Risk assessments and performing

If you’ve ever put on a performance anywhere, you’ll know that almost every venue will ask you for a copy of your risk assessment and your public liability insurance. Why is that? As discussed previously, written risk assessments will show that you’ve thought carefully about the risks of the activities/event involved, and how to minimise any risks that are considered high. For the venue, their own insurance will be dependent on proving that the hirer understands the risks involved and has taken steps to minimise them. It also reassures them that you are knowledgeable and that you’re putting in place strategies to minimise any potential dangers.

So, what are the risks of putting on a performance? Let’s think first about the people who are involved in the performance. What risks might be involved by being in the venue? Think about being in unfamiliar locations, who is going to supervise the performers? Where are they going to be? What if they’re moving around the building? How are you going to know if someone disappears? What are the risks for the people who are doing the supervising for you?

Now, we consider the risks that are brought about by being in/at the venue. How do your performers move around? Are the routes clear of obstacles? Where will you store props? Who’s moving props/scenery around? How flame resistant is the scenery? How can anyone at a glance know who your adults are and who the venue staff are? Are there places where the performers might mix with the general public (shared toilets potentially)? How will you keep the people you are responsible for safe?

Remember that we’re thinking about all the bad things that could happen, so that we can show we have already considered the risks and have judged it as acceptable. This is crucial and probably one of the most important risk assessments that you will write. Should a serious incident occur, your actions will be judged on whether you had considered the risks and done everything you can to minimise them. Sometimes, terrible things happen even if you’ve written the most detailed risk assessment, but your written record is proof that you are a caring and dedicated professional.

Where do you start? Are you feeling overwhelmed? In my next post I will explain in a bit more detail about how I can help you with this tricky task.