Running your own commercial kitchen comes with rigorous legislation and insurance requirements. Standards have to be met and procedures set in place to ensure the safety of employees. For example, kitchen ventilation is required to create a safe and comfortable working environment.

The cooking process generally produces large quantities of fumes, vapours and heat. Kitchen ventilation is required to safely remove and discharge these by-products to a safe external location using canopy hoods over cooking appliances and extraction fans. This is a legal requirement. Employers are also required by law to ensure that kitchen extraction systems are regularly serviced, depending on the level of usage, see below. Failure to comply with this legislation will violate your insurance policy.

Other main Health and Safety Law applicable to the catering and hospitality sector, includes:

• A safety policy and arrangements for achieving this policy, this is legally required if your business has four or more employees.
• Appoint a competent member of staff to assist with health and safety
• Assess significant workplace risks
• Train employees on the risks present and the procedures in place to prevent them.
• Carry out health surveillance where appropriate for dermatitis or musculoskeletal risks
• Set up emergency procedures for fire and gas leaks

It is employer’s responsibility to ensure that staff work in an environment where risks and their health is properly controlled. More information can be found here.

To book your next canopy hood clean and receive your insurance required certificate call us today on +44 (0)20 8681 1694 or +44 (0)77 8214 5198.