Commercial kitchens can be a dangerous place to work. They present a number of hazardous situations that have the potential to cause costly injuries and unsanitary conditions. For this reason, kitchen safety and preventative maintenance should be a top priority when you run a restaurant. Taking the following steps will help you maintain a safe, clean, and productive kitchen. 

How to Keep Your Restaurant Kitchen Safe

1. Use Non-Slip Mats

These are essential for preventing falls in commercial kitchens. Floors become slick with grease and moisture when cooking and serving food, which can cause busy chefs and waitstaff to slip. Non-slip mats provide friction and traction that allow employees to continue moving at a fast pace without the worry of incurring an injury.

2. Repair Pipe/Sink Leaks

Water leaks are not only costly but also unsafe in restaurant kitchens. Puddles of water on the floor are another slip-and-fall hazard. If you have a leaky pipe or faucet, it should be professionally repaired as soon as possible. It’s also a good idea to have your plumbing inspected on a consistent basis as part of a preventative maintenance plan, as this will ensure silent leaks are discovered early.

3. Install Fire Extinguishers/Fire Suppression System 

Kitchen fires are a constant danger in restaurants. Fire extinguishers should be readily accessible, and your staff should be trained on how to use them properly. In larger kitchens, a fire suppression system is the best solution for containing flames. These connect to the range hood and gas line and will cut the fuel source as soon as a fire is detected.

4. Clean Grease Traps Regularly                         

Grease trap cleaning is one of the most important preventative maintenance tasks for restaurant owners to keep up on. You must have this done regularly to stay in compliance with the law and avoid clogs that cause unhygienic backflow issues. Additionally, dirty grease traps can create a fire hazard. Full grease traps may catch fire easily and spread quickly.            

Being proactive about preventative maintenance and incorporating these safety tips will help reduce your risk and allow your restaurant kitchen to operate as efficiently as possible. For professional assistance with leak repairs and grease trap cleaning, contact Carolina Pipe Cleaning Inc. Over the last two decades, restaurants throughout Rowan County, NC, have relied on them to provide high-quality and affordable services. Call (704) 279-1151 to request a free job estimate. Visit them online for more information on how they can help keep your commercial kitchen safe and in good working order.