Hazards and risk assessment

Everybody at an event has a responsibility for safety.

Leaders are there to advise, recommend, model and support safe practices.

For a hazard and risk assessment, you need to consider realistically what could potentially go wrong, what effect this could have on those present and what you need to do to prevent it. Focus on risks that could cause real harm and ignore the trivial.

Ask yourself:

• What are the risks, high or low, of somebody being harmed by a hazard, and how serious the harm could be?
• How could accidents happen and who might be harmed?
• What do you need to do to control the risks and make the event safer?

These are some of the things you may need to think about:

• The layout of the event to ensure people and vehicles can move about safely
• The number of people attending the event. For example, managing entrances and exits to prevent overcrowding
• Keeping the venue free from slip and trip hazards
• Not taking any risks when setting up equipment. Make sure you ask for help from those around you.
• Electrical safety. For example, if you are using mains voltage outside use a ‘trip device’ to ensure that the current is promptly cut off if contact is made with any live part
• First aid arrangements (see page ahead)
• Fire safety (see page ahead)