Holiday Staff Safety Tips for Florida Restaurants

The holiday season is one of the most exciting -and busiest- times of the year for restaurants in Florida. Whether you run a family-owned café, a fast-casual spot, or a full-service restaurant, chances are you’re preparing for a higher volume of customers, seasonal events, and expanded hours. And with all that activity comes the need for extra hands.

Bringing in holiday staff can make the season smoother, but it also introduces new safety challenges. New team members may not be fully familiar with your kitchen layout, cleaning routines, equipment, or emergency procedures. That’s why holiday staff accident prevention becomes essential to protecting your team and avoiding unnecessary risks.

At CIS, we work with restaurants across Florida every day, and we’ve seen how important it is to take proactive steps ahead of the busy season. With the right preparation, you can create a safe, organized workplace that protects your business and ensures new staff feel confident and supported.

Below, we’re sharing our best practices to help you train seasonal workers, prevent business accidents, and keep your operations running smoothly through the holidays.

Set Clear Expectations From Day One

Seasonal employees often jump into fast-paced environments without much time for training. That’s why it’s essential to establish clear expectations early.

Create a simple onboarding checklist that covers:

Your restaurant’s safety standards
Cleaning and sanitation procedures
Kitchen zones and traffic flow
Emergency exits and fire-safety protocols
Rules for handling equipment, tools, and supplies

Providing structure helps seasonal staff avoid common mistakes and reduces the chance of preventable accidents.

If you want support in protecting your team from workplace injuries, explore our coverage resource here:

Keep Walkways Clear and Well-Lit

During the holidays, restaurants experience heavier foot traffic, rushed staff, and more items stored on-site. A cluttered floor or poorly lit area can easily lead to slips, trips, or falls.

We recommend:

Keeping floor mats flat and in good condition
Ensuring walkways are always clear of boxes, trays, and cords
Adding lighting to darker prep or back-of-house areas
Using signs near wet or slippery floors
Checking heavy-traffic zones multiple times per shift

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), slips and falls are among the most common workplace hazards, especially in food-service environments. Taking simple preventive steps makes a meaningful difference.

Train Staff on Safe Carrying, Lifting, and Moving Techniques

Holiday rushes often involve lifting heavy boxes, carrying stacked plates, or moving equipment to accommodate events. New staff may not understand the safest way to perform these tasks, which can cause strains, sprains, and dropped items.

Teach your holiday team:

To bend at the knees, not the waist
To avoid twisting while lifting
To ask for help with heavy or oversized loads
To communicate clearly in tight spaces

This type of training reinforces teamwork while reducing preventable injuries. It’s also a great opportunity to promote a culture of support and safety throughout your restaurant.For more guidance on workplace ergonomics and injury prevention, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) offers helpful resources.

Reinforce Kitchen Safety and Equipment Rules

Hot surfaces, sharp knives, and fast-moving food prep areas create additional risks when new staff are onboard. Even short-term team members need proper training on:

Knife handling techniques
Fryer and grill safety procedures
Safe thermometer and food-handling methods
Storing and using cleaning chemicals
Operating dishwashers and other machines correctly

A rushed or inexperienced worker may unintentionally cause burns, cuts, or equipment damage, all of which can quickly disrupt your operations.

If an injury does happen, the right insurance coverage can protect both your employees and your restaurant. Learn more here: holiday staff accident prevention

Strengthen Communication Across All Shifts

Good communication is one of the most effective tools in holiday staff accident prevention. Seasonal employees may not know your kitchen lingo, may feel nervous asking questions, or may not understand the urgency of certain safety rules.

To keep everyone aligned:

Assign a team leader or shift mentor
Encourage staff to ask questions openly
Hold brief pre-shift check-ins
Use visible signage for important reminders
Establish a “speak up when you see a hazard” policy

When your team communicates well, potential hazards get addressed faster, and accidents become less common.To learn how insurance supports your restaurant when unexpected claims arise, visit: prevent business accidents

Protect Your Business With the Right Coverage This Holiday Season

While prevention strategies reduce risk, no restaurant is immune to accidents, especially during high-volume periods. That’s why building the right insurance foundation is one of the smartest decisions you can make before the holidays begin.

At CIS, we encourage every Florida restaurant owner to review:

General Liability Insurance

This protects your business if a customer is injured on your premises due to slips, trips, or other hazards. It’s essential year-round, but even more important when your restaurant is busier than usual.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Seasonal staff deserve the same protection as long-term employees. Workers’ Compensation helps cover medical costs and lost wages if an injury occurs on the job.

Business Owners Policy (BOP)

A BOP bundles liability protection with property coverage, giving you a comprehensive and cost-effective insurance solution tailored for restaurants.

Together, these policies protect your team, your customers, and your long-term stability, especially when your staff is growing quickly.

For safety best practices and regulation updates, the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation provides valuable guidance:

Make This Holiday Season Safe, Smooth, and Successful

Bringing in holiday staff is an exciting step that helps your restaurant serve more customers and meet seasonal demand. With the right safety strategies, clear communication, and strong insurance protection, you can welcome the extra help with confidence.

At CIS, we’re here to support your business every step of the way, from reducing risks to finding policies that fit your budget and protect your future.If you’d like a personalized review of your coverage or want to explore Restaurant Insu rance Policies that make sense for your business, reach out anytime. Our team is ready to help.

Contact Commercialize Insurance Services (CIS) today and brew with confidence tomorrow.