Risk management planning for events and festivals
Significance of a Risk Management Plan –
Risk management is an important aspect of event planning and management. An RMP or Risk Management Plan identifies all the hidden and potential risks that may crop up during event organisation and then designs the stages of risk-mitigation strategies that help the event organisers to eliminate them.
Risks can crop up anywhere and in any form. E.g. in community events the main risks can be anything like
- harm to another person
- damage to equipment, infrastructure or the event venue
- a fall in success-rate of the event, future of the event organisers and the event itself.
But naturally, not all the risk cannot be controlled and mitigated. In such cases, responsibility of coordinating the safety of everyone should be detailed in the risk management plan.
Steps of risk assessment
A risk assessor should consider existing risks of the site, risk of the event and the external risks which are out of control but require special attention during the event. Following steps can prove a great initiative towards safer event management –
- A risk assessment of the event site
The level of traffic around the event venue and if that can pose any risk to the pedestrians should be assessed properly. It will help in mitigating the risk of any road accident or road side injury.
Effects of inclement weather conditions on event venue should be also be taken into account. If there is any water body on or near the venue the appropriate security measures should be taken.
- A risk assessment of the event and all proposed activities
If the entertainment set up of the event includes dangerous sports like jumping castle or carnival rides then how the safety of the attendees will be ensured is the main key concern. If any infrastructure or any automobiles are brought on to the event venue then the personnel concerned should be responsible enough to make appropriate security arrangements.
- A risk assessment of all external risks
A secure evacuation plan of the event venue should be responsibly laid out and implemented during any emergency call. Responsible team should be dedicated to carry out calm and safe evacuation procedure. Moreover, proper medical facilities should be available for any medical emergency on board or if any guest has mentioned about any medical condition while doing RSVP.
- A complete risk management process before the event can include
There are few significant steps in the risk management process –
- Initial risk assessment procedure
- Risk Control Plan development
- Emergency Management Plan development
- Traffic Management Plan (if applicable)
- Waste Management Plan (if applicable)
- Providing site safety induction plan and checklists to the event personnel
Every event is unique in one or the other way hence has different risks associated to it. Possible risks and development of Risk Mitigating Plan against them are one of the common threads that equalises all the events.
At Right Angle Events, we have a specialized department Risk and Safety which takes the security aspect of all events very seriously. Associate with us for a life-time experience of attending safe and successful events.
Contact Right Angle Events at 03 9702 9003 | 0438 051 134 to discuss it further!