Safety & Limit Equipment Downtime During Winter Weather in The Restaurants

Winter weather is unpredictable, unmanageable, and if not prepared for properly, can wreak havoc on your establishment. From slips and falls to frozen pipes the sheer thought of winter precipitation is overwhelming. As disappointing as it is to hear, there is no foolproof way to guarantee an incident-free winter. However there are ways to prepare for, and handle, these situations as they occur. Here are 8 procedures your restaurant can implement to ensure your customer's safety and efficient operation of your foodservice equipment when winter weather strikes.

Have a Plan

Having a plan in place for winter weather is imperative in the foodservice industry. The plan should include a list of employee’s names and numbers scheduled, as well as a list of employees willing to face the weather to cover call offs. Knowing each employee’s proximity from the restaurant is also important so you can predict the call-offs and adjust the schedule accordingly. The plan should also include a list of emergency numbers for quick reference in case of an accident inside or outside your location. The last thing in your plan should be a list of shut off valves and their locations in case of power failure. Make your employees aware of the plan and its location for quick reference. Remove snow from sidewalks and parking lots.

Snow and ice should be removed completely before your location opens (if applicable) with continuous removal throughout the day as needed. If you are unable to remove the snow/ice sufficiently you should hire a contractor. When dealing with a contractor it is very important to have clear and specific directions of what is expected and how often they will return throughout the day. Give extra attention to high traffic areas as well as walkways, stairs, and ramps. The use of deicers and/or abrasives should be used to melt the ice and give traction. Encourage your employees to report any areas in need of attention, and monitor the outside areas often so you can remain proactive, not reactive. Be prepared for power outagesUnderstand that a power outage is a very real threat during winter storms.

To prepare for power outages make sure generators are in working order to provide energy to refrigeration, emergency lighting, and basic kitchen equipment. If you do not have a generator it is important to have a current inventory of product in need of refrigeration. Also, educate all your employees of temperature danger zones so food can be handled properly. Have your energy supplier’s number on hand so you have an idea of how long the power will be out. This will help you determine the plan of action best suited for your establishment.

Prevent Pipes From Freezing

As temperatures drop the water in pipes can freeze resulting in a complete loss of water to your establishment. The best way to prevent this is to be proactive. Make sure all water pipes are properly insulated; this will keep them from completely freezing shut leaving your establishment with no water. If you are not sure your pipes are insulated, and the threat of winter weather is leaving you little time to prepare, you can prevent your pipes from freezing by turning the water on slightly. A few drips minutes will cause water to constantly move in the pipes making it harder to freeze. Cover open display coolers and cold tablet's no surprise as the temperatures go down the heat is turned up. Increased heat in the kitchen can cause potential problems for open display coolers and cold tables. These units sometimes have problems keeping temperatures and can result in a loss of product. It’s a good idea to cover these coolers when not in use. This will allow the unit to conserve energy and work efficiently when the heat is cranked up.

Monitor temperatures to avoid loss and have an action plan in place to relocate product if necessary. No matter what the situation is, the important factor is the safety of your staff, your customers, and yourself. Weigh every detail before making the decision to open or remain open during a storm. Be sure to stay updated on the current forecast, and traffic alerts. Be prepared to face potential problems as they occur. Educate your employees about the specific winter weather procedures and policies. Most importantly don’t panic. If you follow these 8 simple winter weather tips you will be better prepared to face whatever Mother Nature will throw at you.