Safety at Public Events

The following article gives you some information on your responsibilities for safety at public events. Sections include:

• Introduction
• Your Responsibilities for Public Safety
• Be Prepared
• Useful Web Resources

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Introduction

A public event can be as large as a sporting event or carnival, or as small as a work seminar or fete stall. Community organisations often hold public events to raise funds or awareness of a service or issue. When organising a public event it is important to understand and be proactive about safety because your organisation is legally and ethically responsible.

Your Responsibilities for Public Safety

The event organiser is responsible for ensuring the safety of all persons and property, including staff and patrons. In the event that a contractor is hired, responsibility for the safety of the contractor and the work they perform still remains with the organisation managing the event. As the organiser, you are also responsible for obtaining and adhering to the larger legalities, such as permits and licenses.

There is more to consider. You are required to consider hazard management, disability access, vehicle movement, access to and from the venue, animal safety, food safety, communications, waste disposal, noise, shelter from weather conditions, water supply and first aid (to name a few). The web resources at the end of this article direct you to some useful guides to help understand the extent of your responsibilities.

Be Prepared

Taking the steps to ensure safety at public events can be a painstaking process, however not taking the necessary steps can result in time-consuming and gruelling law-suits. Once you have prepared a safety checklist and risk management plan, which can be adapted for any public event, you will save time and worry in the future.

Using one of the many available checklists to assist with organising events not only serves as a prompt to address key safety issues, but will provide your organisation with a complete record of the event details for future reference. A risk management plan for the event could outline the potential risks which could occur during the event and determines possible preparation and solutions for each risk. For example: alerting emergency services prior to the event in the case of an emergency; or planning to use an alternative communication system in the event of a power failure.

Useful Web Resources

• A Guide to Risk Management at Public Events (pdf document: 264 KB), produced by ACT Workcover, provides information regarding your legal responsibilities as well as links to relevant ACT laws and legislation
• Guidelines for the Management of Public Health and Safety at Public Events (pdf document: 688 KB) are also produced by the South Australian Department of Health
• A Planning Guide for Event Managers (pdf document: 632 KB) is also available from the Queensland Government's Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing
• Safer Celebrations: A Planning Guide for Event Managers in NSW is available from the NSW Government's Community Builders website.

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This website does not constitute legal advice. ACTCOSS does not warrant or guarantee the currency, accuracy or completeness of information contained on this website. For further information, read our disclaimer.