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Outdoor campfire cooking session
School & Education

Open Fire Cooking Risk Assessment Template

The complete guide to creating professional risk assessments for campfire cooking, outdoor food preparation, and fire-based learning activities.

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Free to use Instant PDF download Updated February 2026

In This Guide

1 Introduction & Overview 2 Activity Benefits 3 Hazards & Control Measures 4 Safety Checklist 5 Related Guides

The essential guide to open fire cooking safety

Open fire cooking provides memorable outdoor learning experiences, teaching practical skills while connecting students to traditional cooking methods. These activities require rigorous safety planning due to the inherent risks of working with fire.

This guide covers everything you need to create a thorough risk assessment—from site selection and fire management to food hygiene, burn prevention, and emergency response procedures.

Children toasting marshmallows safely
Educational
Activity Benefits

Why open fire cooking matters

Practical Skills

Teaches practical outdoor cookery and heat management.

Teamwork

Builds teamwork through shared preparation and roles.

Safety Awareness

Reinforces safety routines for ignition and extinguishing.

Science Learning

Connects curriculum to survival skills and science of combustion.

Risk Identification

Key hazards & control measures

Burns & Fire SpreadHigh Risk
Potential Harm

Burns from flames, hot metal, sparks; fire spreading to surroundings.

Control Measures
  • Fire circle clearly marked
  • Extinguisher and water bucket ready
  • Fire gloves provided
  • No running near fire
Site SelectionHigh Risk
Potential Harm

Fire spread to vegetation, buildings; ground fire; smoke drift.

Control Measures
  • Clear area of flammable materials
  • Distance from structures
  • Wind direction checked
  • Fire base prepared
Food SafetyMedium Risk
Potential Harm

Food poisoning from undercooked food, cross-contamination, allergens.

Control Measures
  • Cooking temperatures checked
  • Separate raw/cooked areas
  • Hand washing facilities
  • Allergens clearly identified
Smoke & FumesMedium Risk
Potential Harm

Respiratory irritation, toxic fumes, visibility reduction.

Control Measures
  • Only approved fuels used
  • Open-air location
  • Asthma sufferers monitored
  • Move if wind changes

This guide covers the most common hazards. Our risk assessment wizard includes 25 hazards and 32+ control measures for Open Fire/Cooking, sourced from industry guidance — create your assessment in minutes.

Safety Checklist

Open fire cooking checklist

Site

  • Area cleared
  • Fire base ready
  • Wind checked
  • Away from structures

Safety Equipment

  • Extinguisher present
  • Water bucket full
  • Fire blanket
  • Burn first aid kit

Food Hygiene

  • Hand wash station
  • Separate utensils
  • Temps checked
  • Allergens known

Supervision

  • Ratios confirmed
  • Rules explained
  • Fire circle marked
  • Emergency plan

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