Study Confirms Restaurant Workplaces Are Safer January 24, 2002 -- Underscoring the restaurant industry's commitment to workplace safety, the National Restaurant Association released an analysis of new government data that confirms that occupational injuries at eating-and-drinking places in 2000 were at an all-time low and far below other industries – making restaurants among the safest places to work. "As the largest private-sector employer in the country, the restaurant industry prides itself in offering its employees a safe and productive workplace," said Steven C. Anderson, president and chief executive officer of the Association. "This latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics confirms that restaurants are one of the safest places to work, which is an important factor to all restaurant employees – whether you're just starting out in the industry or have found a career in the industry. The findings truly underscore the positive results of the myriad training programs we provide to ensure the safety of the 11.6 million restaurant-and-foodservice employees in the industry." The analysis of the recently released 2000 data from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that the incidence of non-fatal occupational injuries in 2000 at eating-and-drinking places totaled 5.2 per 100 full-time equivalent employees, down from 5.5 in 1999, and 40 percent below those cases reported in 1992. The 2000 injury incidence rate for restaurants is well below the average – less than half the rates – posted by industries, such as air transportation (14.1), nursing and personal care facilities (13.7) and the motor vehicles and equipment industry (12.1). Additionally, the restaurant industry fared better than other retail trade industries such as department stores (8.2), and hotels and motels (6.9). Anderson attributes the safety of working in eating-and-drinking places to the proactive commitment by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) for such efforts as the Workplace Safety(TM) Program. The training program helps restaurant employees prevent potential safety and security hazards, creating a safe environment for both themselves and their customers. For more information regarding the Workplace Safety Program and other NRAEF programs, visit www.nraef.org.