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With the devastating consequences of poor crowd management having been highlighted at large events both around the country and internationally over recent years, each of these tragic incidents reminds professionals of the importance in doing whatever possible to minimise the chances of them happening in the first place.

One suggested solution is to develop formal guidelines on crowd management.

Catherine Dunkerley, Senior Stakeholder Engagement Manager at Standards Australia explains “unfortunately, since the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Australia has had several deaths take place at mass gatherings across the country.

“These deaths, coupled with the number of other major incidents linked to crowd management, are prompting community concern to stretch into the territory of why this is all happening, and what is being done to stop it from happening in the future.

“In the absence of any national standard for crowd management, industry is forced into using international suggestions for guidance.

“For example, large sections of the industry would seek to use reference material and established guidance from Europe, in particular the United Kingdom.

“It is in this void that Standards Australia is working with stakeholders to address the clear gap in formal guidance (as) Australia currently has no standard to assist organisations around the planning and management of crowds and crowded places.”

Standards Australia has responded to concerns from the community and industry, facilitating the development of a handbook – SA HB 183 Crowd Management for Crowded Places.

This handbook aims to address the issues raised by industry and most often associated with crowds, with the following key processes of large events and crowds a focus of the documented guidance: arrival; ingress; circulation and egress and dispersal.

Dunkerley (pictured below) adds “a lack of planning and implementation before and during an event have been identified in reviews of serious incidents in the past. This is particularly evident in terms of risk assessments and emergency management procedures.”

The Standards Australia handbook is intended to provide guidance on the planning and management of crowds and mass gatherings in the following areas:

• Definitions and terminology
• Purpose of a crowd management plan
• Risk assessment and identification
• Roles and responsibilities
• Crowd demographics and behaviour
• Site design
• Communication and information
• Accessibility
• Emergency and incident management

While the handbook will be a voluntary document, the guidance will outline practical steps organisers can take to help provide a safe environment for crowds at major events, with the ultimate goal of reducing the risk of injury or, in extreme cases, death.

The next step is has already seen representatives of industry and government come together to form a committee, MB-025, to develop this handbook working towards a draft for public comment. In line with the processes of Standards Australia, before a document is published there is a period of public comment after the committee has developed a draft standard.

Dunkerley concludes “given the absence of formal national guidance in this space, there is a push to get this handbook completed as soon as possible. However, there are more conversations to take place and the broader industry, and community, will be given a chance to shape this handbook ensuring it helps deliver on expectations across the board.

“The increase in the number of large-scale events taking place is a significant catalyst to get this job done soon and to deliver on its intended safety improvements as quickly as possible.”

To get involved, or to find out more, contact Catherine Dunkerley, Senior Stakeholder Engagement Manager at Standards Australia on 02 9237 6108. 

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