Health and safety, and risk management

It's important to note that all events, must follow the recognised safety standards. Organisers are responsible for the safety of everyone at the event.

There are basic steps to help create your Health and Safety Plan:

• Identify all possible hazards
• Decide who might be harmed and how
• Check the risks
• Decide on the action you will take to minimise the risks.

Work out how you will put your planned action into practice and keep a written record of your plans.

Make a short written assessment of each attraction and activities that make up the event.

Identify all the possible hazards that could occur.

Remember any materials, structures or machinery on site that might add risk to the event. These include ladders, water features, gas or other fuel containers etc.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment provide more information about health and safety for events.

Event planning - Major Events (majorevents.govt.nz)

When you have listed the possible hazards of each activity, the next step is to decide how you will reduce the risks in each case and the precautions you intend to take.

For people that supply, operate activities or attractions, and / or equipment, ask for a written assessment. Then include these with your own assessments.

When listing possible hazards, it is important that you consider:

• older people
• people with disabilities
• children (who may be unsupervised)
• excitement generated by the activity
• approximate number of people expected.

You can find out more about Health and Safety and Risk Management and download a template on our Events Management Resources page.

Health and safety - Events management resources