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Metal Detecting Risk Assessment — Generated Instantly for £29
Describe your dig — farmland, beach or club rally, group size, and site history. We generate a fully written, UK-compliant metal detecting risk assessment covering permission, buried services, finds reporting and lone working, in minutes.
Used by detecting clubs, rally organisers and solo detectorists across the UK
🧲 Organising a club rally? Mention group size, the field's history and whether it's farmland or foreshore, and we'll build a single assessment covering permission, buried services and public liability — not just a generic hobby form.
Legal requirements for organised metal detecting
Detecting on someone else's land without written permission is trespass, and the National Council for Metal Detecting (NCMD) and Federation of Independent Detectorists (FID) Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting in England and Wales sets out the standards clubs and rally organisers are expected to follow, including landowner agreement, restoring holes and reporting finds.
Under the Treasure Act 1996, finds that may qualify as treasure must be reported to the local coroner within 14 days, and non-treasure archaeological finds should be recorded through the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS). Digging always carries a risk of striking buried services — HSE guidance HSG47, Avoiding Danger from Underground Services, sets out how to check for cables and pipes and what to do if one is struck.
Where a club or organiser runs a rally under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, a written risk assessment covering lone working, weather, biological hazards and — on former military sites — unexploded ordnance is expected by landowners, insurers and public liability cover providers.
How it works
1. Describe your dig
Tell us whether it's solo detecting, a small group, or a club rally, plus the site type — farmland, parkland, beach or former military land — and group size. See our guide on whether you need one.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant metal detecting risk assessment covering permission, buried services, finds reporting and biological hazards where relevant to your site.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. Use it for landowner sign-off, club public liability insurance or your own rally paperwork. £29, no subscription.
What it covers
Every metal detecting risk assessment is written in full — covering the hazards specific to your site and group.
Landowner permission and the NCMD/FID Code of Practice
Buried services — cables and pipes under HSG47
Treasure Act 1996 and PAS finds reporting
Unexploded ordnance on former military sites
Lone working and isolated field locations
Weather exposure and access in bad conditions
Leptospirosis (Weil's disease) from ditches and water
Tetanus and cuts from buried sharps and debris
Uneven ground, rabbit holes and trip hazards
Livestock and electric fences on working farmland
Manual handling — digging tools and spoil
Tide times and unstable ground for foreshore detecting
Public liability cover for club rallies and events
Restoring holes and site aftercare
Works for
From solo detectorists to national rallies, Anyrisks covers every type of organised metal detecting.
What customers say
"We run a 60-person rally twice a year and the landowner now asks for a written risk assessment every time. Anyrisks covers permission, buried services and the insurance side properly."
Graham Pettit
Rally organiser, detecting club, Lincolnshire
"Our club field backs onto an old airfield so unexploded ordnance is a real concern. This was the first template that actually addressed it instead of a generic hobby form."
Sandra Whitlock
Secretary, metal detecting club, Norfolk
"Foreshore permits ask for a risk assessment covering tides and access. Ours came back referencing exactly that, plus the Treasure Act reporting steps."
Mick Fenwick
Detectorist, Thames foreshore
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers permission, buried services and finds reporting together | ✓ | ✗ |
| Treasure Act and PAS reporting referenced correctly | ✓ | ✗ |
| Unexploded ordnance procedure included where relevant | ✓ | ✗ |
| Biological hazards (Weil's disease, tetanus) specified | ✓ | ✗ |
| Suitable for club public liability sign-off | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Does this cover club rallies as well as solo detecting?
Yes — describe whether you're detecting solo, with a small group, or organising a club rally, and the assessment will include the extra controls needed for events, such as briefing attendees, public liability cover and marshalling arrivals on the landowner's field.
Does it reference the Treasure Act and landowner permission?
Yes — the assessment covers written landowner permission, the Treasure Act 1996 and Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting, and reporting finds through the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) or to the local coroner where required.
Does it cover buried services like gas and electricity cables?
Yes — digging near buried services is addressed with reference to HSE guidance HSG47 (Avoiding Danger from Underground Services), including what to do if a service pipe or cable is struck.
What about unexploded ordnance on old military land or battlefields?
Yes — describe the site history and the assessment includes the procedure for suspected unexploded ordnance (UXO): stop digging, do not move the item, mark the location and contact the police.
Does it cover Weil's disease and other biological hazards?
Yes — leptospirosis (Weil's disease) from contact with ditches, standing water or livestock, along with tetanus risk from cuts and buried sharps, are covered with the relevant hygiene and first aid controls.
Is beach and foreshore detecting covered?
Yes — describe foreshore or beach detecting and the assessment addresses tide times, Crown Estate or local permission requirements, and unstable ground near cliffs or soft sand.
Is this suitable for NCMD or FID club insurance requirements?
Yes — the assessment is written in full, referencing the relevant hazards and controls, in the format expected for club public liability insurance and landowner sign-off.
How long does it take to generate?
Under 2 minutes. Describe your site, group size and activity, and Anyrisks produces a complete, regulation-referenced metal detecting risk assessment instantly.
Also see: The ultimate guide to risk assessment · Do I need a risk assessment? · Risk assessment legal requirements · Risk assessment generator · Mudlarking & Thames foreshore risk assessment