BBQ / Hot Cooking Risk Assessment

Primrose Weddings & Events Ltd  |  t/a The Harrogate Food & Drink Co.  |  Funky Fridays  |  Trufflehunters
Document RefRA-003
Issue DateDecember 2025
Last ReviewDecember 2025 — L. Aikman
Next ReviewDecember 2026
AssessorLinda Aikman
Applies toAll BBQ, charcoal and charcoal-free hot cooking operations

Scope: BBQ cooking at all outdoor and event catering operations including charcoal BBQs, gas-fired grills, and associated food preparation. Covers fire risk, food safety, and staff safety. Read alongside RA-002 (Outdoor Events) and RA-009 (LPG / Gas Safety).

Legislation: Health & Safety at Work Act 1974; Food Safety Act 1990; Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005; Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

Risk Rating = Likelihood (1–5) × Severity (1–5)  |  LOW 1–6 MEDIUM 7–14 HIGH 15–25

Hazards, Controls & Residual Risk

Hazard Who is at Risk L S Initial Risk Control Measures L S Residual Risk
BBQ fire — mismanagement causing fire, damage to property, injury to staff and public Staff, public236 LOW
  • BBQs set up in outdoor area with adequate clearance from structures, vehicles, and public.
  • Only trained staff to light and operate BBQ equipment.
  • BBQ attended by a member of staff at all times during operation.
  • Water fire extinguisher (or bucket of water) within 2 m of BBQ at all times. Fire blanket available.
  • No accelerants (petrol, paraffin, lighter fluid) permitted. Only approved firelighter blocks used.
  • Public exclusion zone of minimum 2 m maintained around all cooking equipment.
133 LOW
Hot ash and embers — fire risk and burns during and after cooking Staff, public224 LOW
  • Ash and cinders doused with water before disposal. Multiple waterings required — embers remain very hot for extended periods.
  • Hot ash disposed of only in approved metal ash containers — never in plastic bins or general refuse.
  • Ash containers placed on non-combustible surface away from public and vehicles.
  • BBQ grills not moved until fully cooled.
122 LOW
Undercooking — food poisoning from undercooked meat (salmonella, campylobacter, E. coli) Staff, public313 LOW
  • Only trained staff to cook BBQ food.
  • Core temperature of all cooked meat verified at minimum 75°C before service using calibrated probe thermometer.
  • Meat checked: centre must not be pink, juices must run clear when tested with a clean skewer.
  • Temperature records maintained on HGFD Contract Sheet / HACCP temperature log.
  • Food not served if temperature cannot be verified — returned to cooking until compliant.
212 LOW
Poor hygiene — bacterial spread causing food poisoning Staff, public224 LOW
  • All staff trained in and following handwashing procedure: before and during food preparation, after handling raw meat, after toilet use.
  • Protective gloves and aprons provided to all food-handling staff.
  • Staff prohibited from handling food when suffering from vomiting, diarrhoea, jaundice, or infected wounds.
  • Blue waterproof plasters on all cuts. Staff with skin infections stood down from food contact duties.
212 LOW
Cross-contamination — transfer of bacteria from raw to ready-to-eat food Staff, public224 LOW
  • Raw and ready-to-eat foods stored, transported, and prepared in separate containers at all times.
  • Colour-coded chopping boards and utensils: Red (raw meat), Yellow (cooked meat), Green (salad/veg).
  • Hands washed thoroughly after touching raw food before handling ready-to-eat food.
  • Separate sets of tongs used for raw and cooked items — never interchanged.
  • Raw meat stored at bottom of cool box / fridge so it cannot drip onto other foods.
224 LOW
Burns and scalds to staff from cooking equipment and hot surfaces Staff224 LOW
  • Heat-resistant gloves and oven gauntlets provided and worn when handling hot equipment.
  • Staff briefed on hot surface locations at start of each event.
  • First aid kit on site with burn treatment supplies. Burns treated immediately with cool running water (10 minutes minimum).
  • Serious burns: call 999 immediately.
122 LOW

Emergency Procedure — Fire