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Abstract
The Stavanger Food Festival (the Gladmatfestival) provides the empirical context for a case study on festival safety. Annually the festival gathers 250,000 participants and 500 staff involved as exhibitors and the like in a small area in the harbour area in central Stavanger. Social gatherings like this constitute significant safety challenges, as seen in the recent festival disasters in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Love Parade in Duisburg (Germany). A risk analysis of the Gladmat festival showed that drowning, exposure to fire and explosions, excessive alcohol abuse, violence, public disorder, wind damaging the tents, food poisoning and other hygiene issues were central hazards. Some conditions were also potential risk factors for goods and property. In addition, installing and removing the material structures of the festival involved high risks for accidents, human suffering and damaged properties. Over several years, a management plan was developed by external consultants to encounter these risks. While the plan was initiated by the festival, it was developed in concert with the Police being the responsible agent for emergency and rescue. The plan contributed to a learning process in the administration of the hosting municipality, which contributed by launching an online handbook with all relevant application forms needed by festival managers when applying for permission to use public space for festivals. The management plan was communicated thoroughly through the festival organisation and discussed both beforehand and every day at the staff morning meetings. It was followed strictly throughout the entire event. No serious damage was caused to visitors, exhibitors and other staff and property. This may be related to the strict loyalty to the management plan. The safety management planning and its implementation are applicable for other event organisers.