October is all about goblins, ghosts, and things that go bump in the night—but in your restaurant, it’s not spooky spirits you need to watch out for. It’s the hazards that can turn an ordinary shift into an emergency run to urgent care.

A restaurant injury is any harm that happens to a team member while they’re on the job—and knowing how they happen is the first step to preventing them.

The “What” That Makes It Real

When we talk about workplace accidents, it’s easy to think about them as “just part of the job.” But they’re not. Every injury—big or small—has a cause, and that cause is often something you can control.

Some of the most common culprits in restaurants include:

• Dull knives (Yes, dull blades cause more cuts than sharp ones because they require extra force.)

• Slippery floors that turn a quick step into a hard fall

• Hot surfaces and liquids that cause burns in an instant

• Improper lifting that strains backs and shoulders

• Unsafe storage that sends heavy items crashing down

These aren’t just “bad luck.” They’re warning signs—hazards that, if spotted early, can be fixed before anyone gets hurt.

Why Understanding the Cause Matters

When you know what causes an injury, you can:

• Put preventive measures in place

• Train your crew on safe habits

• Create a safer, smoother-running restaurant

That’s why every REST — Restaurant Employee Safety Training module includes a section on “What It Is + How It Happens.” We show your team exactly how hazards lead to injuries, so they can recognize and avoid them in real time.

This Halloween Season: Don’t Let Hazards Haunt You

On October 31, you might see fake blood and creepy costumes—but in your kitchen, there’s nothing fun about the real thing.

The scariest part? Most accidents don’t give you a warning. One moment everything’s fine. The next, you’ve got a serious injury on your hands (literally).

Your Action Step This Week

Walk through your restaurant with your crew and identify one hazard in each area—prep, cook line, dish pit, and storage. Fix what you can immediately, and make a plan for the rest.

Don’t have REST yet?

Protect your crew, your business, and your bottom line — for just $29/month per location, you get:

• 13 restaurant-specific safety training modules
• Quizzes and printable OSHA-compliant certificates
• Posters, reminders, and real-time progress tracking
• Zero hassle for you or your managers

Because goblins may be seasonal, but safety should be year-round.