17/08/2024
Whether you’re planning a small community gathering or a larger more populated festival, having a dedicated event medical team on-site can make a significant difference. Despite this, many event organisers still hold misconceptions about the necessity and value of event medical services. These myths can lead to major issues at events & members of the public
Let’s get started and answer some event medical service myths.
Event medical services are only needed for large events
Debunking the myth
One of the most common myths in event planning is that event medical services are only necessary for large-scale events like festivals or concerts. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Medical emergencies can occur at any event, regardless of size. Whether it’s a small community fair, a corporate gathering, or a private party, the risk of accidents, sudden illnesses, or other health-related incidents is always present.
I am first aid at work trained?
You may think that having a couple of people on-site who have undertaken a First Aid at Work Course might be sufficient, but their knowledge and skills are limited. Depending on the type of event that you are running, there may be specific safety and medical guidelines that you would need to comply with in order to have the event passed by the local authority.
Legal Considerations
In the UK, first aid legal requirements at events are covered by the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. These regulations require all employers to provide ‘adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities, and personnel to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work’. The HSE recommends including event attendees also.
Additionally, there is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which covers most employer activities and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSWR) 1999. Both of these include the requirement to assess and protect workers. The MHSWR (specifically) introduced the legal need to undertake risk assessments. As an event organiser, you have a legal duty of care to event attendees. Part of this included adequately assessing the first aid requirements for your event.
