There are plenty of pitfalls associated with working at a restaurant. Customers may be rude, shifts may be long, and the work itself can be physically strenuous. Despite the physical demands, a restaurant should always be a safe workplace where staff are protected from potential hazards that may cause injury. Unfortunately, though, this is not always the case. In fact, there are many common injuries in restaurants that are likely entirely avoidable. Serious accidents may result in workers compensation claims that negatively impact the business. Read on if you want to learn how you might prevent injuries in a restaurant and create a safer environment.
Slips are one of the most common injuries in a restaurant environment. It's easy to see why - food and drink are spilled often enough that it becomes increasingly likely a person may slip on the spilled substance. Restaurant managers can combat this risk, though, by encouraging staff to wear a safe uniform - including nonskid shoes. Nonskid shoes can massively reduce the risk of preventable slips and minimize the possibility of a workers compensation claim that could stem from such an accident.
Nonskid shoes are an important tool in the defense against preventable slips, but there's an even better tool that restaurant managers can employ: a mop. Indeed, it's imperative for staff to clean up messes immediately, before they pose a risk and cause an injury. Remember, too, that a wet floor sign should always be affixed to the area that has recently been cleaned. In addition to regularly checking floors, managers should ensure that all areas of the restaurant are clean and free from debris that could cause a trip and fall accident.
It's a well-known fact that training is the key to safety. Training staff in a way that effectively imparts essential safety principles can be challenging, though. OSHA publishes a safety training guide that's specifically tailored to the restaurant industry. It includes guidance for preventing burns, cuts, and a number of other injuries that are common in the restaurant industry. Supervisors should utilize its materials to train staff in effective injury prevention.
How can common restaurant injuries be prevented? Prevention is always the first line of defense, but it's also important to plan in the event that an injury does occur at a restaurant. This plan should be outlined in an emergency management plan, and it should include details regarding treatment protocol, appropriate documentation, referral to medical care, and management of a potential workers comp claim. All restaurant managers should be thoroughly familiar with the guidelines of the emergency response plan so that they are prepared if an injury happens.
At RMS Hospitality Group, our expertly crafted policies are written specifically for the hospitality industry. We offer custom tailored solutions to meet any venue's specific needs. For more information, contact our knowledgeable experts today at (888) 359-8390.
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