Permits issued for public events by a proposed new health and safety body should be coupled with insurance policies in certain cases, a report on the sector suggests.
The report, drafted by Occupational Health and Safety Authority CEO Mark Gauci, was published yesterday and gives a series of recommendations on how a new health and safety body would work.
In the 30-page document, Dr Gauci says that applicants before the new body would have to apply for insurance coverage and this should be proportionally linked to the level of risk, established by professionals employed by the body.
The report was commissioned by Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli as part of a review of safety in public events after 28 people were injured when a Porsche 918 Spyder supercar sped off the track and crashed into a section of the crowd during a motor show last October.
The report is part of a one-month public consultation being carried out by Dr Dalli as part of a health and safety overhaul.
The new “singular” authority would gather experts from different existing entities and simplify the permit application process. This, Dr Gauci suggests, should be based on European best practices.
Dr Gauci also lays bare the “complex and conflicting” safety legal framework, calling for a legislative simplification. Certain public events, such as religious festivals, he says, often require the approval of six different authorities.
“There needs to be a deep and detailed revision of the laws and regulations carried out by technical people, with a focus on identifying and eliminating conflicting laws or technical requirements which are no longer valid,” the report reads.
Throughout the document, Dr Gauci gives examples of technical specifications which have become outdated – perhaps the most worrying are instructions for the use of poisonous asbestos as an anti-fire measure in theatres.
If a fire was to break out it is not clear who would be responsible. Dr Gauci dedicates a substantial portion of the report to detailing how a new Fire Safety Act would work.
Dr Gauci said most believed that fire safety was the responsibility of the Civil Protection Department. However, there was no law empowering the body to enforce any standards.
Addressing a press conference yesterday Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli said the government was committed to meeting with as many stakeholders as possible during the consultation. She said that while the OHSA had vast technical expertise, there were other authorities with valid insight as well as event organisers with hands on experience.
Feedback, requests for clarification and queries can be addressed to onlineconsultations.msdc@gov.mt or to Davida Flores, Director Strategy and Support, 280, Level 3, Republic Street, Valletta.