Event organiser roles

Duty of Care

Event organisers owe a duty of care under the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act) to provide a safe operational environment.

This means ensuring that people are not exposed to risks arising from the event, and that any place where employees or self-employed individuals work is safe. 

 

Risk Management

Identify hazards

Event organizers must identify potential hazards that could cause harm, such as slips and falls, electrical hazards, or crowd control issues. 

Assess risks

Once hazards are identified, the potential risks associated with each hazard must be assessed, considering the likelihood of the hazard occurring and the severity of potential harm. 

Control risks

Practical steps must be taken to eliminate or minimize risks. This may involve implementing safety measures, providing personal protective equipment, or modifying event procedures. 

 

Providing a Safe Workplace

• This includes ensuring the safety of all workers, including employees, contractors, and volunteers.
• This duty extends to providing adequate facilities, safe equipment, and a safe working environment. 

Emergency Management

• Event organisers must have plans in place to manage emergencies, such as fires, medical emergencies, or crowd control issues.
• This includes having clear procedures for evacuation, communication, and first aid.

Communication and Consultation

• Event organizers must communicate effectively with all relevant parties, including workers, contractors, and emergency services.
• This includes providing clear instructions and information about safety procedures and potential hazards.
• Consultation with workers on health and safety matters is also a key requirement.

Monitoring and Review

• Event organizers must monitor the effectiveness of their safety measures and make adjustments as needed.
• This may involve conducting regular safety inspections and reviewing incident data.

Specific Considerations

• Crowd management: Special attention should be paid to crowd control, including managing crowd density, ensuring safe access and egress, and providing clear pathways.
• Amusement rides: If the event includes amusement rides, specific safety regulations and guidelines must be followed.
• First aid: Adequate first aid resources and trained personnel should be available. 

Event organisers are responsible for taking a proactive and systematic approach to safety, ensuring that all reasonable steps are taken to prevent harm to anyone attending or working at the event.

The following provides information on some of the key issues: