Cooking on Fire Risk Assessment Template
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.
Begin straight away; create a free account later if you want to save.
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
- Links fire, fuel, and environmental awareness through natural resource use.
- Teaches cooking fundamentals like heating, flipping, and timing using open flames.
- Engages all five senses in a rich, real-world context.
- Encourages responsibility for cleanliness, hygiene, and preparation of ingredients.
- Develops teamwork as children take turns managing cooking stations or food items.
Typical hazards & measures
- 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.
- Low adult-to-child supervision — Staff-to-student ratios are maintained at all times, with experienced leaders ensuring close supervision and appropriate support based on the activity and group needs.
- Sloped or uneven ground — Children help choose a level cooking site and remove rocks or branches. If seated, they check that logs are stable and spaced safely from the fire.
- Hot embers left after cooking — Children are involved in fire dousing: stirring, checking steam, and confirming with an adult before leaving.
- Food poisoning — Children are taught to store, prep, and cook food hygienically. Cold food is kept chilled, hands are washed before handling, and a thermometer is used to check safe cooking temps.
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.
