Catering Risk Assessment and Risk Management

In the hospitality industry, managing risks is key to keeping operations safe and running smoothly. Regardless of the type of catering business you run, it’s likely you’ve encountered some unexpected complications. One common issue is last-minute cancellations.

A comprehensive catering risk assessment is essential for identifying and mitigating potential health and safety risks. This process helps protect your employees, customers, and the business.

What is a Catering Risk Assessment?

A catering risk assessment involves identifying potential hazards that could pose risks in a catering environment. This includes evaluating the likelihood and severity of these risks. Additionally, it involves implementing measures to minimise or eliminate them.

For a business owner, carrying out regular risk assessments is not only a best practice. It is also a legal requirement to ensure that their businesses comply with health and safety law.

Key Areas of Health and Safety Risks

1. Food safety hazards

Contaminated food can cause serious health issues. Assessing food preparation, storage, and handling processes is crucial to avoid cross-contamination. It also ensures compliance with hygiene standards. To manage food hygiene and safety procedures in your food business, you should follow Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles.¹

2. Workplace injuries

Common hazards in catering include slips, trips, burns, cuts, and injuries caused by heavy lifting or repetitive tasks. Identifying and addressing these risks protects employees and reduces potential liability.

3. Fire safety

Kitchens are high-risk areas for fires due to open flames, electrical equipment, and flammable materials. A detailed safety policy must include measures to prevent and respond to fire hazards.

4. Chemical risks

Cleaning products and other chemicals used in catering can pose risks if not stored or handled correctly. Assessments should ensure proper labelling, storage, and training for safe use.

5. Staff shortages

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were 112,000 vacancies in hospitality at the end of 2023, down from 147,000 the year before.² To ease the impact of staff shortages, consider cross-training your team. This helps them build the skills and confidence to take on different roles, if necessary.

Developing a Safety Policy

A robust safety policy should detail the procedures for:

• Conducting risk assessments.
• Reporting incidents.
• Implementing corrective actions.

The policy should also be communicated to all staff. This ensures they have the necessary knowledge and training to identify and mitigate hazards.

Ensuring Businesses Comply with the Law

To ensure businesses comply with health and safety law, business owners must stay informed about relevant regulations. Regular audits and updates to risk assessments ensure that the company meets legal requirements. They also help the business adapt to changes in the operational environment.

Under the law, food business operators must ensure that food handlers receive proper supervision and training in food hygiene relevant to their specific roles. The Food Standards Agency training equips staff to handle food safely.³

Site-specific assessments

Each catering site has unique characteristics and potential hazards. By conducting site-specific catering risk assessments you can adopt solutions that are relevant to the location. This approach ensures that risks are managed effectively and that all health and safety risks are accounted for.

Insurance

You probably already have a business insurance policy. However, it’s a good idea to double-check if it covers you for unexpected events that might interrupt operations.

It’s also worth consulting with insurance providers to see if options are better tailored to your business needs. Click here to find out more.

Sources

1. food.gov.uk/hazard-analysis-and-critical-control-point-haccp
2. thecaterer.com/hospitality-job-vacancies-fall-pre-pandemic-levels
3. food.gov.uk/food-hygiene-for-your-business