Basic Risk Assessment – Up Close Radio Outside Broadcasts

Activity: Outside radio broadcasts using studio trailer, PA speakers on stands, mains electricity and/or generator power, in public locations and varying weather conditions.

Organisation: Up Close Radio
Assessment Date: May 2026
Assessor: m Clark
Review Date: May 2027

Hazard	Persons at Risk	Risks	Control Measures	Risk Level
Vehicle movement (studio trailer setup and positioning)	Staff, volunteers, public	Collision, crush injuries	Competent driver, banksman where required, use designated setup areas, deploy wheel chocks and stabilisers	Medium
Uneven ground	Staff, volunteers, public	Trips, falls, equipment instability	Site inspection before setup, avoid unsuitable locations, use levelling equipment where needed	Medium
Electrical equipment – mains power	Staff, volunteers, public	Electric shock, burns, fire	PAT-tested equipment, RCD protection, waterproof connectors, regular cable inspections	Medium
Generator use	Staff, volunteers, public	Electric shock, fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, burns	Generator positioned outdoors in ventilated area, fuel stored safely, hot surfaces protected, only trained operators refuel	Medium
Cables and leads	Staff, volunteers, public	Trips and falls	Use cable ramps, cable covers or matting, route cables away from pedestrian routes where possible	Medium
Speakers on stands	Staff, volunteers, public	Equipment falling causing injury	Use stable stands, fully extend legs, secure with sandbags/weights, lower in high winds	Medium
Adverse weather – rain	Staff, volunteers, public	Slips, electrical hazards, equipment damage	Weather monitoring, waterproof covers, suspend activities if safety cannot be maintained	Medium
Adverse weather – high winds	Staff, volunteers, public	Falling equipment, flying objects	Secure all equipment, use ballast weights, lower or remove speaker stands if conditions deteriorate	High
Adverse weather – heat/sun	Staff, volunteers	Heat stress, dehydration	Drinking water available, regular breaks, shelter where possible- use sun screen	Low
Manual handling	Staff, volunteers	Back strains, muscle injuries	Team lifting, manual handling training, use trolleys where available	Medium
Public interaction	Staff, volunteers, public	Trips, collisions, interference with equipment	Clear barriers where necessary, staff supervision, maintain clear walkways	Medium
Noise from PA system	Staff, volunteers, public	Hearing discomfort	Volume monitored and kept at reasonable levels, speakers directed away from staff work areas where practical	Low
Fire (electrical equipment or generator)	Staff, volunteers, public	Burns, smoke inhalation	Suitable fire extinguisher available, no smoking near fuel, emergency procedures briefed	Medium
Fuel storage (generator events)	Staff, volunteers	Fire, spills	Store minimum quantities in approved containers, keep away from ignition sources – fire extinguisher available	Medium
Emergency evacuation	Staff, volunteers, public	Delayed response during incident	Clear emergency contact details, evacuation routes identified, staff briefed	Medium

General Control Measures

All equipment to be visually checked before use.
PAT testing carried out in accordance with organisational policy.
Public access routes kept clear at all times.
Weather forecast checked before and during events.
First aid kit available on site.
At least one trained first aider present where possible.
Emergency contact numbers available to all staff and volunteers.
Risk assessment reviewed for each venue and event.

Residual Risk

With the above controls in place, the overall risk level for typical Up Close Radio outside broadcasts is considered Low to Medium, provided weather conditions remain suitable and equipment is correctly installed and supervised.

If any doubt then we close down the broadcast and pack away

Risks continually checked at event and on case by case basis