Every successful live event, tour, or production rests on more than just performance. Behind the lights and sound is a carefully structured safety framework that protects performers, crew, and audiences. At the centre of this framework is the event safety officer. Their role is often underestimated, but in practice they are one of the most critical professionals on site. Understanding what they do, what qualifications they require, and how they interact with other teams is essential for organisers aiming to meet both legal requirements and industry best practice.

Why Event Safety Officers Are Essential

Events involve multiple moving parts: staging, pyrotechnics, electrical systems, crowd management, food and beverage service, and often extreme weather conditions. Each of these carries its own risks. An event safety officer provides oversight across all areas to ensure risks are identified and controlled before incidents occur.

Australian work health and safety laws place a duty of care on those conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) to provide a safe environment. For live entertainment, appointing a qualified safety officer is one of the most effective ways to meet this obligation. Beyond compliance, safety officers add value by preventing costly disruptions, minimising injury risks, and supporting the overall reputation of a production.

Key Responsibilities of a Safety Officer

The scope of an event safety officer is broad. Their responsibilities typically include:

• Pre-event planning

  • Conducting and reviewing risk assessments

  • Developing safety plans in line with WHS legislation

  • Liaising with contractors, production managers, and local authorities

  • Ensuring emergency procedures are documented and rehearsed

• During the event

  • Monitoring safety controls in real time

  • Inspecting structures such as staging and rigging

  • Managing crowd safety, traffic flows, and emergency access points

  • Coordinating with paramedical teams in the event of an incident

• Post-event wrap up

  • Reviewing safety performance and incident reports

  • Conducting debriefs with crew and management

  • Recommending improvements for future events

In practice, a safety officer is both strategic and hands-on. They might be in a planning meeting one moment and conducting a high-visibility inspection of barriers and fire exits the next.

Qualifications and Training

In Australia, safety officers are expected to hold formal training that aligns with WHS standards. Many come from backgrounds in occupational health and safety, emergency management, or law enforcement. Common qualifications include:

• Certificate IV or Diploma in Work Health and Safety

• Training in first aid and CPR

• Specialist courses in crowd management, fire safety, or construction safety

Beyond formal training, experience in the entertainment industry is highly valued. Understanding the unique pressures of live production — from bump in to bump out — allows a safety officer to anticipate hazards that a generalist might overlook.

Standards and Compliance

Safety officers must operate in line with national and state legislation, including the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and associated regulations. They also follow recognised industry standards such as:

• Safe Work Australia Codes of Practice

• Event Safety Alliance guidelines

• Local council or venue-specific requirements

For productions that tour internationally, officers often benchmark practices against international standards. This provides consistency and ensures compliance across jurisdictions.

Relationship with Other Teams

A safety officer does not work in isolation. They interact closely with:

• Production managers – aligning safety with logistics and timelines

• Medical teams – coordinating responses to incidents and ensuring preventative coverage

• Security teams – sharing responsibility for crowd control and emergency procedures

• Crew and contractors – providing inductions and ensuring compliance with site safety rules

Strong communication skills are just as important as technical knowledge. Safety officers must be able to brief crews quickly, de-escalate tensions, and work with diverse teams under pressure.

What Organisers Should Expect

When engaging a safety officer, organisers should expect a professional who:

• Provides documented safety plans and risk assessments

• Attends site inspections and production meetings

• Enforces compliance without unnecessary disruption

• Acts as a central point of contact during emergencies

• Supplies post-event reports with practical recommendations

Budgeting for a safety officer should be viewed as an investment rather than an added cost. Their role can prevent injuries, fines, reputational damage, and even loss of life.

Case Examples

• Music festival – A safety officer identified structural weaknesses in a temporary tower before gates opened. The structure was reinforced, preventing a potential collapse during high winds.

• Television production – A safety officer introduced fatigue management protocols for crew working long overnight shoots. Incident rates dropped significantly compared to previous productions.

These examples highlight the preventative value of embedding safety officers into event planning from the outset.

Resources and Further Reading

Organisers and managers can find useful guidance at:

• Safe Work Australia – Work Health and Safety Act 2011

• WorkSafe Victoria – Event Safety

• Event Safety Alliance

Event safety officers play a vital role in ensuring that live productions run smoothly and safely. Their responsibilities extend across planning, delivery, and review, and their expertise helps bridge the gap between compliance and practical on-the-ground safety. For production managers, artists, and audiences, their presence provides assurance that risks are being managed with professionalism and care.

For more information about Hemisphere’s integrated approach to event safety, visit our Safety Services page.