What Should a Bartender Do If They Break a Glass in a Cooler Full of Clean Chilled Beer Mugs?

Accidents happen, even in the most well-run bars. One common mishap is breaking a glass in a cooler full of clean, chilled beer mugs. This situation requires immediate and careful action to ensure the safety of both staff and customers. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what a bartender should do in this scenario, brought to you by ACE Food Handler.

Immediate Steps to Take

1. Stop Service Immediately: As soon as the glass breaks, stop serving drinks from the affected cooler. This prevents any risk of serving contaminated mugs to customers.
2. Inform Management: Notify your manager or supervisor about the incident right away. They need to be aware of the situation to assist and ensure proper procedures are followed.
3. Wear Protective Gear: Before handling any broken glass, put on protective gloves to avoid cuts and injuries.
4. Remove the Broken Glass: Carefully remove the larger pieces of broken glass from the cooler. Use a dustpan and brush specifically designated for glass cleanup to avoid cross-contamination.
5. Empty the Cooler: Remove all the beer mugs from the cooler. Even if they appear unaffected, they could have tiny glass shards on them.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

1. Inspect the Mugs: Check each mug for any signs of glass fragments. If any mugs are found with glass shards, discard them immediately to prevent any risk of injury.
2. Wash and Sanitize: Thoroughly wash all the mugs in hot, soapy water. After washing, sanitize them according to your bar’s health and safety protocols. This step ensures that any microscopic glass particles are removed.
3. Clean the Cooler: Once all the mugs are removed, clean the cooler thoroughly. Use a vacuum designed for wet and dry use to pick up any remaining glass shards. Follow up with a thorough wipe-down using a sanitizing solution.
4. Restock the Cooler: After ensuring the cooler is completely clean and free of glass, restock it with freshly washed and sanitized mugs.

Preventive Measures

1. Regular Inspections: Regularly inspect your glassware and coolers for any signs of damage or wear. Replace any glassware that shows signs of cracking or chipping.
2. Proper Handling: Train staff on the proper handling of glassware to minimize the risk of breakage. This includes careful stacking and avoiding overloading trays.
3. Designated Cleanup Tools: Keep designated tools for cleaning up broken glass to prevent cross-contamination with other cleaning supplies.
4. Safety Protocols: Ensure all staff are familiar with the safety protocols for handling broken glass. Regular training sessions can help reinforce these procedures.

Conclusion

Handling broken glass in a cooler full of clean, chilled beer mugs requires prompt and careful action to maintain a safe environment. By following these steps, bartenders can effectively manage the situation, ensuring the safety of both staff and customers. At ACE Food Handler, we’re committed to providing the best practices for food and beverage safety, helping you maintain a safe and efficient bar operation.

Ace Food Handler Team

For more information, visit ACE Food Handler.

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What Should a Bartender Do If They Break a Glass in a Cooler Full of Clean Chilled Beer Mugs?

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