Public Engagement and Risk - Public Engagement

Public engagement often involves working in different places, with equipment and people who you may not regularly work with. This brings different risks, and it’s important you consider what these might be when you start to plan your product to minimise the risk of harm to you or anyone else. If you are running an event there is a legal obligation to complete a risk assessment form.

A risk assessment form must be completed for each project and submitted to your Public Engagement Lead before your event.

Risk Assessment Process:

If your event is being held off university premises at a venue which has its own risk assessment form please use this. In all other cases, the university’s risk assessment form should be used.

A risk assessment should identify potential risks and actions to minimise the potential for them to happen. When completing the form, you will need to consider the following issues about your event:

Type of event
Public and researcher safety
Type of participants/audience and expected numbers
Needs of vulnerable people (including children and young people)
Needs of any external speakers/ partners
Equipment that will be used at the event
Venue and context
Is your event about something controversial or is there any the reputational risk to the University?

You may also need to consider the following in relation to the venue

Emergency evacuation procedures
Reducing accidents from trips and falls
Toilet provision
Anti-social behaviour
First aiders

Planning for risk

Have sufficient people to staff your event
Making sure you have the correct equipment, which is in good working order
Minimise any trip hazards (secure loose cables, have staff to direct people, use notices to explain what audiences need to do)
Use photo/ filming consent forms
Consider whether you need to collect personal data and how to store it