Worker Safety at Outdoor Festivals

For many people, outdoor festivals can be some of the most anticipated events of the spring and summer. Not only are they opportunities for attendees to have fun, they also create a wide range of job opportunities, such as security, selling merchandise and concessions, and running entrances. But organizing outdoor festivals involves a lot of logistical challenges that affect both attendees and workers, and outdoor festivals in general can involve a lot of challenges that indoor events don’t have. 

While outdoor festivals can be opportunities for work, working at these events can be very demanding. Not only can there be big crowds and lots of noise, attendees may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, uneven terrain can be easy to trip on, and weather conditions can be a real wild card. On top of everything else, people working at outdoor festivals typically spend much more time on-site than attendees do. So what are some of the biggest safety challenges festival workers need to worry about?

Weather-Related Hazards

Unquestionably, weather is one of the biggest challenges that comes with outdoor events of any kind. Nobody wants rain on the day of a major outdoor event that they’ve put a lot of effort into planning, but high temperatures and lots of sun can also create a lot of problems. Event organizers should have safety plans in place to help address weather-related hazards, such as providing access to water and shelter where workers can get breaks from the heat.

Vehicle Safety

In some situations, festival workers might need to drive a vehicle, such as a golf cart, around an event site. If this is the case, one of the best things you can do is watch your speed. This helps protect both the driver, any passengers on the vehicle, and others who may be near the vehicle while it’s being driven. Usually, 5 MPH or less is recommended. Also, avoid trying to carry more people in than the vehicle is designed to hold and try to drive only on designated paths as much as possible. 

Electrical Hazards

Outdoor events of any kind typically need access to electrical power, but event organizers need to exercise a lot of care to make sure proper safety measures are being followed to prevent injuries. This can include working with an electrician early on to identify potential risks, using electrical cords designed for outdoor use, making sure circuits don’t get overloaded, and having components inspected before use to make sure they aren’t damaged. 

Structural Safety

Temporary structures like tents and stages can be extremely important for outdoor festivals. But it’s very important that event organizers follow all applicable laws and regulations that might apply to these types of temporary structures to ensure they’re safely constructed. There may be laws/regulations requiring things like permits and safety inspections to avoid the risk of collapse and other safety issues. 

Contact a Michigan Workplace Injury Lawyer

If you were injured while doing any kind of work, one of the best things you can do is contact a workplace injury lawyer as soon as possible. If you are eligible for workers compensation benefits, a lawyer will be able to help make sure your case is handled correctly and can help you pursue any other options for compensation that might apply to your situation. Contact Scott Goodwin Law today to schedule a free case consultation. 

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