Getting started

Planning

The level of detail in your planning should be proportionate to the scale of the event and the degree of risk.

Health and safety management arrangements 

First, decide who will help you with your duties as an event organiser.

Whatever the scale of the event, make sure there is a clear understanding within the organising team of who will be responsible for safety matters. For organisations with five or more employees, this is likely to be driven by the company’s health and safety policy. See Write a health and safety policy for your business.

Safety plan

As an event organiser, identify the:

• scale, type and scope of the event
• type and size of audience
• location
• duration of the event
• time of day and year the event will be held

These factors will help you to determine what resources and facilities will be required.

Translate this information into an appropriate safety plan.

The key tool for creating a safety plan is the process of risk assessment. For information to help with your event risk assessment, see also health and safety topics.

Worker involvement

The best way to protect your employees and visitors from harm and illness is to involve your workers during the planning phase. See consult your employees.

Liaising with others

Liaise with the venue owner / management, emergency services and, where appropriate, local authority Safety Advisory Group for advice and information relevant to your planning. Discuss with them how you can control risks.

Selecting contractors

When you select and appoint contractors, consider their suitability and competence for providing a safe and reliable service.

Ask contractors to:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of their work and the health and safety hazards involved
• provide evidence of a trained workforce and the competence of key staff for the project
• confirm that they have sufficient resource levels to do the work
• provide evidence of previous successful work that shows they can adopt and develop safe systems of working

In the absence of experience of previous work, ask them to demonstrate an appropriate level of technical ability (eg being a member of an accreditation scheme, professional organisation or trade association may help with this)

Further information

• Using contractors: A brief guide
• Managing contractors

Providing workplace facilities

Provide the right workplace facilities, including welfare and first aid before works starts

• Employee welfare

Emergency planning

• Planning for incidents and emergencies

Checklist - Planning for an event