There are many aspects of hospitality that the customers rarely get to see. Members of the kitchen staff work behind the scenes, while the front-of-house team focuses on ensuring that guests have an enjoyable time.
The reality is that a lot of hard work goes into the daily operations of a restaurant. Not only do employees work long hours, but they are also exposed to a number of injury risks. Outlined below are some of the more common injuries that endanger workers in hospitality.
Strain injuries
The physical labor that goes into running a restaurant is often overlooked. Employees have to arrange furniture, restock the bar and chefs are constantly lifting heavy pans and goods. If adequate training and safety measures have not been implemented, employees can be subjected to various forms of strain injuries.
Injuries from sharp objects
There are few chefs who have not cut themselves after doing the job for a number of years. Fortunately, most cuts can be treated with simple measures. However, in more severe instances, stitches and further hospital treatment may be necessary. In more extreme cases, cuts and lacerations have the potential to permanently affect certain parts of the body, especially when cuts are deeper or nerve damage has ensued.
Slip-and-fall accidents
From the main restaurant floor to the kitchen, floor surfaces are consistently swept and mopped. Where cleaning duties have not been performed optimally, workers face a risk of falling. This is especially noteworthy in the kitchen, as oil is commonly used in food preparation. Any oil that has been spilled on the floor poses a serious threat to those who encounter it.
As a hospitality worker, you have a right to work in a safe environment. Being injured could result in you having to take time off, that you simply cannot afford. Nonetheless, there are ways to obtain compensation for your injuries and being aware of your legal rights is the first step in this process.