In the Kitchen, Safety Isn’t Just Smart—It’s Profitable
Why a Safety Program Can Save You Big on Workers' Comp
(and What ExMod Has to Do with It)
Let’s be real: running a restaurant is fast-paced, high-stress, and full of sharp edges (literally and figuratively). Keeping your crew safe isn’t just the right thing to do—it can also help protect your bottom line.
One of the most overlooked ways to save money in the restaurant biz? Lowering your Experience Modification Rate—or ExMod for short.
It sounds technical (because it is), but don’t worry—we’ll break it down and show you how a solid safety program can turn your ExMod from a money drain into a budget win.
What’s an ExMod, and Why Should You Care?
Your Experience Modification Rate is how insurance companies decide whether your business is riskier (or safer) than the average. Think of it like a report card for workplace safety.
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An ExMod above 1.0 = riskier than average = higher workers' comp premiums
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An ExMod below 1.0 = safer than average = lower insurance costs
If your restaurant has had a few too many slips, trips, or cuts on record, your ExMod can quietly hike your premiums and eat away at your profits.
Safety Training = Smaller Premiums. Here’s Why:
Fewer Injuries = Fewer Claims
A good safety program helps your crew work smarter and safer. Less injuries = less claims = better ExMod = more money stays in your pocket.
Better Claims History
Insurance carriers look at past incidents to predict future risk. When your claims history looks clean, your premiums reflect that.
Higher Morale, Fewer Callouts
Safe restaurants run smoother. And when your team feels protected and respected, they show up more, stay longer, and work better. That stability creates a stronger, more consistent workplace.
How to Serve Up a Safer Restaurant
It’s easier than you think. Just follow these five key ingredients:
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Spot the Hazards – Walk your floor like a safety inspector. Where could someone slip, burn, or get cut?
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Make a Plan – Create procedures that prevent those risks from turning into injuries.
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Train Your Team – (Hint: That’s where REST comes in!) Keep it short, smart, and specific to real restaurant life.
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Update Regularly – Review your safety plan often—especially when you bring in new equipment or change procedures.
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Involve the Crew – Your team sees things you don’t. Ask for their ideas and keep the conversation going.
A Safe Restaurant = A More Successful OneBottom line: lowering your ExMod is good for business.
When your crew is confident, your claims go down—and your insurance company notices. But more than that, your restaurant becomes a place people want to work…and stay.
Let’s Make Safety Simple (and Fun)
With REST’s video training and certification quizzes, safety doesn’t have to be boring or overwhelming.
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No hour-long lectures.
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No subscription fees.
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No weird OSHA PowerPoints made for construction sites.
Just short, practical videos your team can watch on their phone—with printable certificates to prove they’re trained.
Train Your Whole Team for Less Than the Cost of Lunch.
You don’t need a subscription to protect your people.
Get $260 worth of restaurant safety training — all 13 short OSHA-aligned modules, with quizzes, certificates, and lifetime access — for just $25 per employee.
Want to train your entire team for just $5 each?
Ask your insurance provider about our REST partner discount!
Have Questions About REST? Let’s Talk Safety.
Whether you’re training 5 employees or 500, we’re here to help you protect your team, document compliance, and save on long-term costs. Fill out the form and we’ll be in touch ASAP.
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