Home › Butcher / Meat Counter Risk Assessment
Butcher / Meat Counter Risk Assessment — Generated Instantly for £29
Describe your butcher shop or meat counter — knives, bandsaws, mincers, cold storage, slicing and customer-facing service. We generate a fully written, UK-compliant risk assessment covering every hazard in minutes.
Built for independent butchers, meat counters within supermarkets and market traders across the UK
🔪 Using a bandsaw or power mincer? Mention it — we will include machine guarding, safe stop procedures and the specific controls required under PUWER 1998.
Legal requirements for butchers and meat counters
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 places a general duty on employers to protect the health and safety of employees and anyone else who may be affected by the business, including customers at the counter. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require a suitable and sufficient risk assessment under Regulation 3(1), and businesses with five or more employees must record the significant findings in writing.
Sharp knives, bandsaws, mincers and slicing machines fall under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), which requires guarding, maintenance and adequate training for anyone using cutting and processing equipment. Cleaning chemicals used on surfaces and equipment are covered by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH).
HSE data shows that cuts and lacerations from knives and machinery, along with manual handling injuries, are among the most common causes of injury in food retail and processing. A written risk assessment helps demonstrate compliance to environmental health officers, insurers and head office compliance teams, and supports the safe, lawful running of your counter.
How It Works
1. Describe your counter
Tell us your setup — shop, market stall or supermarket counter, the equipment you use (knives, bandsaw, mincer, slicer), cold storage arrangements and staffing levels.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant risk assessment referencing PUWER, COSHH and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 where relevant.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. Display it for staff, hand it to environmental health on inspection, or file it for your compliance records. £29, no subscription.
What It Covers
Every butcher and meat counter risk assessment is written in full — covering all hazards relevant to your shop or stall.
Knife handling — cuts and laceration prevention
Bandsaw and mincer guarding and safe use
Slicing machine operation and cleaning procedures
Manual handling of carcasses, boxed meat and trays
Cold store and chiller access and condensation slip risk
Low-temperature working conditions
Slips, trips and falls on wet or greasy floors
COSHH — cleaning and sanitising chemicals
Cross-contamination controls affecting staff safety
Personal protective equipment — chainmail gloves, cut-resistant gear
Electrical safety of mincers, slicers and saws
Fire risk from electrical equipment and waste fat
Customer-facing counter hazards and queue management
Working alone during early opening or late closing
Works For
From independent butcher shops to supermarket meat counters, Anyrisks covers every type of meat retail operation.
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| PUWER guarding requirements referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| COSHH for cleaning chemicals included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Cold store and manual handling hazards covered | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers shops, stalls and supermarket counters | ✓ | ✗ |
| Knife and bandsaw safety specific to butchery | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a butcher shop or meat counter need a written risk assessment?
Yes. Under Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every employer must assess the risks to employees and others affected by the work, including customers. Any business with five or more employees must record the significant findings in writing, and food businesses are expected to document hazard controls as part of their food safety management system under Regulation 852/2004.
Does this cover knife and bandsaw safety?
Yes — sharp knives, bone saws, mincers and slicing machines are covered, including safe use, guarding, maintenance and training requirements under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).
Is food hygiene (HACCP) included as well as health and safety?
The risk assessment focuses on health and safety hazards — cuts, cold stores, manual handling, slips and equipment. For full food hygiene and HACCP documentation you will also need your food safety management system, but describe your counter setup and we will flag cross-contamination and temperature control points relevant to staff safety.
Does it cover cold store and chiller risks?
Yes — cold room access, slip hazards from condensation, and manual handling of chilled or frozen carcasses and boxed meat are included, along with controls for working in low-temperature environments.
Can it cover both a market stall and a shop counter?
Yes — describe whether you operate from a fixed shop, a market stall, a mobile van or a counter within a larger store, and the assessment will be tailored to your specific layout and customer footfall.
Is COSHH included for cleaning chemicals?
Yes — cleaning and sanitising products used on surfaces, equipment and knives are covered under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), including safe storage and use.
How long does it take to generate?
Under 2 minutes. Describe your butcher shop or meat counter setup and Anyrisks produces a complete, regulation-referenced risk assessment instantly, ready to download as PDF and Word.
Will it satisfy environmental health or insurance checks?
Yes — the assessment is written in the standard format expected by environmental health officers, insurers and head office compliance teams, with hazards, controls and legislation clearly referenced.
Also see: The Ultimate Guide to Risk Assessment · Do I Need a Risk Assessment? · Risk Assessment Legal Requirements · AI Risk Assessment Generator