Handling and Preventing restaurant grease spills
Automated used cooking oil equipment prevents spills
The very best thing a restaurant owner can do to prevent grease spills is to install automated used cooking oil equipment in their restaurant. Cleanfri’s automated used cooking oil handling systems insure grease spills don’t happen.
You will see savings on insurance claims, premiums, accidents and you will be keeping your employees and your restaurant safe. The cost is much less than you might think.
But when a grease spill does happen..
Restaurant grease spills happen despite all efforts to prevent them. Grease spills can be dangerous if not cleaned up properly. They can cause slips and falls, which can result in serious injuries to staff and customers. To avoid such accidents, restaurant owners and managers need to know how to clean up grease spills quickly and effectively. Below are the steps a restaurant should take to clean up a grease spill:
- Staff and customers must be made aware
The first step when a restaurant grease spill happens is to ensure that everyone in the vicinity is aware of it. Alerting everyone, will help prevent anyone from walking or slipping on the spill, which could result in serious injuries and lawsuits. Put orange tape or caution cones around the area of the spill.
- Control the spill
Next is to control the spill to prevent it from spreading further. This can be done by placing wet floor signs around the spill area, and blocking off any entrances or exits to the area. If the spill is large, it may be necessary to shut down the area until it is cleaned up properly. Controlling a grease spill is similar to controlling an oil spill on water. Surround the spill with rags, a hose or create a border with absorbent material. Keep it from spreading.
- Absorb the grease
The next step is to absorb the grease using an absorbent material, such as cat litter, sawdust, woodchips or paper towels. The material should be placed over the spill and allowed to sit for a few minutes, allowing it to absorb as much grease as possible. It is important to ensure that all the grease is absorbed to prevent it from spreading further. Startdust (one of many companies) carries grease spill kits to control the spread of grease and absorb oil and grease spills. Having a kit on hand is a huge help. After the oil/grease has been absorbed, scrape, pick-up, sweep all grease filled material into a container for proper disposal. Do not put it in the used cooking oil bin.
- Scrape up any remaining grease
After the grease has been absorbed, use a plastic scraper to scrape up any remaining grease from the surface. Be sure to use a plastic scraper rather than a metal one, as metal can scratch many surfaces and cause damage.
- Clean the area
Next, clean the area thoroughly with a degreaser such as Oil Eater or soap and water. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using any cleaning products. The area should be cleaned several times to ensure that all the grease has been removed.
- Rinse the area
After cleaning, rinse the area with water to remove any cleaning residue. It is essential to remove any cleaning residue, as it can cause the surface to become slippery, which could result in additional accidents.
- Dry the area
Finally, dry the area thoroughly using a clean, dry towel or mop. Ensure that the area is completely dry before removing the wet floor signs and reopening the area.
In conclusion, cleaning up a restaurant grease spill requires prompt and effective action. Restaurant owners and managers should be proactive in preventing spills by regularly maintaining and cleaning their kitchen equipment. In the event of a spill, the steps outlined above should be followed to ensure that the spill is cleaned up quickly and safely. It is also important to ensure that all staff members are trained on how to respond to a grease spill and the potential hazards it poses to ensure the safety of both staff and customers.
The very best thing a restaurant owner can do to prevent grease spills is to install automated used cooking oil equipment in their restaurant. But the very best idea is to prevent grease spills with an automated used cooking oil system such those offered by CleanFri. You will be amazed by all of the benefits that accrue to using automated used cooking oil systems.