RISK ASSESSMENT

The purpose of a risk assessment is to identify hazards that could cause harm, and to assess what risks may arise from those hazards and then decide on suitable measures to eliminate, or control the risks to an acceptable level. This can be achieved by making a short written assessment of each of the activities that make up your event. Also included must be structures or machinery on or around the site that might add risk to the event, such as staging, gas or other fuel containers etc.

"5 Steps to Risk Assessment in the Workplace" publication http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg163.pdf  by the Health & Safety Executive identifies the following steps:

Step 1: Identify the hazards
Step 2: Decide who might be harmed and how
Step 3: Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions
Step 4: Record your findings and implement them
Step 5: Review your assessment and update if necessary

Some of the health hazards identified in the Risk Assessment may be related to:

o       Vehicle related hazards
o       Aggressive behavior from the patrons
o       Waste management related hazards
o       Fire related hazards
o       Drug & alcohol related behavioral hazards
o       Medical conditions
o       Trips and falls (due to uneven ground)
o       Crowd safety
o       Contamination of the water safety
o       Inadequate lighting
o       Dust nuisances
o       Sun exposure 

 See Sample Risk Assessment form in the Resources section.

CARNIVAL GUIDES

UK Centre for Carnival Arts
http://www.carnivalarts.org.uk/resources
Visit the Carnival Arts website has an extensive resources section aimed at carnival organisers, including the following guides available through their website:

Sound systems and trucks.pdf
On the road.pdf
Health and Safety, risk assessments and insurance.pdf
Children on the road.pdf