Let’s talk safety at events

Posted on by Stretch Structures

PLANNING EVENTS IS FUN AND ADVENTUROUS. YOU GET TO CREATE SOMETHING FROM NOTHING AND WATCH IT COME TO LIFE!

In all of the fun planning around things like ambiance, it can feel burdensome to worry about something like safety. But it’s important to properly plan for such measures when you’re in charge of an event and the people attending.

When people attend events, they don’t think about things like safety – they expect that the organisers already have. So it’s an important part of your responsibility in hosting an event. We’ve put together this starting guide to the basics of safety at events.

1. RISK ASSESSMENT

IDENTIFY POSSIBLE RISKS
  • By identifying possible risks at your event you can then control those risks in an appropriate manner. In order to do this you must think about what might cause harm to the attendees at your event. Determine if you are taking reasonable steps to prevent that harm.
  • The goal with risk management is not to entirely remove risks. Try to identify sensible measures to control the risks.
  • Ensure measures are in place that are reasonable if a situation arises.
STEP INTO THEIR SHOES
  • Stepping into the shoes of a worker or attendee and seeing the day from their vantage point.
  • What will they see, where will they be, how will they get from place to place?
  • A good place to start is to think about the safety of structures above their heads and what’s at their feet.
HAZARDS
  • Identify the hazards at your event, the potential of harm, what can be done to lessen the risk, and what will be done if something happens.
  • These findings will create your risk management and safety plans.

2. SAFETY OF STRUCTURES, PRODUCTS AND LOCATION

IDENTIFY EVENT NEEDS
  • Identify the products you’re using at your event and the potential for harm.
  • Have you chosen products that help alleviate safety concerns?
  • Do your structures meet safety standards and have they got engineering certificates?
  • Choose products that will protect those at your event.
CERTIFICATION AND GUIDELINES
  • What wind load and ballasts are required to keep structures steady and in place in high winds/ rain?
  • Stretch Structures use the best material designed to meet most global fire, structural, and safety standards.
  • The strong fabric contains built-in fire retardant, adding an additional level of prevention to your risk management plans.
  • They also come with engineering certificates and wind guidelines.
AREAS OUT OF BOUNDS
  • Similar prevention methods should also include considering the best people to install electrical equipment
  • Highlighting areas attendees should stay away from throughout your event.

3. PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

SAFETY FOR WORKERS AND ATTENDEES
  • The people at your event will fall into two categories – those working and those attending.
  • You’ll want to ensure that those working your event have safe working conditions for themselves, plus the ability to help attendees in emergency situations.
HELPING HAND
  • Structures and equipment can sometimes be very heavy so the more hands to help, the lighter the workload and the safer of workers.
ELDERLY, YOUNG AND FRAIL
  • It’s also important to note the wide range of people you could have both working and attending your event and the individual needs they could have. People who could need more attention include those who are very young or old, those with severe allergies, expectant mothers, and people with disabilities.

4. TAKE CONTROL

LOCAL HEALTH AND SAFETY LAWS
  • Check your local environmental and health safety laws to ensure you are considering all the safety elements at your events and to receive additional guidance to make your event a success.
  • Its always good to prepare an emergency plan just in case something does go wrong. It’s worth the extra level of protection and peace of mind.