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Epilepsy and Photosensitive Seizure Risk Assessment for Events — £29
Describe your event — strobe lighting, flash effects, LED screens, venue type and audience size. We generate a fully written, UK-compliant risk assessment covering photosensitive epilepsy triggers, warning signage and emergency response in minutes.
Used by DJs, lighting technicians, festival organisers, nightclubs and wedding and event planners across the UK
⚡ Running strobe lighting at a wedding or club night? Mention the lighting rig and flash settings — we'll include seizure trigger controls, entrance signage wording and operator briefing steps specific to photosensitive epilepsy.
Legal requirements for event lighting and seizure risk
Approximately 1 in 100 people in the UK have epilepsy, and around 3 per cent of people with epilepsy are photosensitive, meaning flashing or flickering light can trigger a seizure. Where an event uses strobe lighting, rapid flash effects or high-contrast flickering visuals, organisers and operators have a legal duty to assess and manage this risk.
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 places a general duty on employers and self-employed persons to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that people not in their employment — including audiences and attendees — are not exposed to risks to their health and safety. Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of all risks, and photosensitive epilepsy is a well-recognised risk associated with strobe and flashing lighting at discos, concerts and festivals.
Venue licensing conditions and public liability insurers increasingly expect a specific, documented assessment of strobe and flash-related risks, separate from general event health and safety planning. A clear risk assessment covering trigger thresholds, signage and emergency response demonstrates that this foreseeable risk has been properly considered.
How it works
1. Describe the event
Tell us the venue type, audience size, lighting equipment (strobes, lasers, LED walls), flash rate if known, and whether it's a wedding, club night, festival or corporate event.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant photosensitive seizure risk assessment referencing the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. Share it with the venue, licensing authority or client, or keep it on file for insurance purposes. £29, no subscription.
What it covers
Every assessment is written in full — covering photosensitive epilepsy triggers specific to your lighting rig and venue.
Strobe lighting flash rate and seizure trigger thresholds
Rapid flash and high-contrast flicker effects from LED walls
Laser and projection effects affecting visual field
Audience warning signage wording and placement
Pre-event announcements and programme notices
Operator briefing and strobe cut-off procedures
Positioning of strobe units relative to audience proximity
Emergency response steps for a suspected seizure
First aid provision and communication with event medics
Crew and performer exposure during rehearsals and soundcheck
Photography and video flash effects at close range
Venue licensing and insurer documentation requirements
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 compliance
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 duty of care to non-employees
Works for
From wedding DJs to arena-scale festivals, Anyrisks covers every event using flash or strobe lighting.
What customers say
"I run strobes at every wedding I DJ. A venue manager asked for a specific epilepsy risk assessment and Anyrisks had it ready in minutes, with proper signage wording included."
Dan R.
Mobile DJ, West Yorkshire
"Our festival licence conditions now specifically require a photosensitive epilepsy assessment for the main stage lighting rig. This covered flash rates and operator cut-off procedures properly."
Chloe M.
Event production manager, Bristol
"We installed an LED wall for a club night and needed to show we'd considered seizure risk. The assessment was specific to our actual equipment, not a generic template."
Ben T.
Lighting technician, Manchester
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| MHSWR 1999 Regulation 3(1) referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| Strobe flash rate and trigger thresholds addressed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Signage wording included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Operator briefing and cut-off procedures covered | ✓ | ✗ |
| Tailored to your venue and lighting rig | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Do I legally need a photosensitive epilepsy risk assessment for strobe or flash lighting?
Yes. Under Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, event organisers, venues and self-employed DJs or lighting operators must assess risks to anyone affected by their work, including attendees. Strobe and flash lighting is a recognised trigger for photosensitive epilepsy, so a specific written assessment is expected wherever such effects are used.
What flash rate is considered a seizure risk?
Broadcast and events guidance commonly references flashes above 3 Hz (three flashes per second) as a risk threshold for photosensitive epilepsy, particularly if they cover a large area of the visual field or involve high-contrast or red flashing. Your risk assessment should record the flash rate, duration and any limiter settings on your lighting desk.
Do I need to put up warning signage?
Yes — best practice, supported by HSE guidance on managing visitor and audience risk, is to display clear signage at entrances stating that strobe lighting or flashing images will be used during the event, so attendees with photosensitive epilepsy can make an informed decision.
Does this apply to weddings and small private events too?
Yes. Many DJs use strobe and flash effects at weddings and parties. Even at small private events, the organiser or operator has a duty of care, and a written risk assessment demonstrates that the risk was properly considered — important for insurance and liability purposes.
Can I just turn the strobe off if someone has epilepsy?
Mention this as a control in your assessment — operators should be briefed to immediately cut strobe and rapid flash effects on request or if a seizure is suspected, and know basic first aid response steps while waiting for help.
Is this only relevant to large festivals and concerts?
No — it applies to any event using strobe lighting, flash photography effects, LED walls with rapid flashing content or similar, from nightclubs and festivals to school discos, weddings and corporate launches.
Does the assessment cover both audience and crew risk?
Yes — describe who is exposed (audience, performers, lighting crew, photographers) and the assessment will address control measures for each group, including operator training and safe positioning near strobe units.
How long does it take to generate?
Under 2 minutes. Describe your event, the lighting equipment used and the venue, and Anyrisks produces a complete, regulation-referenced epilepsy and photosensitive seizure risk assessment instantly.
Also see: The ultimate guide to risk assessment · Do I need a risk assessment · Risk assessment legal requirements · AI risk assessment generator