Around 48 million cases of foodborne illnesses occur annually. It equates to 1 in 6 Americans getting sick, with 3,000 instances leading to fatalities. No restaurant owner will want it to happen on their business premises.
Food poisoning and other illnesses are not the only risks in operating a restaurant or a bar. They have to think about the safety of the staff and customers while protecting their reputation.
Owners should know some advanced safety tips for restaurants and bars. As an insurance producer, you can help educate them.
Before you can do that, consider reading our safety tips below. It lets you learn more about how your client can create a safe environment.
1. Keep the Floor Clean
Slips and falls are more likely to occur in a fast-paced setting, like restaurants and bars. These accidents can lead to injuries and lawsuits.
Restaurants should keep the floor clean to secure both the staff and customers. They should have a cleaning routine for maintaining the parking lot and sidewalks.
Let owners ask staff members to scatter floor mats in strategic locations. Set them in wet-prone areas in the kitchen and outside bathroom doors. Put handrailings on stairs and ensure the floor is always dry.
2. Provide Proper Attire
Uniforms not only make the staff look professional but also provide protection. Correct footwear with closed toes and slip resistance helps prevent slips, burns, and injuries.
Proper attire allows the staff to stay clean and comfortable during the service. It benefits the customers, too. For example, staff members using gloves to serve the food ensures cleanliness.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, establishments have to set up more safety precautions. FDA has updated health and safety tips for restaurants. It includes wearing masks and pre-screening staff before coming to work.
3. Handle Equipment Properly
As mentioned above, electrical fires are a real risk to the kitchen. Proper equipment handling should be a part of the restaurant’s safety culture.
Advise your clients to store the electrical appliances in a dry place while training staff to watch the wires. Let them check the cords for damages. Never use the equipment before fixing or replacing it.
Mishandling the equipment can cause injuries, as well. Restaurants should train new hires on how to operate appliances to avoid damages. If there are any broken parts, let them contact a professional.
4. Follow Food Hygiene Regulations
Employees must know about the food safety tips for restaurants. Again, millions of Americans suffer from foodborne illnesses due to neglect. Some cases can be mild, but your clients should never risk it either way. They should make sure the staff takes effective food handling safety training.
The staff must learn proper personal hygiene, like regular handwashing. Ask your clients to train their employees to serve patrons with allergies. They must also know how to prepare, cook, and store food.
5. Be Aware of Risk of Fire
Most fires in restaurants occur in the kitchen, with 61% of instances involving cooking equipment. The most common type is a grease fire. There are also risks from electrical items and combustibles.
The staff must know how to prevent fires. Advise clients to teach them how to handle small blazes. Ensure they know where to locate the fire extinguishers and blankets.
A proper fire suppression system will help them stay safe. For this reason, the staff should also know when to evacuate. The restaurant should have clear procedures for leading the customers to safety.
6. Prepare Signage
Proper signage may offer protection against liability in the event of an incident, claim, or lawsuit. For instance, they should put a wet floor sign for spills and freshly-mopped areas. Signage should also remind the staff and customers of proper safety protocols.
7. Implement Proper Cleaning Procedures
Proper cleaning techniques help keep the kitchen and dining area free of hazards and bacteria. A spick and span restaurant also looks more appealing to customers.
The staff must know how to clean the plates, utensils, and equipment properly. Surfaces should always look and smell clean, especially in the bathroom.
Your clients should use non-toxic cleaning solutions for utensils and food equipment. For oily floors, ask them to look for high-grade chemicals.
8. Create Safe Working Conditions
Employee and patron safety also relies on the restaurant’s environment. They should have the proper tools and resources to keep everyone safe.
The owner and manager are responsible for creating hazard-free conditions. It means providing fire extinguishers, trays and carts, and equipment guards wherever needed.
9. Train Employees
How will employees learn the safety protocols for restaurants and bars? Your clients should give proper training.
However, a training session can never cover all the safety tips for a restaurant. There should be separate seminars for fire safety, food safety, and everything else.
Let your clients conduct training and seminars regularly. Holding fire and evacuation drills prepares them for emergencies. Reinforcing the importance of safety in the workplace keeps the restaurant staff from becoming complacent.
10. Get an Insurance Policy
Your client can follow your restaurant safety tips, but an accident may still happen. Your client must have a safety net to prepare for these incidents. It’s where you come in as an insurance producer.
Commercial general liability insurance protects their business from third-party property damage or bodily injury claims. We can include other coverages on your client’s insurance policy such as commercial property, liquor liability, true umbrella /excess liability, and more.
Restaurants and bars can get the necessary liability protection from Prime Insurance Company. Our hospitality insurance covers many industries such as restaurants, bars, nightclubs, hotels, theme parks, and more. We offer customized coverage like active shooter coverage, CGL, food liability, and more so never miss an opportunity to offer these to your customers!
Feel free to contact us today to learn more.
Learn More Safety Tips for Restaurants and Bars
These safety tips for restaurants and bars should cover many precautions. However, there’s more to protecting your clients’ staff, customers, and business premises.
Ensure everyone avoids injuries, accidents, and lawsuits by putting clear safety protocols in place. Encourage them to research some of the most impactful risks for their type of business.
After all, the safety of their employees and customers should be their number one priority.
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Authored by Rick J. Lindsey, CEO, President, and Chairman of Prime Insurance Company
Rick J. Lindsey hails from Salt Lake City, Utah. He began working in the mailroom of his father’s Salt Lake City insurance firm, getting his introduction to the business that became his lifelong career. Lindsey quickly rose through the ranks while working in nearly every imaginable insurance industry job. As an entrepreneur, specialty lines underwriter, claims specialist, risk manager, and a licensed surplus lines broker, Rick Lindsey is highly skilled in all levels of leadership and execution. As he progressed on his career path, Rick discovered an urgent need for insurers willing to write policies for high-risk individuals and businesses. He was frequently frustrated that he could not provide the liability protection these entities desperately needed to safeguard their assets. He also formed the belief that insurance companies acted too quickly to settle frivolous claims. Lindsey decided to try a different approach. He started an insurance company and became the newly formed entity’s CEO. This opportunity has enabled Rick to fill a void in the market and provide a valuable service to businesses, individuals, and insurance agents who write high-risk business. Prime Insurance also specializes in helping individuals and businesses who live a lifestyle or participate in activities that make them difficult for traditional carriers to insure. If you’ve been denied, non-renewed, or canceled coverage, don’t give up quite yet. Chances are Prime Insurance can help.
