Guidelines for Dance Parties - Division of Local Government - NSW ...

Guidelines for Dance PartiesINSURANCEAs a minimum, promoters must make sure that patrons are covered by a comprehensivepublic liability insurance policy, and that the building is adequately insured for dance parties,such as with industrial risk insurance. Policy holders must be sure that their policy conditionscover this type of event.Promoters of non-profit organisations should obtain personal accident insurance and directorsand volun7teers insurance to cover the organising committee and volunteer personnel at thedance party.SMOKE MACHINESSmoke making machines or dry ice fog making machines must not reduce visibility to theextent that it would make evacuation difficult. Councils may need to be notified in the developmentapplication if these machines are to be used.4. ORGANISING SECURITYDance Party SecuritySecurity to control crowds is recommended at all large public gatherings. Experience showsthat dance party crowds are not usually aggressive. Hysteria and crushing do not often occurbut dehydration is a common problem. Distressed patrons should be escorted to the first aidstation for medical attention as soon as possible.Security staff should be hired at the ratio of one per 150 patrons for these events. You shouldhave male and female security staff, especially for conducting searches and patrolling themale and female toilets. The NSW Attorney General’s Department recommends that femalepatrons are only searched by female security staff. It is important to note that security staffhave no special power of arrest beyond that of a citizen’s arrest. They have no right to searcha person’s property unless the person consents to the search or the person has been lawfullyarrested and evidence is being sought in relation to a possible charge. Searches by securitystaff should be a condition of entry. Persons seeking admittance to the dance party who refuseto consent to a search should be refused entry.The main aim of security at dance parties is to control crowds and to:◆◆◆◆◆◆remove or refuse entry to anyone who is intoxicated by alcohol or other drug use, showsaggressive or anti-social behaviour, or tries to bring drugs into, or sell or distribute drugs,at the dance party. The promoter or security staff, on discovering drugs or weapons,should immediately contact the policeavoid personal injury due to crushing, overcrowding and unruly or violent behaviourenable injured or distressed patrons to be identified and moved to safety or a first aid postprevent the overloading of structures, whether or not designed for spectator use, includingseating stands, advertising hoardings, stages, lighting and sound mixing towerskeep all exits, gangways to exits and vehicle entrances clear at all timesassist in evacuating the venue in emergencies.15