What PPE do pub operators need to provide for staff?

Government guidance for pubs released earlier this summer (June), stated PPE is dependent on the risk assessment taken​. If this shows it is required, employers must provide it free-of-charge to workers who need it.

Food Safety Guru has issued top tips on staff should wear and the extra precautions that should be taken.

Back of house

When it comes to kitchen teams, chefs must change into clean uniforms on site and not travel to work in uniform. Clean chef whites must be worn daily alongside non-slip kitchen shoes or trainers.

When preparing large volumes of raw meat, staff should wear disposable plastic aprons and gloves. However, disposable gloves do not need to be worn when completing general tasks in the kitchen.

It should be noted that if gloves are worn, they must be changed as often as staff would wash their hands. The experts also suggest hats are useful to keep stray hairs from escaping. It is also advised hands are washed before and after wearing disposable gloves.

The advice also stated essential visitors or maintenance contractors visiting the kitchen have to wear a disposable apron or white coat as well as a face mask and gloves.

On face masks, staff may prefer to wear them in the kitchen but this is a personal preference unless a company policy is in place.

Face visors should not be worn in the kitchen as these can be dangerous due to steam being trapped inside them when ovens are opened, potentially causing burns.

Should a venue have a customer-facing open kitchen or pass, wearing a face mask or visor and disposable gloves is advised as it can give customers confidence.

Front of house

While wearing a face mask is not compulsory for staff, they must be offered to the team.

Food Safety Guru suggested operators consider this for front of house staff to help keep employees safe and to help boost customer confidence that there are stringent hygiene procedures in place.