I have been asked to do a risk assessment for a stand I'm proposing to take at a local arts festival.    

Trouble is, I have no idea what the set-up is going to be    I haven't even been given a floor plan, so no idea where my table will be in relation to other tables and entry/exits/walk areas.     Is it even possible to do a risk assessment under these circumstances?

Feeling really pee'd-off about this as the form is a generic work-related form.     #*+-!!! Safety elves!

Yes do a risk assessment based on the worst case senario then you will have all areas covered :-)

Write down all the problems that could happen and what you have or will do about it (in most cases it will be insure) but other things like making sure nothing is left where anyone can trip up or that nothing can fall should cover it. Same when you are doing dog shows you have to say it is possible that dogs may bite a person or another dog and what you will do to deal with this possible problem although you know it is not likely to happen and you have no idea what dogs will be present nor how good their handlers are.

Thanks for this ladies, you've helped me gain some perspective   :-)

The form has all sorts of inappropriate suggestions regarding factories, poisons, flammable liquids etc.   

It completely threw me, as my table (provided)  will have nothing more hazardous than some paintings to see (mounted, not framed - no glass)  and possibly watercolours, brushes, paper, and a small amount of water for me to demonstrate what I do.     If I manage to print some cards for sale, they will be the most likely hazard as they may fall from the table to the floor and brush against someone's leg whilst people are looking at them and touching them       The paintings will not be touched (I hope, but you get allsorts)   and will be further back on the table.

If your car is to be parked adjacent to your table then you need to think about that as well.

So really it is a case of making sure people can move between your table and the next ones, that the table is secure as is anything on it, the car is parked away from the table to allow people to move between it and the table and that the hand brake is properly applied and the keys are readably available. You have a basic first aid kit and a mobile phone, the number of the nearest doctor and the route to the nearest A&E. Should cover it, and 3rd party insurance if the organisers have not.

No, the one thing I have been told is that it's indoors :-)  So no car to worry about.   Now getting everything from the car to the hall, across abusy road.... that's going to be another story

Everything else is noted - thanks :-)