Common Safety Issues At Events & Festivals - Part One

The same safety issues tend to crop up on events and festivals regularly. The reality is that a lot of smaller festivals and events will likely never have professional Event Controllers and Safety Officers working on them. That's not necessarily a problem.

A more detailed version of this article is over on our website at SafeEvents.ie but we thought we'd do a snappier version as an article on here.

So, here are some of the common safety issues at events and festivals. Part one.

#1 Don't use indoor plugs outdoor

Indoor electrics are not designed to deal with the elements outdoors. They're not cased in waterproof housings and will not fare well in the rain.

#2 Ensure you use GOOD vendors / concessions operators

We once looked after safety at a festival where one vendor set up a domestic BBQ on site to cooks and serve with. We explained that it wasn't safe to do so and ultimately we had to refuse him permission to operate at the festival. At that point he decided to park outside but close to the site and operate anyway.

His unit subsequently caught fire, resulting in us having to clear our festival site for a period of time and the fire brigade having to respond to put out the blaze.

We were (naturally) very glad we hadn't allowed him operate within the festival site. 

#3 Ensure proper supervision of bouncy castles

When we're planning an event for a client we know what inflatables operators to approach. 

We only want to work with the ones who insist on providing their own trained & experienced staff. They take their responsibilities seriously, which is what we want and what our clients want. 

It's worth noting too that insurance for inflatables operators often stipulates that they must provide staff also. If they don't then their insurance is invalidated. 

#4 Have more than one entrance & exit

Generally speaking, you need to have more than one entrance and exit to the event. This is especially important if your event takes place in a marquee.

We've seen countless festivals and events operate with only one entrance and exit. 

A reputable marquee supplier shouldn't let that happen but ultimately it's on the organisers to ensure it's safe. 

We once attended a festival where there was one door in and out of the marquee, with a 3m x 3m gazebo set up immediately outside the door. This was where tickets were being checked, so it constantly had a queue of people blocking the door. You also had to enter the gazebo and then turn 90 degrees into the marquee, which isn't ideal. 

This situation had the potential to go very wrong.

#5 Be conscious of trip hazards

This happens regularly at events as, by their very nature, putting them together tends to create trip hazards. 

What's important is the things are risk assessed properly and that measures are taken to eliminate the trip hazards.

#6 Be picky about the people on the committee

In my experience there is quite often no shortage of people who want to be 'on the committee'. These are people who everyone knows will do very little and really just want to be able to say they're on the committee and were involved in making the event happen. 

Now, quite often, these people are suffered and those on the committee who actually DO the work let them tag along thinking 'sure, what harm?'.

The thing is that these people can actually CAUSE you issues.

#7 Involve professionals

That is my best piece of advice. Whether it's us or another Event Management company, your event will be safer if you involve professionals.

It doesn't have to cost you a fortune, either.

We worked with a new client recently and saved them enough money by sourcing good, reliable suppliers for the event, to more than cover the cost of our involvement.

You have a duty of care to the people who come to your event. Do whatever you can to ensure they're safe. 

Keep an eye out for Part Two of this article, in which we'll outline more common mistakes and how you can avoid them.