Restaurant OSHA Safety and Security by Howard Cannon and Shirley Ann Walters

The full title of this book is actually, Restaurant OSHA Safety and Security: The Book of Restaurant Industry Standards & Best Practices.

I had no idea of the variety of issues that a restaurant might face. How about Noise Standards? Yep. That's covered in section 48.1. What is the best way to remove dangerous equipment or furniture, and make sure it isn't brought back in? That's "Bag and Tag," which is covered in 67.4.

Here's a section that really caught my eye: "Most Frequently Cited Violations by OSHA," section 21.3. Before reading this section, I envisioned the violations would be for wrong sterilization. I was totally wrong and way off-base. The biggest and most expensive violation is lack of "Competent Person Oversight." An entire chapter is dedicated to this requirement. Honestly, I had no idea.

The authors are experienced restaurant "expert witnesses," and therefore know what litigation is likely. If you get nothing else from this book, remember this:

"It is this Management-disconnect that ultimately leads to most restaurant litigation."

All in all, I found RESTAURANT OSHA SAFETY AND SECURITY to be an extensive, well-researched book. The author and editors and have done a good job at dividing the topics, and making this a very readable book. Easy to follow, simple to read, convincing. If you are about ready to open a restaurant, or need help with the regulations, this is the book to get.

Advance Review Copy courtesy of the publisher.

Photos courtesy of Pexels.