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Charity Car Wash & Fundraising Event Risk Assessment — Generated Instantly for £29
Planning a charity car wash fundraiser? Describe your event — location, volunteer ages, equipment used, public access. We generate a complete, UK-compliant risk assessment covering water safety, electrical equipment, young volunteers and vehicle movements in minutes.
Used by schools, scout groups, sports clubs, PTAs and community organisations across the UK
💧 Using pressure washers or extension leads near water? Mention it — we will include RCD protection, portable appliance inspection, and water-electricity segregation controls required under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
Legal requirements for charity fundraising events
Charity car wash events are a popular fundraising activity for schools, scout groups, sports clubs and community organisations. Despite being low-cost and volunteer-run, organisers have the same legal duties as commercial events under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. A written risk assessment is required whenever the event involves volunteers, the public or young people.
Under Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every employer (or event organiser acting in that capacity) must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of risks. For charity car washes, this includes risks from water and slippery surfaces, vehicle movements, electrical equipment near water, manual handling of buckets and hoses, and exposure to cleaning chemicals.
If young volunteers under 18 are involved, Regulation 19 of MHSWR 1999 requires a specific young persons risk assessment addressing their immaturity, lack of awareness of risk, and inexperience. The HSE states clearly that young people must not be exposed to risks that cannot be adequately controlled, even in volunteer or educational settings.
Many local councils and car park owners require event organisers to provide a written risk assessment as a condition of granting permission to use public land. Public liability insurers often request the same document. A professional, regulation-referenced risk assessment satisfies these requirements and demonstrates duty of care.
How it works
1. Describe the event
Tell us where the car wash is being held (school car park, supermarket forecourt, village hall), how many volunteers are involved, their ages, what equipment you are using (buckets, hoses, pressure washers), and whether the public can access the site during the event.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a complete, UK-compliant charity car wash risk assessment covering water safety, electrical safety, vehicle movements, young volunteers, slip hazards and all relevant health and safety regulations in under 2 minutes.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and editable Word doc. Submit it to your insurer, council or landlord, share it with parent volunteers, or file it in your event folder. £29, no subscription, money-back guarantee.
What it covers
Every charity car wash risk assessment is written in full — covering all event, volunteer and public safety hazards specific to your fundraiser.
Water safety — slip hazards, pooling water and drainage
Electrical safety — RCD protection for pressure washers and extension leads
Vehicle movements — reversing hazards, handbrake controls, public pedestrian routes
Young volunteers under 18 — supervision, competency and task restrictions (Regulation 19 MHSWR)
Manual handling — lifting water buckets, hose reels and cleaning equipment
COSHH — car shampoo, traffic film remover and chemical dilution procedures
Weather conditions — cold, wet or windy conditions affecting volunteer safety
First aid provision and emergency procedures
Public interaction — customer behaviour, children near vehicles, safeguarding
Site setup and breakdown — trip hazards from hoses and equipment
Lone working — volunteers working in isolated areas of the car park
Fire safety — petrol-powered pressure washers, fuel storage and ignition sources
Works for
From scout group fundraisers to school PTA events, Anyrisks covers every type of charity car wash and community fundraising activity.
What customers say
"We run a car wash every summer for our scout group. The council asked for a risk assessment this year and Anyrisks covered everything — young volunteers, electrical safety, slip hazards. Saved me hours."
Laura T.
Scout leader, West Yorkshire
"Our school PTA holds a car wash twice a year. The assessment included all the controls the insurance company wanted — RCD protection, parent supervision ratios, vehicle movement procedures. Professional and easy to download."
David M.
PTA treasurer, Hampshire
"We had 15 volunteers aged 14-17 washing cars in a pub car park. Anyrisks covered young person controls, public access and chemical handling. The landlord accepted it without question."
Emma R.
Sports club secretary, South Wales
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers young volunteers under 18 (Regulation 19) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Electrical safety near water fully addressed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Vehicle movement and public access controls | ✓ | ✗ |
| COSHH assessment for cleaning chemicals | ✓ | ✗ |
| Tailored to your specific venue and volunteer numbers | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a risk assessment for a one-off charity car wash?
Yes — under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, organisers must identify and manage risks whether the event is one-off or recurring. Charity status does not exempt you from health and safety law. If volunteers, especially young people, are involved, the duty of care is even higher.
Does it cover young volunteers under 18?
Yes — describe the ages of volunteers involved and we will include the additional controls required under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which mandate specific risk assessments for young persons. This includes supervision levels, task restrictions and competency checks.
Can I use it for events on private land or public car parks?
Yes — tell us where the event is being held (school car park, supermarket forecourt, village hall grounds) and we will tailor the assessment to cover public access, vehicle movements, drainage and any landlord or council permit requirements.
Does it cover electrical safety for pressure washers?
Yes — mention what equipment you are using (mains-powered or petrol pressure washers, vacuum cleaners, extension leads) and we will include RCD protection, inspection procedures, water-electricity separation and all controls required under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
Does it cover fundraising compliance and insurance requirements?
The risk assessment covers health and safety. Fundraising compliance (e.g. collections permits, data protection) is separate. However, many insurers and local authorities require a written risk assessment as a condition of event approval or public liability cover — this document satisfies that requirement.
Can I edit it after download if the event plans change?
Yes — every Anyrisks assessment is delivered as an editable Word document as well as PDF. If your volunteer numbers change, or you add a bake sale or raffle on the day, you can update the document before submitting it to your insurer or council.
Also see: The ultimate guide to risk assessment · Do I need a risk assessment? · Risk assessment legal requirements · Risk assessment generator