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The more accidents you have in your kitchen and the more claims you file, the higher your Restaurant Insurance costs. And we all know how dangerous restaurant kitchens can be. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 93,800 nonfatal injuries and illnesses in full-service restaurants in 2019, and about one-third of those injuries required at least one day away from work.

These injuries are costing restaurants thousands of dollars every day – both directly and indirectly. Direct costs include wage replacement, litigation costs, property losses, etc. Indirect costs include loss of productivity, OSHA fines, damage to your business reputation, workplace disruptions, etc.

Create a safer kitchen to prevent injuries, and you not only lower the cost of your insurance premiums, but you also create a better work environment, save yourself a lot of headaches, and save on many other operating costs. Here are three of the most common restaurant injuries, according to QSR magazine, and tips to avoid them.

Lacerations and Punctures

With all the knives, slicers, and breakable dishes and glasses, it should come as no surprise that lacerations and punctures are among the most common injuries in restaurant kitchens. Here are fifteen tips to minimize the risk of lacerations and punctures.

1. Keep knives sharp
2. Use the right knife for the right job
3. Store knives in a rack or knife block – not loose in a drawer
4. Curl fingers of the hand holding the food under when chopping, mincing, etc.
5. Wear cut-resistant gloves
6. Use a cutting board
7. Clean knives immediately after use
8. Don’t try to catch a falling knife
9. Install machine guards
10. Maintain all equipment
11. Train employees on the proper use of knives and equipment
12. Don’t wear loose clothing or jewelry that can get stuck in equipment
13. When washing glasses, don’t quickly change the water temperature
14. Don’t stack glassware
15. Don’t allow glasses to rub against each other

Burns

Again, with all the hot grease, boiling water, hot stoves, and ovens, it should come as no surprise that burns are one of the most common injuries in restaurant kitchens. QSR reports that “As many as one-third of occupational burns occur in restaurants, totaling about 12,000 reported cases per year, although the actual number is projected to be much higher.” Here are fifteen tips to avoid burns in your restaurant kitchen

1. Turn pot handles away from burners
2. Never leave handles sticking out over the edge of the stove
3. Adjust burn flames, so they cover only the bottom of the pan
4. Avoid overcrowding range tops
5. Don’t leave hot oil or grease unattended for any length of time
6. Slowly lift lids to allow steam to escape
7. Keep hair, clothing, and flammable materials away from open flames
8. Ask for help to move very heavy pots that are hot or contain hot ingredients
9. Use fryer baskets
10. Don’t fill fryer baskets more than halfway
11. Install splash guards on fryers
12. Remove excess ice crystals on food before placing in fryer
13. Dispose of oil correctly
14. Wear protective clothing, such as gloves
15. Use hot pads, pot holders, etc.

Sprains and Strains

Improper lifting, overreaching, tripping, etc., can cause sprains and strains in restaurant kitchens. Here are fourteen tips to minimize the risk of this type of injury.

1. Wear slip-resistant shoes
2. Clean up spills immediately
3. Use signs to warn of potential hazards
4. Keep walkways clean and free from tripping hazards
5. Avoid carrying loads that block your view
6. Ensure there is adequate lighting
7. Store heavier items on the middle shelves
8. Use a ladder or step stool instead of reaching above your shoulder height
9. Use hand trucks to move items when possible
10. Use anti-fatigue mats
11. Use mechanical equipment to limit repetitive tasks when possible
12. Provide training on safe lifting techniques
13. Take breaks from repetitive tasks
14. Avoid awkward positions

Regular employee training and the enforcement of safety procedures are crucial to minimizing injuries. Every restaurant kitchen should also have a first aid kit handy and make sure that several workers in the kitchen know how to treat minor injuries properly.

How to Save on Restaurant Insurance Costs

Developing a safe work environment is a significant step to reduce Restaurant Insurance costs, but it isn’t the only step restaurant owners can take. The experienced agents at American Insuring Group can offer additional ways to lower your Restaurant Insurance costs. So give us a call at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online and start saving today!

Imagine… One of your servers loses his grip on a hot cup of coffee and it lands on a patron’s lap. Or a woman slips on a wet spot in your restroom and breaks her ankle in two places.

As a restaurant owner, you’re probably already aware how quickly an accident can happen in your establishment. So it’s incumbent upon you to be prepared for the lawsuits and expenses that often accompany these type of mishaps. Without adequate restaurant insurance protection, your business assets could be seized to pay any claims for which you’re found liable. 

Even when the court does not rule in the patron’s favor, your restaurant will still be responsible for court costs and your attorney's fees to defend the case.

Getting the right insurance protection

Without the proper insurance coverage, incidents like these could bankrupt, or at least derail, your small business. Liability insurance safeguards your business from claims from others, including lawsuits. This insurance starts with a General Liability (GL) policy, but there are also plans to meet a restaurant’s specific needs. These include:

• Liquor Liability if your business serves alcohol
• Excess Liability to increase the liability limits on your policy
• Assault and Battery Liability if a fight breaks out and there are injuries
• Cyber Liability to address data breaches

Who needs this insurance?

Restaurant liability insurance is appropriate for a variety of hospitality businesses including:

• Full-service restaurants
• Fast-food restaurants
• Bars and taverns
• Sports bars
• Night clubs
• Delis
• Pizzerias
• Food trucks
• Caterers

This list is not comprehensive, but it gives you an idea of the types of establishments that incur the risks associated with serving food and drinks to customers and clients.

What does general liability insurance cover?

Liability policies will usually include the following:

• Financial awards to the plaintiff if you lose your case
• Attorney’s fees for defending your business in court
• Future medical payments for an injured party
• Settlement costs if it makes sense to settle out of court

If a patron’s injury or illness results in death, your GL policy will cover the medical expenses, funeral expenses, and any court-awarded compensation. Just remember, when your employees are injured or become sick while working for you, they are not covered under your GL but by your Worker’s Compensation insurance.

Property damage claims coverage may be included

Keep in mind that your policy may also protect your food service business from liability due to injuries or property damages that happen at other locations. Think about a business that caters an event at which a food warmer malfunctions and the resulting fire causes property damage at the venue. Your policy would handle the costs and any lawsuits.

And don’t forget personal and advertising injury claims

When your restaurant uses advertising or any promotional literature, you need to take into consideration that you may be infringing on another restaurant’s brands or copyrights. A general liability policy that covers you if you copy the promotional literature of another business would make sense. It protects you from accusations that your advertising slandered or libeled another company or person and caused non-physical damage.

Be Prepared - Contact Us for All Your Restaurant Insurance Needs

No matter how well prepared you think you are, your food service business is not immune to accidents. A Restaurant General Liability policy is a must to protect you against the unpredictability of mishaps, oversights, and lawsuits.

When shopping for coverage, contact American Insuring Group online or call us at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 for help in finding the right policy to fit your restaurant business needs.