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Environment and Productions
Avoiding Environmental Nuisance

Noise/light nuisance can be avoided in most cases by taking practical steps including:
  • Scheduling activities to avoid causing a nuisance to neighbouring premises for example in day light hours.
  • Sending letters to local residents giving them details of the production (when, where and how long the production will run for) and a named contact who can answer questions.
  • Locate generators away from residential boundaries (houses developments) and other sensitive receptors (schools, hospitals, shops etc).
  • Consider the use of location vehicles as acoustic barriers e.g. placing vehicles between the noise source and the sensitive receptor (schools, hospitals, shops etc) to act as a noise barrier.
  • Giving consideration to sensitive areas, such as areas surrounding hospitals and schools and how light pollution can be minimised through positioning (to ensure reflection is minimised), angling (downwards), shielding etc.
Measures that can be taken to avoid smoke, fumes and odours from causing a statutory nuisance include:
  • Ensuring that an appropriate risk assessment is undertaken and control measures put in place before working on site.
  • Ensuring that engines are switched off when not in use.
  • Preventing waste materials from being burnt on-site i.e. don't have bonfires to dispose of any waste which is produced.
  • Ensuring good house keeping on-site.
  • Maintaining combustion plant and equipment to ensure it can operate without producing visible smoke.
  • Giving preference to paints labelled low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) or alternatively use water based paints.
  • If a nuisance abatement notice of served for any reason contact Ask Al - Safety Advice Line for advice or information.
Special Effects: Smoke machines, pyrotechnic smoke, burning fuels and the burning of other materials
Tyres must not be used to generate black smoke as an alternative smoke canisters could be used. Measures that can be taken to avoid special effects [e.g. smoke, fumes and odours] from causing a statutory nuisance include:
  • Ensuring that an appropriate risk assessment is undertaken and control measures put in place before the effect takes place.
  • Where possible keep the effect to a minimum time period.
  • If the effect is taking place in residential or urban areas ensure the notification of local residents via letters.
  • Ensure fuels are stored appropriately (located away from rivers, lakes, streams, drains or gullies) to avoid spillages from occurring.
  • Alternative measures such as smoke canisters could be used to avoid burning foam, plastics or rubbers.
  • Allow preparation time for an effect to ensure where applicable combustibles (seats, rubbers seals etc) are stripped out cars etc.
  • Ensure good house keeping on-site.
  • If a nuisance abatement notice of served for any reason contact Ask Al - Safety Advice Line for advice or information.
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