If you run a campsite in the UK, health and safety is not optional. It does not need to be overwhelming either. Most of the basics come down to common sense, a bit of paperwork and a willingness to walk your site with fresh eyes. This campsite health and safety checklist covers the essentials that every UK site owner should have in place, whether you run a five pitch CL or a 200 pitch holiday park.

Why health and safety matters for campsite owners

You have a duty of care to everyone on your site. That includes paying guests, their children, visitors and your own staff. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957, you are responsible for taking reasonable steps to prevent harm. If something goes wrong and you cannot show that you took those steps, you could face enforcement action, insurance claims or worse.

The good news is that most campsite risks are predictable and manageable. A methodical approach keeps your guests safe, protects your business and gives your insurance provider confidence that you are running a responsible operation.

Start with a risk assessment

A risk assessment is the foundation of everything else. It does not need to be a 50 page document. For most campsites, a few pages covering the main areas of your site will do the job.

Walk your entire site and identify anything that could cause harm. Think about:

For each hazard, note who might be harmed, what you are already doing to manage the risk and whether you need to do anything else. Review your risk assessment at least once a year or whenever something significant changes on site.

If you employ five or more people, you are legally required to write your risk assessment down. Even if you are below that threshold, having it documented is good practice and your insurer will almost certainly expect it.

Electrical safety on site

Electrical hook ups are one of the most common sources of risk on a touring campsite. Faulty wiring, damaged cables and incorrectly rated equipment can cause electric shock or fire.

Hook up points

All electrical installations on your site should comply with BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations) and be inspected regularly by a qualified electrician. Hook up points should be fitted with residual current devices (RCDs) that trip at 30 milliamps. These should be tested at least annually.

Make sure every hook up post is clearly numbered and in good physical condition. Cracked housings, exposed wiring or corroded connections need fixing immediately. If you manage your parks and pitches through CampSuite, you can track which pitches have electric and ensure they are all accounted for in your inspection schedule.

Guest equipment

You cannot control what condition a guest's own lead is in, but you can refuse to connect equipment that is visibly damaged. Some sites carry out a quick visual inspection of connecting leads at check in. A laminated guide showing guests how to connect safely and what to do if the RCD trips is a worthwhile investment.

If you use CampSuite, you can include electrical safety guidance in your pre arrival messages so guests read it before they even reach their pitch.

Fire safety essentials

Fire safety on campsites is a big topic in its own right. We have a detailed fire safety guide if you want to go deeper, but here are the headline items for your checklist.

Play areas and communal facilities

If your site has a play area, it needs regular inspection. Equipment should comply with EN 1176 (playground equipment safety) and the surfacing underneath should meet EN 1177 (impact absorbing surfaces). An annual independent inspection by a qualified play inspector is standard practice.

Between inspections, carry out your own visual checks at least weekly during the season. Look for:

Communal toilet and shower blocks need attention too. Wet floors are a slip hazard, so non slip surfacing and adequate drainage are essential. Water temperatures should be regulated to prevent scalding. Legionella risk assessments are required for any system that stores or distributes water, including showers. If you are unsure about Legionella compliance, your local environmental health team can advise.

First aid and emergency procedures

Every campsite should have a well stocked first aid kit at reception or in a clearly signed location. Check it regularly and replace anything that has been used or has expired.

Consider who on your team holds a current first aid qualification. While there is no strict legal requirement for campsites to have a trained first aider on site at all times, it is strongly advisable during operating hours. A basic first aid at work course takes one day and covers the essentials.

Your emergency procedures should cover:

Write these procedures down and make sure every member of staff has read them. Display a summary at reception and in your information pack. If you manage your bookings and guest communications through CampSuite, you can attach emergency information to your booking confirmations so guests have it on their phone before they arrive.

Slips, trips and falls

This is the most common cause of injury on UK campsites. Uneven ground, loose gravel, tent ropes, poorly lit pathways and wet grass all contribute. You cannot make a campsite as smooth as a supermarket floor, but you can take sensible precautions.

After heavy rain, take a walk around the site and check for new hazards. Waterlogged areas, fallen branches and standing water on paths all need addressing quickly.

Record keeping and documentation

Good records protect you. If there is ever an incident, being able to show that you carried out regular inspections, maintained equipment and followed a documented safety procedure makes an enormous difference.

Keep records of:

An accident book is a legal requirement if you employ anyone. Even if you run the site yourself, keeping a log of incidents is wise. Note what happened, when, who was involved and what action you took.

Store these records somewhere you can find them quickly. A simple folder at reception is fine for paper records. If you prefer to go digital, many campsite owners are finding that moving to a paperless system makes record keeping far more manageable.

Make it part of your routine

Health and safety is not something you do once and forget about. Build it into your regular site management routine. A weekly walkabout during the season, a thorough review before opening each spring, and a documented annual inspection will cover most of what you need.

If you are new to running a campsite, do not let the list above put you off. Most of this is practical, common sense stuff. Start with a risk assessment, work through each area one at a time, and you will have a solid foundation in place before your first guests arrive.

For help managing the operational side of your site, from bookings and guest communications to check in tracking and invoicing, try CampSuite for free. It is designed for UK campsites and takes about 15 minutes to set up.