Working in a restaurant can be a dangerous job. The likelihood of slips and falls that arise from wet and greasy floors is a constant threat. Although waiters, chefs, and other restaurant workers are required to wear non-slip shoes to help protect them against wet surfaces, oftentimes further measures need to be put in place in order to ensure the safety of restaurant workers.
Fortunately, there are other steps that can be taken in order to further prevent slips and falls and minimize accidents in restaurants.
Minimizing Accidents in the Workplace
Mop Often
One of the best ways to minimize accidents in restaurants is to be vigilant about cleaning up when spills occur. When a large grease spill occurs or water is spilled on the floor, someone should be ready to clean it up. This job is usually relegated to stewards, but every worker should be prepared to take on this task to protect themselves and co-workers from slipping or falling.
In addition to mopping, the use of signs is a helpful tool. After an area has been mopped, the chance of slipping is still present because the floor has not yet dried. Yellow caution signs are a great way to warn workers to take extra care when walking in areas that have just been mopped.
Coefficient of Friction
The coefficient of friction is a number that is used to measure the level of slip-resistance flooring has in restaurants. An appropriate coefficient of friction for flooring in restaurants is .60 or higher to measure slip potential, and .42 or higher to measure the ability of someone to be able to prevent falling if they are slipping. In order to obtain these numbers, restaurants starting out should be sure to install high traction flooring.
High traction flooring materials include rubber, ceramic tile, or epoxy coating on the floor. If it is not possible or too costly to install these materials, then safety mats can be used to obtain a higher coefficient of friction. Mats that absorb moisture are effective in entrance ways and in front of sinks. Tape that has anti-skid properties are also very useful to put in high traffic areas. These measures will increase the coefficient of friction and decrease workplace accidents.
Educate Your Employees
Another powerful tool that will help minimize accidents is education. Employees should know how to properly use cleaning products, be ready to clean up spills when they occur and be instructed to make sure trash bins are near working stations. Employees should know that certain products cannot be mixed together because they will release toxic fumes or they will cause a big mess. Employees should also be willing to work as a team and take it upon themselves to clean up messes as they occur. Lastly, trash bins should be emptied and kept near working stations to prevent lots of debris from being strewn in the restaurant. It only takes a small piece of food waste to create a huge problem.
Accidents happen and there is no way to make restaurants 100% accident proof, but if you employ the measures listed above the chances of an accident occurring will be greatly reduced. If you mop often, choose flooring materials that have a high coefficient of friction, and educate your employees on the various ways to increase safety in the workplace, you will be able to protect your waiters, chefs, and customers. When safety measures are not an issue, you can focus on building a successful restaurant.
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