In the restaurant business, there are many things to focus on – whether it’s your establishment’s finances and aesthetic appeal, or the taste of the food you serve to your customers. But one glaring issue that demands your attention as a restaurant owner or manager is the people who run the show – your employees.

Working in the restaurant industry isn’t a cut-and-dry to-do list of scheduling shifts and creating pay structure. Specifically in restaurants, there are many dangers your employees can face when they come into work, so it’s important for you to have a focus on restaurant safety. 

Kitchens can be dangerous.

Think about it – heavy machinery and equipment, liquids spilling onto the floor, hot pots and pans, sharp knives, cleaning chemicals, fire hazards, and not to mention the physical exertion the job requires. The job of working in a kitchen can’t just involve training employees on safety procedures. While that does help, it’s your responsibility in running your business to prevent the risk of injury and liability as much as you can.

How You Can Prevent Injuries and Have a Safer and Healthier Workplace

Of course you should consult OSHA guidelines, legal requirements and if possible a lawyer to make sure you have all your bases covered. But here we’ve simplified almost everything you need to know about restaurant safety into 7 easy-to-implement tips.

1. Operate equipment safely

Make sure that your employees understand how to properly use all of the equipment in your kitchen, based on the specific instructions by the manufacturer.

2. Take caution to prevent slips, trips and falls

When grease, water and other liquids are spilled onto the floor, employees are at the risk of slipping and injuring themselves. The solution may seem to be to get a floor mat, but that’s not enough if the mat is not properly maintained as employees may then trip. Therefore, you may want to outsource your mats to a professional mat rental service provider.

3. Prevent burn hazards

Wearing the proper attire is essential here. Our culinary apparel line should help prevent some of the risk of burn hazards in the kitchen. You should also make sure to follow best practices such as making sure handles are not sticking out and are faced away from burners, keeping distance from hot oil, and not leaving hot oil unattended.

4. Prevent cuts and lacerations from sharp knives and other sharp objects

Dull, rusted and damaged knives used on a slippery surface are a recipe for disaster. Knives should be kept sharpened, cutting boards should be used and knives should be cleaned and stored properly to prevent rusting and damage to the knife.

5. Prevent sprains and strains

Too much physical exertion can put employees at risk of getting injured. Specifically, cleaning tasks and lifting heavy loads puts employees the most at risk. Check out this guide on how to prevent sprains and strains.

6. Prevent chemical hazards

The harsh chemicals used in the restaurant industry can put employees at risk for a variety of health concerns. Therefore, it is essential to provide them with the proper PPE (aprons, eye safety goggles, gloves, etc.) and training to prevent injury. Look at this article for more information on preventative measures.

7. Practice fire safety procedures

In the kitchen, the risk of fire is clear. Therefore, you need to understand the different types of fires (grease fires as an example), have fire and evacuation drills and take fire preventative measures.

At Braun Linen, we care about our clients. We want to make sure they can run successful businesses while providing a great work environment for their employees. By working with Braun, you can get aprons, culinary apparel and mats that improve your restaurant safety.

Give us a call today at 800-272-8657 to learn more about how our products will make your restaurant look great while simultaneously making your establishment safer.