Hiring or buying a marquee
MUTA is proud to represent over 120 marquee suppliers and hirers operating across the UK. We have all kinds of members, ranging from small local specialists to large national suppliers, able to cater for weddings, festivals, sporting occasions, corporate hospitality, long term storage and everything in between!
Whether you’re looking for a traditional white marquee or the cutting edge in customised temporary structure innovation, our members can provide the perfect marquee for every occasion. Click here for a guide to marquees.
All of our marquee hire members subscribe to the highest health and safety standards as part of the MUTAmarq accreditation scheme, so you can be confident in the competence of companies bearing the logo and their crews. Members of the scheme are inspected when they apply to join and are then subject to random site inspections over the course of the season to ensure they are compliant with our Code of Practice. Further details of the scheme can be found here
Click here to find your nearest supplier.
Health and Safety for Marquees and Temporary Structures
The MUTAmarq Code of Practice, “Safe Use and Operation of Marquees and Temporary Structures”, has been developed to provide best practice guidelines to marquee contractors, event organisers and health and safety professionals enforcement officers on the design, erection and dismantling of marquees and temporary structures.
By covering standards of structural integrity, fire safety, flame retardancy, health and safety practices of erection crews, the Code is designed to minimise the risk of injury that temporary structures pose to members of the public, marquee crews and other on-site workers, while helping outdoor events run smoothly.
Based on the Institution of Structural Engineers 2007 document “Temporary Demountable Structures”, the Code was launched in 2008 and has the support of the Health and Safety Executive.
Marquee Training
MUTA is committed to improving the skill base of the temporary structures industry, particularly given the number of outdoor events being planned for the 2012 Olympics.
MUTA offers a one-day health and safety course aimed at marquee site crew. StructureSafe covers risk assessments, overhead/underground services, PPE and working at height. Candidates will sit a final written test and if they pass they will receive a nationally recognised industry certificate. Larger businesses can benefit from having suitably qualified staff attend the course and subsequently deliver it to other employees. The course costs £95 plus VAT per head, or £40 plus VAT per head for employees of MUTA members. Courses are held around the country – contact the MUTA secretariat for more information.
The MUTA Development Programme is aimed at experienced site crew and foremen. MUTA developed Diplomas at Levels 2 and 3 in Team Leading and Temporary Structures, which receive government subsidy through Train To Gain. For more details click here . The course is run by Brian and Peggy Glendinning, who can be contacted on training@muta.org.uk or 01507 533639.
If you are setting up a new business and want basic training in marquee erection, some of our members are able to help. Click here for a list of companies that currently offer training.
Becoming MUTAmarq-accredited
MUTAmarq accreditation is the only way to demonstrate that you comply with HSE-approved best practice for the marquee industry. By joining you are able to provide customers with assurance of your competency, which gives you an edge over your non-accredited competitors. Indeed, many event organisers are now requiring their marquee contractors to carry MUTAmarq accreditation.
In addition, every time you or your crews are visited you receive a report from our inspectorate – this can be used to improve your procedures and practices to ensure that you are doing everything right. To this end you will have access to the advice and support of our Health and Safety Compliance Officer.
You can also use reports to demonstrate to your insurer your compliance with industry best practice, improve your risk profile and reduce your premiums.
Click here for further information about joining MUTA.
Further information
If the materials on this site don’t fully answer any queries you may have, please contact the secretariat on 0207 618 9196. If your query is of a technical nature, it is normally advisable to email us in the first instance on info@muta.org.uk.