The restaurant business is extremely competitive and owning a food truck can be one of the most stressful jobs a person in that industry can undertake. The environment that a food truck has can lead to health concerns for the employees, even those who work in a lunch wagon type vehicle. This is something that a manager or owner has to watch closely. Employees with health problems due to the truck’s kitchen environments might come back and try to sue their former employer. The concern for the employees isn’t only because of lawsuits but also for the morale and reputation of the eatery. The following are a few health concerns to consider when operating a food truck, of any kind, as an owner.
Prevent Smoke Inhalation with Effective Exhaust Fans
Those who cook in a food truck kitchen can walk away with permanent injuries, similar to a typical commercial kitchen. Burns and excessive smoke inhalation over the years can really add up to major health concerns. The proper equipment immensely helps reduce the cases of fires and smoke in the kitchen. In food trucks there are specially-made food truck exhaust fans that are created for the smaller space but can still effectively clear the air of grease, smoke, and food odors. In brick and mortar restaurants there are usually numerous exhaust fans which connect to hoods that are placed over the hottest areas of the kitchen like the oven and stovetop. These food truck exhaust fans and ventilation equipment need to be cleaned regularly by a professional to help prevent kitchen fires, which of course saves money as well as keeps staff and patrons safe.
Take Caution with Workers Comp
There are so many places that a person can become injured on the job. Burns can limit a person’s physical activity for a long period of time while they recover. You will be required to pay this if it is some negligence of the employee rather than a safety precaution that was skipped over by the food truck owner. Insuring your business for these types of situations is imperative as a few claims against you can cripple cash flow. Frivolous lawsuits are usually saved for patrons but keeping an attorney on retainer is essential as disgruntled employees might bring about this type of suit.
Be Proactive with Mental Health
Mental health is hard to detect in any work setting but helping employees to avoid burnout is a great place to start. Many young people working in a food truck or restaurant try to pick up as many shifts as they can. Limiting the max amount of shifts can help avoid overstress and the eventual breakdown that happens when appropriate rest and relaxation isn’t taken. The body language of people is a great indicator of how they are feeling that day. As a manager or owner it is important to be in tune you’re your staff so you can modify plans for the day if needed. For example, if someone seems to be having a particularly rough day limit the responsibilities they have for the day.
Health concerns as an owner of a food truck and employer of kitchen staff are higher than those in other jobs. For these reasons it is important to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to the health of your employees. Keeping employees safe, happy and healthy allows a food truck to thrive (or restaurant of any kind for that matter) instead of putting money into workers comp or attorney fees. Make sure that you have the proper ventilation equipment for the food truck kitchen and the proper training for new hires to reduce the risk of health problems and injuries.