Thursday, July 8, 2010

Help! I’ve Fallen and Can’t Wait Tables!



Restaurant owners know how important it is to keep the risk of an employee getting injured as low as possible. When it comes to restaurant workers’ compensation claims, the most common incidents come from slip and falls. What makes these types of claims so bad is that they can happen so quickly and many times happen out of site such as in the cooler. To make matters worse they often result in long periods of recovery. Claims like slip and falls can have a very negative impact on your insurance rates and on your bottom line.



The good news is that there are some simple changes that a restaurant owner can make that can reduce your risk of a claim and help to save you money on your restaurant insurance.



With often cluttered kitchens and slippery floors, the risk is high. In addition, servers hurriedly carrying trays of food, employees moving inventory and often lifting heavy boxes make attention to risk a critical element of running a restaurant.



Having worked in almost every aspect of the restaurant business, from dish washer to server to cook, I know what can happen. As a Restaurant Insurance Professional, I also know things that can help reduce your risk of having a workers’ compensation claim.



Here are my “Top Ten” simple ways to reduce your risk: (I know they sound like common sense but you’d be surprised.)


1.) Do not allow any running in your restaurant.


2.) Clean up ALL spills immediately.


3.) Have all employees wear non-slip shoes.


4.) Use nonslip floor mats on all floors that are not carpeted and where there could be a spill.


5.) Make sure all items are properly stored and put away. Don’t leave boxes on the floor.


6.) Make sure all carpeting is in good condition; no tears or bulges.


7.) No blind spots – clearly mark kitchen entrance and exit doors and install convex mirrors at blind corners.


8.) Have all power outlets installed on the wall or ceiling so cords are not on the floor.


9.) Keep sidewalks and entrances free of clutter.


10.) Do not allow servers or bus people to overload carrying trays.


Maintaining these simple rules can help to not only reduce injuries to your staff but can also have a very positive impact on your workers’ compensation premiums.



We would love to help you lower your restaurant insurance cost. Check us out at www.pennyinsuranceagency.com.


4 comments:

  1. Wow thats great information! Have you heard of Clinard Insurance they do create work in Eastern North Carolina check out thier blog:http://restaurantanswerguy.wordpress.com/

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  3. Very good tips! Workers comp. is required for all business owners who have employees and can really save the business financial hardship. Here in Washington state, we are trying to privatize workers compensation because of skyrocketing administration costs and the govt. monopoly.

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  4. great post with lots of helpful information also owners should look at an umbrella also which is coverage that goes over your general liabilty and its there to protect you the owner for information to the owners of businesses in connecticut visit us at www.paradisoinsurance.com great job keep up the great posts

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