Events and public health and safety

When running an event, there are a number of things you need to consider from a public and environmental health perspective. This includes food safety, infectious disease control and waste disposal.

What are public events

For the purposes of the Guidelines for the Management of Public Health and Safety at Events (PDF 851KB), a public event is defined as an event occurring in a temporary venue or a fixed venue normally authorised for other types of events, and occurs regularly, as a one-off, or on an irregular basis.

Guidelines

The Guidelines for the Management of Public Health and Safety at Events (PDF 851KB) addresses ways in which stakeholders such as event organisers, major participants, the relevant health authority and relevant agencies can reduce potential risks to public health. The primary recommendations are sound planning and management, including comprehensive risk assessment and mitigation processes. Topics covered include:

  • definitions
  • getting started
  • venue
  • pre-event planning, including administrative issues and insurance
  • communications
  • event promotion, including sun protection and ticketing
  • road closure, restrictions and traffic control
  • environmental health, including food, waste disposal, noise and dust control
  • safe supply and consumption of alcohol
  • infrastructure and facilities, including power/gas requirements and waster control systems
  • emergency services
  • first aid
  • security and crowd control
  • hazards, including emergency plans, and fire safety
  • building and structure requirements
  • vacating the site
  • useful contact numbers for further advice

Remember, legislative provisions take precedence over SA Health guidelines, and in areas under Local Government the council may also have specific requirements or by-law provisions that event organisers will need to comply with. 

Further information

For further information on organising or participating in a public event, please contact an Environmental Health Officer at the relevant local council to discuss managing and preventing risks to public health.