Risk Assessment
You must undertake a risk assessment of the event including the construction, management and dismantling of the venue and effect that any part of it, or activity undertaken on or in it, may have on employees, contractors, participants and the general public irrespective of the size and type of event. If you obtain the services of a professional company, for example, to erect a marquee or create a fireworks display, they must undertake their own risk assessment for the activity and provide you with a copy or a certificate of compliance with the related safety regulations.
Preparing a risk assessment for the event is the responsibility of the organiser. Risk assessment further assistance can be obtained from the HSE Website.
The Need for a Risk Assessment
Risk assessments should be carried out by a competent person i.e. one with appropriate experience, knowledge and training. It should also be carried out in conjunction with consultation with the people concerned with the event or their representatives.
Risk assessments need to consider:
- What could go wrong?
- How likely it is to go wrong?
- How serious it would be?
- Who would be affected?
- What the consequences would be?
An effective risk assessment will:
- Identify the things that may cause harm – the hazards;
- Identify those at risk;
- Consider the likelihood and possible consequences of that harm actually occurring and evaluating – the risks;
- Take preventative action to ensure that the risks are adequately controlled at all times and to eliminate or minimise the risks by the introduction of control measures;
- Monitor those control measures;
- Review those control measures.
Example of a Risk Assessment:
|
What are the significant hazards |
Who is at risk |
Are there controls in place? If Yes, what are they? |
What risks are not adequately controlled? What action is required? |
Who is the responsible person? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Example: Erection of a marquee |
Marquee erection contractors site crew |
Use reputable contractor with experienced and trained personnel. Ensure safety boots and other PPE used by contractor |
Obtain written assurance from contractor regards training and experience of crew that they have been briefed on activity and site safety. |
Contractors main contact name |
List the areas and issues applicable to your event management plan and list who in your planning team is responsible for the work.