There’s not much quite like the thrill of a busy restaurant, with customers enjoying a great night out and energetic staff making it all happen.
However, that concentration of people in small spaces, the speed of a busy service and the equipment in a professional kitchen throws up a number of risks to mitigate across any given shift.
Here are the ways in which you can plan ahead and manage those risks to keep everyone safe on shift.
Take training seriously
Training should not stop for restaurant staff once they’ve mastered cooking everything on the menu or pouring the perfect pint.
Setting clear ground rules about safety in the kitchen and dining area is an important starting point but regular training throughout the year also keeps people on their toes and ready to work with everyone’s wellbeing in mind.
As well as potential hazards on your premises, training should encompass a detailed plan in the event of a fire and may also be influenced by the results of any food standards reports you get.
Keep on top of organisation
Equipment such as pans, knives and crockery should be cleaned regularly and stored in clearly labelled areas to provide quick access and easy closing down.
How you store and organise your food is one of the most important aspects of any restaurant business.
Be sure to regularly inspect your fridges and stores to ensure that food is being sent to the kitchen in the same order it was ordered in. This ensures that food is not left to spoil.
Optimise the working environments
Staff in any restaurant spend the majority of their time on their feet, going in and out of a busy, hot kitchen.
It’s possible to ease the strain a little by installing industrial air conditioners like the ones found here. This can help regulate the temperatures of the business areas of your premises.
Also encouraging staff to wear comfortable and sturdy footwear – or providing it for them – can help them move around the restaurant in greater comfort.
Make use of CCTV
CCTV is a common security measure for all kinds of businesses, protecting you in the event of something unfortunate like a crime on your premises or an accident occurring.
Monitoring and reviewing your CCTV footage can provide lessons about situations to inform your future training.
Maintenance considerations
Food preparation isn’t always the cleanest of processes, so keeping on top of the cleanliness of your kitchen and other areas of the restaurant is vital.
Ensure all staff assist in a proper clean down of the kitchen after every service. Substances such as grease and oil can soon become a fire hazard if left to accumulate, while dirty and broken floors increase the likelihood of slips and trips.
