Event Safety - Frequently asked questions

In addition to health and safety law, some events may also require licenses from local authorities. You can get advice on Licensing from your local council and/or the Department of Culture, Media and Sport / Scottish Government, who are responsible for developing entertainment Licensing law, which is administered by Licensing authorities. Find out more at:

• Department of Culture, Media and Sport^[1]
• Scottish Government^[2]
• Find your local authority^[3]

Find out how to plan a small party and what information your council will need to know by going to GOV.UK^[4].

There are many activities at events that fall outside HSE's areas of responsibility. These include the provision of toilets and medical care for the audience, a wholesome water supply, food safety, lost persons, child protection and pollution control, plus many equality issues. These matters are covered by powers held by other national or local government bodies.  

Find out more:

• Local authority^[5]
• Food safety^[6]
• Environment Agency^[7]
• Scottish Environmental Protection Agency^[8]
• Water supply^[9]
  • Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland (DWQR)^[10]

'The Events Industry Forum^[11] has also written updated industry guidance about these matters.

Local authorities are generally responsible for enforcing health and safety legislation at events. Where an event is actually organised by a local authority, HSE is normally responsible for enforcement. 

HSE has enforcement responsibility for the following activities at all events:

• the erection and dismantling of temporary demountable structures (TDS) like stages and grandstands (except for small marquees and similar tents which are enforced by local authorities)
• radio and television broadcasting
• fairgrounds

In certain circumstances, arrangements can be made to transfer enforcement responsibilities between HSE and local authorities. 

HSE's Enforcement Policy Statement^[12] sets out the principles which HSE inspectors and local authority environmental health officers should follow when making enforcement decisions. In particular, any action taken by regulators should be proportionate to the risk.

Find out more about HSE and local authorities working together^[13]