An area of high risk for employee injuries is in walk-in coolers and freezers. These surfaces are slippery and often wet. Debris can collect on the surfaces as well. Trip and fall hazards are numerous. Equipment breakdowns may also put a dent in your finances.
Most business insurance will provide some coverage for these risks. It can help to cover equipment that is not working properly. Workers compensation, a form of business insurance, can help with employee injury. However, fewer claims is always the better solution. Here's how to reduce risks in these areas.
Have an Equipment Check at Least Once a Year
Have a licensed contractor visit to inspect these systems on a regular basis. Often, condensation occurs when the system is not operating well. It is possible to adjust the function of many systems to minimize the development of moisture or ice. Removing this helps to reduce some of the risk present.
Keep Surfaces Clean
Follow manufacturer guidelines for cleaning walk-in cooler and freezer floors. It is essential to ensure these surfaces are free from debris and any buildup of ice. Clean up spills as soon as they occur. Do so thoroughly to ensure nothing accumulates. Make this area one to check throughout the workday to ensure it is safe for employees to use.
Check Doors for Closure
One reason coolers and freezers stop operating has to do with the gaskets around the doors. These sponge-like, accordion-like fixtures help to ensure the door seals. They help prevent any lost air while also keeping unconditioned air from getting in. Clean them routinely. If you notice they no longer seal well, replace them. This should be a key component of normal preventative maintenance.
Keep Product Managed Well
Do not stack items on high shelves. This may tempt someone to climb on those shelves to reach the items. Avoid stacking items too high off the floor, too. This may cause them to topple over. Be sure that shelves do not have too much weight on them. This, too, causes the system to not work well. You want the cooler and freezer components to keep working well.
Keep an eye on any employee that enters these areas. Be sure that proper hygiene and OSHA-guidelines are a priority. It is also helpful to be sure employees have proper safety equipment when working in these environments.
Keep your restaurant business safe. Let R.V. Johnson Insurance help. Give us a call at 772.287.3366 for a quote on Stuart FL business insurance.