Posted By DHM
Dear All

I am writing to ask for advice about an event my employer is planning in the Summer.

I wondered if anyone could help me please?

The venue provider has asked me to write a risk assessment for the day.

This is a social event that will include a number of outdoor sporting activities including; Rounders, Football, Garden Darts, Boule, Frisbee, Garden Skittles, and Garden Quoits. A hog roast, barbeque and refreshments will be provided. The event will run from lunch time until early evening on a weekend.

So far I have identified the following hazards;

BBQ & Hog Roast (cooking and equipment/gas etc)
Food
Alcohol
Slips and trips
Welfare facilities

What about the games though?
How would I go about risk assessing these?
Also would I need to inform our insurance as this is a Company sponsored event

(I have done a search on here but I can not find a definitive answer).

Thanks in advance

DHM

Posted By Sally
for the games I would keep it simple. Most likely cause of injuries is misuse of games equipment and that is relatively low risk. I would just set aside an area for the games and put this as your control measure.

Sounds like you've got most of the other ones. Did you mention alcohol? (It would be really helpful if you could see the thread while composing replies!!)

Posted By DHM
It's the local council that have asked for a risk assessment (trust me, I have better things to do with my time).

I think I have covered all the areas that I need to now.

Thanks for all responses.

Cheers

DHM

Posted By A Campbell
You had to get written permission from your local council for a private function???

Posted By Mike Craven
Before we start making comments about the fun police and asking why the local council should be involved, we need really ought to read the original posting and perhaps ask a few questions.

The thread is titled "Work Social Day Out", which might suggest that employees are having some sort of informal team building exercise, going out to lunch, having a trip to the races or going to the pub, etc. However, on reading the question, I find that this is potentially a large scale event on someone else's land. I also see that food and alcohol are involved.

Before suggesting that this is H&S going too far or wondering why the local council might be interfering, I might ask.

1) Is the event open to employees only? employees and families, anyone?

2) How many people are expected to attend?

3) Are licences required? - Food and alcohol are being served?

4) Is the alcohol being sold or given away?

5) Who is the land owner? Is it the COUNCIL? Where is this taking place?

6) Will children be admitted?

7) Who is providing the catering?

8) Are there any access (pedestrian or vehicle) issues? - and does car parking need looking at?

9) Are stewards required?

10) Is this a works outing/social or some sort of family fun day?

and so on.

Mike

Posted By joolz040770
This may sound OTT but if it's a social event, whether inside or outside of work hours, the employer is responsible (to a certain degree) for safe travel to and from the venue. Not payment of the travel, but instructions/recommendations of how to get there, and home, safely. EG where to get a taxi. Bus links. Train info. Directions if travelling. Web links to local transport providers and times. General safety tips via email is always a good thing too e.g. go home in pairs wherever possible; car share; etc.

The alcohol I would assume is for after the games, which is the sensible and common sense approach.

It's a pity in this culture fun can't be just that - fun. So sad.

Posted By Peter F
Lukasz,

in this sort of funtion it is up to the person attending not to eat what they are allergic to.

If you go to the fair then you wouldn't expect the owner to ensure that you didn't eat food you were allergic to.

Sometimes it appears that because the pressure appears to come from the media i.e. 'fun police' we are less likely about drawing up the risk assessment because of this label.