1
Set the scene
Start with context
Fill the frame
2–3 ft for close-ups; keep ladders, cords and workers fully in view.
Restaurant labor law posters
Restaurant labor law posters — the federal posters restaurants need, and where every shift can see them
Restaurants post the same federal posters as other private employers: OSHA's 'It's the Law' poster (or a State Plan version), the minimum wage (FLSA) and polygraph (EPPA) posters, and the USERRA notice. Add the EEOC 'Know Your Rights' poster, generally at 15 or more employees, and the FMLA poster at 50 or more employees in 20 or more workweeks, counting part-timers and every location of the same company. The current FLSA poster, revised in April 2023, has tip credit and child labor sections that matter for servers and teen staff. Post everything where every shift can readily see it, such as the time clock or back hallway. Check with your state labor department for state posters and your local health department for food safety signs. OSHA Scan doesn't audit posters. It scans photos of your posting area for covered notices and nearby hazards. The free checklist below covers each step.
Photo scan: no account needed (you may be asked for the free phone Access Pass) · Template downloads: free account required
In a restaurant, post where every shift clocks in
Restaurants run early prep, lunch, dinner, and late close, often with crews who never overlap. The federal rules are written around whether people can actually see the notices. The minimum wage poster goes in conspicuous places in every establishment so employees can readily observe a copy (29 CFR 516.4), and the OSHA poster goes where notices to employees are customarily posted, kept from being covered by other material (29 CFR 1903.2(a)(1)). The EEOC, FMLA, and polygraph notices are written to reach job applicants as well as employees. In practice, that means the time clock or the back hallway every shift uses — not the manager's office, which some crews never enter.
In the example photo, the labor law posters are on a board in the back corridor — a reasonable spot that every shift walks through. But schedules and staff notes are pinned over their lower edges, the floor in front of the board is wet beside a mop bucket, and cases are stacked to the ceiling on the shelving across the aisle. OSHA Scan flags conditions like these with a possibly related standard and a fix. It doesn't read the posters or decide which ones you need — for federal posters, use the free poster checker; for state ones, check with your state labor department.
What the restaurant posters actually say — and where they stop
The FLSA minimum wage poster is the one restaurant staff ask about most. The April 2023 revision has sections on the minimum wage, overtime, child labor, the tip credit, pumping breaks for nursing employees, and enforcement. The child labor section summarizes the age rules: at least 16 for most non-farm jobs, 18 for non-farm jobs the Department of Labor declares hazardous, and work outside school hours, with hour limits, for 14- and 15-year-olds. The tip credit section explains that employers who meet certain conditions can count part of employees' tips toward the minimum wage and must make up any shortfall.
A poster is a summary, not the whole rule. Before taking a tip credit, employers must tell tipped employees in advance about the cash wage, the tip credit amount, and that tips belong to the employee except for a tip pool limited to employees who customarily and regularly receive tips (29 CFR 531.59(b)). Teen workers' hours and tasks have detailed federal rules beyond the poster, and many states add their own. Treat the poster board as the minimum: make sure every shift can see it, keep it current, and get the details from the Department of Labor and your state labor department.
How to set up labor law posters in a restaurant
Run through these steps before crews start — each one covers a visible gap the AI can help you catch.
- 1
List the federal posters
Start with OSHA (or your State Plan's version), FLSA, EPPA, and USERRA, then add EEOC and FMLA if your headcount calls for them.
- 2
Get current versions
Download the April 2023 minimum wage poster and the other federal posters free from the Department of Labor.
- 3
Pick the shift spot
Choose the time clock or back hallway that every shift, and every applicant, can reach.
- 4
Separate the schedules
Give schedules and notes their own board so nothing covers a required poster.
- 5
Add state and local rules
Check with your state labor department and local health department, then re-check the board when anything changes.
What a photo scan checks around a restaurant's posting board
A scan can't read posters or tell you which ones apply, but it can see when the back-of-house posting spot is covered, crowded, or unsafe to stand at.
Posters buried under schedules
Shift schedules, sign-up sheets, and notes pinned over the posted notices, so their lower sections can't be read.
