Charity shop operations Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Lone working in shop or back office — Minimise lone working by scheduling at least two volunteers per shift. Where unavoidable, provide phones, panic alarms, and check-in procedures with a designated contact. Restrict cash handling when alone.
• Volunteer fatigue or strain — Rotate volunteers between light and heavy duties, encourage regular breaks, and monitor shift lengths. Provide seating for cashiers, encourage hydration, and train supervisors to recognise early signs of fatigue or stress.
• Customer parking and vehicle hazards — Mark designated parking bays, keep walkways separate from vehicles with barriers or cones, and use signage to enforce speed limits. At peak times, assign a steward to guide cars safely and prevent congestion near shop entrances.
• Slips and trips on shop floor — Keep aisles clear of stock and personal items, clean spills immediately with warning signs, and tape down loose cables. Conduct daily floor inspections and ensure all public areas are well lit to reduce risks for both customers and volunteers.
• Waste disposal from unsellable goods — Provide clear sorting guidelines, use labelled bins for textiles, recyclables, and general waste, and arrange weekly collections. Train volunteers to handle waste safely and record volumes for environmental reporting.