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Risk assessment in event health and safety
Risk assessment in event health and safety is a systematic process used to identify, evaluate, and
manage potential hazards that could cause harm to people, property, or the environment during an
event. It’s a legal and moral responsibility for event organizers to ensure the safety of all attendees,
staff, and participants.
Here’s a breakdown of the process:
1. Identify the Hazards
Look at everything that could potentially cause harm at the event. This includes:
Slips, trips, and falls
Electrical equipment
Crowd management and control
Weather conditions (e.g., heat, rain, wind)
Structures (e.g., stages, marquees)
Fire risks
Food safety
Manual handling
Transportation and vehicle movements
COVID-19 or other infectious disease transmission
2. Decide Who Might Be Harmed and How
Consider:
Staff and volunteers
Attendees (including vulnerable groups such as children or people with disabilities)
Performers and contractors
Vendors and suppliers
Nearby residents or passers-by
3. Evaluate the Risks and Decide on Precautions
For each hazard, assess:
Likelihood of harm occurring
Severity of potential harm
Then decide what control measures can reduce the risk. Use the hierarchy of controls:
Eliminate the hazard
Substitute with something safer
Use engineering controls (e.g., barriers, signage)
Use administrative controls (e.g., training, procedures)
Provide personal protective equipment (PPE)
4. Record Your Findings and Implement Them
Document the risk assessment, including:
The hazards identified
The people at risk
The control measures in place
Who is responsible for implementing them
This may be required by law depending on the size and nature of the event (especially in the UK under
the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work
Regulations 1999).
5. Review and Update as Necessary
Events can change rapidly, especially with weather, crowd sizes, or technical issues. Reassess risks:
During setup and breakdown
If there’s a change in event layout or programme
After an incident or near-miss
Periodically throughout the event