Health and safety / Risk management at events

This section outlines your responsibilities as an event organiser for potential risks and hazards. Detailed below are tips to help with your health and safety planning for your workers, volunteers and attendees.

Managing risks and hazards

A great event doesn’t avoid risks, it manages them. And more often than not, it’s just common sense.

Events of any size can have potential risks and hazards. Anything from weather conditions, large numbers of people, traffic, equipment or even the mood of attendees can have an effect. And once you’ve got a plan, you can relax!

Step 1 - Identify the hazards and risks
Step 2 – Figure our who might be harmed and how
Step 3 - Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions
Step 4 - Record your findings and include them in your Health and Safety Plan
Step 5 - Review your assessment and update if necessary

Health and safety planning

Health and safety planning is required by law and is incredibly important for a successful event. The current relevant Acts are:

Preparing a Health and Safety Plan

Here are some ideas to help develop your Health and Safety Plan:

  • What are the risks involved with your event and how are they managed?

  • How are Health and Safety issues and responsibilities communicated?

  • Do workers and volunteers have the knowledge and skills to perform their jobs safely? Ifnot, who will be supervising them?

  • How will you report and record accident and incidents?

  • How will you deal with emergency situations?

  • Can you ensure contractors, partners and suppliers uphold their safety obligations?

  • Are tools and equipment used at the event safe? For example built stages, inflatable devices, amusement rides etc.