By Frank Van Dyke

From slippery floors to scorching kitchen equipment, workplace injuries can be costly. A single accident can lead to potential lawsuits and perhaps even higher insurance premiums. As an employer, it’s essential to recognize that most of these incidents are preventable. By implementing proactive safety measures, cultivating a culture of accountability, and adhering to compliance standards, restaurant owners can safeguard their staff, customers, and financial well-being.

Restaurants can pose numerous risks to employees, whether it’s a server carrying a tray filled with drinks or line cooks working near vats of hot oil. Some of the most common injuries restaurant workers sustain are:

• Slips and falls: Spilled drinks that are not cleaned up quickly are a common cause of slips and falls. Greasy floors in the kitchen and uneven tiles can also pose a hazard.
• Trips: Keeping high-traffic spaces clear of unnecessary items is crucial to avoid trips. Mounting inventory, boxes, and loose cables could be dangerous if employees are unaware of them. Additionally, poor lighting can exacerbate these hazards.
• Strains and sprains: Carrying heavy items during stock-ups may be necessary, but it can lead to sprained ankles or strained muscles if done improperly.
• Burns and cuts: Kitchen hazards, such as cooktops or knives, can lead to burns or cuts, some of which may be severe enough to warrant a trip to the hospital.

Proactively preparing for potential hazards can help restaurants mitigate these concerns and scenarios, ultimately avoiding common workplace injuries.

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Key strategies to prevent slips and trips

By taking actionable steps, such as training staff and conducting regular restaurant walkthroughs and cleaning routines, establishments can reduce the risk of accidents, including slips and trips.

Proper staff training

Training your staff to identify and address hazards makes it significantly easier to manage a restaurant. Consider the following:

• Safe walking practices: Avoid running and always wear proper non-slip footwear.
• Identifying hazards: Teach employees to recognize hazard signals, including wet floors, broken glass, and overflowing vats.
• How to address dangers: Explain to employees what to do in the event of each hazard and how to communicate with management to address the issue. Some problems may necessitate policy changes or could risk snowballing into other issues if addressed incorrectly.

Floor maintenance

Issues with floors are the primary reason for slips and falls. Ensuring they’re clean and even at all times can help prevent problems by:

• Installing non-slip mats in high-risk areas, such as near entryways and exits.
• Cleaning spills with a wet floor sign in place as soon as possible.
• Training managers or team leads to conduct floor checks throughout the day to identify and address any hazards, whether in the kitchen, washrooms, or dining area.

Effective housekeeping

Ensure areas are free of clutter and debris, from crumbs on the floor to piled-up boxes. This can help reduce tripping hazards:

• Clear walkways of clutter, including boxes, cords, and equipment.
• Store extra stock in designated areas to prevent obstructions.
• Ensure all emergency exits are accessible at all times.

Lighting and visibility

At all times, lighting must be functioning correctly. During regular restaurant walkthroughs, review emergency lighting alongside inspections for obstructions, floor checks, and maintenance.

Being proactive is key. This way, restaurants can minimize liability risks and maintain insurance premiums.

CCOHS compliance

In Canada, restaurants must adhere to the guidelines set by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). The CCOHS offers accessible guidelines for restaurant owners to follow and training resources for employees to ensure their safety on the job.

Documentation and incident reports

Restaurants that train their managers to react quickly to incident reporting can significantly reduce a restaurant’s liability and protect against false claims. Proper documentation demonstrates the restaurant’s steps in preventing accidents and helps streamline investigations, reducing potential liability.

To properly document accidents:

1. Train all floor managers and supervisors on where to find the documents.
2. If an incident occurs, ensure that these managers have employees complete the document before leaving the premises. Employees who suffer a workplace injury may not return to work for a while, which could slow down the investigation and give the impression that the restaurant is not taking the incident seriously.
3. Once completed, send the report to the general manager, who will then forward it to the injured employee and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Sending the report to the WSIB ensures the injured employee receives necessary healthcare and income replacement benefits if they are unable to work due to the injury.

Employee training programs

Create a Health and Safety Committee consisting of employees and supervisors that posts signs and sends out regular updates on safety measures, reinforcing best practices. Implement regular team meetings to discuss near-misses and improvements, helping to keep the information fresh in employees’ minds.

Leadership’s role

Managers who take a proactive approach to safety and set an example. Properly following procedures encourages employees to mimic that behaviour. This could include wearing slip-resistant shoes, using proper lifting techniques, and discussing health and safety approaches with staff on the floor.

Awareness to action

A safe restaurant requires a coinciding safe work culture. By prioritizing floor maintenance, staff training, and hazard reporting, restaurants can significantly reduce the risk of workplace injuries. The result? Fewer disruptions, lower liability costs, and a team that feels valued and protected. In the restaurant business, the best service always begins with safety.

For more than 30 years, Frank Van Dyke has been focused on obtaining fair compensation for injured victims in Ontario. Clients from across Southern Ontario turn to him for help with accident claims and catastrophic injuries, insurance issues, disability claims, WSIB claims and human rights violations.