Safety
Ensuring the safety of your event requires careful consideration. The police oversee compliance with the Assembly Act, rescue authorities ensure adherence to the Rescue Act, and Tukes (Finnish Safety and Chemical Agency) ensures compliance with the Consumer Safety Act in public events.
General matters
Action guidelines
- Submit the safety and rescue plan to:
- the local emergency authorities no later than 14 days before the start of the event
- the police no later than 5 days before the start of the event
- Consider incorporating consumer safety services into the plan or create a separate safety document.
- Check if the property's own rescue plan is suitable for a public event. Typically this is not the case, unless the event is part of the property's normal operations and is primarily organized by the property staff.
- If the event significantly affects traffic, also include a traffic plan.
- When planning large events, it is a advisable to contact emergency authorities already during the planning phase.
- Follow event-specific instructions from the police and emergency authorities, such as ensuring accessibility for emergency vehicles and proper placement of obstacles.
- Consider categorizing your event as either an active or passive event according to form of participation.
- Understand that the Tukes' consumer services specifically focus on the safety supervision of active public events.
- Take into consideration the more passive audience in large and crowded events, especially when the audience is large or the facilities restrict movement.
Event organizer's responsibilities
1. Responsibility of safety
The event organizer is responsible for the security of both free-of-charge events and events with an admission fee. The organizer is also responsible for drawing up a rescue and safety plan. A safety document in accordance with the Consumer Safety Act should be drawn up if more than 2,000 people are expected to attend the event at the same time or there is another minor significant risk of participation or transportation in the service under normal conditions.
2. Required permits and notifications
Most events, especially those held outdoors, require various permits or they must be reported to the authorities. Permit policies related to events can be found in the Permits and notifications page.
3. Venue map
Drawing up a map makes it easier to both plan the event as well as to draw up safety documents. It is recommended mark at least the following things on the map:
- borders of the event area
- stage(s)
- sales points
- restaurant tents
- water points
- toilets
- sufficiently wide (4 m) escape routes
- maintenance routes
- locations of signs
- locations of safety devices and rescue personnel, the first aid tent and the arrival point for emergency vehicles
4. Sales points and stalls
Sales points should be placed in such a way that there is plenty of room for people to move around in the area. Sales points must be easily accessible through the maintenance and rescue routes. For example, a cooking area where open fire is handled must have a fire blanket and a 6 kg portable fire extinguisher. Other fire extinguishers are usually also required in the event area. The usual amount is, for example, one portable fire extinguisher per 300 square meters. It is good to discuss the number of fire extinguishers with the rescue authorities.
5. Instructing the staff
It is extremely important that every staff member is aware of their own tasks and areas of responsibility. In addition, it is advisable to give safety instructions and a list of telephone numbers of the responsible persons to everyone working at the event.
6. Insurance for voluntary workers and liability insurance
Insurance is obtained for voluntary workers in case of accidents. Liability insurance covers personal and property damage to non-voluntary workers. You can get more information about different insurance options from insurance companies.