Event safety: The role of the HSI and the Bailiff’s Entertainment Panel

27 June 2025

​​​​The Health and Safety Inspectorate (HSI) is keen to encourage events in Jersey.  In addition to providing advice directly to event organisers, the HSI is also a member of the Bailiffs Entertainment Panel. 

Following a recent initiative it is has become apparent that there is a view that a risk assessment is required to obtain a Bailiff’s permit in order to hold an event. Whilst this is one aspect of an event plan required by the Panel, the requirement to suitably and sufficiently identify and assess the risks associated with an event, and to implement appropriate measures, is a legal requirement for all work activities under the Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law 1989. This duty in law is enduring and separate to any permit that may be issued for the event. 

The role of the HSI is to promote effective risk management of worker and public safety at events, and signpost event organisers to advice to assist their planning and management of a successful event. This includes the build-up, load in, load out and breakdown, as well as the event itself. 

HSI do not audit or approve risk assessments. It is the event organiser's responsibility to assess the risk and take any appropriate action in accordance with their legal duties. The granting of a Bailiff’s permit should not be inferred by the event organiser as sanctioning their methods of controlling risk. 

The HSI would direct all event organisers to The Purple Guide​, which is industry led guidance aimed at anyone involved in the outdoor events industry. Its aim is to help those event organisers who are duty holders to manage health and safety. 

Local guidance on health and safety at events, including advice on risk assessments can be found here Permission t​o hold a public event​  ​