This Crowd Management and Patron Interaction SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled for venue and event workers who manage crowds, serve alcohol and deal with patrons. It covers 37 activities, from the pre-shift briefing and capacity checks to closing time, lock-up and emergency response, with the hazards, control measures and risk ratings before and after controls for each. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
 
Who it's for
Pubs, clubs, bars and nightclubs
Live music venues, theatres and function centres
Festival and event organisers
Hospitality venue managers and duty managers
Bar, floor and front of house teams
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Plenty of venues use one as the written risk assessment for a task, the same way others use a JSA or Safe Work Procedure.
 
Use it to
Show clients, insurers and auditors how you manage the risks
Apply for tenders, contracts and supplier panels
Get through prequalification with Avetta, Cm3 and other contractor portals
Induct new workers and train them in the task
 
What this SWMS covers
Venue capacity, exit capacity and crowd controller licensing
Pre-opening checks of exits, communications, duress alarms and CCTV
Barriers and queue lines, and new or young workers in patron contact
Entry control, ID checks, searches and refusal of entry
Crowd density, stage front surge and compression asphyxia
Noise, haze, lasers, cabling and beverage gas in cellars and cool rooms
Responsible service of alcohol, intoxicated patrons and suspected drink spiking
Verbal aggression, fights, removals and sexual harassment of workers
Cash handling and robbery, vehicles at drop-off areas and falls from balconies
Blood, bodily fluids and sharps, and keeping exits clear during trade
Evacuation, hostile acts, outdoor events, closing time and lone lock-up
Emergency response when a dense crowd blocks access for first aid and ambulance crews
 
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 37 work activities
Risk ratings before and after controls, with a 5x5 risk matrix and the hierarchy of controls
PPE requirements checklist and high risk construction work checklist
Plant and equipment list, materials and pre-opening function tests for radios, duress alarms and the PA
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS 3745 for emergency planning and AS 5034 for beverage gas
RSA and crowd controller licence requirements, plus de-escalation and evacuation training
Site specific hazards section for anything unique to your job
Worker sign-off sheet and worker consultation record
 
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing a SWMS from a blank page
Covers the most common hazards and control measures for this work, ready to use out of the box
Fully editable, so you can add, remove or change anything to suit your site and how your team works
Helps your business stay compliant, with risk ratings, worker sign-off and consultation records already set up
 
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, ABN, project and site details.
Check it suits your site and task, edit anything you need to, and consult your workers before you finalise it.
Brief your team and collect signatures.
 
Common questions
Do I need a SWMS for crowd management at a venue or event?
No. Crowd management and patron service isn't high risk construction work, so a SWMS isn't a legal requirement. You still have to manage the risks, including patron aggression and crowd crush, and a SWMS is a practical way to record how. Event organisers, insurers and prequalification portals often ask for one.
Does it cover beverage gas in the cellar?
Yes. It covers asphyxiation from carbon dioxide or nitrogen building up in a cellar, cool room or gas store, with cellar gas monitors and lines maintained to AS 5034 and training in the beverage gas procedure for cellar or cool room entry.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any hazard, control or rating, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.