How often should a front of house risk assessment be reviewed?

Q: How often should a front of house risk assessment be reviewed?

A front of house risk assessment should be reviewed every 12 months. Consistently reviewing these assessments ensures that any changes in your restaurant’s layout, staff, or operations are properly addressed, maintaining safety for all.

Q: What changes trigger an early review of front of house risk assessments?

Significant changes like new floor layouts, introduction of new services, customer accidents, new equipment, changes in cleaning routines, or the hiring of new staff should trigger an early review of your front of house risk assessments.

It's important to review your front of house risk assessment every 12 months. Regular reviews help ensure that any changes in the restaurant environment or operations are accounted for, keeping your staff and customers safe.

Common misunderstanding: Once completed, a risk assessment is good indefinitely.

Risk assessments need regular updates to remain effective. Changes in layout, staff, or operations can introduce new risks that weren't previously considered.

Common misunderstanding: Annual reviews are only for large restaurants or bars.

All hospitality venues, regardless of size, should review their risk assessments annually to address any potential new hazards and ensure compliance with safety regulations.

What changes trigger an early review of front of house risk assessments?

An early review of your front of house risk assessment should be triggered by significant changes such as a new floor layout, introduction of new services like live music or dancing, customer accidents, the use of new equipment, changes in cleaning routines, or hiring new staff.

Common misunderstanding: Only major renovations require a risk assessment review.

Even minor changes, like rearranging furniture or altering service types, can significantly impact safety and should prompt a review.

Common misunderstanding: New equipment doesn’t affect existing risk assessments.

Any new equipment can introduce new hazards, necessitating an update to your risk assessment to include these changes.

How can I ensure I don’t forget to review my FOH risk assessment?

To ensure you don’t forget to review your FOH risk assessment, set a recurring reminder in your calendar for an annual review. Additionally, using a management system like Pilla, which can automatically remind you, is an effective way to stay on top of this important task.

Common misunderstanding: Reviews are only necessary if there are obvious problems.

Regular reviews are crucial even if no immediate issues are apparent. They help identify potential risks that aren't always obvious but could still lead to accidents or non-compliance issues.

UK Official Guidance

•UK Government guidance on risk assessments

USA Official Guidance

•USA Government guidance including risk assessments