Restaurant Safety
Restaurants can be dangerous places for workers. Hot equipment and oil, sharp knives, heavy lifting, hot work areas, and slippery floors are common in restaurants. The most frequent injuries and illnesses among restaurant workers include:
- Muscle strains, sprains and tears from slips, trips and falls; overexertion in lifting; repetitive motions; reaching and twisting.
- Cuts and lacerations from knives; food and beverage processing machinery such as slicers, grinders and mixers; and broken glass.
- Burns and scalds from hot liquids; hot oils and grease; heating and cooking equipment such as ovens and grills; hot pots and trays; and steam.
Fortunately, most of these injuries can be avoided. There are things that owners and managers can do to promote safety where they work and there are things that employees can do to protect themselves. See the brochures below for tips for health and safety tips for both workers and employers:
More Information
- The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: Call 311, or visit nyc.gov/health.
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Call 1-800-321-OSHA, or visit www.osha.gov.
