Start the Year with a Better Plan for Safety in Your Restaurant

In the food and restaurant industry, safety, or the lack of it, can literally mean the difference between life and death. Just a few years ago, the number of bar and food service employees killed or injured on the job rose to a staggering 40%. The good news is you can prevent your eatery or food establishment from becoming a part of that statistic by following a reliable safety plan. Here are some elements it should cover:

1. Appropriate Footwear

The attire for kitchen staff is designed not only to distinguish rank, but also to ensure the staff is comfortable during service. However, even the most prudent employers can overlook footwear, which can make them susceptible to injuries.

To avoid this, make sure the safety plan includes the type of footwear the staff must wear. It should cover the feet completely and be sturdy enough to prevent injuries from falling knives, serious burns from boiling water, oil, spilled food and burns from chemical-based cleaning products. Additionally, the soles should be slip-resistant to prevent slip and fall accidents.

2. Outline Communication Guidelines for a Confined Workspace

If you have a large restaurant, a large team and a kitchen too small to accommodate the staff, accidents WILL happen. If you don’t have the budget or time to expand it, training your staff on efficient communication within a confined workspace can prevent some serious injuries.

For example, if the Sous-Chef de cuisine is passing behind the Head Chef who is working on filleting a fish with a sharp knife, the former should announce they are there. This will prevent a collision and lacerations, which can otherwise injure or prove fatal.

3. Implement Fire Safety Procedures

Fire hazards are common in restaurants because the burners are on almost 24/7. Some of the measures you can take to prevent burns or a fire from getting out of control include the following:

• Make sure flammable items (such as cooking oil) are kept away from the burners.
• Get fire suppression appliances. These can cut off the fuel supply and put out the flames at the same time.
• Train your employees on how they should evacuate the premises in case of a fire to prevent injuries.
• Train your staff in fire suppression practices and how to put out different types of fires.

Plan for Safety with the SIA Insurance Group

If you fail to plan for your restaurant staff’s safety in Woodridge, IL, you are planning to fail. This is where the SIA Insurance Group can help. Our risk management team can complete a 360-degree assessment of your restaurant to determine, minimize, and cover the risks that you may not even be aware of. Get in touch with us today.