Guide · updated November 2026

Market risk assessment for organisers

Markets repeat every week or month, so a solid risk register and stallholder conditions save you a lot of time.

Hazard	What could happen	Before	Key controls	After
Stallholder vehicles moving among the public	Pedestrian struck	Extreme	No stallholder vehicles move between opening and close, with no exceptions · Pack-down only once the public area is clear · Stallholder conditions signed in advance	Medium
Stallholders without insurance or approvals	Uninsured injury, permit breach	High	Certificate of currency and any approvals collected before the event · Stallholder conditions and site rules signed	Low
Gazebo, marquee or temporary structure collapse or lift	Crush or impact injuries	High	Marquees installed by a competent supplier who provides an installation certificate · Gazebos weighted on every leg to the manufacturer's minimum (pegs alone are not enough on hard ground) · Wind trigger to drop or close walls · Structures checked before opening and every hour	Medium
Striking underground services when pegging	Gas, electrical or water service strike	High	Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) enquiry lodged · Venue asked about irrigation and buried services · Weights used instead of pegs near services	Low
Food not kept at safe temperatures	Food poisoning among attendees	High	Food stalls registered or notified as your state and council require, checked before the event · Hot food held at 60°C or hotter, cold food at 5°C or colder · Probe thermometer at every stall that handles high-risk food · Handwashing set-up at every food stall · Food covered and off the ground	Medium
Food allergens	Anaphylaxis from undeclared allergens	Extreme	Stalls can tell customers what is in each food and display allergen information · Staff never guess about ingredients · First aiders trained in anaphylaxis and adrenaline auto-injectors · AED and first aid post known to stallholders	High
LPG cylinders at food stalls and trucks	Gas leak, fire or explosion	High	Cylinders upright, secured and in date · Hoses and fittings checked before trading · Food trucks provide their gas compliance certificate where required · Extinguisher and fire blanket at every cooking stall · Spare cylinders stored outside stalls, away from the public	Medium
Grease and wastewater disposal	Slippery surfaces, stormwater pollution	Medium	Grey water and grease collected in containers · Nothing tipped into gardens or stormwater drains · Spill kit near the food area	Low
Electric shock from temporary power	Serious injury or death	High	Temporary installations done by a licensed electrician to AS/NZS 3002 · RCD protection on every circuit · Leads and appliances tested and tagged (AS/NZS 3760) · No daisy-chained power boards · Leads protected from water and foot traffic	Medium
Generator fumes, fuel and hot surfaces	Carbon monoxide poisoning, burns, fire	High	Generators outdoors, fenced and away from people and tents · Refuelled only when stopped and cool · Fuel stored away from heat with an extinguisher nearby	Medium
Power failure	Loss of PA, lighting and EFTPOS; unsafe darkness	Medium	Backup power or battery lighting for first aid, exits and the PA · Charged radios and megaphone · Torches for key staff	Medium

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