24 January 2025
This guidance is intended for those organising public events where a public entertainment permit issued by the Bailiff is required. If you are unsure whether your event requires an entertainment permit you should approach the Bailiff’s Office for advice.
The particular arrangements for addressing health and safety will vary depending on the size and nature of the event, however the main principles will remain the same.
It is a requirement under the Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law 1989 for the event organiser to identify hazards and risks, including the measures taken to ensure any potential and foreseeable risks to employees, contractors and the public are controlled so far as is reasonably practicable. This should include all five phases of an event:
- the ‘build-up’
- the ‘load in’
- the ‘show’
- the ‘load out’
- the ‘breakdown’
Frequently, the ‘show’ itself is included in the risk assessment, but not the other phases.
Contractors and sub-contractors should provide copies of their risk assessments and method statements prior to any work commencing.
After the event it is important that the manner in which health and safety was managed is reviewed and any lessons learnt taken forward.
Further guidance
Public events: health and safety guidance
Risk assessments
Bouncy castles and inflatables: safety advice for operators
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