Inspections coming to venues: are you ready for official checks?
After the Crans-Montana tragedy, the safety alarm has been raised in Italy too. Here’s what you need to do to avoid penalties.
On New Year’s Eve 2026, in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, the venue “Le Costellation” is packed with young people celebrating the arrival of the new year: the place is overcrowded, everyone is drinking and partying, many are underage. But no one expects what is about to happen.
Then the nightmare: because of sparkling bottles, a fire breaks out. Within seconds the flames spread, smoke floods the room and the air becomes unbreathable. The teenagers look for a way out, but to no avail. Emergency exits are not clearly marked, some are blocked: in particular, a back door that could have saved many lives is found shut and obstructed by a stool.
The outcome is devastating: 41 young people lose their lives. The youngest victim is 14. Many other youths—almost all minors—are still hospitalized in specialized burn units, hanging between life and death. This wasn’t bad luck. It was a chain of failures and non-compliance: an overcrowded venue, lack of supervision, alcohol served to minors, no emergency management, staff not properly trained. In a panic situation, made even worse by alcohol abuse, those kids had no chance of saving themselves.
This tragedy marked a point of no return for everyone. In Italy too, inspections have started and penalties have become severe to prevent further tragedies: venues have a huge responsibility towards people, and this event proved it. Today we have an important role: ensuring our customers’ safety—customers who are, first and foremost, people with lives that can be cut short in an instant.
Emergency Plan: the heart of safety
One of the main issues at “Le Costellation” was the lack of an effective evacuation plan. People didn’t know where to go, and no one was prepared to manage the situation. In Italy, the Ministerial Decree of 2 September 2021 requires employers to prepare a fire emergency plan when:
- there are at least 10 workers;
- more than 50 people are present in the venue at the same time;
- the business falls within those listed in Annex I of Presidential Decree (D.P.R.) 151/2011.
The emergency plan is not just paperwork: it’s an operational tool. It must include clear routes, clearly assigned roles, and special attention to occupants with specific needs.
Risk Assessment (DVR): assessing risks even with the public present
The Risk Assessment Document (DVR) is mandatory for every employer. It is used to identify and analyze the risks within the business, protecting workers’ health and safety. When the setting is a bar, restaurant, or public venue, the situation differs from an office or warehouse. There’s an additional factor to consider: customers.
Under Legislative Decree (D.Lgs.) 81/2008, Article 28, the risk assessment must also take into account all elements that affect staff safety—and that includes the presence of the public. In particular, you must assess:
- Venue crowding: the more people there are, the higher the risk of accidents, blocked escape routes, and difficulty managing emergencies. This also affects the amount of staff needed and the level of preparedness required.
- Interference between customers and workers: for example, a waiter working in a crowded space may trip, bump into cooking equipment, or collide with colleagues, with potentially serious consequences.
- Layout and configuration of spaces: movable furniture, systems and installations, tables too close to exits or electrical systems can pose hazards both for staff and for customers.
For this reason, the DVR cannot be generic or left unchanged for years. It must be updated based on how the venue actually operates, especially during peak hours. A well-prepared DVR is not only a legal obligation—it is the first step in preventing accidents and protecting both staff and customers.
Training and fire safety officers: knowing what to do at the right moment
The staff at the Crans-Montana venue were not prepared: no one knew how to act, and that made the difference between life and death for many people.
In Italy, every business must provide appropriate training for staff. This is not a formality: workers must know the emergency plan, be able to use fire-fighting equipment, and guide customers safely to exits. In addition, their training and on-site presence must be proportionate to the specific risk level of the activity.
The new ministerial circular: more inspections, more responsibility
On 15 January 2026, the Italian Ministry of the Interior issued Circular No. 678, which clarifies how bars, restaurants, and venues are classified for fire prevention purposes.
- Bars and restaurants are not considered public entertainment venues, unless entertainment (live music, karaoke, DJ sets) becomes the predominant activity.
- In that case, the business must be reclassified and comply with all regulations applicable to public entertainment venues.
- Even businesses not subject to D.P.R. 151/2011 must still comply with emergency planning and risk assessment requirements under the Ministerial Decree of 3 September 2021.
In the coming months, authorities will carry out targeted inspections nationwide to ensure every venue is truly safe.
Avoid fines. But above all, avoid tragedies.
If you run a bar, restaurant, pizzeria, lounge bar, or evening venue, now is the time to get compliant. Don’t wait for an inspection to catch you unprepared. And above all, don’t wait for a tragedy to strike.
We offer full support to secure your business: choose Sicurezza Online for your venue’s safety!