Food trucks are becoming more and more popular — and for a good reason. These funky food vendors allow people to sell food in all sorts of places. You can express your personality by dressing up your truck and selling your spin on street food.
A mobile business is still a business — you are still required to meet New Zealand safety standards. Food truck fire safety is an area that can be overlooked. Because it isn’t a traditional working environment, people forget about workplace health and safety practices.
At Jim’s Test & Tag, we have a dedicated team of technicians who are trained in fire safety. Let us talk you through your food truck fire safety requirements.
If you are in need of any fire protection services, please get in touch.

 

Our Food Truck Safety Checklist

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA), every business has a responsibility to ensure (so far as is reasonably practicable) the health and safety of workers. You must not put others at risk while conducting your business.

To help you manage your workplace risks, WorkSafe have put together a special guide to food truck safety.

In terms of risk management, they listed the following key areas:

  • cuts
  • burns and scalds
  • lifting and carrying
  • LPG
  • confined spaces
  • vehicles

 

Burns, Scalds & Fires

This type of risk is obviously associated with all food service businesses, but the risk can be increased in a food truck. The small space and peak customer traffic periods mean that burns and scalds can become a reality.

Food truck fires can be caused by cooking mishaps where something inside the truck is caught alight, hot objects that aren’t handled correctly, and issues with electricity and gas. You need to conduct a risk assessment and manage your truck accordingly.

What can you do to implement some food truck fire safety measures?

  • Make sure your van is fitted with fire protection equipment. This includes portable extinguishers and fire blankets. Blankets are designed for cooking fires and can be used on people.
  • Make sure your fire protection equipment is in working order.
  • Install non-slip mats.
  • Use high quality cooking equipment that can withstand high temperatures.
  • Do not leave cooking unattended.
  • Ensure workers are wearing protective shoes and use gloves/mitts when using an oven.
  • Train staff on how to use extinguishers and fire blankets.
  • Have any electrical cooking appliances tested and tagged to eliminate electrical faults.

 

Every food truck is unique — your risk management strategy will be unique too.

Conduct an assessment in your space. Be thorough and identify all the hazards associated with your food truck. Once you have your list of risks, you can devise your own safety plan.
In order to comply with the HSWA, contact WorkSafe for more advice.

 

Fire Protection Services with Jim’s Test & Tag

Managing your food truck fire safety requirements is easy when you work with professionals.
Did you know that we have a whole Jim’s Fire Safety team taking care of our fire protection requirements? You can take advantage of our dual trained technicians and have your electrical and fire safety needs taken care of in one easy appointment.

Call us now or fill in the online form for a free quote.