Health and Safety at Local Events

As summer approaches, organisations and communities are planning local events for people to attend – from summer fêtes, sporting events and music festivals to fundraising events for local charities.

Unfortunately, every year, too many organisers neglect to consider all of the relevant health and safety aspects, which often result in unnecessary accidents and injuries to workers and members of the public.

Health and safety – looking back to the future?

That’s why earlier this month, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) teamed up with the Sports Grounds and Events Group to provide information for safety professionals and those involved in local events, encouraging them to uphold effective health and safety precautions.

Carl Hagemann, from the Sports Grounds and Events Group stated that all ‘successful events are always supported, beneath the surface, by good health and safety,’ and that so long as it was properly organised and conducted, it would be unlikely the public would notice at all – so there’s no need to change your plans or restrict your activities for health and safety reasons.

The IOSH event gave those responsible for health and safety at any event the chance to discuss essential health and safety matters and learn from international experts about different, sensible but realistic approaches to health and safety, and why it is so important at any event.

They discussed a range of topics and used the opportunity to explain how The London 2012 Olympic Games successfully implemented and managed an effective health and safety structure to keep all the spectators, competitors, staff and organisers safe from risks and health hazards.

They also shared essential legal updates and delivered insights into the most recent health and safety developments in business and industry. There was even a section about how the latest forms of social media can be used to assist with health and safety and awareness at events!

Event Organisers

As an event organiser, you will have complete responsibility for the health and safety of your workers and members of the public, including your audience or the general crowd, as well as contractors working at the event. As such, it is essential that you ask yourself a few questions before you begin to plan your event…

Do you have enough knowledge about health and safety to organise the necessary work safely?

Do you know how to think through and implement good health and safety procedures and checks?

You have a duty to plan, manage and monitor the entire event to ensure that no one is exposed to health and safety risks, and to do so you must have a thorough understanding of your legal duties – if you do not, make sure you contact a professional who can assist you.

Health and Safety Training Ltd

IOSH are one of the leading health and safety organisations for professionals in the UK and with over 40,000 individual members, they are the biggest health and safety organisation in the world.

As such you can be sure that any training, courses or events they accredit are of the very highest standards and will help to maintain the best health and safety levels in any environment. That’s why the team at HST Ltd deliver IOSH accredited training for employers and managers on occupational health and safety. Simply contact us today to see if we can assist you with your health and safety requirements.