Meeting safety requirements has always been an essential part of restaurant and commercial kitchen management but with the arrival of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, restaurant safety has taken on a whole new level of importance. If you want to keep your restaurant open for business, you need to have the right PPE and sanitation supplies to protect both your staff and your customers.
Read on to learn more about how OSHA standards apply to the pandemic, how to determine your staff’s level of risk, and how to reduce the spread of COVID-19 with PPE such as face masks, and by using disinfectants and sanitizing in your commercial kitchen.
OSHA Standards for PPE
SARSCoV-2 is the virus that causes the disease known as COVID-19. In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, it is important for all employers to follow OSHA guidelines regarding PPE. While there are no specific OSHA standards covering SARSCoV-2 exposure, some existing OSHA requirements may apply to preventing occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
According to standards set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers must provide PPE such as disposable gloves and face masks to protect their staff from workplace hazards that can cause injury or illness. OSHA also requires employers to pay for personal protective equipment used to comply with OSHA standards.
According to OSHA, existing OSHA guidelines that likely apply to SARSCoV-2 include:
• OSHA’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards (in general industry, 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I), which require using gloves, eye and face protection, and respiratory protection.
• The General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970, 29 USC 654(a)(1), which requires employers to furnish to each worker “employment and a place of employment, which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.”
When selecting PPE, consider factors such as function, fit, decontamination ability, disposal, and cost. Employers should review their needs and select the combination of PPE that best protects workers specific to their workplace. Here is a list of PPE, disinfecting and sanitation supplies to consider having on hand for your restaurant.
PPE, Disinfectant and Sanitation Supplies for Commercial Kitchens
Face Masks
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends using face masks to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread. Face masks are currently recommended for employees and for customers as much as possible when not eating or drinking and when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. The CDC suggests the use of masks among all staff. Face shields can be used as a secondary protective barrier.
Disposable Gloves
Disposable gloves should be worn by employees when they are removing garbage bags or handling and disposing of trash, handling used or dirty food service items, or cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
Safety Goggles, Safety Glasses, and Face Shields
Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci, has stated that while not “universally recommended” as of now, “if you have goggles or a face shield, you should wear it.” Safety goggle, glasses, or a face shield can be an effective way to protect the mucosa in your eyes from exposure to the SARSCoV-2 virus.
Employees with exposure to large numbers of people, like in a restaurant, wearing goggles, safety glasses or a face shield will provide a greater degree of protection from COVID-19.
Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer should be made readily available to all employees, especially in areas where they gather or meet. Hand sanitizer should also be available to all restaurant guests. In order to be effective, hand sanitizer must contain at least 60% alcohol.
Disinfectants
Cleaning and disinfection is another very important part of stopping the spread of COVID-19. Disinfectants should be used on frequently touched surfaces such door handles, cash registers, workstations, and sink handles.
Shared objects such as payment terminals, tables, countertops or bars, receipt trays, and condiment holders should be cleaned and disinfected between each use.
Handheld disinfectant sprayers are one of the best ways to stop the spread and transmission of viruses. A handheld disinfectant and sanitation sprayer requires minimal effort and is a great tool for getting the job done fast.
Handheld disinfectant sprayers provide flexibility allowing you to sanitize both small and large surfaces with a consistent mist as well as hard-to-reach areas like corners.
Non-contact Infrared Thermometers
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 can help keep staff from spreading the disease to other employees and customers. It is extremely important to conduct daily health checks including temperature screening with a non-contact infrared thermometer as well as symptom checking.
What’s Your Risk Level?
The CDC has created the following general guidelines for evaluating the level or risk for restaurant workers.
Lowest Risk: Food service limited to drive-through, delivery, take-out, and curb-side pick up.
More Risk: Drive-through, delivery, take-out, and curb-side pick up emphasized. On-site dining limited to outdoor seating. Seating capacity reduced to allow tables to be spaced at least 6 feet apart.
Higher Risk: On-site dining with indoor seating capacity reduced to allow tables to be spaced at least 6 feet apart. And/or on-site dining with outdoor seating, but tables not spaced at least six feet apart.
Highest Risk: On-site dining with indoor seating. Seating capacity not reduced and tables not spaced at least 6 feet apart.
In Conclusion
Whatever level of risk your establishment carries for its employees, it is your duty to provide the proper PPE equipment to them. Keep everyone at your restaurant or commercial kitchen safer by implementing a strict disinfecting and sanitizing regimen. Not only will you help stop the spread of COVID-19, you will also help make sure your business has the best possible chance of staying open and not having to close down due to health quarantine restrictions.
Have questions about any of our PPE, disinfecting or sanitizing products? Our customer service specialists are here to help. Just call us at 877-394-9731 or email us at customerservice@hoodfilters.com.
