How to write a risk assessment
Planning for an event or activity will involve undertaking a risk assessment. The reason we do a risk assessment is to minimise the risk of injury to ourselves and others. Although it may seem a little daunting, you actually assess risk all the time in everyday life, often without realising.
The responsibility for the preparation of the risk assessment lies with the event organiser. The aim of a risk assessment is to identify those risks, posed by the site of activity, to members of the public, participants and employees and to set out the means by which the risks may be eliminated or minimised. It will be necessary to visit the site or venue to identify specific hazards. Hazards, are anything with the potential to cause harm e.g. a dangerous item or substance, condition, situation or activity. Risk is the likelihood of realisation and extent of a hazard. In a risk assessment, risk should reflect both the likelihood that harm will occur and its severity. In considering risk assessment the following areas will need consideration:
The event:
- Location;
- Time
- Nature;
- Duration.
The venue:
- Capacity and crowd movement;
- Site location/design;
- Access/egress including emergency access/egress;
- Evacuation routes;
- Support facilities e.g. power supplies, WC's;
- Parking, transport.
Persons attending:
- Profile;
- Configuration e.g. segregation.
Site Construction
Temporary Structures
Attention should be made to any temporary structures used in connection with an event, that if in the event of failure is likely to harm directly or indirectly members of the public. A competant company must be contracted to supply and erect any temporary structure e.g. marquee, stage etc. The company must provide the event organiser with a signing off certificate, placing the safety of the construction and erection of the structure with the competant contractor and not the Event Organiser.
Electrical installations
On the completion of installation of any temporary power supplies they are to be examined, tested and a certificate issued and signed by a competent and suitably qualified person as complying with the 16th Edition of the IIE Regulations. It is the responsibility of the Event Organiser to request copies of the PAT certificates from the contractor prior to the event.
Other Considerations
- Noise Control (both people on site and resultant noise pollution);
- Communications;
- First Aid/Welfare;
- Signage.
The following areas should be considered for their impact on any risk assessment:
- Landscape of site;
- Crowd movements;
- Vehicular movements prior, during and after event;
- Trip hazards;
- Damage to hearing;
- Electrical risk;
- Fire;
- Evacuation of site;
- Alcohol sales;
- Special effects;
- Litter/refuse.
The above list is not exhaustive; it is merely representative of types of potential areas of risk and is intended to stimulate consideration of all aspects that may impact on the event. For further information on Health and Safety Matters and preparing a Risk Assessment visit the Toolkit page.
The responsibility for the preparation of the risk assessment lies with the event organiser. The aim of a risk assessment is to identify those risks, posed by the site of activity, to members of the public, participants and employees and to set out the means by which the risks may be eliminated or minimised. It will be necessary to visit the site or venue to identify specific hazards. Hazards, are anything with the potential to cause harm e.g. a dangerous item or substance, condition, situation or activity. Risk is the likelihood of realisation and extent of a hazard. In a risk assessment, risk should reflect both the likelihood that harm will occur and its severity. In considering risk assessment the following areas will need consideration:
The event:
- Location;
- Time
- Nature;
- Duration.
The venue:
- Capacity and crowd movement;
- Site location/design;
- Access/egress including emergency access/egress;
- Evacuation routes;
- Support facilities e.g. power supplies, WC's;
- Parking, transport.
Persons attending:
- Profile;
- Configuration e.g. segregation.
Site Construction
Temporary Structures
Attention should be made to any temporary structures used in connection with an event, that if in the event of failure is likely to harm directly or indirectly members of the public. A competant company must be contracted to supply and erect any temporary structure e.g. marquee, stage etc. The company must provide the event organiser with a signing off certificate, placing the safety of the construction and erection of the structure with the competant contractor and not the Event Organiser.
Electrical installations
On the completion of installation of any temporary power supplies they are to be examined, tested and a certificate issued and signed by a competent and suitably qualified person as complying with the 16th Edition of the IIE Regulations. It is the responsibility of the Event Organiser to request copies of the PAT certificates from the contractor prior to the event.
Other Considerations
- Noise Control (both people on site and resultant noise pollution);
- Communications;
- First Aid/Welfare;
- Signage.
The following areas should be considered for their impact on any risk assessment:
- Landscape of site;
- Crowd movements;
- Vehicular movements prior, during and after event;
- Trip hazards;
- Damage to hearing;
- Electrical risk;
- Fire;
- Evacuation of site;
- Alcohol sales;
- Special effects;
- Litter/refuse.
The above list is not exhaustive; it is merely representative of types of potential areas of risk and is intended to stimulate consideration of all aspects that may impact on the event. For further information on Health and Safety Matters and preparing a Risk Assessment visit the Toolkit page.