One of the biggest jobs you have as a restaurant owner or manager is keeping your employees and space safe. This means minimizing risk as much as possible. The best way to do this is with a comprehensive risk management plan. Here's how to create one in your restaurant and keep injuries and claims at bay.
1. Have the right insurance.
Of course, all restaurants need to have the appropriate workers' compensation insurance coverage. Creating a risk management plan is definitely an important line of defense against employee and patron injuries and claims. But, having the right insurance to begin with is key to begin with.
2. Include proper training for every employee and new hire.
Minimizing workplace risks starts with good training for everyone. If you are not accustomed to providing a training course for all new hires, start now. At the same time, update current employees with their own training course. It's never too late.
Every employee from the front to the back of the house should know how to prevent injuries to themselves and others. They should all know how to handle all workplace equipment as well. At the end of the course, give each employee a workplace training manual that they can keep with them for future reference.
3. Ensure an organized and clean restaurant at all times.
Many workplace injuries result from minor accidents that you could otherwise have avoided. Many of these accidents stem from unclean, unmaintained or disorganized supplies and equipment.
Within your risk management plan, ensure that you have a detailed and comprehensive guide for keeping your restaurant well-organized and clean. This is essential for the success of your restaurant and the satisfaction of your patrons, but also will help mitigate accidents.
4. Know your pain points.
We've established that a disorganized restaurant can often result in injuries. But it's important to know exactly where the biggest problem areas are for your restaurant.
For example, you may have an area of the kitchen that gets particularly wet or slippery when things get busy. Or, your restaurant may serve a lot of deep-fried foods, which means that oil deep fryers are a unique hazard for your restaurant.
Identify where the specific problem areas are for your establishment. Create individual solutions to minimize risk.
There's always a chance that an accident can occur, even with the best preparation. Still, it's obvious that you can save your employees pain and suffering and save on workers' compensation claims as well by preparing a comprehensive risk management plan.
Protect your restaurant with insurance coverage today by calling The Louisiana Insurance Center at (225) 292-7680.
Also Read: How Workers Compensation Insurance Covers Chronic Pain