Rules and Risk
Safety Plans

If you have questions about when safety plans are needed, please contact the Student Life Programs Office (SLP). SLP will work with student groups and the Environment Health and Safety Office to create a safety plan. Please also take a moment to read the information contained in this section as well. General event safety guidelines can be found on the EHS Office website.

Please note: When working with the Student Life Programs Office or the Environmental Health and Safety Office to create safety plans, please be sure to contact those offices at least one week prior to your event (two weeks or more is preferred) to ensure there is adequate time to implement your event safely. Safety plans can be as simple as taping down wires and cords or as complicated as drafting a plan with the Safety Office and having a fire marshal attend the event.

When safety plans are needed
There are a number of factors that influence when a safety plan should be created. Those factors include:
• Activities or events where the number of people attending exceeds 99
• Any event involving open flames, heat sources and/or combustible materials
• Any event or activity taking place at an unsafe height or depth
• Activities or events where vehicles or watercraft will be constructed
• Events where regulated materials, in any amount, will be used, stored or transported
• Activities or events where temporary structures or event tents will be used
• Events or activities that will take place off campus and/or in rural areas
• Any event where recognized health, safety or environmental concerns will be present
• Events or activities in foreign or off campus locations.

Please note: If traveling abroad, please refer to the Out-of-state or international travel section of this website.

Safety plan tips
Be sure that the space you have selected for your event has an appropriate number of exits for the number of attendees. The Guidebook to Planning Events has a list of the major event spaces on campus as well as the maximum number of people allowed in those spaces.

When creating a safety plan, include the purpose of your event, what you plan on doing and how that outcome will be achieved. Also address any potential crisis, injuries or dangers inherent to your activity. You can work with Student Life Programs and Environmental Health and Safety to develop strategies to avoid dangerous situations or ways to deal with concerns as they arise, including issues such as communication in case of an emergency, first aid/emergency medical attention and contingency planning.

It is recommended that event organizers, prior to the start of a show or activity, point out necessary safety procedures including the location of all exits. This is particularly important for events with 50 or more attendees (Required for groups of 100 or more).