MITIGATING OCCUPATIONAL RISKS IN THE CONTEXT OF CULTURAL EVENTS: A MULTI-LEVEL RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

Nicoleta MERLOI, Oana Roxana CHIVU, Dan Florin NITOI, Andrei IACOB, Bogdan IVAN, Alin STĂNCIOIU, Alin Ion ȚĂPÎRDEA, Ștefan Sorinel GHIMIȘI

Abstract


Cultural events such as festivals, concerts, exhibitions, parades, involve a complex and dynamic work environment that poses significant occupational risks for technical staff, performers, security personnel, and support workers. These events are frequently characterized by temporary infrastructure, time-constrained setups, high crowd densities, and environmental variability - all of which contribute to an elevated risk of incidents and accidents. This paper reviews current literature on occupational safety in event management and identifies critical gaps in the field. The findings reveal a lack of standardized approaches for addressing complex risk interdependencies unique to cultural events. Based on this review, the paper proposes a structured, multi-level risk management framework for identifying, assessing, and reducing occupational risks, emphasizing proactive safety planning, worker training, and the integration of emerging monitoring technologies. The study contributes to better comprehension of how occupational safety principles can be adapted and applied in the context of cultural events, supporting both preventive measures and the improvement of organizational safety culture..

Full Text:

PDF

References


Earl, C., Parker E., The Management of Crowds and Other Risks at Outdoor Music Festivals: A Review of the Literature Environmental Health, vol. 5, 2015.

Turris, S.A., Lund, A., Mortality at music festivals: academic and grey literature for case finding, Prehosp Disaster Med 32(1):58–63, 2017.

Louw, L., Esterhuyzen, E., Disaster risk reduction: Integrating sustainable development goals and occupational safety and health in festival and event management. Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 14(1), 2022.

Page, M.J., McKenzie, J.E., Bossuyt, P.M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T.C., Mulrow, C.D., Prisma systematic Reviews (open access), The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews, Systematic Reviews, 2021.

Trifu, A., Smîdu, E., Applying the PRISMA method for obtaining systematic reviews of occupational safety issues in literature search, 10th International Symposium on Occupational Health and Safety, Article Number 00008. MATEC Web of Conferences, vol. 354, 2022.

Jenkinson, R., Bowring, A., Dietze, P., Young risk takers: alcohol, illicit drugs, and sexual practices among a sample of music festival attendees, Journal of Sexually Transmit Diseases, vol. 35723, 2014.

Ivers, J.H., Killeen, N., Keenan, E., Drug use, harm-reduction practices and attitudes toward the utilization of drug safety testing services in an Irish cohort of festival-goers, Irish Journal Medical Sciences 191, pp. 1701–1710, 2022.

Bladen, C., Kennel, J., Abson, E., Wilde, N., Events management: An introduction, Routledge, London, 2018.

Black, N.H., Festival connections: How consistent and innovative connections enable small-scale rural festivals to contribute to socially sustainable communities, International Journal of Event and Festival Management, vol. 7(3), pp.172–187, 2016.

Dowson, R., Bassett, D., Event planning and management: Principles, planning and practice, Kogan Page, London, 2018.

Lund, A., Turris, S., The Event Chain of Survival in the Context of Music Festivals: A Framework for Improving Outcomes at Major Planned Events, Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 32(4), pp. 437-443, 2017.

Hazel, D., Mason, C., The role of stakeholders in shifting environmental practices of music festivals in British Columbia, Canada, International Journal of Event and Festival Management 11(2), pp.181–202, 2020.

Xie, P., Sinwald, A., Perceived impacts of special events by organizers: A qualitative approach, International Journal of Event and Festival Management 7(1), pp. 50–65, 2016.

Health and Safety Executive, The Event Safety Guide: A Guide to Health, Safety and Welfare at Music and Similar Events, HSE Books, Sudbury, 2016.

Liang, Y.W., Wang, C.H., Tsaur, S.H., Yen, C.H., Mega-event and urban sustainable development, International Journal of Event and Festival Management 7(3), pp.152–171, 2016.

Darabont, D. C., Smîdu, E., Trifu, A., Bejinariu, C., Baciu, C., Bernevig, M., MEVA - a new method of occupational health and safety risk assessment, MATEC Web of Conferences vol. 290, 2019.

Nordvall, A. Heldt, T., Understanding hallmark event failure: A case study of a Swedish music festival, International Journal of Event and Festival Management 8(2), pp. 172–185, 2017.

Pereira, L., Jerónimo, C., Sempiterno, M., Lopes da Costa, R., Dias, Á., Events and festivals contribution for local sustainability, Sustainability13(3), 2021.

Tanner, M.B., Künzi, A., Friedli, T.L., Müller, H., Event performance index: A holistic valuation tool, International Journal of Event and Festival Management 9(2), pp. 166–182, 2018.

Institution of Structural Engineers, Temporary Demountable Structures: Guidance on Design Procurement and Use, Institution of Structural Engineers, 2019.

Rosenblum, A. J., Wend, M., Margolis, M., Haddon matrix analysis of medical preparedness for mass gathering music festivals. American Journal of Disaster Medicine, 16(3), 225–232, 2021.

Turris, S.A., Lund, A., Bowles RR., An Analysis of Mass Casualty Incidents in the Setting of Mass Gatherings and Special Events, Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, vol. 8, pp.143-149, 2014.

Kraaijenga, V.J.C., van Munster J.C.M., van Zanten, G.A, Association of Behavior with Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Among Attendees of an Outdoor Music Festival: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial, JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery, vol.144, pp.490–497, 2018.

Grinn, S. K., Notaro, Dana E.; Shokar, Jatinder K.; Cheng, Chin, Changes in Auditory Performance Following a Virtual Reality Music Concert. Ear Hearing 46(2), pp 382-392, 2025.

Soomaroo, L, Murray, V., Disasters at mass gatherings: lessons from history. PLOS Curr., vol.4:1-12. 2012.

O'Brien, T., Engineering a safe event: Edinburgh's International Festival fireworks, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Municipal Engineer 156:3, 163-167, 2013.

Crampton, J.W., Hoover, K.C., Graham, S., Smart Festivals? Security and Freedom for Well-Being in Urban Smart Spaces, Annals of the American Association of Geographers, vol. 110, pp. 360-370, 2020.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


JOURNAL INDEXED IN :