When planning and delivering an arts project, it is important to consider health and safety issues from the outset. At the planning stage one needs to consider participants, supporting adults, artists and visitors as well as likely venues, potential hazards arising from the immediate environment and the project itself.
Posted: 03/03/2022
Category: Planning the Project
Factors that need to be considered when assessing risk include:
- The type of activity to be undertaken and materials used.
- Age and possible needs of participants.
- Experience and ratio of supporting/supervisory staff.
- Type of venue.
- Travel arrangements/ modes of transport.
- Emergency procedures.
- Safeguarding.
If specialist equipment or material is to be used, it is important that appropriate training is given and that everyone is aware of safe handling procedures.
Getting Started
The Department for Education produces comprehensive guides for health and safety which, although designed primarily for schools, is an invaluable resource for any organisation initiating creative work with young people. You can download the most up-to-date guide here.
The Health and safety Executive provide detailed information on producing risk assessments; up-to-date advice on making ensuring your work-place is covid-secure; and identifying hazard and assessing risk through a COSHH assessment.
You can download a template risk assessment and model health and safety policy below.