5 Tips to Ensure Restaurant Safety: There are several restaurant safety risks to look out for – these include but are not limited to sharp equipment, open flames, and tight spaces. It is essential to be aware of these hazards to keep the establishment safe for both workers and customers.
Read on to know how to properly train the employees, prevent fires, and treat common injuries to ensure restaurant safety.
Risk Of Injuries In Restaurants
Workplace injuries are more common than most of us think. Hazards exist in every industry, and risk assessment and hazard management will help lower those risks. How business owners’ handle these hazards can significantly impact the overall safety within the workplace.
The restaurant and foodservice industry, like other industries, should meet the compliance guidelines set by Safe Work Australia. Commercial kitchens have numerous risks resulting in severe injury or even loss of life. SWA report states that about 6% of workplace injuries occur in cafes, restaurants, pubs, taverns, and bars.
Although it affects all age groups, young workers are at high risk of these injuries. The most common are musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), open wounds, burns, bruising and external and internal injuries.
With over 500,000 workplace injuries in Australia every year and 6% within the food services industry, knowing the potential hazards could save workers or customers from unnecessary harm.
Restaurant hazards are present when you work as a chef, kitchen hand, waiter, or waitress. Here are five tips for making safety a priority in a restaurant setting.
5 First Aid Tips For Kitchen And Restaurant Safety
Train the Employees
Maintaining a safe working environment requires all staff to know and follow safety procedures.
As an every restaurant rule, the kitchen is only as safe as the employees who receive training. Investing time in training the employees is one of the most effective ways to ensure restaurant safety.
Choose a provider that can customise first aid and safety training content suitable for workplace needs.
Operate Equipment Safely
All employees should know how to use kitchen equipment properly. Use it per the manufacturer’s instruction to avoid accidents and injuries.
Schedule a regular inspection of appliances by a professional. Stop using it if there are cracks, frays, or other signs of damage.
Ensure First Aid Supplies Are Readily Available
A restaurant first aid kit will only serve its purpose if readily available for use. Avoid leaving first aid supplies in locked storage that is not easily accessible. Make sure that everyone in the workplace knows the location of the kit.
Inspect first aid kits regularly and replace out-of-date supplies. Include bandages, burn care sprays and dressings, extra cold packs, fingertip bandages, and medical tapes.
Minimise Hazards
Most restaurant injuries are entirely preventable. Knife cuts, burns, and slips are often due to negligence and improper safety procedures in the workplace.
Create a comprehensive list of what to do to ensure the kitchen and restaurant stay free of unnecessary risks.
Emphasize Food Safety
Food safety should be a top priority of every restaurant. It relies mainly on workers who should follow proper sanitation procedures while ensuring all cuts and wounds are cared for in the middle of the shift.
First Aid Training For Restaurant Kitchen And Bars
Most Australian restaurants, cafes, pubs, and bars are busy-faced pace environments full of potential hazards and dangerous equipment. Failing to address these safety concerns could hurt the business name, profit, and productivity.
Instead of taking that risk, it is best to prevent it before it affects the business and the workers. Ensure to properly arm everyone with the right equipment and proper knowledge to minimise workplace injuries.
Learn first aid for bleeding management, treating cuts and wounds, fractures, and more.
Visit First Aid Courses Darwin for more information.
