Information & Support for Door Supervisors - National Doorwatch

Ian Fox, the Chair of National Doorwatch says this practice puts the safety of everybody in the venue at risk. He argues ending this dangerous practice is good for door supervisors, good for business, and more importantly great for customer service.

National Doorwatch launch campaign to end the dangerous practice of the one-man door.

National Doorwatch defines a one-man door, as a licensed venue where an individual door supervisor is required to enforce house rules, and primary legislation, without any realistic expectation of support, from the management or staff.  This practice is contrary to all guidance and legislation regarding lone-workers.  This is especially true for lone-workers whose role is especially likely to put them at risk.  The level of risk faced by door supervisors (DS) is higher than that of almost any other profession in the security industry. In the worst case scenario, it could leave the business, and its officers open to charges of Corporate Manslaughter.  Therefore this practice places everyone in these venues at risk, door supervisor, staff, management, and most importantly customers.  

The safety of customers in licensed premises, was the subject of a recent ruling in the matter of "Everett and Another v Comojo (UK) T/A "The Metropolitan" and others."  The Court of Appeal stated Comojo Ltd were successful due mainly to the fact it was a Private Members club.  As such it had a greater knowledge, and record of its clientele, than is present in venues who are open to passing trade.  In essence they had a credible audit trail, which enabled them to prove the incident was unforeseeable.  Essentially this means it is the responsibility of the venue to demonstrate they have done all they can to protect their customers from third party actions.  Given all this the question is, does running a one-man door help or hinder your defence in such a case.

The view of National Doorwatch is the presence of a door supervisor indicates a need for dedicated security has been identified.  It is unrealistic to expect one person to be able to effectively maintain control, in alcohol fuelled environments without dedicated support.  Therefore, the minimum basic requirement is two people dedicated to providing that service, at any entrance to a licensed venue.  The door supervision licences held by any member of the management or staff, must be seen as ancillary to requirements, as they have their own key functions to deliver during their shift.  Indeed using a door supervision licence with the intent of minimising costs at the expense of safety should be seen by courts as an aggravating factor in any litigation.

National Doorwatch believe the numbers of DS required by a venue must be based on a full "Work-place Related Violence Risk Assessment (WRVRA).  The practice of determining the numbers of DS required based on capacity is out-dated and puts everyone at risk.  The WRVRA needs to incorporate factors, such as layout, entertainment, event type, audience, etc?  The assessment also needs to include checks that DS have the knowledge to carry out their duties effectively.  The SIA have already revoked the licences of several hundred individuals, who obtained their licence through irregular means.  In the end it will be the actions of the DS which will have the most potential impact on your business.  Therefore can you show that your venue does more than tick boxes? 

Research has also shown that good DS are good for your business.  Good DS add value to a venues image and revenue, by reflecting your core identity.  They are the first people the customers see as they walk down a street.  They are the last person the customers see as they leave.  They are your key front of house representatives, and they need to represent you properly.  Remember you are paying their wages.  You should demand the same standards you expect of all your other highly trained employees.  You must also remember good people, professional people, do cost money and they're worth every penny. 

In conclusion the Events and Leisure Sector (ELS) of the security industry is all about the "People Factor".  The ability to deal effectively with extremely challenging behaviour is difficult in any situation, and is never without risk.  Nowhere else is this more apparent than the practice of one-man doors.  National Doorwatch want this practice ended.  National Doorwatch are willing to assist, by acting as expert witnesses in any appropriate case where a door supervisor, member of staff, or customer has been injured in a venue operating a one man-door.