Colour Run Risk Assessment for Schools: What You Need and How to Write It

Every school event in the UK requires a risk assessment. It is not optional, and your headteacher will want to see one before approving your colour run. The good news: a colour run risk assessment is straightforward to write, and we have done most of the work for you.

This guide explains what a risk assessment is, why you need one, what it should cover for a colour run, and how to adapt our free template for your specific event.

What Is a Risk Assessment?

A risk assessment is a document that identifies the potential hazards at your event, evaluates how likely they are to cause harm, and describes the steps you are taking to reduce those risks. It is a legal requirement for events at UK schools, whether organised by the school or the PTA.

It does not need to be complicated. For a school colour run, a one to two page document covering the main hazards and your control measures is usually sufficient. The purpose is to show that you have thought through what could go wrong and have a plan to prevent it.

Who Needs to See It?

Your headteacher will need to review and approve the risk assessment before the event goes ahead. They may share it with the school's governing body, the local authority, or the academy trust depending on your school's governance structure.

Your PTA committee should also have a copy, and you may want to make it available to parents who ask to see it. Having a thorough risk assessment ready before you even approach the headteacher for approval demonstrates that you are serious and organised.

The Key Hazards for a School Colour Run

Here are the hazards you need to cover, with suggested control measures for each:

1. Colour Powder Inhalation

The risk: Colour powder is a fine particulate. Breathing in small amounts is not harmful for most people, but children with asthma or respiratory conditions could be affected.

Control measures:

• Use only cornstarch-based, non-toxic, EN71-certified colour powder.
• Volunteers briefed to toss powder at waist to chest height, never at faces or above heads.
• Bandanas or dust masks available at registration for any child who wants one.
• Parents asked to flag asthma or respiratory conditions on the consent form.
• Children with known asthma to have their inhaler accessible during the event.
• Qualified first aider present at all times.
• Event held outdoors where powder disperses naturally.

2. Colour Powder in Eyes

The risk: Powder in the eyes causes temporary stinging and discomfort but is not harmful.

Control measures:

• Children briefed before the event: if powder gets in your eyes, blink and rinse with water. Do not rub.
• Clean water and saline eye rinse available at the first aid station.
• Sunglasses offered as optional protection.
• Volunteers briefed never to throw powder directly at faces.

3. Slips, Trips, and Falls

The risk: Children running on uneven ground, or slipping on powder buildup on hard surfaces.

Control measures:

• Course walked and inspected before the event. Uneven ground, drain covers, tree roots, and other hazards identified and marked or avoided.
• Cones and hazard tape marking the route clearly.
• On hard surfaces (playground, tarmac), powder buildup swept between waves.
• Children reminded to walk if they feel unsteady.
• First aid station stocked with plasters, ice packs, and cold water.

4. Allergic Reactions

The risk: Colour powder is cornstarch-based. Children with a corn allergy could have a reaction.

Control measures:

• Consent form includes a question about corn allergies and any other relevant allergies.
• Children with known corn allergies given alternative participation options (spectating, helping with non-powder tasks).
• Safety Data Sheet available showing full ingredients.
• First aider aware of any children with known allergies.

5. Weather Conditions

The risk: Heavy rain makes the course muddy and powder unusable. Strong wind blows powder away from runners and towards spectators.

Control measures:

• Rain date identified and communicated to parents in advance.
• Weather forecast checked in the week before the event.
• Event postponed to rain date if heavy rain is forecast.
• In moderate wind, volunteers positioned on the downwind side to toss with the wind.
• In strong wind (sustained gusts), event postponed.
• In hot weather, additional water station at the mid-point of the course. Children reminded to drink water.

6. Overcrowding on the Course

The risk: Too many runners on the course at once leading to collisions or children being unable to move freely through colour stations.

Control measures:

• Runners sent in waves by year group with gaps between waves.
• Younger year groups (Reception and Year 1) run separately with smaller numbers and extra adult supervision.
• Course marshals positioned at key points to manage flow.

7. Inadequate Supervision

The risk: Insufficient adult supervision for the number of children participating.

Control measures:

• Minimum of two to four volunteers per colour station.
• At least one roaming adult supervisor on the course during each wave (not stationed, but walking the route).
• Additional adult supervision for Reception and Year 1 waves in line with the school's safeguarding ratios.
• Volunteer roles and positions assigned in advance, not on the day.

8. First Aid Provision

The risk: Minor injuries (grazed knees, twisted ankles) or reactions requiring first aid response.

Control measures:

• Designated first aid station with a qualified first aider.
• First aid kit stocked with plasters, bandages, ice packs, water, eye rinse, and paper towels.
• Location of the first aid station communicated to all volunteers and staff.
• For children with known medical conditions (asthma, epilepsy, severe allergies), ensure their individual care plans are accessible and the first aider is aware.

Risk Assessment Template Format

Your risk assessment should be presented in a simple table format. Here is the structure:

Hazard	Who Is at Risk	Likelihood (Low/Medium/High)	Severity (Low/Medium/High)	Control Measures	Responsible Person
Powder inhalation	Participants, volunteers	Medium	Low	[Your control measures]	[Name]
Powder in eyes	Participants	Medium	Low	[Your control measures]	[Name]
Slips, trips, falls	Participants	Medium	Medium	[Your control measures]	[Name]
Allergic reaction	Participants with corn allergy	Low	Medium	[Your control measures]	[Name]
Adverse weather	All	Medium	Low-Medium	[Your control measures]	[Name]
Overcrowding	Participants	Low	Medium	[Your control measures]	[Name]
Inadequate supervision	Participants	Low	Medium	[Your control measures]	[Name]
First aid incident	Participants	Low	Medium	[Your control measures]	[Name]

Add the event name, date, venue, assessor name, and date of assessment at the top of the document. Include a review date (you should review the risk assessment if anything changes before the event).

Adapting the Template for Your School

The hazards and control measures above cover most school colour runs. However, you should review and adapt the template for your specific circumstances:

• Venue-specific hazards. If your course crosses a car park entrance, you need a control measure for vehicles. If there is a pond or water feature nearby, note it. If you are using a public park, consider members of the public sharing the space.
• Additional activities. If you are adding a barbecue, bouncy castle, or other activities alongside the colour run, each needs its own hazard assessment.
• Time of day. An after-school event may have different lighting or traffic considerations than a mid-afternoon event.
• Specific children. If your school has children with specific medical needs that could be affected by the event, ensure the risk assessment accounts for them (without naming individual children in the document).

Download Our Free Risk Assessment Template

Our School Colour Run Planning Pack includes a ready-to-adapt risk assessment template with all the hazards and control measures above pre-filled. Download it, add your school's details and any venue-specific hazards, and you have a professional risk assessment ready to present to your headteacher.

The planning pack also includes parent letter templates, sponsorship forms, a budget planner, and an event day run sheet. Everything you need to organise a colour run, in one free download.

For the complete planning guide, visit our Colour Run Planning Hub.