Organise your own event

Safety advice

Fight for Sight cannot take responsibility for any injury, losses or damage caused or sustained as a result of fundraising events held in aid of Fight for Sight. It is the responsibility of the event organiser to comply with legal and safety regulations.

Set out below are some best practice guidelines to consider before organising your event so that everyone can have a safe and enjoyable time.

1) Risk Assessment

It is advisable to carry out a written risk assessment to ensure that you have proper plans for public safety at your event. The Health and Safety Executive’s website http:/www.hse.gov.uk contains details of how to do this. In practice it is a useful way of looking at what aspects of your event could cause harm and whether you have taken appropriate precautions to prevent this happening. An initial risk assessment should be prepared when the event is first planned. The assessment should be updated regularly and should consider the impact of possible inclement weather.

The five steps are:

Step 1 - Identify the hazards e.g. tripping on steps, poor food hygiene
Step 2 - Decide who might be harmed and how e.g. people attending the event, volunteers
Step 3 - Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions.
Step 4 - Record your findings and implement them.
Step 5 - Review your assessment and update if necessary. You should do an initial risk assessment when starting to plan the event, and then update it as the event gets closer e.g. may the weather affect the event.

You can download a risk assessment template form here:

2) Safety considerations

Your risk assessment will help you to consider any safety precautions that you may need to carry out to ensure the safety of your event. In particular, things to consider are:

Facilities
Ensuring that your event requirements are met through the supply of fresh water, toilets, sound and lighting systems and cover against the weather and ensuring that the premises have an appropriate evacuation plan

First Aid
Having a first aid box and someone who is a qualified first aider. At larger events you may wish to arrange for help from the British Red Cross or St John’s Ambulance.

Fire
Ensuring that appropriate fire safety precautions are in place. These could include the provision of fire extinguishers, notices and a defined fire assembly point. Your local fire brigade can offer advice.

Security
Ensuring security of people and of monies raised. You may wish to ensure the provision of lockable cash boxes and a procedure for counting and recording donations. The provision of stewards may be necessary at larger events.

Food safety
Ensuring that any food provided complies with regulations. Further details can be found on The Food Standards Agency website. External catering companies must be registered and you should ask for a copy of their licence and insurance.

Organisation and communication
Ensuring that an event organiser is in charge on the day and all of those responsible for the event can communicate easily either face to face or by electronic methods.

Because of the wide range of events that are organised it is not possible for us to cover all eventualities. If you would like to discuss these further please contact the fundraising department.

Contact the fundraising department on
020 7929 7755
events@fightforsight.org.uk