Wet floors where staff stop
Standing water, spills, and grease in the corridor where staff clock in and stop to read the board.
Storage crowding the board
Cases stacked high on shelving, or left in the walkway, right beside the posting spot.
A fix for each finding
Each flagged item comes with a possibly related OSHA standard and a corrective action, ranked by risk, so you know what to fix first.
Demo: the report a scanned photo comes back with
Scan a photo like the one above and this is the report you get — score, findings, OSHA references, and fixes. It is an illustrative example, clearly marked — not live scan data.
Example report
Illustrative — not live scan dataCompliance score
72
Lower means more potential hazards found
Score uses visible confirmed findings only. Not a safety certification.
3 confirmed · 0 need review · 0 positive
1 High1 Medium1 Low3 locked
1Standing water spread across the back corridor floor beside a mop bucket
HighPossibly related to keeping workroom floors clean and, to the extent feasible, dry, and free of spills and leaks (29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2) and (a)(3))
Observed condition: This corridor links the kitchen and storage, and it's where staff stop to read the board. A wet floor here is a slip waiting to happen for anyone carrying stock, hot pans, or a full bus tub.
Corrective action: Mop the area dry, set out a wet-floor sign until it is, and find the source if the water keeps coming back — a leaking line, a dripping cooler, or mop water. Store the bucket out of the walkway when it isn't in use.
High confidence
2Shift schedules and staff notes pinned over the lower edges of the posted labor law notices
MediumPossibly related to keeping posted notices from being covered by other material (29 CFR 1903.2(a)(1)) and posting the minimum wage notice where employees can readily see it (29 CFR 516.4)
Observed condition: Schedules are the papers staff check every day, so they pile up on the same board as the required posters. Once they're pinned over the bottom of the posters, those sections can't be read.
Corrective action: Give schedules and notes their own board or a separate section, and keep a clear border around each required poster. Re-check the board whenever a new schedule goes up.
High confidence
3Cases stacked on top of the shelving up to the ceiling, beside an overhead pipe
LowPossibly related to stacking stored material so it's stable and limited in height (29 CFR 1910.176(b))
Observed condition: Cases stacked to the ceiling are hard to lift down without a ladder and can tip when someone pulls one free. Storage this close to the ceiling can also crowd sprinklers or overhead lines.
Corrective action: Take the top cases down and keep heavy items on the lower shelves. Leave clear space below the ceiling and any sprinkler heads — ask your fire marshal how much your local fire code requires.
Medium confidenceNot fully clear from the photo — verify on site.
AI-generated analysisThese findings are potential hazards flagged by AI from a single photo. They are a starting point for your own review — not an official OSHA determination. Verify conditions on site with a qualified person before acting.
Try it free
Now scan your own photo — free
Upload a photo like the one above and get a compliance score and hazard count. No account needed to scan, though you may be asked for the free phone Access Pass — create a free account to unlock the full report.
- Posters in your photo covered by schedules, notes, or other papers
- Hazards where staff stop to read the board, like wet floors and high stacks
- A possibly related OSHA standard and a fix for each finding — not a poster audit
Live OSHA hazard analysis
One lifetime free photo scanPhoto scan — freeVideo walkthrough scan — free account
1Upload photo
2AI analysis
3See report
Use the real site or facility name. If you save the scan after signup, it becomes the report name.
Three angles, one deeper scan
Only the wide shot is required — every extra angle gives the AI more places to look.
Required: Set the scene — one wide shot lets the AI sweep the whole area at once
Stand at the entry point and capture corner to corner: floors, ladders, scaffolds, and everyone at work
or choose from your library
Drop a job-site photo or walkthrough video
Click to upload, drag & drop, or snap a photo on site. Photos scan free with no signup and no card — you may be asked for the free phone Access Pass. Video walkthroughs (up to 3 min) run on a free account.
References relevant OSHA standardsPrivate - deleted in 48h unless you save it
Accuracy boosters
Small habits, sharper scans
2
Capture clearly
Make the frame usable
Light it right
Keep the sun or lights behind you — glare and shadows hide hazards.
Tap to focus
Tap the hazard on screen and hold still one second — blur can't be flagged.
