The Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) has launched ABEA BE:SAFE, a new industry-led resource designed to help event organisers, venues, exhibitors and suppliers navigate the complex risk, safety and regulatory requirements involved in delivering events and exhibitions.
Developed by ABEA’s Risk and Safety Council through consultation with people working across event delivery, venues, exhibitions, suppliers, contractors, production, safety and risk management, ABEA BE:SAFE draws on experience from across the business events industry.
The resource brings together guidance on work health and safety, relevant legislation, building and construction requirements and broader risk considerations across every stage of an event, from initial planning and site build through to live operations and bump-out.
ABEA CEO Melissa Brown said the resource demonstrates the value of bringing cross-industry expertise together to address shared challenges.
“Given the number of people, suppliers and moving parts involved in delivering an event, safety is a responsibility shared across every part of our industry,” Brown said.
“That’s why developing an evolving source of truth that the industry can turn to for practical guidance was so important.”
ABEA BE:SAFE is structured around seven areas: Getting Started, People & Responsibilities, Planning & Management, Event Delivery, Event Environment, Emergencies & Incidents, and an A-Z Guide of subjects.
Across these areas, the guide covers roles and responsibilities, risk assessment, accessibility, contractor management and floor planning, through to bump-in and bump-out, exhibition stands, temporary structures, rigging, electrical, plant, working at height, crowd management, security, emergency management, incident reporting and post-event review.
The interactive format enables users to quickly find information relevant to their event or role. Users can browse by area, go directly to a subject through the A–Z Guide, or search ABEA BE:SAFE by keyword or specific question.
Within each section, ABEA BE:SAFE identifies relevant Acts, Regulations and Codes of Practice across each state and territory, helping users navigate jurisdiction-specific requirements.
Bea Tomlin, Founder of Beaspoke Safety and a member of ABEA’s Risk and Safety Council, said the guide was designed to translate complex safety requirements into practical guidance for people across the industry.
“Events are complex environments, and the responsibility for safety doesn’t sit with one person or begin when an event opens. It needs to be considered throughout the entire lifecycle,” Tomlin said.
“We wanted ABEA BE:SAFE to cut through some of that complexity and give organisers, venues, suppliers and exhibitors a practical place to start, whatever their role or the stage of the event.”
Tomlin, who has more than 25 years’ experience in safety and risk management across exhibitions, conferences, festivals and major events, will also present ABEA BE:SAFE – A Guide to Safety in Events and Exhibitions at ABEA’s upcoming annual conference in Adelaide.
The launch of ABEA BE:SAFE will also be followed by an industry webinar at 12pm AEDT on 17 November.
