Guideline – Cafeteria Inspection
The guideline supports the National Joint Council (NJC) Occupational Health and Safety Directive, Part VIII - Sanitation. Although the guideline elaborates on the Directive, it does not present new mandatory requirements but rather reflects an existing obligation under an act, regulation, policy, directive, standard or other authority.
The following is just a checklist of representative hazards or hazardous conditions that may be found in cafeteria inspections and is intended as a non-mandatory tool to assist health and safety committees to perform their duties and should not be considered as an exhaustive list.
- The following checklist covers areas of Food Service (cafeteria, kitchen, store room and outside).
- This is a guide. List additional areas which may offer hazardous conditions.
- Circle “Yes” or “No” to indicate whether the condition is satisfactory or unsatisfactory, and list recommendations.
- Send a copy to management and to the health and safety committee responsible for correction, comments and input, or follow-up to ensure unsatisfactory conditions have been corrected.
- Check for unsafe conditions and unsafe practices.
Food Premises (Cafeteria) Inspection Checklist
Date:
Location:
Cafeteria – Code of Practice
- The employer has adopted and implemented, as a minimum, section G of the Sanitation Code for Canada's Foodservice Industry (1984)
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- The employer has adopted and implemented, as a best practice, the Canadian Food Safety Code of Practice (2007)
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- The facility has a proper operating permit from the appropriate authorities
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Food Handlers
- Instructed and trained in preparing, handling, storing and serving food and food waste
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Not suffering from a communicable disease, showing signs of illness and have no open sores
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Wash hands with soap and water: before starting work, immediately after using the washroom, and as necessary to prevent food contamination (e.g. after handling waste)
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Wear clean outer garments and with hair properly confined
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Floors
- Clean, dry, and no holes or cracks
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Cords out of work and walking area
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Equipment properly arranged
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Wet floor signs arranged and provided
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Floors properly drained
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Fire Protection and Prevention
- Flammable and hazardous materials removed
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Fixed-pipe-automatic-extinguishing
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- System over cooking area that is maintained
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Fire extinguishers maintained and inspected
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Fire extinguishers unblocked and hung
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Housekeeping done well - no clutter
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Trash containers arranged properly
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Flammable and hazardous materials removed
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Electrical
- Outlets covered with ground pins
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Cords have no frayed wires
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Electrical panels labeled, covered, and unblocked
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Junction boxes covered
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Lighting
- Lighting adequate and working
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Roof and Ceiling Tile
- In good condition and repair
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- No leaks
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Equipment and Utensils
- All equipment CSA (or equivalent) approved
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Proper guarding
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- No frayed or damaged wiring
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Properly secured
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Properly grounded
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Safety signs posted on equipment
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Hoods cleaned and filters maintained
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Deep fat fryers have no grease accumulations and have high limit control
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Designed for easy cleaning
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Smooth and free from cracks, crevices, pitting or unnecessary indentations
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Cleaned to maintain sanitary surfaces
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Knives sharp with no broken handles and properly stored and arranged
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Box cutters in good condition and provided with safety guard
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Utensils and tableware cleaned and maintained in a sanitary condition
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Water and Sewage
- Sinks are fully operational with hot and cold running water
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Sinks drain properly
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Floor drains and sinks are in good working order and are cleaned routinely
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Plumbing is in good repair
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Refrigerator, Freezer and Cooler
- No ice or water on floor
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- No food in aisles and 6" off the floor
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Emergency release latch operational
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Food properly arranged and placed
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Heavier objects at middle range
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Proper lighting
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Ramp in good condition and secure
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Refrigerated foods maintained at 4˚ C or lower
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Frozen foods maintained at -11˚ C or lower
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Eating Areas and Seating
- Properly maintained
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Properly arranged and not interfering with egress routes
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Food is not eaten, prepared or stored in a personal service room that contains a toilet, urinal or shower
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Food is not eaten, prepared or stored in any other place where it is likely to be contaminate
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Means of Egress
- Proper number, unblocked and unlocked
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Exit signs provided and lit
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Emergency lighting provided and operational
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Emergency Evacuation
- Evacuation plan posted
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Emergency procedures posted
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Storeroom and Pantry
- Storage shelves organized and secure
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Safety step stool of safety ladder provided with stair rails
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- No food in aisles
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Food stored at least 6" off the floor
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Heavier material stored at middle range
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Lightweight material stored on top shelves
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Employees trained to lift properly
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Proper lighting
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Materials stored properly and secured
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Food Waste and Garbage
- Food waste or garbage is not stored in a food preparation area
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Wet food waste and garbage is disposed of: by mechanical grinders or choppers connected to sewage disposal lines; or held in leak-proof, non-absorptive and easily-cleaned containers with tight-fitting covers in a separate enclosed area or container until removed for disposal
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Dry food waste and garbage is removed or incinerated
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Food waste and garbage containers are kept covered and removed and emptied as frequently as possible to prevent unsanitary conditions
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Food waste and garbage containers are cleaned and disinfected in an area separate from the food preparation area each time they are emptied
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Served or unpackaged food returned from the dining area is discarded
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Clothes Washer and Dryer
- Washer secured and arranged
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Dryer vented to outside with metal duct
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Lint filter is cleaned before each use
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Loading Dock and Exterior
- Adequate lighting
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Dock surface has no tripping hazards
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- No holes in drive area
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Stairs provided with stair rails and non-slip treads
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Mechanical Room – Boilers – Trash Area
- No combustible materials located in boiler and mechanical rooms
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Boilers and hot water heaters maintained
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Trash containers emptied
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Acceptable housekeeping
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Hazardous Materials
- Food is not eaten, prepared or stored in a place where a hazardous substance may contaminate food, dishes or utensils
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Hazard communication program exists in writing
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Material safety data sheets available and provided for all hazardous materials
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Properly labeled with name and hazard warning
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- List of materials
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Employees trained in hazards and personal protection
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Materials properly stored and arranged
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Personal Protective Equipment
- Gloves – Chemical – Hot mitts
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Safety goggles or face shield
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Pest and Vermin Control
- Facility is free from insect and rodent infestation
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Live animals, birds or fowl are not allowed in the facility
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Outside doors and screen doors are self-closing and closing devices are in good working order
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Windows are properly screened to prevent flies and insects from entering
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
- Exterior doors are vermin proof
- Yes / No
- Comments:
- Corrective Action:
Inspection By:
Reviewed By:
Corrective Measures Taken: Yes / No
- Date:
- By: