Parades, a cherished staple of the holiday season, come with risks that their organizers need to manage.
They come with moving vehicles and floats with large numbers of passengers, animals, roads that need to be closed and railroad crossings to consider. Throwing candy from floats is a commonplace danger, since it can open the possibility of children being struck by parade vehicles while trying to retrieve the candy.
Here are some topics to consider in the parade planning process:
Determine who is in charge of the parade.
When considering legal liability, organizers need to distinguish in the planning process and in communicating about the parade whether the event is sponsored by the city, or by another entity. If a parade injury or accident occurs, courts will determine who is at fault, and who has to pay, by reviewing facts of how the parade was organized, and whether the accident was preventable.
Develop a safety plan, and include first responders.
Taking reasonable steps to address safety goes a long way toward providing the city a defense against possible parade claims. Completing a parade checklist before the parade will demonstrate that the city acted reasonably by documenting all steps taken to address parade safety concerns.
In the planning process, be sure to include all relevant municipal officials and staff, including those involved in permitting as well as law enforcement and emergency response personnel, who can help identify dangers, and who can develop and implement an effective safety and traffic control plan.
In cases where a parade will cross railroad tracks, be sure to contact railroad officials during the planning process.
Plan staging areas and the parade route.
Identify staging areas for participants and determine where traffic barriers and street closings are necessary. Refer to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, available through the Federal Highway Administration’s website at www.mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov. Walk the parade route to check for hazards that need to be addressed.
Set rules for participants and floats, and emphasize safety.
Develop a parade policy outlining guidelines and rules, and include it with the application to participate. Appoint a parade coordinator to be responsible for providing the parade policy to participants and ensuring compliance. Include a waiver of liability in the application.
Develop a guideline for floats to include appropriate body support, seatbelts or handrails to keep participants safe. Include guidelines for railings and float material. Make sure that all vehicles participating in the parade have insurance, as required by the state of South Carolina and be in sound mechanical condition. Require drivers to have a valid driver’s license.
In the parade rules, consider prohibiting participants from throwing any items. Instead, require candy and other items to be handed to the crowd at the curb to prevent spectators from running into the roadway. Prohibit participants from smoking and consuming alcoholic beverages as well. Organizers will also need to communicate these rules during the lineup process just ahead of the parade.
For questions on managing parade risks, contact the Municipal Association’s Risk Management Services Loss Control department at losscontrol@masc.sc.