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Mobile Shop / Trading Van Risk Assessment — Generated Instantly for £29
Describe your vehicle, where you trade, and how you serve customers. We generate a fully written, UK-compliant risk assessment covering vehicle safety, parking, setup and public interaction in minutes.
Built for mobile shop operators, trading van owners and independent mobile retailers across the UK
🚐 Trading in laybys or at the roadside? Mention it — we'll include specific controls for vehicle positioning, visibility, hazard signage and pedestrian safety around moving traffic.
Legal requirements for mobile shop and trading van operators
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, anyone running a business — including one operated from a vehicle — has a duty of care to employees, customers and members of the public. Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of all work activities, which for mobile trading includes driving, parking, setting up, serving and packing down.
Mobile traders face hazards not covered by static shop risk assessments: positioning the vehicle safely near traffic, manual handling of stock and equipment in a confined space, slips and trips around the serving area, and risks from on-board gas, electrical or refrigeration equipment. Where a vehicle operates on public roads or verges, drivers are also subject to the Road Traffic Act 1988 and should ensure the vehicle is roadworthy and safely parked at every trading location.
Local authorities issuing street trading licences, and landowners granting pitch permission for retail parks, events or private land, commonly require evidence of a written risk assessment before granting consent. A clear, regulation-referenced document also demonstrates good practice if an incident occurs or an HSE inspection takes place.
How it works
1. Describe the operation
Tell us about your vehicle, where you trade (laybys, retail parks, housing estates, events), how you serve customers, and any gas, electrical or refrigeration equipment on board.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant risk assessment referencing the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and relevant road and vehicle safety considerations.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. Submit it with your council pitch application, give it to a landowner, or keep it on file for inspection. £29, no subscription.
What it covers
Every mobile shop and trading van risk assessment is written in full — covering vehicle, parking and public safety hazards.
Safe parking and positioning near moving traffic
Vehicle visibility — hazard signage, cones and lighting
Serving customers from a hatch, side door or counter
Queue management and pedestrian safety around the vehicle
Manual handling of stock, trays and equipment in confined space
Slips and trips around steps, hatches and serving areas
On-board gas appliance and carbon monoxide risk
Generator and electrical equipment safety
Refrigeration unit safety and ventilation
Fire risk from cooking, heating or gas equipment
Loading and unloading stock safely
Driving and vehicle roadworthiness checks
Security of cash and stock while trading
Lone working while trading at remote or roadside pitches
Works for
From mobile grocers to roving retail vans, Anyrisks covers every type of mobile trading operation.
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers vehicle parking and traffic safety | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers serving customers from a vehicle | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers on-board gas and refrigeration risk | ✓ | ✗ |
| Accepted for council pitch/licence applications | ✓ | Sometimes |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Also see: The Ultimate Guide to Risk Assessment · Do I Need a Risk Assessment? · Risk Assessment Legal Requirements · AI Risk Assessment Generator
Do I need a risk assessment for a mobile shop or trading van?
Yes — if you employ anyone, Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR) requires a suitable and sufficient risk assessment covering the driving, parking, setup and serving activities involved in mobile trading. Even sole traders with no employees benefit from a written assessment, as councils, site owners and landowners routinely ask to see one before granting pitch permission.
Does this cover parking and roadside safety?
Yes — describe where you typically trade (laybys, retail parks, housing estates, events) and the assessment will include controls for safe parking, visibility to other road users and pedestrians, use of hazard warning signage, and safe positioning of the vehicle to protect both customers and staff from passing traffic.
What about serving customers from a hatch or side door?
The assessment covers risks specific to serving from a vehicle, including slips and trips around the serving area, queue management, manual handling of stock and equipment in a confined space, and customer safety around the vehicle while loading or unloading.
Does it cover gas, electrical or refrigeration equipment on board?
Yes — if your van carries gas appliances, generators, or refrigeration units, mention this and the assessment will reference the relevant hazards, including carbon monoxide risk, fire risk, and the need for appropriate servicing and ventilation, alongside general vehicle safety.
Is this suitable for council licence or pitch applications?
Yes — Anyrisks produces a fully written, regulation-referenced document in the standard format expected by local authorities, landowners and event organisers when issuing street trading consents or pitch licences.
Do I need food hygiene controls as well as a risk assessment?
If you sell food, you will separately need to comply with food hygiene regulations and register with your local authority. This risk assessment covers health and safety risks — vehicle, parking, manual handling and public safety — rather than food hygiene compliance, though you can mention food handling in your job description for relevant controls to be included.
How long does it take to generate?
Under 2 minutes. Describe your vehicle, trading locations and setup, and Anyrisks produces a complete, regulation-referenced risk assessment instantly.