Restaurant and kitchen safety
Millions of Americans work in the restaurant and hospitality industry, especially teens and young adults. Learn how to recognize common hazards and prevent injuries, including burns, cuts, back pain and strains/sprains.
Oregon OSHA
Visit the Oregon OSHA website to learn more about restaurant safety and regulations. Start here:
- Don't find out by accident: Graphic illustrations warn about the dangers of burns and cuts.
- Hazard Alert - Restaurant Worker Hazards
Featured video
Kitchen safety showdown
Chefs compete to see who's got the chops when it comes to restaurant safety. Learn how to avoid common kitchen injuries, including burns and cuts, muscle strains and falls, and hazardous chemicals and equipment.
Resources
Restaurants and kitchens
Restaurant and kitchen safety tips
A great overview of common kitchen hazards and includes ways to address them.
Kitchen safety game
Do you have what it takes to defeat the champ? Play our game and find out. [Spanish]
Posters
These posters provide tips to prevent injuries in kitchens. They are formatted to print at 11 x 17.
- Prevent burns [Spanish]
- Prevent chemical exposures [Spanish]
- Prevent cuts [Spanish]
- Prevent equipment and electrical injuries [Spanish]
- Prevent slips and falls [Spanish]
- Prevent strains and sprains [Spanish]
Preventing cuts and amputations from food slicers and meat grinders (OSHA)
This quick guide describes the main hazards from operating food slicers and meat grinders and offers best practices for preventing cuts and amputations.
Crisis management resources for hotels and restaurants (Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association)
This page has resource links to help employers with multiple workplace challenges such as mental health, sexual harassment, and natural disasters.
Ergonomics for the Food Services Industry - Fact Sheet. (Texas.gov)
Kitchen safety videos (WorkSafe BC)
Stream these short videos that provide tips for common kitchen hazards.
Safety training materials (University of California, Berkeley)
Help employees gain the skills they need to recognize common restaurant hazards and prevent injuries and illnesses.
Young workers
eTool | Restaurant safety (OSHA)
Many teens' first job is in the restaurant industry. This interactive eTool about young workers includes information, posters, and quizzes to help them stay safe.
Restaurants (Washington State Department of Labor & Industries)
A variety of resources to help train in the restaurant industry.
Food Trucks
Propane safety for food trucks and other mobile kitchens (WorkSafe BC)
Food truck safety fact sheet and checklist (National Fire Protection Association)
Video library
Kitchen safety showdown
Kitchen safety game
Do you have what it takes to defeat the champ? Play our game and find out. [Spanish]
For more info, go to https://www.saif.com/kitchensafety
Play individual segments (English):
Round 1: Burns and cuts (4:55)
Round 2: Strains and falls (3:05)
Round 3: Chemicals and equipment (5:40)
Play individual segments (Spanish):
Ronda 1: Quemaduras y cortaduras (5:15)
Ronda 2: Esguinces y caídas (3:22)
Ronda 3: Químicos y aparatos de cocina (6:31)
Supporting materials
Restaurant and kitchen safety tips [Spanish]
Posters (11 x 17):
Burns [Spanish]
Chemical exposures [Spanish]
Cuts [Spanish]
Equipment/electrical accidents [Spanish]
Strains and sprains [Spanish]
Slips, trips and falls [Spanish]