What is HSG195?
HSG195, commonly known as "The Event Safety Guide" or "The Purple Guide," is the Health and Safety Executive's definitive guidance document for managing health and safety at events. This comprehensive publication provides a framework for planning, organising, and managing events of all sizes to ensure the safety of attendees, staff, performers, and the public.
The guide covers the full spectrum of event types, from small community gatherings and sporting fixtures to large-scale music festivals and major public celebrations. It addresses the unique challenges that events present, including temporary structures, crowd dynamics, multiple contractors, and the need for rapid emergency response capabilities.
HSG195 takes a risk-based approach, recognising that event safety requires careful pre-planning, effective communication between multiple stakeholders, and robust contingency arrangements. The guidance emphasises that successful event safety management starts long before gates open and continues until the site is fully cleared and restored.
Originally published in 1999 and subsequently updated, the Purple Guide remains the authoritative reference for event safety in the UK, referenced by local authorities, emergency services, and the events industry as the benchmark for good practice.
Who Needs This Document?
HSG195 is essential reading for anyone involved in planning, delivering, or overseeing events:
Primary Audiences:
- Event organisers and promoters responsible for overall event safety
- Venue owners and managers hosting public events
- Health and safety professionals advising on event safety
- Local authority licensing and safety teams
- Emergency services personnel involved in event planning
- Production managers overseeing event delivery
Secondary Audiences:
- Crowd management and security companies
- Temporary structure contractors (staging, barriers, tents)
- Catering and concession operators at events
- Medical and first aid service providers
- Transport and traffic management planners
- Artists' management and production teams
- Insurers assessing event risks
The guidance applies across sectors including music and entertainment, sports, corporate events, community celebrations, and public gatherings of all types.
Key Topics Covered
HSG195 provides comprehensive coverage of all aspects of event safety:
Event Planning and Management
The guide establishes fundamental principles for event safety management:
- Establishing clear management structures and responsibilities
- Developing event safety policies and procedures
- Creating effective communication systems
- Coordinating between multiple contractors and stakeholders
- Setting realistic timelines for safety planning
- Engaging with local authorities and emergency services early
Venue and Site Design
Comprehensive guidance on physical event infrastructure:
- Site selection and assessment criteria
- Layout planning for safe crowd movement
- Entry and exit capacity calculations
- Barrier systems and crowd separation
- Temporary demountable structures safety
- Electrical installations and power distribution
- Sanitary facilities and welfare provision
- Lighting requirements for safety
Crowd Management
Detailed coverage of managing people at events:
- Crowd dynamics and behaviour understanding
- Capacity assessment and monitoring methods
- Ingress and egress management
- Queue management systems
- Front-of-stage barrier and pit design
- Audience profiling and risk assessment
- Stewarding and security requirements
- Communication with attendees
Fire Safety
Fire risk management specific to event environments:
- Fire risk assessment for temporary venues
- Means of escape planning and signage
- Fire detection and warning systems
- Firefighting equipment provision
- Special effects and pyrotechnics management
- Camping and overnight event fire safety
- Coordination with fire and rescue services
Medical and First Aid
Healthcare provision at events:
- Assessing medical provision requirements
- Medical facility location and access
- Crowd doctor and first aid team deployment
- Major incident medical planning
- Ambulance access and patient evacuation
- Communication between medical services
- Record keeping and reporting
Emergency Planning
Major incident preparedness and response:
- Emergency plan development and documentation
- Command and control structures
- Emergency evacuation procedures
- Show stop protocols
- Severe weather contingency planning
- Major incident response coordination
- Communication systems for emergencies
- Post-incident procedures
Special Considerations
Additional topics for specific event types:
- Outdoor music festivals and camping
- Sporting events and stadiums
- Firework displays and bonfires
- Parades and moving events
- Water-based and maritime events
- Events involving animals
- Alcohol and drug-related risks
Using This Guidance
Implementing HSG195 effectively requires a structured approach throughout the event lifecycle:
Step 1: Early Planning Phase Begin safety planning at the earliest stages of event conception. Engage with local authorities, emergency services, and key stakeholders early. Establish the event safety team and management structure. Conduct initial site assessments and feasibility reviews.
Step 2: Risk Assessment Develop comprehensive event-specific risk assessments. Consider all aspects including venue, crowd, activities, weather, and emergency scenarios. Identify significant hazards and determine appropriate control measures. Update assessments as planning progresses.
Step 3: Develop the Event Management Plan Create detailed documentation covering all operational aspects. Include site plans, capacity calculations, crowd management plans, and emergency procedures. Ensure all contractors and stakeholders contribute to and understand the plan.
Step 4: Engage Stakeholders Work collaboratively with local authority safety advisory groups. Coordinate with police, fire, ambulance, and local authority teams. Ensure contractors are competent and understand their responsibilities. Brief all staff and volunteers thoroughly.
Step 5: Pre-Event Preparation Conduct site builds safely and to specification. Complete all inspections and sign-offs before opening. Test communication systems and emergency procedures. Brief all operational teams on their roles.
Step 6: Operational Phase Implement the event management plan throughout the event. Maintain situational awareness through monitoring and communication. Respond promptly to any incidents or changing conditions. Keep accurate records and logs.
Step 7: Event Closedown Manage egress safely and efficiently. Maintain safety management until site is cleared. Conduct safe breakdown and site clearance. Complete post-event review and documentation.
Step 8: Review and Learning Debrief with all key stakeholders after the event. Analyse any incidents or near misses. Identify improvements for future events. Document lessons learned for organisational memory.
Why It Matters
Implementing effective event safety management is critical for multiple compelling reasons:
Legal Compliance: Event organisers have duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure the safety of workers and others affected by their activities. The Licensing Act 2003 and other regulations require demonstration of competent safety management. HSG195 provides the framework to meet these obligations.
Preventing Tragedy: History shows the devastating consequences when event safety fails. From Hillsborough to crowd crushes at festivals, inadequate safety management has caused deaths and serious injuries. HSG195 embodies lessons learned from these tragedies to prevent recurrence.
Protecting Attendees: People attending events trust organisers with their safety. They expect to enjoy the event and return home safely. Comprehensive safety management fulfils this duty of care and enables people to enjoy events with confidence.
Business Continuity: Safety incidents can end events prematurely, cause reputational damage, and result in costly legal proceedings. Effective safety management protects the event business and enables successful delivery.
Regulatory Requirements: Local authorities use HSG195 as the benchmark when assessing event licence applications. Demonstrating compliance with its principles is often essential for obtaining permission to hold events.
Insurance and Liability: Insurers expect event organisers to follow recognised good practice. Following HSG195 guidance demonstrates due diligence and can be essential for obtaining appropriate insurance cover.
Industry Standard: HSG195 is universally recognised across the UK events industry. Following its guidance demonstrates professionalism and commitment to safety that clients, contractors, and stakeholders expect.
Emergency Services Confidence: Police, fire, and ambulance services rely on organisers following HSG195 principles. This enables effective partnership working and appropriate emergency service provision for events.
By following HSG195 guidance, event organisers can create safe, enjoyable experiences for attendees while meeting their legal obligations, protecting their reputation, and contributing to the excellent safety record that the UK events industry has developed over decades of applying these principles.