Accident Investigation Questions- Fryer

Below are questions that should be answered after a fryer accident or incident. Answering these questions will help you as a manager improve your team’s performance when working on or around the fryers. Asking yourself these questions BEFORE an accident occurs can help you ensure an accident does NOT occur.

  • Were there any witnesses?
  • Did you interview the witnesses?
  • Was the person trained to clean fryers AND does he have documented fryer certification?
  • Do they know the appropriate procedure? Did you ask them to walk you through the procedure step by step?
  • Did the team member allow the grease to cool for 20 minutes prior to releasing the grease?
  • Was the team member using the appropriate equipment? Pot/pan vs. shuttle.
  • Was there water in the bottom of the shuttle?
  • Did the team member have a soft drink near the fryer when performing the task?
  • Was he wearing the appropriate PPE?
  • Who else is performing the task in the same manner?
  • Does the associate understand the potential reaction between hot grease and water/soda, etc?
  • What position was his/her body in when the accident occurred?
  • Were there any outlying circumstances during the event- (ie. employee was talking on cell phone while performing task, etc)
  • Was there any horseplay involved?
  • General housekeeping around the fryers- good/bad? Describe

If you take time to ask questions such as these, you may uncover the root cause of an accident. If we get to the root cause, we can make changes that positively influence safety, quality AND production- which will ultimately make your store more profitable and allow you and your team to achieve the maximum bonus possible!!

Accident Investigation Questions- Slips, Trips, Falls

Below are questions that should be answered after a slip, trip or fall type accident. Answering these questions will help you as a manager improve your team’s performance when working at the restaurant. Asking yourself these questions BEFORE an accident occurs can help you ensure an accident does NOT occur.

  • Were there any witnesses?
  • Did you interview the witnesses?
  • Does the associate have slip resistant footwear?
  • Is it in good condition?
  • What is the condition of the floor where the accident occurred? (greasy, food, water, paper, trash, electrical cords)
  • Was the appropriate mop used to clean the area? Front mop vs. back mop
  • What cleaners were used when moping the floor? Type, concentration, mixtures
  • What was the employee doing when the slip/trip/fall occurred?
  • Why were they doing this task in the manner they were doing it?
  • Was there any horseplay involved?
  • General housekeeping? Boxes stacked, tight spaces, blind spots?
  • Were there any environmental factors involved? Weather, lighting, etc?
  • Were appropriate signs used/posted to indicate hazard?
  • Is their uniform properly sized? Pants too long, worn low on the hip, etc.
  • Are transition areas properly marked and protected (anti slip tape, signs-step down, etc)?
  • What other factors played into the accident (low on manpower, lunch rush, new hire)?
  • Did this slip/trip/fall take place outside?
  • Why was this associate outside?
  • Who else is performing this task in the same manner?
  • Were there any outlying circumstances during the event- (ie. employee was talking on cell phone while performing task, etc)

If you take time to ask questions such as these, you may uncover the root cause of an accident. If we get to the root cause, we can make changes that positively influence safety, quality AND production- which will ultimately make your store more profitable and allow you and your team to achieve the maximum bonus possible!!

Accident Investigation Questions- Laceration

Below are questions that should be answered after an injury involving a laceration has occurred. Answering these questions will help you as a manager improve your team’s performance when working at the restaurant. Asking yourself these questions BEFORE an accident occurs can help you ensure an accident does NOT occur.

  • Were there any witnesses?
  • Did you interview the witnesses?
  • Did you get an accurate description of the incident? Have them walk you through the process step by step.
  • Were they wearing appropriate PPE? If not, WHY?
  • What devices were in use during the time of the incident?
  • Were the devices being used properly?
  • Are the devices in good working order? (Sharp knife vs. dull)
  • Is the device authorized to be used for such tasks? (box cutters/knives brought from home, etc)
  • Is the employees technique appropriate and approved?
  • What body position was the employee in?
  • What other things contributed to the laceration (slip/trip/fall, burn, pushed, etc.)
  • Are there sharp edges on equipment, counter, seating areas that caused laceration?
  • Is the lighting appropriate?
  • General housekeeping?
  • Distractions (cell phone, I-pod, loud noises, etc.)
  • Who else is performing tasks in the same manner?
  • Were there any outlying circumstances during the event- (ie. employee was talking on cell phone while performing task, etc)

If you take time to ask questions such as these, you may uncover the root cause of an accident. If we get to the root cause, we can make changes that positively influence safety, quality AND production- which will ultimately make your store more profitable and allow you and your team to achieve the maximum bonus possible!!

Accident Investigation Questions- Soft Tissue Injury

(Back, Knee, Shoulder)

Below are questions that should be answered after an injury involving a laceration. Answering these questions will help you as a manager improve your team’s performance when working at the restaurant. Asking yourself these questions BEFORE an accident occurs can help you ensure an accident does NOT occur.

  • Were there any witnesses?
  • Did you interview the witnesses?
  • Did you get an accurate description of the incident? Have them walk you through what they were doing step by step.
  • Use open ended questions like, “then what”, “can you tell me more”, “elaborate on that”…
  • Describe the employees body position
  • Ask the employee about conditions around their work area at the time of the accident (poor housekeeping, greasy floors, etc)
  • What were they lifting/moving/trying to attempt?
  • Are items stored properly on the shelves? (heavier items in the “comfort zone”-between knees and shoulder height)
  • Who else is performing this task in the same manner?
  • Are containers appropriately sized for the task?
  • Do they have handles?
  • Are all containers in good condition?

If you take time to ask questions such as these, you may uncover the root cause of an accident. If we get to the root cause, we can make changes that positively influence safety, quality AND production- which will ultimately make your store more profitable and allow you and your team to achieve the maximum bonus possible!!