Organising an event/show or rally

Event Risk Assessments

Anyone organising an event of any size must carry out risk assessments to cover the safety of all the people who will be running it, attending as spectators, exhibiting or competing. Although there may be a committee of volunteers all taking different roles in the organising the event, one person will need to take overall control of health and safety and ensure things get acted upon.

Some issues that need to be considered are:

• Provision must be made to ensure spectators do not come into contact with horses/livestock that are competing.
• Separation of traffic and pedestrians must also be covered to prevent accidents with moving vehicles on and around the show ground.
• Adequate first aid or paramedic provision is necessary, as is access for the emergency services should an accident happen.
• Catering on-site will carry food hygiene considerations.
• Marquees and tents used will require Fire Risk Assessments;

Even a land owner loaning a field for a pony club rally must ensure those who are responsible for the activities are taking health and safety seriously. Sensible steps to stop horses getting on to roads, and to keep horse trailers/boxes separate from spectators should be the concern of the rally organiser.

We can provide site visits to advise on layout, marshalling, traffic control, first aid provision and document all necessary risk assessments to cover every area of the event. For first-time committees, training and support can be given to the members who will take on the role the following year.