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A full risk assessment should be carried out for all events. This will be a legal requirement in many circumstances. The following guidance should aid you in carrying out your risk assessments. A form to record your findings has also been provided.
All hazards, (something with the potential to cause harm) should be identified including those relating to the individual activities and any equipment. Only note hazards that could result in significant harm. The following should be taken into account:
This list is by no means exhaustive and care should be taken to identify any other hazards associated with the activities at the event.
For each hazard identified, list all those who may be affected. Do not list individuals by name, just list groups (and numbers if possible) of people. The following should be taken into account:
The following are examples of areas to consider:
The extent of the risk (the likelihood of the harm) arising from the hazards identified must be evaluated and existing control measures taken into account. You should list the existing controls and assess whether or not any further controls are required to further reduce the risks. The following should be taken into account:
Classify risks into high, medium and low. Examples of risks falling into these categories are as follows:
An unsecured inflatable being used in adverse weather conditions by young children.
A display of animals in a roped off arena.
A mime artist performing amongst the crowd.
For each risk consider whether or not it can be eliminated completely. If it cannot, then decide what must be done to reduce it to an acceptable level. Only use personal protective equipment as a last resort when there is nothing else you can reasonably do. Consider the following:
Use the attached Risk Assessment Form to record all significant hazards, the nature and extent of the risks, and the action required to control them. Keep this for future reference or use. You could also refer to other documents you may have, such as manuals, codes of practice etc.
If the nature of the risks change during the planning of the event, the risk assessments will need to be reviewed and updated.
Where the risk assessment has identified significant risks, you must provide information to all those affected, regarding the nature of the risk and the control measures to be implemented.