Negligence in Event Management: A Wake-Up Call for Safety Measures
Event management groups should take a lesson from the accident that occurred during a dance program at the Kaloor Stadium in Ernakulam recently. Smt. Uma Thomas MLA, who slipped and fell 15 feet from the stage, is in our prayers for a speedy recovery. The visuals of the incident clearly show that the stage was constructed without adequate safety measures.
When a stage is set up at such a height, there should have been sufficient space for guests to walk and move freely. If such space was unavailable, sturdy railings should have been installed to ensure safety. If even that was not possible, enough volunteers could have been deployed to manage the situation, keeping potential risks in mind.
Interestingly, the event’s videos show bodyguards escorting celebrities below the stage. However, the event management group failed to provide even half of that level of safety on the stage itself. This is a clear failure on their part.
The media and authorities intervened with much enthusiasm only after the MLA fell and the accident made headlines. If an ordinary person had been the victim of such an incident, would anyone have paid attention? In such a case, the injured person would likely be battling for their life in some government hospital in Ernakulam, unnoticed and unassisted.
There’s no point in imposing inspections, guidelines, and restrictions after an accident occurs. Had these measures been properly implemented beforehand, this tragedy could have been avoided. It’s high time the concerned authorities exercise strict vigilance in such matters.