Commercial Kitchen Safety Checklist

6/1/2020 (Permalink)

If you have a restaurant, deli, or food preparation kitchen, then read closely. We realize that restaurant insurance can be expensive. In fact, it can be quite expensive, especially when you have accidents in your kitchen.

But, here’s the thing: many commercial kitchen accidents and injuries can be avoided when safety procedures and policies are set up.

When safety is ignored, it’s only a matter of time before there are accidents. Remember that restaurant kitchen accidents only make insurance rates go up. So, doesn’t it make sense to implement these checklist points in your kitchen and food prep area?

Here are our kitchen safety tips to help you save on restaurant insurance

Preventing food preparation area accidents

• Do my employees use a stool or footrest to avoid prolonged standing?
• Do I make stools and footrests available to my kitchen workers?
• Do we rearrange food prep tasks to avoid overreaching?
• Do we use mechanical kitchen appliances for chopping, dicing, or mixing foods to avoid repetitive stress injuries?
• Do we provide approved uniforms, hairnets, and gloves for our employees?
• Do our employees wear uniforms, hairnets, and gloves?

Preventing lifting accidents

• Have my workers been trained to lift with their legs not with their backs, whether it is a light or heavy load?
• Are workers trained to bring heavy items close to their chest so they can stay balanced and eliminate straining?
• Are employees trained to use tilt containers or get help when lifting or pulling fluids or heavy items?
• Are my employees empowered to point out safe and proper lifting techniques to fellow employees?
• Do supervisors take the lead by setting the right example?

Preventing slips, trips, and falls

• Is the kitchen staff trained to mop up spills and wet areas immediately?
• Are kitchen, supply areas, freezer floors, and walkways kept free of clutter?
• Is proper ladder training provided?
• Do employees know how to use ladders correctly to avoid overreaching and overextending themselves?
• Are employees required to wear proper slip resistant footwear?
• Is the kitchen floor swept and mopped each night?

Preventing kitchen fires

• Are work areas kept clean?
• Are fire extinguishers handy and operational?
• Have employees been trained on using fire extinguishers?
• Are employees allowed to smoke in the building?
• Is a no smoking policy enforced?
• Do you have a fire evacuation plan?
• Do you have fire drills?
• Do all workers know how to sound the alarm and call 911?
• Is all fire suppression equipment regularly maintained and tested?