Stewarding

However competent the systems, effective event safety management relies to a great extent upon stewards.

At many events stewards are often the first and only point of contact between the venue management and/or event organiser and members of the public.

As such, the performance and interpersonal skills of individual stewards can have a strong bearing on delivering a safe, secure and welcoming event.

Collectively, the overall standard of stewarding is one of the main factors in determining the (S) factor for any venue.

All stewards should be identifiable by spectators and other stewards and safety personnel. Ground management should provide high visibility, weather-proof jackets or tabards. This should indicate the duty being performed (chief steward, steward, etc) and carry a unique identification number.

In addition, ground management should maintain a record of each steward, including:

Name, age, address and contact number(s)
Details of professional or vocational qualification, and any training sessions attended
Events attended, including the duties allocated or positions in the venue.

SGSA guidance defines a steward as someone who has:

has achieved the Level 2 Certificate in Spectator Safety (or previous equivalent), or is undergoing
training and assessment towards the qualification;
is employed or contracted – whether paid or voluntary – by the venue management and/or event
organiser to act in accordance with the general recommendations of the Green Guide, and, where
appropriate, the specific requirements of the venue’s safety certificate; and
is appropriately attired, equipped and briefed.

The Green Guide and SG03: Event Safety Management outline full details on the definition of a steward.