EVENT SAFETY

No single reference covers the breadth of content covered in the qualifying exam for our Event Safety designation. The exam covers the laws, standards and codes of practice relating to event safety in South Africa and worldwide. These references will undoubtedly be helpful for anybody wanting to prepare themselves.

South African Sports & Recreational Events Act

The South African Sports & Recreational Events Act is the principal legislation impacting the events industry in South Africa, and individuals applying for a professional designation are required to have an in-depth understanding of the Act and its practical application.

The Event Safety Guide

SACIA is an international affiliate of the Event Safety Alliance, and we recommend The Event Safety Guide, which can be downloaded free of charge from their website. 

The Guide references standards from the USA, UK and Europe, and the content can safely be described as "international best practice". The Event Safety Guide is intended to help busy industry professionals around the world know what safe workplace practices might be, heighten their understanding of the importance of safety in everything they do, and apply these best practices in their daily work. 

Designed for field use, The Event Safety Guide is categorically organised and written in straightforward and easily understood language.

Thirty-nine chapters and five appendixes address various subjects relevant to most events, including emergency planning, weather preparedness, fire safety, and specific technical issues such as pyrotechnics, rigging, and temporary staging. The included appendixes provide additional resources, including helpful planning checklists and information on the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS). All referenced standards are thoroughly cited within the text to ensure readers know precisely where to turn for additional information.

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just starting in the event industry, you’ll find The Event Safety Guide an indispensable reference when planning your next event.

GCMA Field Guide to Crowds

SACIA is a supporting partner of the Global Crowd Management Alliance. The term “field guide” typically conjures up images of wildlife, plants, minerals, or other elements of our natural world—a layman’s reference to things a step removed from our modern lives, observed more for leisure than professional application. However, recognising that participating in shared experiences is an equally essential part of our man-made environment, the Global Crowd Management Alliance has released the first Edition of The GCMA Field Guide to Crowds.

The word “crowd” is not pejorative, even if some people use it that way. Like birds or flowers, mass gatherings can be delightful or dangerous and maybe both simultaneously. It is up to crowd managers and their colleagues in operations, security, and public safety to make spaces for group activity as safe as possible under the circumstances of each event. 

The GCMA Field Guide to Crowds does not seek to be comprehensive. Instead, it compiles a series of eight monographs, each a deep dive into a situation you probably haven’t heard about before. The stories, which range from amusing to heartbreaking, will stick with you.