SITXEVT606
Develop crowd management plans

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop plans and procedures for the admittance, seating and dispersal of crowds to ensure the safety, security and well-being of personnel and participants. It requires the ability to use critical thinking, planning and organisational skills, combined with a detailed knowledge of risk management issues, crowd control techniques and relevant emergency procedures.

Application

This unit applies to individuals responsible for the development of plans and procedures for the management of large crowds in any industry or community context, including events.

This unit applies to managers who operate with significant autonomy and who are responsible for making a range of strategic management decisions.

The unit does not cover the specialised operational crowd management skills required by police or other security experts.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Analyse risks associated with large crowds.

1.1 Identify and evaluate crowd management regulatory constraints and requirements.

1.2 Identify and analyse general risks associated with gathering of large crowds.

1.3 Identify and analyse current and emerging situation-specific risks and assess for their impact on planning.

1.4 Inspect, or organise inspection of, venue and facilities to ensure regulatory compliance and facilitate risk assessment.

1.5 Assess need for specialised security assistance or involvement of authorities in crowd management.

2. Develop crowd management strategies.

2.1 Establish maximum limits for admission based on analysis of risks and venue.

2.2 Estimate expected crowd numbers based on historical data and current trends or attendance information.

2.3 Consult with relevant stakeholders on crowd management approaches.

2.4 Develop approaches that minimise identified risks.

2.5 Evaluate and respond to broader management constraints and issues.

2.6 Develop evaluation criteria for crowd management strategies in consultation with stakeholders.

3. Develop crowd management operational plan.

3.1 Develop and document crowd management procedures, including contingency procedures.

3.2 Determine and document resource requirements for crowd management.

3.3 Identify critical tasks and allocate responsibilities and timelines.

3.4 Develop contractor specifications as required.

3.5 Obtain approval for plan from relevant stakeholders.

3.6 Provide operational information to staff and other stakeholders.

4. Develop emergency crowd management procedures.

4.1 Develop and document procedures for managing crowds in emergency situations in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

4.2 Identify and document safety needs of special populations in emergency situations.

4.3 Implement and accurately document required practice drills.

5. Evaluate crowd management plans and procedures.

5.1 Evaluate effectiveness of crowd management, based on agreed evaluation criteria.

5.2 Incorporate outcomes of evaluation into future planning.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to consult with diverse stakeholders on management and operational issues

critical thinking skills to:

analyse risks associated with large crowds

develop appropriate crowd management strategies and procedures

literacy skills to:

interpret complex information from diverse sources

develop plans and operational documents explaining crowd control strategies and procedures

numeracy skills to work with concepts around capacity

planning and organisational skills to develop cohesive operational plans and procedures

problem-solving skills to anticipate and respond to potential crowd control risks and problems with effective strategies and procedures.

Required knowledge

types of situations that require specific crowd control planning

sources of specialist assistance in relation to crowd management and the role and scope of security services

legislation, regulation and industry codes that affect crowd management:

duty of care

emergency procedures

first aid

professional indemnity

public liability

work health and safety

risk management issues associated with gathering of large crowds and ways to manage these:

access

accident

congestion and overcrowding

crowd stress

fire

resource requirements for crowd management:

financial

human

physical:

equipment for controlling access

security technologies.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

analyse crowd risks and develop plans and procedures for crowd management in multiple and diverse contexts

determine and organise appropriate resources to address emergency situations

integrate knowledge of:

legislation, regulations and industry codes that affect crowd management

risk management issues associated with gathering of large crowds

resource requirements for crowd management.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure use of:

a real or simulated event or workplace operation for which crowd management plans can be developed

venues and sites at which crowd management would be required; these can be:

industry venues and sites

venues and sites within a training organisation

current legal and other operational information on which to base crowd management planning

stakeholders with whom the individual can interact as part of the planning process.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

evaluation of crowd management plans and procedures developed by the individual

use of case studies to assess individual’s ability to develop crowd management approaches for a range of different events or workplace situations

written or oral questioning to assess detailed knowledge of risks and factors influencing crowd management planning

review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the individual.

Guidance information for assessment

The assessor should design integrated assessment activities to holistically assess this unit with other units relevant to the industry sector, organisation and job role.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Crowd managementmay be required for:

events, including:

business and corporate

entertainment and leisure

exhibitions, expositions and fairs

festivals

fundraising

government and civic

marketing

meetings and conventions

social

sports

ongoing business operations:

attractions

performance venues.

General risksmay relate to:

access

accident

congestion:

people

traffic

crowd stress:

anxiety

asthma

fainting

mob behaviour

panic attacks

fire

overcrowding.

Situation-specific risksmay relate to:

event duration and its impact on crowd behaviour

nature of audience, e.g. youth or elderly people

nature of event, e.g. intensity and impact on crowd

special needs of audience, attendees and participants

timing, in regard to factors such as weather considerations

venue constraints and capacity.

Venue may be indoor or outdoor and may include:

aquatic environments

arenas

attractions and theme parks

gymnasiums

hotels

open spaces

restaurants

sports grounds

stadia

streets

theatres.

Authoritiesmay include:

emergency services

local government

other industry bodies, including certifying bodies

state government.

Broader management constraints and issuesmay include:

budget

factors external to the event

human resources

other staging requirements

overall event management structures

specific event objectives.

Evaluation criteriamay relate to:

absence of crowd incidents

speed and efficiency of crowd movements.

Crowd management proceduresmay relate to:

access:

aisles

barrier control

exits

restricted areas

special population needs

communication methods and protocols

emergency procedures:

first aid stations

evacuation

human resources:

location

numbers

rostering

staging set up.

Contingency proceduresmay relate to:

adverse weather

drug or alcohol-affected clients

equipment breakdown

event staff sickness

potential changes in crowd behaviour.

Operational informationmay include:

contingency procedures

emergency information:

evacuation procedures

emergency contacts

event or program information:

rosters

running sheets

schedules

venue or site information:

maps

traffic routes.

Emergency situationsmay include situations related to:

alcohol

terrorist or other threats

chemical leak or spill

drugs

natural events

equipment failure

fire

illegal entry

medical emergency

riot

stage failure.


Sectors

Cross-Sector


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.