What is an Event Risk Assessment?

An event risk assessment is a written review of the hazards at an event, who could be harmed and the controls in place to reduce each risk to an acceptable level. It is a legal requirement for most events in the UK and is usually needed for permits.

How to do an event risk assessment

Most event risk assessments follow the UK Health and Safety Executive's five steps:

  1. Identify the hazards: walk the site and review the plans, from crowd flows to electrics and weather.
  2. Decide who might be harmed: audience, staff, performers, contractors and the public nearby.
  3. Evaluate the risks and decide on controls: rate each risk and add measures to reduce it.
  4. Record the findings: write up the assessment and share it with the team.
  5. Review and update: revisit it when plans change and after the event.

Each hazard usually has an owner and an action, so teams often track risk controls with checklists in Crescat.

Risk assessment vs method statement

A risk assessment says what could go wrong and how risks are controlled. A method statement says step by step how a task will be done safely, such as rigging or building a stage. Together they are often called RAMS.

Common hazards at events

  • Crowd density, surges and evacuation
  • Work at height and rigging
  • Electrical systems and temporary power
  • Vehicle movements on site
  • Weather, including wind, heat and lightning
  • Noise exposure for staff and audience
  • Fire, including from pyrotechnics and catering

Frequently asked questions

Is an event risk assessment a legal requirement?

In the UK, employers must assess risks to staff and the public, and record the findings if they employ five or more people. Licensing authorities and venues also usually require one before an event.

Who writes the event risk assessment?

The event organiser is responsible, often with a safety officer or consultant writing it. Contractors such as stage builders and riggers provide their own risk assessments for their work.

How often should a risk assessment be reviewed?

Review it whenever plans change, before each event and after any incident. Recurring events should review it every year, using lessons from the last edition. Keep old versions as a record of decisions.

Related terms