Version 1.0
Effective date: 13 October 2025
Last updated: 13 October 2025
This Environmental & Safety Notice explains how we keep users and staff safe in Crown Booth locations and how we minimise environmental impact across our operations.
Operator (UK): Crown Booth Ltd, 86–90 Paul Street, London, England, United Kingdom, EC2A 4NE. Company number: 16719138.
Contact: support@crownbooth.co.uk
At a glance
- Safety first: follow posted occupancy, consent, and emergency signage.
- Clean air & low noise: sensible sound levels; ventilation on; no smoking/vaping.
- Fire safety: know your exit route; no open flames; report hazards immediately.
- Sustainability: reduce waste, recycle, return batteries/EEE; choose lower‑carbon travel.
1) Scope and responsibilities
1.1 Scope. This Notice covers Crown Booth’s recording spaces, shared areas, and the handling of equipment, consumables, and waste.
1.2 Your responsibility. Follow posted signs and staff instructions; use equipment as intended; report hazards/incidents and near‑misses promptly.
1.3 Our responsibility. We provide safe, clean spaces; maintain equipment; train staff; and comply with applicable UK law and venue requirements. We perform and keep risk assessments (RAMS) for material activities and review them at least annually.
1A) UK legal framework (reference)
This Notice reflects key UK duties, including:
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974;
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (risk assessment, training);
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005;
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH);
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER);
- Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (portable appliance testing);
- Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR);
- Environmental Protection Act 1990 and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 (WEEE).
We may update this list as law evolves.
1B) Nature of the Booth
Crown Booth units are small, ventilated recording rooms designed for voice/music capture. They are not hazardous workplaces, industrial enclosures, or medical devices, and are not classified as “confined spaces” for the purposes of typical UK workplace regulations. Each booth provides:
- Construction: rigid frame with acoustic panels and interior fire‑retardant finishes; safety glass where fitted.
- Ventilation & air flow: continuous low‑noise mechanical ventilation with filtered intake and exhaust; CO₂ and temperature kept within comfort ranges for the posted occupancy.
- Power & cabling: low‑voltage audio network with protected mains outlets; cables are managed in floor/trim channels. Users must not modify wiring.
- Acoustics: broadband absorption/diffusion for speech and music; isolation reduces external noise but does not make the booth fully sound‑proof.
- Controls & UX: simple touch/physical controls, lighting, and status indicators; the door opens freely from inside (no lock‑in).
- Monitoring: no CCTV inside the booth (unless expressly signed for a specific site). Shared/common areas may have CCTV.
- Accessibility: level threshold or ramp where feasible; adjustable mic stands; companion/carer access on request.
- Limits: follow posted occupancy, session duration, and sound‑level guidance.
1C) British heritage & listed buildings
At heritage or listed sites, we install and operate with sensitivity to the building’s character and setting:
- Compliance: We follow the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, local planning policies, and relevant Historic England guidance.
- Non‑invasive installs: Mounting is reversible where feasible; fixings avoid original fabric; cable routes are discreet and protected.
- Visual sympathy: Finishes, colours, and signage are selected to be sympathetic to the host building; external branding is minimal where required by consent.
- Noise & vibration: We manage setup and operating noise; where needed, we apply time‑of‑day limits and vibration controls to protect fragile fabric.
- Fire & egress: Life‑safety measures are coordinated with the site’s conservation arrangements without compromising evacuation routes.
- Event coordination: Recording schedules respect heritage events, worship, or educational uses on‑site.
- Supply chain: Where practicable, we prioritise UK craft and repair suppliers for maintenance and finishes.
1D) Street locations: vandalism & misuse
We operate some booths in public streets or semi‑public forecourts. These sites face higher risks of vandalism and misuse. Our approach balances safety, privacy, and community impact:
- Design & materials: tamper‑resistant fasteners, shrouded hinges/locks, anti‑graffiti/anti‑sticker coatings, and wipe‑clean finishes. Where practical, external lighting deters misuse.
- Monitoring: No CCTV inside the booth. External areas may be covered by venue/local authority CCTV where lawful and signposted. We also use non‑intrusive telemetry (door open/close, occupancy, fault alerts).
- Common misuse risks: graffiti and fly‑posting, littering, minor vandalism (scratches/etching), attempted forced entry, sleeping/loitering, drug/alcohol paraphernalia, and inappropriate/illegal acts.
- Response protocol: if staff detect hazards or misuse, the booth is temporarily closed, hazards are made safe, and we dispatch cleaning or repair. Sharps/biohazards are handled only by licensed contractors.
- Escalation: suspected criminal damage or antisocial behaviour may be reported to local authorities under the Criminal Damage Act 1971 and applicable by‑laws. We cooperate with police upon valid request.
- Community coordination: we liaise with BIDs/councils and local businesses on hotspots, cleaning schedules, and deterrents; we’ll relocate or adjust hours if persistent issues arise.
- User guidance: users should not confront individuals misusing a booth. Report issues to staff or support@crownbooth.co.uk with location and time. In emergencies, dial 999.
- Cleaning & SLAs: street sites are inspected on scheduled rounds; vandalism/graffiti is targeted for removal within operational SLAs (published per city).
- Safeguarding: if minors or vulnerable persons are involved, staff follow our safeguarding procedure and contact appropriate services.
2) General safety in booths
- Occupancy & conduct: Respect posted occupancy limits and time slots. No running, climbing, or horseplay.
- Electrical safety: Do not unplug or rewire equipment. Report warm plugs, sparks, or tripped breakers.
- Trip hazards: Keep cables routed through provided guides; keep the floor clear.
- Noise exposure: Keep monitoring levels reasonable; aim to stay below action levels under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (e.g., 80–85 dB(A) daily exposure triggers controls). Ear protection available on request.
- Air quality: No smoking or vaping. Keep the door slightly ajar if you feel warm; request a short break if needed.
- Food & drink: Keep liquids away from electronics; use lidded containers only.
- Lone working: If you are the sole user late at night, inform staff/security; follow posted lone‑working guidance.
3) Emergency & first aid
- Emergency exits: Note your nearest exit when you arrive. Follow venue evacuation signals and staff instructions.
- Fire safety: No open flames or pyrotechnics. If you see smoke or smell burning, alert staff and evacuate using signed routes; do not use lifts.
- First aid: First‑aid kits are held at the venue desk; trained staff or the venue’s nominated first‑aider can assist. Some sites have AED (defibrillator) access—ask staff.
- Evacuation assistance (PEEPs): If you may need help to evacuate, request a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) before your session.
- Incident reporting: Report any accident, near‑miss, or property damage immediately. We log incidents and, where required, make RIDDOR reports.
4) Equipment standards & maintenance
- PAT & inspections: Portable electrical equipment is subject to PAT testing and periodic inspection. Do not use damaged gear—report it.
- Cleaning & chemicals: We use approved cleaning products. Do not introduce aerosols or solvents. If you have sensitivities, tell staff.
- PPE (where appropriate): We provide disposable wipes/gloves for cleaning tasks and ear protection on request.
- Lifts & access equipment: Only trained staff move heavy racks or adjust overhead fittings.
5) Accessibility & reasonable adjustments
We aim to make booths accessible to as many people as possible. If you require an adjustment (extra time, alternative mic stands, wheelchair‑friendly layout, companion access), email support@crownbooth.co.uk at least 24 hours before your session. See our Accessibility Statement for details.
6) Environmental commitments
- Energy & carbon: We select efficient equipment, use LED lighting, and optimise idle power. Where possible, locations are supplied by lower‑carbon electricity.
- Targets & reporting: We track energy use and aim to publish annual metrics (e.g., % renewable electricity, Scope 2 market‑based emissions, e‑waste diversion rate).
- Travel: We encourage public transport and active travel; site pages list nearby options.
- Water: Facilities use low‑flow fixtures where feasible.
- Procurement: We prefer durable, repairable gear and suppliers with responsible labour and environmental practices.
- Noise & community: We monitor noise leakage and schedule quiet hours where appropriate.
7) Waste, recycling, and e‑waste
- Recycling on site: Use labelled bins for paper/card, plastics/cans, and general waste.
- Batteries & small electronics: Return used batteries and small WEEE to the designated collection points. We use licensed waste carriers/recyclers.
- Packaging: Please flatten boxes and place them in recycling; remove non‑recyclable film where possible.
- Hazardous waste: Staff handle and arrange specialist disposal—do not place chemicals or sharps in general bins.
- Documentation: We keep waste transfer notes and contractor licences for regulated streams.
8) Chemical safety (COSHH)
We store Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for cleaning and maintenance products used on site and apply COSHH controls (substitution, minimal quantities, ventilation). If you experience irritation, inform staff and step into fresh air immediately.
9) Young persons & vulnerable users
Sessions involving minors require a parent/guardian present. No explicit or adult content may be created with minors present. Obtain the necessary consents before recording.
10) Construction & fit‑out (where applicable)
Where building works occur, areas are segregated from public access, with signage and barriers. Contractors must follow the venue’s permit‑to‑work, RAMS, and local regulations. Contractors must evidence insurance and relevant competency (e.g., ECS/CSCS where required) and comply with our Supplier Code of Conduct.
11) Reporting & feedback
To report a hazard, environmental concern, or incident—or to suggest improvements—email support@crownbooth.co.uk with location, date/time, and a brief description. For urgent matters, contact the on‑site team using the details posted at the venue. We also provide a confidential whistleblowing channel upon request for serious concerns.
12) Governance, KPIs & updates
- Ownership: Day‑to‑day safety is owned by the site lead; policy oversight sits with Operations.
- KPIs: incident rate (per 1,000 sessions), near‑miss reporting rate, PAT/COSHH compliance %, evacuation drill completion %, e‑waste diversion %.
- Review cadence: We review this Notice annually or after any material incident, and we update the Last updated date above.
- Training: Staff complete periodic refreshers on evacuation, first aid awareness, COSHH, and incident reporting.
