The most common restaurant accidents

Restaurants in Minneapolis provide employment for a lot of people, and the food service industry can be a fun sector to work in. However, the fast-paced environment of a restaurant or cafeteria has a lot of hazards. Here are a few of the most common types of workplace accidents that happen in the food service industry.

Slip-and-falls

Slip-and-fall accidents are very common in workers’ compensation claims, and these accidents account for more missed days of work than any other type of restaurant accident. Many slips are caused by fresh spills on the floor or by floors that are greasy. A lack of floor mats in the kitchen or dishwashing area can cause a lot of slips.

Muscle strains

Muscles strains can happen suddenly after a slip-and-fall accident or gradually because of repetitive motions. Often, food service workers that are responsible for preparing food or washing dishes strain muscles after performing the same repetitive motions for too long. Restaurant managers can mitigate the risk of muscle strain injuries by breaking up repetitive tasks throughout the day.

Burns

Food service workers who cook and prepare hot food are at a high risk for burn injuries. In fact, burns are the second most common type of restaurant accident after slip-and-fall accidents. Often, burns are caused by oil that splatters while food is cooking. Restaurant workers may protect themselves from some types of burns by wearing long sleeves or using splatter shields.

Food service workers can get compensated for their injuries

If you were injured while working in the food service industry, you may be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim. You might also be able to file a separate personal injury lawsuit if a non-employer third party caused your injuries.