What are common risks waiters and waitresses face on the job?

The food service industry is a demanding job. You are often on your feet for most of the day, and you have to maintain a customer service attitude the whole time. This means that even when you are not feeling your best, you have to act like you are. In addition, food service has many common risks that could lead to injuries that take you off the job.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration explains there are a few different common hazards you may face working as a food server in a restaurant. There are some obvious risks, such as cuts from knives and other sharp instruments, and burns from hot plates that you carry to customers. These risks are something that you can often prevent by being careful with sharp objects and hot serving dishes.

Another common hazard is slips, trips and falls. Often these occur due to spills. You may not realize a customer spilled something and be unable to see the ground as you carry food and beverages out to your tables. Rolled rugs, tattered carpeting or other flooring issues are also a danger that could lead to a fall. You should always report any flooring issues as soon as possible, and clean up spills as soon as they happen.

Finally, strains and sprains are common among food servers. The bending and lifting you do routinely as part of your job could lead to a muscle injury. This can make it difficult for you to continue working. The best way to prevent this from happening is to follow safety rules for lifting and bending.