The average person might not understand how demanding restaurant work can be, let alone how dangerous it often is. Many fail to understand the skill required to handle the constant pressure that comes with restaurant jobs.
The professionals that serve in the restaurant industry often work long hours to provide service for customers, and they also frequently put themselves at risk of serious injury. What makes restaurant work so dangerous?
Slip-and-falls
People can slip and fall in any environment, but a restaurant is a perfect storm of dangerous conditions. People have to move at a quick pace, and there are constantly liquids and other items getting transported.
All it takes is someone spilling a drink or dropping a few candies off of an ice cream sundae for a server to lose their balance and fall while running dishes out to a table. Slip-and-falls can lead to broken bones and brain injuries, both of which may require time off of work and medical care.
Falling objects
Maybe you need to get a new jug of olive oil down off the top rack in the dry goods storage area, only to have a full jar fall on your head. You might also end up severely injured in the kitchen if someone drops a hot pan or a knife. Falling objects are a surprising but consistent source of risk in many restaurant settings.
Patron violence
Maybe someone comes in with the intention to rob the restaurant right before it closes, or perhaps someone turns aggressive when their server cuts them off because they are already visibly intoxicated despite wanting to order more. Patron violence can be unexpected but pose significant risks to all in a restaurant.
Accidental contact with objects or others
Maybe you have a bartender who likes to put on a show, and they lose control of their shaker. Perhaps you cut yourself while working in the kitchen, or maybe you collide with a busser rushing a tray of dirty glasses back to their wash station. There are infinite possible ways in which one worker might have accidental contact with another or with an object in the workplace that could lead to an injury.
Workers’ compensation can help injured restaurant workers whether they tripped over their own shoelaces or got hurt trying to help a drunk patron out to their designated driver’s vehicle. Identifying and avoiding workplace hazards in a restaurant can be as important as knowing your rights and understanding how to pursue workers’ compensation benefits.