Event Health and Safety: Formula 1, Saudi Arabia

Background

While OPS maintains its roots in London, UK, we now have capability in countries worldwide, including the US and Middle East.

We partnered with GAG Events to support the safe delivery of multiple activations, as part of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Formula 1 Road Show.

Our team supported the client for two months on site, ensuring secure execution of the public activations designed to promote the event across the region.

This was our first time working with GAG Events, who approached We Are OPS directly with a brief for comprehensive health and safety support. Our remit covered both strategic planning and on-site presence throughout the project lifecycle, through the build, live days, and break stages of the event.

Our role focused on health and safety compliance, advisory support, and critical documentation needed for the smooth and lawful execution of each activation. We deployed our team on the ground for two months, working alongside local crews to ensure all work met professional safety standards despite the complex logistics of operating in a new territory.

Our advisors were embedded across all stages of the activations, ensuring safe practices from day one through to completion.

Challenges

Navigating Foreign Legislation: Saudi Arabian health and safety laws differ significantly from UK standards. Our team managed this by maintaining open and frequent communication with the client, translating UK compliance frameworks into local context while still meeting our own internal Health & Safety standards.
Extreme Weather Conditions: The local climate reached highs of 34°C with 89% humidity, posing risks of heat stress. We implemented a robust wellbeing plan, which included regular break scheduling, shaded rest areas, and hydration strategies for all crew members.
Sourcing Local Suppliers: With Saudi Arabia’s events sector still growing, finding reliable suppliers proved difficult. We carried out thorough supplier sourcing and vetting, ensuring that all third-party providers met both budget constraints and event experience requirements without compromising safety.