Mobile Coffee Shop Health and Safety Templates and Documents.

Take charge of health and safety in your Mobile Coffee Shop with our simple templates

Simplify health and safety management in your mobile coffee shop, coffee van, or mobile cafe with our editable templates, created specifically for mobile coffee businesses. These practical documents help mobile coffee shop owners stay compliant and protect staff, customers, and contractors from everyday risks in a mobile service environment.

Many templates come pre-filled with detailed, industry-relevant content — from mobile coffee shop risk assessments and fire safety checklists to health and safety policies and compliance documents — making completion quick, accurate, and stress-free. With our ready-to-use tools, you can focus on serving your customers and growing your mobile hot-drink business while maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance.

Shop Mobile Coffee Shop Health and Safety Templates
Customer holding takeaway coffee cups bought from a mobile coffee shop.

Grounds for Compliance: Why Health and Safety Matters for Mobile Coffee Shops

The appeal of a mobile coffee shop may lie in the aroma of fresh espresso and the convenience of coffee on the go, but behind the serving hatch sits something just as important: a solid approach to health and safety. From protecting your staff to meeting compliance requirements, a mobile coffee shop’s dedication to safety is what keeps the business running smoothly.

Staff and Customer Safety

Mobile coffee shops are compact environments filled with hot liquids, steam, sharp utensils, gas cylinders, and electrical equipment. The wellbeing of employees is essential not only to prevent accidents but also to build confidence and maintain productivity. At the same time, customer safety must remain a top priority — from keeping serving areas clean and allergen information clear, to ensuring that slips, trips, and burns are minimised. A strong safety culture keeps both staff and customers protected while enhancing the overall experience.

Compliance Made Simple

Health and safety laws are not optional; they are binding obligations. Non-compliance can result in fines, enforcement action, or even business closure. For mobile coffee shops and coffee vans, tools such as risk assessments, fire safety checks, and health and safety policies are essential for demonstrating compliance and managing risks effectively. Keeping documentation accurate and up to date not only satisfies legal duties but also provides peace of mind for owners and managers.

Protecting Your Reputation

In today’s digital world, one negative incident can damage a business overnight. News of poor hygiene standards, unsafe practices, or customer accidents can spread quickly through online reviews and social media. A commitment to strong health and safety practices protects your brand from bad publicity and builds trust with your customers — encouraging repeat visits, event bookings, and long-term loyalty.

Proactive Safety Tools

Effective safety management is about prevention, not reaction. Regular staff training, visible safety signage, and up-to-date risk assessments form the foundations of safe daily operations. Routine inspections and a culture of accountability ensure hazards are spotted and resolved before they escalate. To make this easier, we’ve created ready-to-use compliance documents designed specifically for mobile coffee shops, coffee vans, and mobile cafés. These tools help you maintain high standards of safety while focusing on what you do best — serving great coffee and building customer loyalty.

Shop Mobile Coffee Shop Health and Safety Templates
  • Hot steam coming from a coffee machine.

    Burns and Scalds from Hot Liquids and Steam

    Coffee vans operate with boiling water, steam wands, and espresso machines — all capable of causing severe burns and scalds to staff and customers. Preventative measures include using insulated cups with secure lids, training staff in safe handling of hot drinks and equipment, fitting protective guards, and keeping serving hatches positioned at safe heights to avoid accidental contact.

    View Products 
  • A mobile coffee shop owner carrying a gas canister.

    Fire Risks in Mobile Units

    The combination of LPG cylinders, electrical appliances, and hot equipment makes fire one of the most serious risks in mobile coffee shops. A fire can spread rapidly in a confined van or trailer, endangering staff, customers, and the public. Mitigation includes carrying out a fire risk assessment, ensuring extinguishers are available and serviced, training staff in emergency shutdown procedures, and storing flammable materials safely away from ignition sources.

    View Products 
  • A woman using hand sanitiser in her mobile coffee shop.

    Hygiene and Allergen Management

    Unsafe food handling, poor cleaning practices, or inadequate allergen control can lead to food poisoning or allergic reactions for customers and even staff. Mobile coffee shop owners should implement strict hygiene routines, train staff in allergen awareness, maintain correct refrigeration for milk and perishables, and display allergen information clearly. A mobile coffee shop risk assessment can help standardise these controls.

    View Products 
  • Improve safety

    Health and safety at work is about preventing accidents, incidents and ill-health by assessing the work environment, the activities within it, and taking appropriate action.

  • Ensure compliance

    Our ready to use templates, many of which are pre-filled, will enable you to quickly increase your compliance to health and safety laws and regulations.

  • Save money

    With health and safety consultants often charging upwards of £400 per day, there is a better way. Take control and save yourself time and money.

A mobile coffee vendor brewing coffee for a customer.

Overcoming the Compliance Challenges of Mobile Coffee Shops

Running a mobile coffee shop, coffee van, or coffee trailer means juggling multiple responsibilities at once. From managing stock and serving customers to keeping equipment running smoothly, the daily pressures can easily push health and safety compliance further down the list than it should be.

For many small to medium-sized mobile coffee businesses, finding the time and resources to fully implement and maintain safety measures can feel overwhelming. The need to keep revenue flowing and customers happy often takes priority, but leaving compliance on the back burner can create risks that have serious long-term consequences.

