This 13-page Café and Catering Operations Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) provides the typical safety controls and possible hazards associated with operating a café or catering business, including food preparation, cooking, equipment use, and customer service.
 
Pre-filled and ready to use, this SWMS has been developed by WHS experts to help you meet your WHS obligations and maintain compliance across all Australian states and territories. It’s fully editable, making it easy to customise with your company name, logo, and site-specific details.
 
Whether you manage a café, run a catering service, or operate a hospitality venue, this SWMS provides a comprehensive framework for helping keep your staff, customers, and contractors safe while streamlining your compliance processes.
 
Who This SWMS Is For
This SWMS is suitable for a wide range of businesses in the hospitality and food services industry, including:
Cafés and coffee shops
Restaurants and bistros
Catering companies
Food truck operators
Event and function venues
Hotel and resort kitchens
Workplace cafeterias and commercial canteens
 
What This SWMS Covers
Planning & Site Preparation
Conducting site-specific risk assessments before starting work
Completing staff inductions and providing relevant training
Ensuring kitchen equipment is inspected and maintained regularly
Safe Use of Plant & Equipment
Correct handling of ovens, fryers, grills, coffee machines, blenders, mixers, slicers, and other appliances
Using trolleys, dollies, and pallet jacks for stock and heavy item movement
Electrical safety protocols, including testing, tagging, and visual inspections
Food Handling & Hygiene
Safe food preparation and storage practices to prevent contamination
Use of tools (tongs, scoops, gloves) to reduce skin irritation and allergic reactions
Handwashing, PPE requirements, and hygiene protocols
Hazard Management & Controls
Managing burns, scalds, cuts, slips, trips, and falls in food prep and serving areas
Preventing heat stress in hot kitchen environments
Handling cleaning chemicals safely and following SDS guidelines
Safe disposal of sharps (syringes, broken glass) using medical-grade containers
Workplace Behaviour & Customer Interaction
Dealing with difficult customers and preventing workplace harassment
Procedures for working alone, after hours, and in potentially unsafe areas
Emergency Response & Incident Management
Fire safety protocols, including fire blanket and extinguisher use
First aid procedures and AED locations
Incident reporting, investigations, and toolbox talks
 
What’s Included in Your Template
Step-by-step activity-specific safety procedures
Comprehensive hazard and control measures
PPE requirements and usage guidelines
Plant and equipment list
Risk assessment guidelines and risk rating calculator
HRCW selection table (if applicable)
References to relevant WHS legislation, regulations, and codes of practice
Worker sign-off sheet for compliance and record-keeping
 
 
This Café and Catering Operations SWMS is an essential tool for effectively documenting your WHS systems. Designed for quick editing and easy customisation, it helps you stay compliant while keeping your workplace safe and organised.
 
Perfect for tenders, safety audits, and day-to-day operations, this template saves you time and effort while protecting your team and business.
 
Get your Café and Catering Operations SWMS today and start using it instantly!