How can I involve my team in the front of house risk assessment?

Q: How can I involve my team in the front of house risk assessment?

Involving your team in the front of house risk assessment is important for understanding real-world risks and ensuring everyone knows their safety responsibilities. Begin by having team members observe the area during various service times to spot potential hazards and discuss their experiences. This inclusive approach not only brings in diverse insights but also keeps the assessment up-to-date. Use the FOH restaurant risk assessment template to document and periodically review these risks.

Q: What insights can senior floor staff offer about FOH safety?

Senior floor staff are valuable in identifying potential safety issues and suggesting practical solutions, drawing from their extensive experience. Their insights can help prevent not only major accidents but also make minor adjustments that significantly improve daily operational safety. These experiences bring a practical, hands-on perspective that enhances the relevance and effectiveness of risk assessments.

Q: How do I get my FOH team to engage with risk management?

Engaging your FOH team with risk management involves clear communication and integration of safety discussions into regular team meetings. It's crucial to move beyond training and foster an environment of continuous engagement and feedback on safety practices. By involving the entire team, you establish a culture where everyone feels responsible for spotting risks and enhancing safety.

Getting your team involved in the front of house (FOH) risk assessment is crucial for identifying real-world risks and ensuring everyone understands their role in maintaining safety. Start by inviting team members to walk through the FOH area during different service times, encouraging them to share observations and experiences of potential hazards.

Common misunderstanding: Only managers need to be involved in the risk assessment process.

Actually, involving all levels of staff, especially those who work daily in the FOH, is essential. They can provide valuable insights into daily operations and potential risks that managers might overlook.

Common misunderstanding: A risk assessment is just a one-time activity.

Risk assessments should be ongoing and updated regularly. Engaging your team continuously helps keep the assessment relevant and up-to-date, adapting to changes in the environment or operations.

What insights can senior floor staff offer about FOH safety?

Senior floor staff often have years of experience and a deep understanding of the dynamics and flow of the restaurant during service. They can identify frequent trouble spots, such as areas prone to spills or customer congestion, and suggest practical solutions based on past incidents and near-misses.

Common misunderstanding: Senior staff insights are only about preventing major accidents.

While preventing major accidents is crucial, senior staff can also help improve overall operational efficiency and minor safety improvements that significantly enhance daily service safety.

Common misunderstanding: The insights from senior staff are too anecdotal to be useful.

On the contrary, the real-life experiences of senior staff are invaluable. They provide a practical perspective that can make risk assessments more relevant and effective.

How do I get my FOH team to engage with risk management?

Engagement starts with communication. Regularly discuss the importance of safety and risk management during team meetings. Make it a part of daily operations rather than a separate, occasional activity. Encourage open dialogue about safety concerns and suggestions for improvement.

Common misunderstanding: Staff will automatically follow safety protocols once they are trained.

Training is just the beginning. Continuous engagement, feedback, and reinforcement of safety practices are necessary to ensure ongoing compliance and awareness.

Common misunderstanding: Risk management is the sole responsibility of the management team.

Risk management is a team effort. Every member of the FOH staff plays a vital role in identifying risks and implementing safety measures. Their active participation is crucial for effective risk management.

UK Official Guidance

•UK Government guidance on risk assessments

USA Official Guidance

•USA Government guidance including risk assessments