3
Choose the useful view
Give the AI room to understand
Go landscape
Turn your phone sideways — a wider frame catches more of the scene.
No job-site photo handy?
or scan with video
Only upload photos you have permission to use, and avoid images showing personal, customer, or confidential information. Demo photos and results are held privately for up to 48 hours so you can save them to a free account; unclaimed photos are deleted automatically. Results are an AI-assisted preliminary review, not an official OSHA determination.
New: Video walkthrough scans
Record up to 3 minutes of your site — the AI extracts frames and categorizes findings with exact timestamps. Free account required.
Get the best results
Wide shot first
Stand at the entrance and photograph the entire work area so AI sees the full context
Hazard areas
Photograph elevated surfaces, equipment, electrical panels, and anywhere workers are active
Close-ups last
Move in close on anything damaged, missing, or that looks risky — the AI catches more detail
The 10-point restaurant labor law poster checklist
From picking the posters to keeping them readable on a busy back-of-house board. The first four are free — create a free account to unlock the rest and scan your own posting areas for covered notices and nearby hazards.
- 1
Post the federal posters every restaurant needs
OSHA's 'It's the Law' poster (or your State Plan's version), the minimum wage (FLSA) and polygraph (EPPA) posters, and the USERRA notice, which can be posted or handed out.
- 2
Use the April 2023 minimum wage poster
The Department of Labor says earlier versions of the FLSA poster, including the August 2016 one, no longer fulfill the posting requirement and should be replaced.
- 3
Count every employee for FMLA
FMLA covers private employers with 50 or more employees in 20 or more workweeks. Part-timers on the payroll count, and a company's separate locations count together (29 CFR 825.104, 825.105).
- 4
Post FMLA even if no one is eligible
Covered employers must post the FMLA notice even if no employees are eligible for FMLA leave (29 CFR 825.300(a)(2)). Add the EEOC poster, generally at 15 or more employees.
Free printable templatePDF · US Letter
Restaurant Labor Law Poster Checklist
Use this form to check the poster board when you open, whenever federal or state posters are updated, and when your staff count changes.
On the form
- 10 checklist items with Yes / No / N/A boxes and room for notes
- 4 points to confirm separately with records or a qualified person
- A corrective-action log and sign-off lines
- Federal references checked against the eCFR on October 10, 2026
A free account is required to download it.
Non-English documents are automated translations, not official OSHA translations. Citations, limits and names are kept as written.
OSHA Scan template — not an official government form and not legal advice.
Keep a record of the federal posters at each restaurant
For each location you add in OSHA Scan, choose Restaurant or food service and answer a few questions to build its federal poster list, then download a print packet of the official government posters. Mark each poster as posted with the date and a photo of the board. When an agency publishes a newer version of a poster you marked as posted, that location shows "Re-post needed". A free account includes the poster list, print packet, photo proof, on-screen posting status and one status report download. Paid packages add a worker poster link with a QR code and re-post alert emails; for most posters an online copy is extra, not a replacement for the posted one. Statuses are your team's records, not a legal review, and state posters are not tracked.
Track posters freeWhat the AI can and can't detect
OSHA Scan reads a single photo. That makes it fast and easy for anyone on site — but it also means it has real limits. Here's an honest look at both.
What it can catch from a photo
- Posters covered by schedules, notes, or other papers
- Wet floors and spills where staff stop to read the board
- Cases stacked high or left in the walkway
- Clutter crowding the back-of-house posting spot
What a photo can't tell it
- Which posters your restaurant is required to display
- Whether a poster is the April 2023 minimum wage revision
- Small or distant poster text, including the tip credit section
- Whether every shift and applicant can reach the board
OSHA Scan gives an AI-assisted preliminary review from a photo. It does not replace an on-site inspection by a qualified safety professional, and a compliance score is not an official OSHA determination.
AI photo hazard review
Snap a photo of the job site, and the AI categorizes findings against OSHA standards.
Consistent corrective actions & JHA
Each finding includes consistent corrective actions and structured JHA outputs. Check items off as your crew resolves them.
Compliance scoring
Every inspection gets a deterministic 0-100 compliance score derived from hazard severity, so you can track sites at a glance.
