Cintas Identifies Best Practices for Preventing Slip and Fall Accidents in Foodservice Operations
January 12 2012 - 10:31AM
Business Wire
To help restaurants prevent injuries and reduce liability,
Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) today issued a list of best
practices for reducing slip and fall accidents. Presented in their
recent slip and fall prevention webinar, these practices are also
recommended to assist foodservice operators as they prepare for
upcoming standards expected to be released by the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) in 2012.
“CNA research shows that the single most important factor in
determining the slip resistance of a floor is how it’s cleaned and
maintained – not the floor’s type, finish or cleaner,” said Dave
Ludwin, webinar presenter and General and Products Liability Risk
Control Director at CNA. “Consequently, foodservice operators need
to make sure they have the right program in place to protect their
employees and reduce their exposure to potential liability
claims.”
According to data compiled by CNA, slip and fall accidents
account for more than 21 percent of Worker’s Compensation Claims
and 59 percent of general liability claim costs. ANSI is currently
vetting several standards to help measure the effectiveness of
floor care maintenance programs with the goal of improving floor
traction and reducing these injuries. The upcoming standards will
outline floor safety procedures ranging from walkway auditing to
floor safety management programs. Foodservice operators can
anticipate these new standards to take effect within the next few
months.
To prepare for the standards and to assist in the development of
a safe floor program, foodservice operators should consider the
following tips:
- Select the best floor material for
the area. Consider high traction floor surfaces for areas where
water or grease might gather, such as around dishwashers or grill
areas.
- Identify the right cleaner for the
job. Cleaners effective in cleaning up grease might not be as
effective in cleaning up soils with fatty acids, which could result
in a slippery surface. Use the proper cleaner for type of soil
targeted.
- Implement proper cleaning tools and
supplies. Tools such as microfiber mops utilize less water,
reducing the amount of water required to clean up spills – and
further eliminating opportunities for slip and fall hazards.
- Follow manufacturer guidelines.
Review the recommended dilution ratios and proper procedures for
using cleaning chemicals and equipment. An automated chemical
dispensing system will automatically create the proper dilution for
optimal cleaning, reduced expense, and improved employee
safety.
- Develop a written protocol for floor
maintenance. For consistency in the floor cleaning program,
outline the program in writing so everyone knows exactly how the
floor should be cleaned throughout different parts of the
restaurant.
- Establish a floor cleaning
schedule. Identify frequencies for all levels of floor cleaning
– from daily maintenance procedures to deep cleaning.
- Train staff on floor cleaning
protocol. Demonstrate procedures for placing and cleaning
matting, cleaning floors and maintaining the cleaning equipment. If
an automated chemical dispensing system is not available, be sure
to include training on the proper dilution and handling of
chemicals.
- Follow up to ensure protocol is
followed, and hold staff accountable. Conduct scheduled and
surprise audits to inspect floor cleanliness and identify if staff
are following the proper procedures.
“No foodservice operator wants a slip and fall accident to occur
in their restaurant,” said David Collette, Director of Foodservice
Marketing, Cintas Corporation. “Not only can this result in a
worker or patron injury, it can create a public relations
nightmare, potentially costing a business thousands in settlement
costs and legal fees. With the anticipated ANSI standards on the
horizon, foodservice operators can proactively prepare their
organization by implementing a program to protect their floors
now.”
For more information on developing a safe floor program,
download Cintas’ recent webinar hosted by leading slip-and-fall
expert Russ Kendzior, an internationally recognized expert on slip
and fall accident prevention and founder of the National Floor
Safety Institute; Dennis Fetzer, a casualty claims consultant and
leading expert witness in slip and fall accidents and Dave
Ludwin.
For additional information on Cintas’ solutions for foodservice,
go to http://www.cintas.com/Industries/FoodService/. To view the
recent webinar, go to www.cintas.com/safefloorwebinar.
About Cintas:
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas Corporation provides highly
specialized services to businesses of all types primarily
throughout North America. Cintas designs, manufactures and
implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides
entrance mats, restroom supplies, promotional products, first aid,
safety, fire protection products and services and document
management services for approximately 900,000 businesses. Cintas is
a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market
under the symbol CTAS and is a component of the Standard &
Poor’s 500 Index.
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