Page 13 - OhioAlaCarteSummer2011

www.ohiorestaurant.org 11 Summer Issue

Health and Safety Remain Integral

Focus of ORA’s Restaurant Education Series

The most recent event, held June 29, provided attendees with information on how they can reduce and avoid workers’ compensation claims

The Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) remains committed to helping members save time and money while safeguarding their businesses. A recent event that targeted this very matter – saving time by reducing and avoiding workers’ compensation claims – was held at CareWorks Consultants’ Dublin headquarters. More than 60 participants attended the event, which was sponsored by the ORA and offered insight from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), the ORA’s Safety Partner RiskControl360° and the ORA’s Strategic Partners CareWorks Consultants and Secure Check. In addition to educating attendees about health and safety precautions, the seminar also counted toward the two-hour mandatory safety training that the Ohio BWC now requires employers who participate in a group rating plan to take during the policy year if they have had a workers’ compensation claim within the past two years.

One attendee noted the information presented was very informative and a great learning tool for someone at her level. She stated that as an area supervisor she received signifcant supporting materials to reinforce with her general managers the value of the safety policies her operation has in place that reiterate the importance of safety procedures as a number one priority.

“We understand that our members are busy people, and that they need targeted education about foodservice-specifc risks,” said Laura Morrison, ORA Director of Member Services and IT. “As the state’s only

provider of foodservice-specifc information, we realize that our health and safety training seminars are more benefcial to restaurant operators and their staff. It’s because of this that we are continuing to offer these sessions both in-person and through online webinars.”

Brad Hunt, the Director of Business Development for RiskControl360°, spoke about the bottom-line effects claims can have on a company and received rapt attention from participants. Quoting actual cases with which he’s been involved, Hunt’s statistical information reminded participants about the importance they should place on implementing proper health and safety procedures within their operations.

In addition to this type of information, participants also learned about preventing slips, trips and falls from Mike Marr, industrial safety consultant specialist with the Ohio BWC. Mark Thompson of Secure Check reminded attendees of the importance of conducting background checks on prospective employees and also spoke about the importance of drug checks to support a drug-free workplace.

The ORA intends to hold additional Restaurant Education Series events throughout the year. To learn more about upcoming events, check the calendar under the “Restaurant Education Series” located on the drop-down menu of the “Events & Education” tab on the ORA’s website www. ohiorestaurant.org.

Participants at the ORA’s recent “Manage Safely: Foodservice Operations” safety seminar listen with rapt attention as RiskControl360°’s Brad Hunt provides statistical insight into the importance of implementing responsible health and safety policies within the workplace.

As Mike Marr, industrial safety consultant specialist with the Ohio BWC, shares information on how to avoid back-of-the-house accidents, participants at the Restaurant Education Series event take notes on how to improve their operations’ safety procedures.

Restaurant Education Series

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