6. Risk Assessments & Public Liability Insurance
Public Liability Insurance
Event organisers could be held legally liable for the costs, damages or injuries which may occur during an event. You must be insured against this risk via a Public Liability insurance policy.
Event organisers using East Devon District Council land must provide public liability for their event as shown below. The insurance needs to cover the whole period of the event from start to finish.
| Event Category | Attendees | Public Liability Insurance minimum requirement |
| Small |
Sporting events – under 50 participants Other events – under 250 attendees Town Band bookings Single market style stalls |
£5m |
| Medium |
Sporting events - 50-100 participants Water sports up to 50 participants Other events 250 – 500 attendees. Event may require EMP & SAG Markets with up to 10 stalls |
£5m £10m for events on the water |
| Large or events |
Sporting events - 100+ participants Water sports over 50 participants Other events over 500 attendees. Event requires EMP & SAG Any event that has fireworks Funfairs & circuses Markets above 10 stalls |
£5m £10m for events on the water |
Site Plan
For all events there must be plenty of space for the public to move around stalls; rides; performance, stage and exhibition areas, and to have unobstructed routes to exits.
For large events you must:
- Prepare a scale plan of the site showing the position of all the activities/attractions, circulation routes and exits and should also detail the floor size and entrance/exits of all marquees and tents etc. This should be provided along with your event application and updated if your plans change. Any updated copies will need to be provided to us prior and during the event, if requested.
- Have clearly displayed safe evacuation routes which are adequately marshalled
Risk Assessments
Every event organiser planning an event on East Devon District Council land must submit a completed risk assessment with all the other application documents before their event takes place.
We have produced risk assessment guidance and a template, to help you complete this.
A risk assessment helps to focus on the activities and hazards that have the potential to cause harm, and it helps ensure that each event runs as smoothly and safely as possible.
A risk assessment is a careful examination of what could cause harm to people eg. fire, traffic, vehicles, slips, trips and falls, weather conditions, use of electrical equipment, use of a marquee, staging, food and hygiene etc.
- Look for the hazards when planning your event
- Decide who might get harmed and how
- Evaluate the risks and decide what precautions need to be taken.
- Record your findings – draft your risk assessment
- Review your assessment
Some attractions will also require a separate risk assessment to be carried out by the operator / owner of the attraction. This needs to be documented and a copy supplied alongside your application and general risk assessment.
- Bouncy castles and inflatables (please include PIPA Inflatable Play Inspections)
- Marquees
- Fairground equipment and children amusement rides (please include ADIPS – Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme)
- Exhibition stands or stalls
- Displays and parades involving animals, vehicles, weapons, flames, special
effects, parachuting - Stages, platforms and barriers
- Face painting
Each attraction/activity will have its own special hazards which should be identified so that comprehensive safety precautions can be prepared.