On-the-job injuries and illnesses can have several negative effects. Some of the most common include reducing employee morale and productivity, fines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) due to unsafe working conditions and increased workers’ compensation claims.
If you are injured as a restaurant worker, it may be possible to recover benefits. Knowing some of the most common safety risks in this environment is also helpful.
Slips, trips and falls
These are the most common accidents that cause worker injuries in the restaurant industry and across all industries. Greasy or wet floors are common in restaurants and cause these incidents. To prevent them, spills must be cleaned up immediately, and anti-skid mats should be used in areas where water and spills are common.
Hazardous materials
In 2016, OSHA added several new materials to the HazCom list. Many of these were kitchen chemicals used in restaurant settings. One of the major issues with these is inhalation illnesses or injuries. All workers need to have proper training on how to use these items safely to avoid injury or illness.
Lacerations and cuts
Kitchens contain knives and other slicing materials that can cause lacerations and cuts. It’s important to ensure workers know how to properly handle these tools to avoid injuries. It’s also necessary to ensure a first aid kit is easy to access and always stocked.
Protecting restaurant workers
If you are injured on the job as a restaurant worker, it’s important to explore your legal options, which include recovering workers’ compensation benefits. Knowing when you can collect these benefits will help you cover the costs of an at-work injury or illness.
