People working in a restaurant typically perform various tasks related to preparing food and beverages. They must also be knowledgeable in food safety and hygiene protocols and be able to recognise and respond to any potential hazards associated with food preparation.
These roles include:
- Customer service
- Receiving deliveries and sourcing ingredients
- Storage of ingredients in cool rooms and walk-in freezers
- Operating commercial cooking equipment
- Operating a commercial fryer
- Food preparation
- Cleaning preparation benches and floors in both the patron and staff areas
- Ensuring safe food handling practices
- Operating commercial dishwashing equipment
- Table service
Some of these tasks may not be appropriate or safe for a person with significant mobility impairment, especially a person that uses a wheelchair. It is also worth noting that if such a person was permitted to work in this type of environment, there might be workplace health and safety issues in ensuring a safe workplace.
On this basis, employee-only restricted work areas may be considered exempt from all accessibility requirements under the Premises Standards and BCA requirements. However, it is important to note that any such claim for an exemption must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
If you believe you have grounds for an exemption, please complete the form below, and we will assess your claim.