Fast Food and Takeaway Food Industry Module

The fast food and takeaway food industry is known for its quick service and convenient products, often prepared and served at speed. For many young Western Australians, it’s also where they land their first paid job.

But while the pace is fast, so are the risks. The majority of injuries in this industry happen to young workers under 25, especially those under 20.

62%

Be Aware

of work-related injuries in this industry involve young workers.

That’s more than 1 in 2.
Work smart.
Don’t become a statistic.

Module structure

  • 2 parts - 7 Sections

    Each with a quiz, and wrapping up with a fun ‘Spot the Hazard’ simulation to put your skills to the test.

  • Part 1: 19 to 23 Minutes

    Estimated learning time

    Part 2: 17 to 21 Minutes

    Estimated learning time

100% pass required, but don’t worry, you get unlimited attempts.

Working in fast food and takeaway can be dangerous 

Very young workers, especially those aged 15 to 19, are most at risk of injury.

This is often due to limited experience, being new to the job, and not always feeling confident to speak up about safety concerns.

Understanding the risks and learning how to manage them is essential to staying safe while gaining valuable experience.

What kind of work might you do?

  • Customer service and front of house

    • Serving at takeaway counters, juice bars, or bubble tea kiosks
    • Taking orders and handling payments
    • Working in drive-through lanes

  • Food prep and cooking

    • Preparing and cooking items like chicken, burgers, pizza, sushi, and fish and chips
    • Using fryers, grills, ovens, and other hot equipment
    • Handling knives and other sharp tools

  • Mobile food preprarations

    • Preparing and serving food in mobile food vans
    • Setting up and packing down equipment
    • Managing food safety on the go

  • Cleaning and hygiene

    • Cleaning kitchen equipment, benches, and food prep areas
    • Washing dishes and maintaining hygiene standards
    • Taking out rubbish and managing spills to prevent slips

  • Stock and back of house tasks

    • Unpacking deliveries and restocking shelves or fridges
    • Rotating stock and checking use-by dates
    • Organising supplies and maintaining storage areas

These roles are fast-paced and physically demanding, and the industry has one of the highest injury rates among young people.

Statistics

Top incidents causing injuries

These are the top 10 types of incidents causing injuries to young workers in the Fast food and takeaway industry, based on a five-year average.

Extra hazards that could affect you at work

  • Fire hazards

  • Fatigue

  • Infectious diseases

  • Working in a drive through

  • Working in hot conditions

  • Violence and aggression

Source

WorkCover WA claims data (2019–20 to 2023–24p), analysed by WorkSafe WA, 2025.

Notes

  • Calculations are based on a five-year total from 2019-20 to 2023-24p.
  • Percentages are based on all incident types; totals may not sum to 100% due to rounding or overlapping categories.
  • Injuries are measured by the number of LTI/Ds (lost time injuries/diseases), defined as one or more days/shifts lost.
  • The SmartMove
    takeaway food services     is classified under ANZSIC 2006 – Class 4512.

Build your safety smarts?

New to the fast food or takeaway scene? SmartMove helps you spot hazards, stay safe, and feel confident in your first job.

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