A prioritization aid based on recorded findings—not a certification or a complete measure of site safety.
PDF & Excel exports
Generate detailed inspection reports and export data to Excel for record-keeping and stakeholders.
A qualified person must review AI-flagged items before making safety decisions. Do not replace required comprehensive safety walkthroughs with AI reports. Features, limits, and downloads depend on your account’s plan and permissions.
OSHA Scan in Action
See the workflow click into place
Illustrative AI-assisted workflows. Review the findings; they are not a compliance certification.
Always confirmed by a person on site
A scan is a fast first look, not the final word. Before treating this kind of area as safe, a competent person should still confirm:
- The OSHA, minimum wage, and polygraph posters are up at each location, and the USERRA notice is posted or handed out
- Your FMLA headcount includes every location and every part-timer on the payroll
- Tipped employees got the tip credit notice before you took the credit
- State, local, and health department posters and signs are up where required
People also ask
What labor law posters does a restaurant need?
Federally, most restaurants need OSHA's 'It's the Law' poster (or the State Plan version), the minimum wage (FLSA) poster, the polygraph (EPPA) poster, and the USERRA notice, which can be posted or handed out. The EEOC 'Know Your Rights' poster generally applies at 15 or more employees, and FMLA at 50 or more employees in 20 or more workweeks. State and local posters vary, so check with your state labor department.
Does the minimum wage poster cover tipped employees?
The current FLSA poster, revised in April 2023, has a tip credit section explaining that employers who meet certain conditions may count part of employees' tips toward the minimum wage and must make up any shortfall. The poster doesn't replace the advance notice employers must give tipped employees before taking a tip credit (29 CFR 531.59(b)). State tip rules can differ from the federal one, so check with your state labor department.
Do we need the FMLA poster with fewer than 50 employees at one location?
It depends on the whole company, not one location. FMLA covers private employers with 50 or more employees in 20 or more workweeks in the current or preceding year, and a corporation counts as a single employer rather than separate establishments (29 CFR 825.104). Part-time employees on the payroll count. Covered employers must post the FMLA notice even if no employees are eligible for leave (29 CFR 825.300(a)(2)).
Where should restaurant labor law posters go?
Where every shift and job applicant can readily see them. The minimum wage poster goes in conspicuous places in each establishment so employees can readily observe it (29 CFR 516.4), and the OSHA poster goes where employee notices are customarily posted, uncovered (29 CFR 1903.2(a)(1)). In most restaurants, that's the time clock, the back hallway, or the break area. Keep schedules on a separate board so they never cover a poster.
Can OSHA Scan check my restaurant's posters?
Not the posters themselves. OSHA Scan reviews a photo of your posting area for visible problems — schedules pinned over posters, a wet floor in front of the board, cases stacked to the ceiling — and gives each a possibly related standard and a fix. To see which federal posters may apply, use OSHA Scan's free poster checker; for state posters, check with your state labor department. OSHA Scan is an AI-assisted second set of eyes and is not affiliated with OSHA.
Reviewed by OSHA Scan Editorial
This content is produced by the OSHA Scan Editorial team and reviewed with AI assistance. It is general safety information, not legal or compliance advice. OSHA Scan is an independent tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or certified by OSHA or the U.S. Department of Labor.
Keep exploring
More ways to see what an AI OSHA scan can do for your site.
The AI OSHA inspection tool
The overview hub — how the scanner works and every job, site, and hazard it covers.
OSHA poster requirements
The OSHA posting rule every employer follows, from print size to State Plan versions.
Construction site posters
Where the OSHA poster goes on a job site, plus Davis-Bacon on covered federal work.
Farm labor law posters
MSPA and H-2A notices for farms with migrant, seasonal, or H-2A workers.
Restaurant safety inspection
Wet floors, blocked exits, and kitchen hazards for food-service teams.
Free federal poster checker
Answer a few questions to see the federal posters that may apply to your restaurant.
U.S. Department of Labor: FLSA minimum wage poster
DOL's page for the current federal minimum wage poster, which includes the tip credit and child labor sections.
Official resource — dol.govA full sample report
See a complete labelled example of everything a scan returns.
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