Planning safe events in Australia
As an event planner in Australia, or anywhere for that matter, safety is a top priority. It's never been more important to make sure that your events are planned and executed in a way that ensures the safety of your guests, vendors, suppliers and staff.
One of the first things on the to-do list to ensure the safety of your guests, is to conduct a thorough risk assessment. This will identify potential hazards and develop a plan to address them. For example, if your event is outdoors, you may need to consider factors such as weather, wildlife, and terrain. Extreme heat can be a major concern in some areas of our diverse landscape. To address this, you may need to provide shade and hydration stations at your event, as well as implement a heat management plan.
Once you have identified potential hazards, it's important to develop a comprehensive safety plan. If the risks involve excessive crowds, this may include hiring security personnel, setting up barriers or barricades, and providing clear signage to assist guests with wayfinding.
It's also important to communicate your safety plan to all of your vendors and contractors to ensure everyone is on the same page and working together to keep your guests safe.
In addition to conducting a risk assessment and developing a safety plan, it's important to regularly review and update your safety procedures. This will help keep your events in compliance with Australian regulations and industry best practices. Regulations cover areas like fire safety, providing adequate first aid and emergency services, and ensuring that all vendors and contractors are fully licensed and insured.
We recommend carrying out a site inspection during the event set up stages to ensure that suppliers are building the event in a safe manner, and then perform a secondary inspection prior to the event commencing to ensure that there are no site hazards as a result of the event set up.
By taking a proactive approach to safety planning and development, you can ensure that your events are successful and enjoyable for all involved.
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer,
David Yakas