of a good health and safety planning, rather than just a way of keeping unruly individuals in check.
In this article, we are going to expound upon the benefits and uses of barriers so that you can decide whether they are perfect for your event or needs.
Useful at most events that involve people
Whether its parades, political events, roadwork’s, resorts and hotels, department stores, parking lots, stadiums or anything else, if you are going to be facilitating a large influx of people, it’s a great idea to invest in some crowd control.
One may believe that the people attending their event will be calm and respectful and most of the time that are true but mistakes do happen. It doesn’t have to be anyone’s fault; they can just walk in the wrong direction. There are a few options available for you that can fit your needs from belt barriers and metal barricades to classic stanchions, if it suits the occasion. The most important thing to remember is that you should pick what you need, not what looks nice.
Why they are important?
Crowd safety management is generally the most important aspect; a well-placed pedestrian barrier will stop most people from walking out into a road during a parade. Some can stop someone accessing off limits or staff only areas. Other times it is simply to make sure people form an orderly queue with no pushing, cutting or potential confrontations.
They are also an important tool in crowd behaviour control as they can discourage any attempts individuals may make at climbing on temporary structures and injuring themselves or other in the process.
Preparing for the worst will ensure it never comes to pass.
When should they be set up?
Ideally, if you are able, the barricades are best set up the night before. The less you have to worry about the morning of the event, the more likely it is to go smoothly. Otherwise, if you are unable to do it the night before, very early in the morning of the event day is also a perfectly acceptable option. Just make sure that it is done well in advance of the first people showing up, as it is not something easily done after the fact.
Should they be monitored after setup?
Yes, absolutely. It’s understandable that one may think that just because the barriers are set up that the job is done. Sadly, this is not the case as there are plenty of opportunities for things to still go slightly wrong. If a barrier is knocked over, there is a solid chance that someone will try to jump it and push ahead and the likelihood that a member of the public will pick it up is not very high.
It’s up to you and your members of staff to ensure that the barriers are straight, presentable and haven’t been moved at all. It all adds up and lends to a more professional and controlled look.
How should I set them up?
Have them set up in the way that best ensures you can control traffic and movement. Put them in places where you don’t want people to stand or pass and you will be able to make the most out of them. If there is any advice that’s worthwhile, it’s to try leaving a gap between barriers. Many possess the ability to be linked together to form a kind of barrier chain, and while this may be useful in some instances, it can also prove a slight hazard. If you leave a gap in the links and someone accidentally knocks one over, they won’t all come tumbling down to follow.
Final word
Regardless of the event, it is always a safe bet to invest in crowd control barriers. They may seem like a small thing, but they can be incredibly valuable to maintaining control of an event if you are faced with crowd surges. Just make sure that you are appropriately prepared for the event and provide it with enough barriers for however many people are expected to attend. Always make sure that areas that are selling food, tickets, refreshments or anything else, have enough space and the correct “S” shape barrier set up that will keep everything in an orderly fashion.
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