Loss prevention starts small for big results
Nationwide Insurance offers online training for restaurant owners
Columbus, Ohio — Keeping customers safe from accidents is critical for building and upholding a restaurant's reputation. Nationwide Insurance combines simple safety tips with online training courses for a complete safety and loss prevention package, with the goal to help small business owners keep customers happy, increase profits and in some cases, reduce risk and insurance premium.
“Customer service and safety are every small business owner’s top priorities,” says Dave Gettles, vice president of loss control for Nationwide Insurance. “A few preventive measures can go a long way to protect your business and keep customers returning again and again.”
Nationwide Insurance offers online safety training courses for food service establishments, many available in English and Spanish. The site allows you to select the courses that fit your needs, learn at your own pace, and track your results. These courses are part of a larger online safety training resource from Nationwide that offers more than 300 classes to assist a variety of business needs. For more information, please visit safety-training.nationwide.com.
These simple tips from Nationwide Insurance also offer easy, often no-cost ways to maintain a safe workplace for employees and patrons:
- Maintain the interior and exterior - Frequently check exterior lighting to ensure well-lit walking and working areas. Maintain racking and shelving so the units remain steady and secure. Remove excess trash and debris.
- Keep walking areas free and clear - Make sure that the areas where customers walk are in good physical condition and clear of cords and debris. To reduce congestion in these areas, review your restaurant for placement of cash registers, food service stations and tables. Clean up wet spills immediately. Clear exterior walking surfaces of ice and snow to prevent slipping in winter months.
- Inspect your equipment - In addition to regularly inspecting fire, burglary, sprinkler and alarms systems, it is also a good idea to have your restaurant’s wiring, heating, air conditioning equipment and refrigerated units checked regularly.
- Train your employees - Make sure employees have been trained in storage and dispensing practices when using aerosols, combustibles, flammable liquids and cleaning supplies, and can properly use fire extinguishers. Employees should be trained on the use of special equipment. Consider providing first aid training.
- Develop a business interruption plan - In the event of a burglary, accident or emergency, having an established plan in place that has been practiced by all employees will ensure a safer recovery.
