Almost 200,000 restaurant employees report an injury every year, for which many receive workers’ compensation benefits. Each eatery can expect to pay out about four claims per year. Front and back of the house restaurant injury types vary due to unique circumstances. However, most can be categorized into the following groups: heat-related injuries, sharp object-related injuries, slip and falls, and strains and sprains.
Heat-Related Injuries
Food preparers and servers routinely encounter hot foods and objects. From boiling water to oil in fryers, plenty of kitchen tools and items rise to temperatures that can burn and scald skin. The most reliable method to reduce heat-related wounds is for employers to insist upon protocols to keep workers safe. Employers should also provide proper safety equipment for the handling of hot items. If the equipment is not maintained, the restaurant owner may be held negligent in the case of a serious injury and corresponding lawsuit.
Sharp Object-Related Injuries
Almost 25 percent of annually reported restaurant employee injuries happen because of knives, slicers, blenders, mixers, and other tools with blades. Cuts can also occur when glassware breaks, as well as punctures from utensils and serving implements, such as forks, skewers, and knives. The way to ensure servers and cooks can confidently cut is by ensuring they control knives and related utensils. Additionally, cutting services should be free from liquids and grease. Hand protection may pose another line of defense against these types of wounds.
Slip and Falls
Kitchens can quickly become slippery due to general moisture, spilled liquids and foods, and damaged flooring. About one-fifth of all workers’ compensation claims by restaurant employees involve falling. One fall can keep an employee out of work for a long time depending upon how severe the injury is. Cleaning up messes as soon as they happen is the first way to avoid slip and falls in any restaurant. Insisting workers wear high-traction shoes and providing safe floors with bottom grips are other safety measures.
Strains and Sprains
Restaurant workers regularly lift boxes weighing over 25 pounds and carry serving trays back and forth for hours. This takes a toll on their bodies, leading to overexertion and repetitive motion injuries. The back and shoulders often bear the brunt of these problems. Ideally, front and back of house restaurant workers should be given regular breaks to limit the consistent stress on their bodies.
Cherry Hill Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Pietras Saracino Smith & Meeks, LLP Advocate for Injured Restaurant Workers
The restaurant industry owes its employees benefits when they get hurt on the job. If you are a restaurant worker and suffered injuries on the job, contact a Cherry Hill workers’ compensation lawyer at Pietras Saracino Smith & Meeks, LLP today. Call us today at 856-761-3773 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout South Jersey, including the City of Camden.
