SACIA’s Event Safety Council was established in 2018 following an engagement with Jim Digby, founder and president of the US-based Event Safety Alliance. Up until that time, SACIA’s TPSA Council had been driving SACIA’s efforts to promote a “safety first” culture in the events industry but over time it became apparent that in order to achieve our objective we needed a dedicated Council that would focus exclusively on that area.

The Event Safety Council was established as an international affiliate of the Event Safety Alliance, and a key objective since it’s establishment has been to conduct a review of the SANS10366 national standard for safety in the events industry, as well as the South African Sports & Recreational Events Act (2010).

In June 2020 the Council published Events Industry Re-Opening Guidelines specifically addressing the need to re-open the events industry during the covid-19 pandemic. These guidelines were endorsed by all members of the SA Events Council and accepted as an industry recommendation presented to the National Economic Development & Labour Council (NEDLAC).In April 2021 the Council also published Spectator Safety Guidelines which were endorsed by SASCOC and presented to both the National Joint Operational & Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) and the National Economic Development & Labour Council (NEDLAC).

The Council works closely with government and regulatory bodies to embed a commit to safe working practices in all aspects of the events industry. We also award two professional designations that are registered with SAQA.

• The SACIA Certified Event Safety Practitioner designation is awarded to individuals who can demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of legislation, regulations, standards and bylaws that apply in the events industry.

• The SACIA Certified Event Safety Professional designation is awarded to individuals who can demonstrate a deep understanding of legislation, regulations, standards and bylaws that apply in the events industry – along with substantial experience working as an event safety officer across multiple event genres.

Individuals applying for a designation are assessed based on a review of their education, work experience and work ethic. Candidates are also required to write an online examination and provide a portfolio of evidence supporting their claim of competence.

Members are required to adhere to a code of conduct that guides their actions and are expected to align their professional activities and practices to the legislation, standards and bylaws applicable to the events industry. Members are also required to participate in a programme of continuing professional development (CPD) that keeps them up to date with the trends and technologies shaping the future of the events sector.

The Event Safety Council is elected from amongst those SACIA members involved in the event safety sector and each elected member serves for a 2-year period. Current council members include Mike Lord, Sam September, Sharif Baker (chair), Phil Prinsloo, Phrosne Phillips, George Skazikis, Iain Fourie and Lisa Welthagen (vice chair). Kevan Jones serves as Executive Director.

More than half of the Council also serve on the SABS technical committee responsible for the continued development of the SANS10366 national standard for safety in the events industry.