The Food Preparation area of a restaurant
offers teen workers an opportunity for developing skills in culinary
art, sanitation principles, and in the use of kitchen equipment. Teen
workers in this area may also be exposed to the following hazards:
Employee exposure to slips/trips/falls from slipping on foods or
liquids that have fallen to the floor in the food preparation
area. Tripping or falling into physical hazards such as drain
covers that have come off may also be a problem.
Uncovered drain
Possible Solutions
Teen Worker Solutions
Employers have the primary
responsibility for protecting the safety and health of their
workers. Employees are responsible for following the safe work
practices of their employers.
These may include:
Promptly clean up food spills
and use cones to identify wet areas.
Wear appropriate waterproof
non-slip footwear.
Employer Solutions
Employers have the primary
responsibility for protecting the safety and health of their
workers. Employees are responsible for following the safe work
practices of their employers.
Follow OSHA standards, including:
Keep all places of employment clean and orderly and in a sanitary condition [1910.22(a)(1)].
Keep floors clean and dry [1910.22(a)(2)].
In addition to being a slip hazard, continually wet
surfaces promote the growth of mold, fungi, and
bacteria that can cause infections.
Provide warning signs for wet floor areas [1910.145(c)(2)].
Consider implementing recommended safe work practices, including:
