What is your strategy for staying current with event risk management and safety?

In my experience, blindly following generalized safety standards fails. At a prior HSE project, we dutifully implemented construction industry rules but still had incidents unique to our work. ?? I agree standards provide a baseline. But practical wisdom and input from staff on addressing specific risks revealed through assessments is essential to tailor safety programs. It's true that one size doesn't fit all. Standards serve as guides but must be adapted intelligently, not rigidly applied. For instance, training should focus on customized procedures versus generic rules alone. ?? In short- standards are a starting point. Effective safety requires customization based on an organization's distinct hazards and frontline insights. ??♀?

The best strategy for staying current with event risk management and safety is a proactive, multi-pronged approach. Begin with continuous education, attending industry-specific seminars and workshops to grasp the latest trends and practices. Develop a comprehensive risk management plan that's regularly reviewed & updated. Collaborate with experts and seek their insights to identify potential threats. Stay connected with industry associations, where knowledge sharing is invaluable. Embrace technology for real time reporting. Conduct post-event evaluations to learn from experiences. Ultimately, vigilance, adaptability & a commitment to safety should be the cornerstones of your strategy to ensure event success while minimizing risks.

It’s important to remember that regulations and industry standards are only a jumping off point. Furthermore, they aren’t universally applicable across all industries, even though we tend to see them that way. For example, at a glance, construction safety requirements, and general industry safety compliance are pretty much the same. Unfortunately, the frequency in which workers encounter specific hazards or types of hazards can vary widely across each industry. When it comes to safety, one size does not fit all. It can be challenging to try to force, fit your industry into safety regulations or industry standards. You have to use a modicum of sense when interpreting how requirements and industry standards fit your needs.

There is no "best practices" or universal blue print. Every event venue is different, just as every event is different. What works at a heavy metal concert will not work for a classical recital. You must rely on experience (and/or the experience of others) just about every time. Bike fest vs rap concert, two very different environments with some similar and some very different problems associated with them.

As a starter, the word event comes from eventuality. That starting point is something that I carry with me as a mantra, as it keeps me connected with the fact that every event is unique, therefore, there is no standard recipe or plan that is applicable to every one of them. That said, it is imperative for every professional of the sector to keep up to date with safety standards, but also to dive deep into each unique case and happening, as those might trigger further learning that can be adapted to future endeavours. Events are ever changing creatures, specially in the fast paced world that we live in today, so keeping up with whatever safety updates needed needs to be a constant exercise.

We need to stay relevant. Pull up our pants and keep abreast with changing trends. Safety is the lifeline of our industry. Not just safe event processes we should also adapt to traditional thinking and get guided by case studies and new features

Webinars and workshops can provide event safety insights. However, I've found some limitations. Speakers may lack practical experience or be too generic to apply learnings. Local workshops are often more tailored and offer networking. But availability is limited and taking time off work to attend can be difficult. While online webinars are convenient yet impersonal. Finding truly relevant ones might takes effort. The conclusion: - webinars and workshops have pros and cons. They should complement but not replace diligent planning and execution based on your event's specific risks. No training substitutes for vigilant preparation and mitigation.

The problem I have with finding out about new trends and safety or new industry trends via webinar or conferences is that they are not well vetted. A handful of self important blowhards often set the agenda for conferences. It can lead to incestuous theory and misguided practices.

I produce my events at venues, and usually, the venues are responsible for risk management and safety. I try to be knowledgeable, still.

I subscribe to newsletters, but I really read them. It’s a great place to read one person’s opinion about safety. What’s lacking is disciplined, scientific research that is peer reviewed. When research is referenced, there is a good deal of causefusion (a term used to describe mistaking correlation with causation.) return to see this in poorly written, click bait style articles. But even good authors, with a strong scientific approach, conform victim to causefusion, ignoring articles and research that challenged their worldview and embracing those sources that reinforce their beliefs.

I used to follow event safety newsletters uncritically. For instance, I adopted workplace safety protocols that recommended in one without considering their suitability for our multi-level venue, resulting in complications within some of our facilities. While newsletters raise awareness about trends, insights need validation through scientific studies and internal data before acting. Opinions shouldn't be mistaken for facts. Diligent planning tailored to our risks informed by staff insights is irreplaceable. Weather readiness is crucial despite posts downplaying its significance. Newsletters spark new ideas, but prudent leaders verify guidance against past incidents, risk assessments, and frontline perspectives.

Routine review of risk assessments will support continued engagement with the front-line team members. The review provides opportunity to update "how things are done" which in turn, improves an organization's view of potential risk. This feedback loop triggers a review of your safety management systems and allows for ongoing, meaningful improvement in risk reduction & control.

Conducting regular in-house risk assessments tailored to your events' specifics is vital for safety and compliance. This hands-on analysis equips you to evaluate risks and preparedness measures matching your needs vs generic guidance. While tools like matrices, checklists and software can streamline assessments, they should support not replace critical thinking. No template substitutes for your judgment honed through experience. In summary, diligent in-house assessments enable smart mitigation planning and demonstrate due diligence. But remember - the priority is scrutinizing your unique risks, not just completing a generic checklist to say you assessed.

Collecting insights from clients, attendees, staff, and vendors is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of your safety plans. Post-event surveys, interviews, and tracking metrics like incident response times highlight what worked and areas needing improvement. Negative reviews offer important lessons and help detect gaps and issues you may overlook internally. This real-world constructive criticism fuels refinement and innovation for future events. Complement diligent self-assessments by soliciting candid feedback from your community to confirm strengths, reveal blindspots, and fuel continuous safety improvements grounded in their needs.

Joining online communities and forums dedicated to event production and safety is a valuable way to stay up-to-date. These platforms offer opportunities to exchange ideas, experiences, and advice with fellow event producers. By participating in these communities, you gain access to a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Engaging with like-minded professionals fosters collaboration and helps you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of event production. Remember to approach these communities with an open mind and respect for diverse perspectives. Actively contribute by sharing your own insights and experiences.

Workplace human errors can have significant consequences, but they also present opportunities for growth and improvement. By acknowledging the inevitability of human errors, organizations can create a culture that encourages open communication and learning from mistakes. Implementing measures such as clear documentation practices, training programs, and leveraging technology can help minimize the occurrence of errors. Additionally, fostering an environment where employees feel comfortable reporting errors and sharing lessons learned can lead to continuous improvement. Remember, it's not about avoiding errors altogether, but rather about responding to them effectively and using them as catalysts for positive change.

Recently a big risk to UK events has been strike action, particularly around transport. It isn’t entirely avoidable but I’ve found these steps help mitigate some of the risks: - Check what other public or political events are happening that day and avoid clashes with anything likely to be a focus for those taking strike action, e.g. political events. - Ensure that contracts with venues and suppliers include a Force Majeure clause that at least protects you partly against the costs of cancellation or postponement. I find it’s best to discuss the concerns with all event partners up front and in an open and honest way. - Keep checking the news and don’t cancel too early as strikes are sometimes called off.

Work with local regulators. Understand local limitations and practices for events development. In my experience working with local authorities, you can have a clear panorama of how past events and audiences react. Rely on local resources and double up on safety measures in red flagged areas.