Ezel / Labor Guidance / US
Back to Federal guidance

OSHA does not cover restaurant customer safety

Summary A congressional office relayed a concern about hot food skillets carried above shoulder height near restaurant customers. OSHA said its jurisdiction concerned employee safety and did not cover customers, so the concern should be raised with restaurant owners. OSHA labels the reply an archive document.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1993-03-10-1
Date issued
March 10, 1993
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent current policy.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety Coverage Jurisdiction Restaurants
Source
View the official document

Apply this to your situation

This page explains the general guidance. Ask about your specific situation and see what current federal labor law says, with citations.

The current status of this document is unclear
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent current policy. It may no longer reflect the agency's current position. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

March 10, 1993

Ms. Caroline M. Coxon
Special Assistant to The Honorable Dennis DeConcini
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Ms. Coxon:

Thank you for your letter of January 25, on behalf of Senator DeConcini's constituent, Ms. Vickie Martin, concerning customer safety in restaurants.

Ms. Martin expressed her concern about possible injury to customers when employees serve above the shoulder trays of food in hot, iron skillets. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), is concerned with employee safety and does not cover customers; thus, this hazard should be brought to the attention of restaurant owners who are liable for injuries to guests.

We appreciate your continued interest in employee safety and health. If we may be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
Roger A. Clark, Director
Directorate of Compliance Programs

Related guidance

Permanently labeled locks for electrical lockout Opinion Letter · August 17, 2026 Helmet selection for lateral head-impact hazards Opinion Letter · August 17, 2026 Asbestos precautions when restoring drywall after flood damage Opinion Letter · May 7, 2026 Enforcement policy for recording and reporting COVID-19 cases Guidance · March 31, 2026

What does federal law require in your situation?

Ezel checks current federal labor law against your facts and answers with citations.

Opens in Ezel Pro.

  • Checks the law as it stands today, not only this page
  • Cites every source it relies on, so you can verify it
  • Chat, drafting and research in one workspace