Keep it safe

Oxfam cannot accept liability for accidents. Please make sure that everyone is safe while having fun and raising funds for Oxfam. Oxfam does not encourage particularly hazardous activities, such as hang-gliding, parascending, microlighting, abseiling, assault courses, or bungee jumping.

You must comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and all other relevant subordinate legislation. Remember: the Health and Safety Act applies to volunteers as well as to employees.

If you are going to be carrying money around, be vigilant about personal security. Always use a safe route and always be accompanied and/or carry a personal alarm. Make sure that noone is fundraising, working or spectating in an unsafe environment – assess the risks involved and make sure that they are eliminated or minimised to an acceptable level.

Do not allow children to ask for/collect money alone or without an adult (someone over 16 years of age). If sub-contractors or facilities (portaloos, bouncy castles etc) are used, make sure that they have the requisite experience and insurance cover.

Consider First Aid requirements. Contact your local branch of St John’s Ambulance for advice or assistance.

Consider fire safety – contact your local Fire Station.

Consider using other national sources of free health and safety advice, for example, The Health and Safety Executive
(HSE). See www.hse.gov.uk The HSE recommends that event organisers carry out a Risk Assessment. This is defined as simply ‘a careful examination of anything related to your event that could cause harm to people’, so that you can weigh up whether you have taken suitable precautions or should do more to prevent harm. For more information, including ‘five steps to a risk assessment’, visit www.hse.gov.uk/risk

Also in this section

• Keep it legal
• A–Z of fundraising ideas