WHAT IS KITCHEN SAFETY?It’s keeping your kitchen accident free as you cut, chop, slice, dice, mince, mix or perform other kitchen related duties.Following kitchen safety rules can help prevent accidents that might lead to:PAIN AND DISCOMFORT: from cuts, bumps, bruises, burns and more serious mishaps.DISRUPTIONS: in work schedules, holiday plans and social life.ARE KITCHEN ACCIDENTS REALLY PREVENTABLE?Yes, all accidents are preventable. And, it’s part of your job to help prevent accidents from occurring by:USING EQUIPMENT: the right way FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS: from your supervisor at all timesNOT TAKING SHORTCUTS: or engaging in horseplayWEARING PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: when required.Learn more about how you can make safety a SPECIALTY OF THE HOUSE.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM CUTS AND BRUISES• There are the most common type of kitchen injury. But, you can avoid them by

being extra careful with:• KNIVES:• Keep knives sharp, since dull knives slip easier than sharp ones.• Choose the correct knife, and the proper size knife for the job• Keep knife handles clean and dry• Use a cutting board• Cut away from your body, and don’t hack• Wipe knives by moving your cloth from the blunt edge to the sharp edge• Carry knives with the point down • Letfalling knives a fall. (Never attempt to catch them!)• When putting knives down, place them flat on a table• Wash knives in their proper places.

GLASSWAREStoke glasses and cups upside down. (Never stack them.)Don’t pick up several glasses with one hand by putting your fingers into the glassesNever put glassware in a sink. If you break a glass item:Use a broom and dustpan, (not your bare hands) to pick up the piecesWrap glass in paper, and discard in the proper receptacleMACHINERYMake sure that your are careful with machines used for slicing, mincing, peeling and chipping. Operate machines only if you are trained, authorized and over 18 years old.

Follow manufacturer’s instructions and your employee’s procedures for safe operation and cleaning Wear a hair net if you have long hair Switch off the machine and pull out the plug before you clean or adjust it Keep all safety guards on equipment. Use a tamper when operation food choppers and meat grinders CAN OPENER Remove can lids completely WASTE DISPOSAL; don’t pack or force waste into receptacles. Don’t put glass, crockery, metal or plastic in rubbish bin. Do not put your hands inside a waste disposal. DUMB WAITERS: Stack items carefully. Ensure that items are placed completely inside.

PREVENTING SLIPS, TRIPS and FALLSTo help keep a FIRM FOOTING in the kitchen, pay special attention to:

 FLOOR SURFACES:

  Clean up any dropped food, spilled liquids and grease immediately Wear slip- resistant shoes. Do not wear high heels. Footwear should be made of materials that protect

from hot liquids or fats. Post a “wet floor” sign when necessary, to alert others to slippery conditions Keep passageways free of trolleys, boxes, rubbish bins, mop buckets and other obstacles Close oven doors immediately after inserting or removing food When food or liquid is spilled, soak up spillage until cleaning materials are used Stack materials carefully so they will not tip

OTHER POSSIBLE DANGERSUse the proper equipment (step stools or stepladders) for reaching upper shelves, boxes or chairsDon’t let electrical leads trail across floors or aisles Report any condition that could cause a fall (such as loose tile, spilled liquids and inadequate lighting to your supervisor).Remember………….people never plan to have accidents, but they can plan to prevent them!

 

HOW TO PREVENT BURNS AND SCALDSFollow your employer’s instructions, and take special precautions with:

  GAS

BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL when lighting a gas oven. First, make sure the pilot is lit. Then, stand to one side as you light the oven

  GET HELP when removing heavy pans from hot stoves and ovens. Use an oven cloth  ASSUME that all objects on the stove (and the stove itself) are hot  KEEP utensils handles away from burners, and don’t let handles stick out beyond the stove’s edge.  ASK FOR HELP if you must move a heavy container full of hot liquid or food  DIRECT STEAM away from you when removing the lid of a pot or pan, by raising the far edge of the lid

with an oven cloth

BAINES MARIE TILT FOOD containers away form you as you insert them well AVOID REACHING across stem tables when serving food SWITCH OFF the valves when the tables aren’t in use. Be sure the equipment is cool before cleaning it

FRYERS Follow manufacturer’s instructions for use. Keep fryer and frying area free of grease Make sure the fryer’s thermostat is working Keep oil level at least 3 inches from the top of the fryer to prevent overflows Lower food in slowly

PRESSURE COOKERS FOLLOW manufacturer’s instructions for use USE these devices only if you’ve been properly trained KEEP A CLOSE WATCH on gauges ALWAYS VENT the pressure cooker before opening DISH WASHERSAVOID HANDLING very hot dishes with your bare handsTURN OFF the steam, and allow the dishwasher to cool before cleaning it. (Spray cold water on the interior to speed the cooling process.)CLEANING AGENTS: Can cause burns, too. To avoid possible problems, carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions for their use and storage. Protective gloves may be needed 

LIVING AND LIFTING OBJECTSPractice these methods:

ONE PERSON LIFT (“Squat lift”)(1) THINK about how you should approach the job(2) STAND CLOSE to the object with feet spread for balance(3) BEND your knees, keeping your back in a natural line. Don’t bend your knees fully, as this can leave little power

for the lift GRASP the load firmly(4) LIFT, using the power of your legs, in a smooth action(5) HOLD the object close to your body as you carry it.

“ TEAM “ LIFTING1. WORK with someone of similar build and height, if possible.2. CHOOSE one person to call the signals3. LIFT at the same time to the desired level4. MOVE smoothly and in unison

To avoid injury, do warm- up exercises before lifting.

HANDLING HEAVY, BULKY MATERIALS  USE hand trucks for moving bulky sacks, crates, boxes and barrels  PULL – don’t push – hand trucks through doorways  STORE bulky materials on lower shelves, or on pallets. This makes materials easier to reach 

LIFTING OVER YOUR HEAD 

This is safest as a 2 – person may be able to lift a box from the floor to waist level quite easily, because this relies on leg muscles. It often takes 2 people to lift the same box overhead because this movement uses the weaker arm and back muscles.

 Always make sure you have enough room in which to work.

USE ELECTRICITY SAFELY 

DON’T OVERLOAD CIRCUITS by inserting too many plugs into a single outlet. This could cause an electrical fire.

 UNPLUG LEADS CORRECTLY by grasping the plug (not the lead) the pulling. Report defective plugs, as well as frayed, worn or broken leads to your supervisor.

 BE SURE YOUR HANDS ARE DRY and your feet aren’t in contact with any water, whenever you operate electrical appliances

 CLEAN EQUIPMENT only after you have turned off the switch and pulled out the plug.

  TAKE PART in fire drills  REMEMBER where fire extinguishers and fire blankets are located UNDERSTAND when you should. ……And when you should not.attempt to fight a fire 

REMEMBER TO FOLLOW THESE RULES AT ALL TIMES:KEEP the kitchen free of spilled fats and sugar

STORE flammables away form heat sources

OBEY no smoking rules at all times

KEEP oven cloths away form stoves Fire Safety is Serious Business

BE PREPARED FOR EMERGENCIES 

If an injury occurs, get help immediately form a first aider 

BURNSImmerse minor burns in cold water or under running water for at least 10 minutes. Cover area with clean, dry dressing. Don’t apply butter or ointment, and don’t break blisters.

 CUTS

 Clean wound under running water. Control bleeding by applying direct pressure and elevating injured area. (If no evidence of fracture). Cover with water- proof dressing.

 Do not hesitate to GET IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE if an accident occurs.

 Promptly REPORT ALL INJURIES to your supervisor, so they can be entered in the Accident book.