Gas and electrical safety for traders
Gas equipment must be installed and repaired by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and mobile units often run on LPG cylinders. For electrical kit, the HSE says portable appliance testing is not a legal requirement, but equipment must be kept in a safe condition, and simple checks for damage help.
Gas appliances
The HSE says anyone installing or repairing gas equipment must be Gas Safe registered. Ask to see the engineer's Gas Safe ID card and check the dates on it. The HSE gives annual inspection by a competent Gas Safe registered engineer as a reasonable minimum, and says to follow the manufacturer's schedule too.
LPG and mobile units
The HSE notes that mobile units such as burger vans and travelling barbecues usually run on LPG cylinders. Its guidance says competent staff can do routine jobs such as changing an LPG cylinder or hose, while installing and commissioning plug-in appliances needs a Gas Safe engineer. Use only proprietary, approved blowtorches, because the HSE says homemade ones are not acceptable.
Signs of a fault
The HSE advises training everyone who uses gas equipment to spot faults:
- Damaged pipework or connections.
- Missing restraints on mobile equipment.
- Faulty flame supervision devices.
- A smell of gas.
If an engineer classes an appliance as At Risk or Immediately Dangerous, do not use it.
Carbon monoxide
The HSE says domestic carbon monoxide alarms are not normally suitable for commercial kitchens. It describes alarms as warning devices, with good ventilation and regular servicing as the main safeguards. If you cook in an enclosed space such as a trailer, ask the organiser and your engineer what is expected.
Electrical equipment
The HSE says the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical equipment that could cause injury to be maintained in a safe condition. HSE's FAQ says the regulations do not make inspection or testing of appliances a legal requirement, and that the right frequency depends on the equipment and where it is used.
Simple user checks
The HSE describes a brief user check as a useful part of a maintenance routine. Before you plug anything in, look for damage to the plug and cable. Many organisers ask for evidence of PAT testing anyway, so check the trader terms and ask your supplier for test records on kit you hire or buy second-hand.
Link to your other paperwork
Include gas and electrical hazards in your stall risk assessment and your fire risk assessment.
Ask the organiser how power is supplied and what you may plug in. Keep leads off the ground where people walk, use cable covers and avoid daisy-chaining extension leads. If you hire generators or lighting, check them for damage when they arrive, as the HSE recommends a simple visual check on new equipment.
- Check cables and plugs for damage.
- Check hoses and connections on gas appliances.
- Confirm your last gas inspection date.
- Pack the engineer's record and any test records with your insurance certificate.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Gas Safe engineer to check my catering equipment?
The HSE says anyone installing or repairing gas equipment must be Gas Safe registered, and recommends inspection and maintenance by a Gas Safe registered engineer, with annual inspection as a reasonable minimum.
Is PAT testing a legal requirement for traders?
The HSE says the law does not make inspection or testing of electrical appliances a legal requirement. Equipment must be maintained in a safe condition, and organisers often ask for PAT records.
Can I change an LPG cylinder myself?
The HSE says competent staff who are not Gas Safe registered can do routine tasks such as changing LPG cylinders and hoses, while installing and commissioning plug-in appliances needs a Gas Safe engineer.
Do I need a carbon monoxide alarm in my catering trailer?
Ask the organiser and your Gas Safe engineer. The HSE says domestic alarms are not normally suitable for commercial settings, and that ventilation and servicing are the main safeguards.
Commercial gazebos for professional traders
Insurance, safety and organiser checks all start with sound kit. Gala Tent makes commercial gazebos for traders who work events week after week.
Useful pages on our sister sites
Event Industry Trader is published by Gala Tent. These pages from Gala Tent and the wider Gala group go further on the kit, branding and payments covered here.
Where to check the rules
Rules vary by council and by event. Confirm requirements with the organiser and the relevant authority before you act.