The landscape of event management is perpetually shifting, and nowhere is this more evident than in the realm of health and safety. As we navigate 2026, event professionals are facing new challenges and regulatory updates that demand immediate attention. The overarching focus remains the same – protecting attendees, staff, and performers – but the methods, technologies, and legal requirements are continuously evolving. This year brings significant shifts, particularly in areas concerning crowd management, digital safety protocols, and sustainability in risk assessment.
Focus on Mental Health First Aid
One of the most noticeable shifts is the integration of mental health considerations into standard health and safety planning. Recognising the stressors that large events can place on attendees and staff, careful consideration and risk assessment should be undertaken to in relation to Mental Health and the need for Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) to be on-site.
This goes beyond the traditional physical first aid station. It involves dedicated quiet spaces, clear communication about available support, and protocols for managing psychological distress, panic attacks, or post-traumatic stress responses that can be triggered in crowded or high-intensity environments. For event managers, this means budgeting for specialised training, separate welfare teams and integrating these personnel into the overall emergency response team.
Updated Fire Safety and Pyrotechnics Standards
Following a series of high-profile incidents, there has been a global push for stricter enforcement of fire safety standards. The key updates include:
- Materials Certification: Stricter requirements for flame-retardant certification of all decorative materials, stage dressings, and tenting, often requiring third-party certification.
- Crowd Flow Modeling: Increased scrutiny of venue egress plans, with a strong recommendation for using advanced crowd flow modeling software to demonstrate that evacuation times meet regulatory minimums under worst-case scenarios.
- Drone Use Protocol: The use of drones for aerial photography or light shows must now include a documented risk assessment plan that specifically addresses potential battery failures, flight path over crowds, and emergency landing zones.
Digital Safety and Cybersecurity as a Health Concern
In 2026, the definition of “event safety” extends well beyond the physical perimeter. Cybersecurity and digital infrastructure are now recognised as essential components of health and safety planning, particularly for events that rely heavily on cashless payments, digital ticketing, and interconnected communication systems.
The immediate safety risks stemming from a digital failure include:
- Ticketing Malfunctions: A system crash leading to bottlenecking at entry points, creating uncontrolled crowds.
- Communication Blackouts: Loss of critical internal radio/communication systems, hindering rapid emergency response coordination.
- Data Breaches: Compromise of attendee data, leading to legal and reputational damage.
Event organisers should now include a detailed Digital and Cyber Security Risk Assessment in their overall safety file. This plan should outline data encryption standards, redundant power supplies for critical systems, and a protocol for communicating system failures to staff and emergency services.
The Future of Crowd Management: AI and Wearable Tech
Technology is revolutionising how crowds are monitored and managed. Manual observation is being augmented, and in some cases replaced, by sophisticated systems that provide real-time data on density, flow, and potential flashpoints.
| Technology | Function in 2026 Safety | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| AI-Powered CCTV Analysis | Monitors crowd density and speed, identifying areas exceeding safe capacity limits. | Provides real-time, objective data for proactive intervention. |
| Wearable Staff GPS/LANYARDS | Tracks the location of security and safety personnel across the venue. | Optimises deployment and ensures the closest responder attends an incident. |
| Noise/Vibration Sensors | Detects unusual spikes in noise or sudden ground vibrations that may precede a stampede. | Acts as an early warning system for large-scale crowd distress. |
The key update here is not the technology itself, but the regulatory requirement for operators to demonstrate competency in using and acting upon the data these systems provide. Simply installing the tech is no longer enough; robust training and clear, documented intervention protocols are necessary.
Extreme Weather Preparedness
With increasing climate volatility, extreme weather events are a growing risk for outdoor and semi-outdoor events.
- Heat Stress: Plans must include provision for hydration stations, shaded rest areas, and protocols for identifying and treating heatstroke. This is especially relevant for events in warmer climates or during summer months.
- Storms: The plan must detail the exact criteria (e.g., wind speed, lightning proximity) that trigger an immediate suspension of the event and the designation of secure, permanent evacuation structures (Place).
Organisers are strongly advised to utilise a dedicated weather monitoring service and integrate real-time alerts directly into the event control room’s communication system.
Template Documents
A critical part of compliance in 2026 involves the rigorous documentation of all procedures, training, and risk assessments.
To assist in compliance, event organisers should ensure they have updated templates for the following critical documents:
- Event Safety Management Plan (ESMP): The master document covering all aspects of H&S.
- Risk Assessment Register: A living document detailing every potential hazard and its mitigation strategy.
- Incident Reporting Form: A standardised form for logging all injuries, near misses, and security breaches, which must be reviewed and updated.
- Pre-Event Briefing Checklist: A checklist used before the event starts to ensure all teams (security, medical, technical) are aware of the day’s specific risks and communication protocols. A key item on this list is a review of the daily weather forecast on Date.
By integrating these new focuses—mental health, advanced digital security, AI-powered crowd monitoring, and climate-aware planning—event professionals can successfully navigate the complexities of event health and safety in 2026. The shift is clear: safety planning must be proactive, technologically integrated, and holistic, addressing both the physical and psychological well-being of everyone involved. It is an investment not only in compliance but in the reputation and sustainability of the event itself. Ensure your team registers for the upcoming seminar on new safety regulations on Date via this link Calendar event.