Health and safety for events should be a top priority in the event planning process. Organising an event in the UK, whether it’s a music festival, sports competition, conference, or local fair, requires comprehensive planning to ensure the safety of attendees, staff, and the public. The UK has a robust legal framework governing health and safety, with numerous statutory responsibilities placed on event organisers.
In recent years, growing awareness around public safety has led to new legislation proposals, such as Martyn’s Law, which aims to enhance security at public venues.
This article outlines the core health and safety requirements for events in the UK and delves into the significance and scope of Martyn’s Law.
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, event organisers are legally required to conduct a risk assessment. This process involves:
The assessment must be documented if the organisation employs five or more people and should be revisited and updated as the event planning progresses.
Organisers must have contingency plans in place for emergencies, including fire, medical incidents, structural failures, and evacuation procedures. These plans should be developed in conjunction with local authorities, emergency services, and site management teams.
For large-scale events, effective crowd management is critical. Measures include:
Events must provide adequate facilities for attendees and staff, including:
Many events require specific licenses, including:
Martyn’s Law, officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, is named in honour of Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. Proposed by Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, and supported by government and campaigners, the law aims to ensure that venues and event organisers are better prepared for terrorist threats.
The proposed legislation introduces mandatory security duties for certain public venues, depending on size and capacity. Its core goals are to:
Martyn’s Law categorises venues into two tiers:
Both tiers are required to:
Enhanced Tier premises face additional duties, including appointing a designated senior officer to oversee security planning and liaising with security services.
The law will apply to a wide range of venues and event spaces, including:
It is not designed to place an excessive burden on small businesses or community groups but to ensure a minimum, common standard of security preparedness.
As of mid-2025, Martyn’s Law is progressing through the legislative process and is expected to be enacted soon. The UK government has committed to supporting affected businesses through guidance, training resources, and compliance assistance.
Here at HPC, we have knowledgeable and experienced consultants who can support you with implementing safety measures and documentation for your event.
To find out more information or to discuss health and safety requirements for events, please get in contact with our team of experts.
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