Cooking on Fire Risk Assessment
Create a professional, comprehensive risk assessment for cooking on fire in forest schools settings. Tailor hazards and measures to your needs and download a professional PDF. Add your own branding.
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What this covers.
This template focuses on typical risks and controls for cooking on fire in forest schools settings. You can add, remove or adapt items to match your context.
Potential benefits
- Teaches cooking fundamentals like heating, flipping, and timing using open flames.
- Builds practical skills and confidence by teaching safe fire-starting techniques using natural materials and tools.
- Develops teamwork as children take turns managing cooking stations or food items.
- Encourages responsibility for cleanliness, hygiene, and preparation of ingredients.
- Engages all five senses in a rich, real-world context.
Typical hazards & measures
- Wandering away from cooking area — Group stays within a defined boundary. Children are given roles (e.g. wood collector, cook, helper) to keep engaged. Regular check-ins ensure all are present.
- Cooking near animal droppings or fungi — Site is checked together and any hazards are flagged. Children are taught how to spot and avoid droppings or unfamiliar growths.
- Clothing catching fire — Children wear fire-safe clothing: sleeves rolled up, scarves off, hair tied back. Before cooking, a visual check is done in pairs.
- Tripping around fire — Logs or mats provide stable, evenly spaced seating. Children are taught to walk, not run, and always step out and around the circle. Children keep the cooking area tidy and help create clear walkways. Fuel is stacked to one side, and unused gear is put in a designated safe zone.
- Uncontrolled fire behaviour — Contain fires in a fire bowl or small pit with a cleared safety zone. Teach children to add fuel in small amounts and avoid damp or pitch-heavy wood to reduce sparks. Remove wet stones from the fire base before lighting. Only use safe, dry, seasoned wood and approved natural materials to avoid toxic fumes. Monitor flame size continuously and pause cooking if flames become too high. Keep fire safety equipment, such as water and fire blankets, within reach.
How to use this template
- Click Create Risk Assessment: Cooking on Fire to begin immediately.
- Review suggested hazards and measures, then tailor as needed.
- Download your PDF. Create a free account if you want to save.
FAQ
Do I need an account to start?
You can begin filling out your risk assessment straight away. Create a free account if you want to save your work.
Can I download a PDF?
Yes - download a clean, professional PDF at the end.
Can I edit a saved assessment?
Yes, personal and unlimited members can edit saved assessments from the account dashboard.
