1How do I do an event risk assessment?You must complete a risk assessmentfor your event. This will help ensure that yourevent runsas smoothly and safely as possible. This guide explains how to complete the risk assessment.Step 1 -Identify the hazardsPlan your event on paper, listing the activities and equipment that will be involved. Then think about the hazards relating to eachactivityand piece ofequipment. A hazard is something with the potential to cause significant harm, such as:Any slipping, tripping or falling hazardsHazards relating to fire risks or fire evacuation proceduresAny chemicals or other substances hazardous to health,e.g. dust or fumesMoving parts of machineryAny vehicles on siteElectrical safety,e.g. use of any portable electrical appliancesManual handling activitiesHigh noise levelsPoor lighting, heating or ventilationAny possible risk from specific demonstrations or activitiesCrowd intensity and pinch points This list isn’texhaustive,and youwill need toidentify any other hazards related to your event’sactivities.Step 2 –Decideif someone could be harmed and howFor each hazard you identify, listall the groups of peoplewho may be affected. This might be:StewardsDisabled peopleEmployees Children and elderly peopleVolunteers Potential trespassersContractorsExpectant mothers Vendors, exhibitors and performersLocal residentsMembersof the public The following are examples of areas to consider:Type of eventProvision of facilities Potential major incidents Fire, security and cash collection Site hazards including car parks Health and safety issues Types of attendees such as children, elderly persons and the disabled Exhibitors and demonstrationsCrowd control, capacity, access and egress and stewardingAmusements and attractionsProvision for the emergency servicesStructuresWaste managementRecycling
2Step 3 -Work out the risksThe risk is the likelihood of someone being harmed by the hazard. You need to evaluate your event’s risks and decide whether you have done enough to reduce the risks.You should list the measures you have already taken to control the risks and decide whether you need to do anything else.Takeinto account:Any information, instruction and training regarding the event and the activities involved. Anylaws, codes of good practice and British Standardsthat apply to your event’s activities and equipment. Whether or not yourexisting controlmeasureshave reduced the risk as far as is reasonably practicable. Further action necessary to control the risk Classify the risks into high, medium and low. These examples show the type of riskthat belongs in each category:High-An unsecured inflatable being used in badweather conditions by young childrenMedium-A display of animals in a roped off arenaLow -A mime artist performing amongst the crowdFor each risk consider whetheror not it can be eliminated completely. If it can’t, then decide what you have to doto reduce the riskto an acceptable level. You could:Removethe hazard. Prevent access to the hazard,e.g. by guarding dangerous parts of machinery Find a substitute for the hazardousactivity or equipmentUse personal protective equipmentto reduce the risk –this should be a last resortStep 4 -Recordyour findingsYou should list your findings on a risk assessmentformso that you have arecord of all significant hazards, the nature and extent of the risks, and the action required to control them. Keep this for future reference. Step 5 -Review and reviseYourrisk assessments will need to be reviewed and updatedif any of the risks change while you are planning the event.