At easyhealthandsafety, we take the grind out of compliance for mobile coffee vendors. Our ready-to-use templates and guidance are designed to be practical, affordable, and simple — helping you protect your staff, customers, and reputation without losing focus on your business growth.

Shop Mobile Coffee Shop Templates

Frequently Asked Questions

Mobile Coffee Shop Health and Safety FAQs

What needs to be included in a mobile coffee shop risk assessment?

A mobile coffee shop risk assessment should cover all significant hazards that could harm staff, customers, contractors, or the public.

Key areas to include are fire risks, LPG and gas safety, carbon monoxide, hot liquids and steam, pressurised systems, electrical safety, food hygiene and allergens, slips and trips, manual handling, lone working, and young or inexperienced workers. Each hazard must identify who may be harmed, the risks involved, and the control measures in place. Our Mobile Coffee Shop Risk Assessment Template is pre-filled with industry-specific hazards and ready-to-use controls, making it quick and simple to adapt to your own business while staying compliant.

How can I create a risk assessment for my mobile coffee shop business?

You can create a risk assessment by identifying hazards, assessing who may be harmed, deciding on control measures, and recording your findings.

For mobile coffee shops, hazards include fire risks, hot liquids, LPG and electrical safety, slips and trips, food hygiene, and manual handling. Writing a risk assessment from scratch can be time-consuming, which is why our Mobile Coffee Shop Risk Assessment Template is pre-filled with detailed, industry-specific content. It provides a clear framework you can edit to suit your exact setup, saving you hours while ensuring compliance.

What are the fire safety requirements for a mobile coffee shop, coffee van or trailer?

All mobile coffee businesses must have a fire risk assessment in place.

You must ensure fire extinguishers are fitted, regularly serviced, and appropriate for different fire types (e.g. CO₂ for electrics, foam for flammable liquids). Staff should be trained in using them and in emergency shutdown procedures for gas and electrical supplies. A written Fire Risk Assessment is required by law and demonstrates compliance. Our Fire Risk Assessment Template & Essential Fire Safety Template Bundle provides everything you need to stay prepared and compliant.

Do I need a health and safety policy for my mobile coffee shop?

Yes, if you employ five or more people you must have a written health and safety policy.

A Health and Safety Policy sets out your commitment to staff and customer safety, outlines responsibilities, and details how risks will be managed. Even if you have fewer than five staff, having a written policy helps show professionalism and good practice. Our editable Health and Safety Policy template can be adapted quickly for mobile coffee shops and vans.

How do I manage LPG and gas cylinder safety in my coffee van?

Gas safety is one of the most important aspects of mobile coffee operations.

You must ensure LPG cylinders are stored upright, connected safely, and inspected regularly by a competent engineer. Gas appliances should be serviced annually, and staff trained in connecting, disconnecting, and checking for leaks. Including this in your Mobile Coffee Shop Risk Assessment is essential. Our template already contains LPG safety measures, saving you time and ensuring compliance.

What are the rules on food hygiene and allergens for mobile coffee vendors?

Food hygiene law requires you to keep food safe and manage allergen risks effectively.

Mobile coffee vendors must register as a food business, keep preparation areas clean, maintain refrigeration for milk and perishables, and display allergen information clearly. Staff must be trained in allergen awareness. Our Mobile Coffee Shop Risk Assessment Template includes hygiene and allergen safety measures, saving you time and ensuring compliance.

Do I need COSHH risk assessments for cleaning chemicals in my coffee van?

Yes, COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) applies to cleaning products and other chemicals.

Even basic cleaning sprays and sanitisers can cause skin irritation or respiratory issues if misused. A COSHH Risk Assessment ensures you identify hazards, provide correct PPE, and train staff properly. Our COSHH Risk Assessment templates include pre-filled examples for common substances used in mobile coffee vans such as bleach, disinfectant, detergent, and even hand gel helping you stay compliant with regulations.

How do I report accidents in a mobile coffee shop?

All accidents must be recorded, and some must be reported under RIDDOR.

Keeping accurate accident records protects your business and helps identify trends. Staff should know how to record accidents and near-misses. If an incident involves serious injury, hospital treatment, or gas incidents, you may need to report it to the enforcing authority. Our Accident Report Form Template provides a professional and compliant way to document and log incidents.

What training do staff need to work in a mobile coffee shop?

Staff need training in food hygiene, fire safety, manual handling, and allergen awareness.

Training should also cover safe operation of equipment the business uses such as espresso machines, LPG handling, cleaning procedures, and first aid. Documenting training is also essential to prove compliance. Completing a Risk Assessment for your Mobile Coffee Shop will highlight an training needs so you can take action an boost your health and safety compliance.

Do I need to assess risks for young or inexperienced workers in a mobile coffee shop?

Yes, extra care must be taken with young or inexperienced staff in mobile coffee shops.

They are more likely to make mistakes, misuse equipment, or overlook hazards. Employers must provide additional supervision, training, and restrict high-risk tasks such as handling gas cylinders. Our Young Workers Risk Assessment Template includes this hazard with ready-to-use control measures, making compliance easier.

How often should health and safety documents be reviewed in a mobile coffee shop?

You should review risk assessments and policies at least annually, or sooner if changes occur.

If you buy new equipment, change your setup, or an incident happens, your documents must be updated. Regular reviews ensure ongoing compliance and keep staff safe. Our Mobile Coffee Shop Health and Safety Template Bundle comes with editable templates that can be updated quickly, so your paperwork always reflects current operations.