10 Ways to Avoid Electrical Shocks in Your Restaurant’s Kitchen

Bringing electricity into a wet environment can easily spell disaster. For restaurant kitchens, that combination is often an unavoidable threat.

When operating plug-in kitchen equipment and practicing regular hand washing, cooks can easily shock themselves if they’re not too careful. Frayed cords or poorly placed equipment can exacerbate the problem and put restaurant workers at a severe risk for electrocution and other serious injuries.

You can make a difference by providing proper training and instituting these 10 rules for dampening the risk of electrical shocks in the kitchen.

  1. Do not modify electrical cords or use them incorrectly.
  2. Do not operate kitchen appliances with wet hands or on wet surfaces.
  3. In wet areas such as near sinks or tubs, use only ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI).
  4. Do not run extension cords between floor levels or through doorways.
  5. Train employees to unplug appliances by pulling on the plug and not the cord.
  6. Immediately fix or replace appliances if their cords are frayed, cut, missing ground prongs or have exposed wiring.
  7. Hard-wire items that will be powered on a long-term basis.
  8. Prevent grease from coming into contact with outlets to avoid short circuits.
  9. Use only cords, connection devices and fittings that are equipped with strain relief.
  10. Employ only factory-assembled, UL-Listed cord sets and 3-wire extension cords.

Backed by the Wisconsin, Iowa and Indiana Restaurant Associations, our restaurant coverage protects you from your industry’s unique risks. From spoilage protection to our no-wait business interruption coverage, we take away the worry so you can focus on what you do best: taking care of your customers. To learn how Society gets the details right for you, contact your local independent Society agent today.

Author

As a mutual insurance company, we operate and exist for the benefit of our policyholders. For more than 100 years, Society has been helping businesses overcome the unexpected with comprehensive coverage packages and outstanding claims handling, underwriting and risk management.

Latest Articles

Top Advice For Graduates Trying to Start a Career

As of 2020, there is an average of over 4 million students who have graduated from colleges in the...

7 TIPS TO HELP PREVENT PIPE BURSTING THIS WINTER

Originally published January 29, 2019, updated January 18, 2023. Many parts of the country are no...

A Guide to Safe Keg Handling

At one time or another, almost everyone who works in the restaurant and bar industry has been...

2022 Year in Review

Society Insurance is committed to providing blog posts to help business owners optimize daily...

What To Do If Someone Falls in Your Business

When we experience a special event in our lives, we try to memorialize every second of it, because...

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome at Work

What Is Imposter Syndrome? Imposter syndrome is defined as the persistent inability to believe...

How a Restaurant Closing Checklist Benefits Your Business

As a bar or restaurant owner, you know that your night isn’t over when the last customer leaves....

Creative Interview Questions for Finding the Right Candidate

Interview questions usually revolve around a candidate’s work history, experience and unique...

6 FACTORS THAT CAN DRIVE UP INSURANCE COSTS FOR RESTAURANTS

Have you ever caught yourself wondering why your business’ premium changes over time? Odds are you...

Stay up to date with industry updates by subscribing to the Society Insurance blog!