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Catering Equipment Safety

Westminster City Council undertake a number of projects each year to assist food businesses with various aspects of food hygiene and health and safety to help them comply with the law. This year we are focusing our attention on catering equipment used within the catering establishment.

The reason for the project is that it is a legal requirement for all catering equipment that was provided for use in a caterer's premises after 31^st December 1992 to have a specific mark (known as a “CE” mark).  This is usually located next to the manufacturer’s details and looks like this:

Even equipment supplied before this date must still be safe for use although it will not need to have the mark shown above.

It is important to note that in addition to this equipment being illegal, it is highly possible that it is unsafe and may lead to a number of problems including carbon monoxide poisoning, explosion and even death.

It is in your interest to check all of the equipment used in your business for the presence of the “CE” mark mentioned above.  If you find any equipment without this mark you should take it out of service and contact this department as soon as possible for further advice.

There are a number of reasons why your equipment might not be CE marked, they are as follows:

1. Imported into the country by the business and not bought from a reputable supplier. Equipment such as rice cookers from China are not CE marked nor are spice grinders from India.
2. The equipment may have been purchased before 1992.

Following are some of the problems you may experience if your equipment is not CE marked

1. If a gas appliance is not CE marked then it cannot be installed, serviced and maintained by a CORGI engineer. All gas appliances must be serviced on a yearly basis.
2. If an electrical appliance is not CE marked, it cannot be repaired or maintained by an NICEIC electrician.

CORGI is the body responsible for gas engineers and all engineers should be registered with them. It is also important that if you are having an engineer work on any catering appliances that they are appropriately registered and qualified to work on these types of equipment. You can find a CORGI engineer in your area on www.trustcorgi.co.uk.

NICEIC is the body responsible for electricians and you can also search there website to find an electrician in your area www.niceic.com.

Appliances without a CE mark

Poor Combustion
This picture shows poor combustion, this can lead to a build up of Carbon Monoxide in the air which can lead to dizziness of the people in the area, headaches and possibly death.

Lack of Cleaning & Maintenance
This picture shows equipment that is not being kept clean and not maintained on a regular basis. A build up of dirt, grease and other factors can lead to fire and possibly explosion.

Dangerous Wiring
One of the other problems associated with equipment in food businesses is that the electrical wiring is not maintained and updated and can end up looking like this. There is a high risk with electric shocks and electrocution with this.

Spice Grinder
This is a spice grinder which has been imported into this country from India - it is unsafe as there is no guard to protect the user’s hand. Similar products with safety features can be bought in the UK.