Most Common Hazards & Risks in a Restaurant Kitchen and How to Avoid Them
As the old saying goes, if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen. This metaphor was coined mostly to describe the hectic, dangerous, and physically hot environment in restaurant kitchens around the world, but fire is not the only dangerous component of kitchens. At RiskLimiter, we know there are multiple commercial kitchen risks, and we similarly value the importance of risk management in the hospitality industry.
As an owner of a restaurant, safety and health must always be your number one priority. Both to ensure safety for your staff and your customers, a concentration on risk management in kitchens should never be overlooked or ignored. Below, we’ve identified the most common hazards in commercial kitchens and offered some tips on how to prevent them!
Slips or Falls:
Working with so many foods and liquids can create constant wet areas on kitchen floors, making slips the number one hazard for commercial kitchens. Over half of kitchen injuries are the direct result of staff members slipping, losing balance, and ultimately falling to the ground onto a nearby apparatus or appliance. Outside of the kitchen, customers are also bringing in wetness on their shoes from snow, rain, and ice that can create incredible liability risks. It can be extremely difficult to avoid slippery floors in the kitchen and out without a proper risk management plan for restaurants.
Machinery, Object, or Fire Incidents:
A modern commercial kitchen has many moving parts. Even the most experienced chefs and trained professionals are not always able to avoid kitchen injuries, falling objects, or cooking machinery malfunctions. Not only do kitchen workers need to be careful of sharp objects like the plethora of knives being commonly used, but they also need to be cognizant of falling pans or pots that are shelved above them or near them.
Of course, we cannot write about commercial kitchen risks and hazards without mentioning fires. Yet, there are many types of fires that can cause incredible damage and put everyone at risk. Open fires from cooking and mixing ingredients can often lead to direct harm and structural fire, putting the entire building and all of its occupants in immediate danger.
Food Safety Concerns:
Ensuring all food is safe, non-toxic, and properly prepared is the key importance of risk management in the hospitality industry. Commercial kitchens go through rigorous food safety compliance regulations, demanding regular inspections and accurate documentation. Food hazards directly put your customers in danger, exposing them to displeasure and more importantly, sickness. The storage of your food is an incredibly important part of risk management in kitchens, as certain freezers or old storage rooms are often susceptible to temperature fluctuations.
Limit Kitchen Safety Risks with RiskLimiter!
The RiskLimiter Inspection Suite provides industry-leading tools and products that anticipate, prevent, and resolve accidents or liability claims. With the latest technology and decades of kitchen safety experience, we are the trusted experts in slip and fall prevention. Looking to make your commercial kitchen a safer place for staff and guests? Give us a call today at 1-800-336-8287 to learn more about the Inspection Suite!