You should always be alert to the risk of burn injuries if you work in a restaurant kitchen. Luckily, many people work in commercial kitchens without suffering such accidents. Below are some helpful tips to help you avoid burn accidents in a restaurant kitchen.
Use Appropriate Safety Gear
Safety gear is necessary for every workplace. In a restraint kitchen, some of the safety gear you need includes:
- Protective gloves or mitts to prevent hand burns when handling hot items, such as pans
- Non-skid shoes to prevent slip and fall accidents, especially given the risk of fluid spills that can make kitchen floors slippery
- Splatter guards to prevent burn injuries from grease splatters
Use safety gear every day at work. Don't get complacent even if you have many years of experience working in the kitchen.
Leave Emergency Exits Clear
Don't block the emergency door, even temporarily. Put everything in the right place. You need the emergency door clear so that you can escape to safety in case a fire outbreak overwhelms the kitchen. You should also note where the emergency doors are on your first day of work. After all, you don't know when you might need them.
Don't Reach Over Hot Things
Never reach across or over hot things in the kitchen. Say you want to grab something on the other side of a hot pan, food, or water — don't reach over it. Instead, walk around or ask someone on the other side to bring around the item you want. You might burn yourself if you slip and fall. For example, you might lose your balance if the item you want is heavier than it looks.
Avoid DIY Repairs
DIY repairs are not advisable in the kitchen unless you have the relevant skills and experience. You can easily make a mistake and trigger a burn accident. Specifically, you should not repair:
- Electrical items, such as electric cookers or electrical outlets
- Cooking appliances, such as ovens or ranges
- Fuel or energy delivery systems, such as gas lines
For example, you might think you have fixed an electrical outlet only to start an electrical fire when you try to use it. Follow your workplace’s protocol or inform your supervisor if something breaks down.
Obey Relevant Regulations
You should also follow all laws and regulations that govern kitchen safety. Good restaurants have safety regulations for their employees — including those that specifically relate to fire safety. You should attend all fire safety training and participate in fire drills your employer might commission.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also has regulations for restaurant safety. For example, OSHA requires all restaurants to have fire extinguishers and all employees toÂ
memorize all the devices' locations. Ensure you understand and adhere to such OSHA regulations as closely.
Maintain Tidiness
Lastly, you should not underestimate the role of tidiness in burn prevention. Here are some examples of potential accidents in an untidy kitchen:
- You might slip and fall onto hot food, liquids, or utensils
- You might unwittingly start a fire if you have flammable debris in the kitchen
- Debris or carelessly placed items might block your path to the emergency doors
- Misplaced items might block the fire extinguishers
Make kitchen tidiness your responsibility. Encourage your colleagues in the kitchen to be tidy.
Hopefully, you won't suffer burn injuries or any other injuries in your restaurant. If you suffer a work injury, don't forget that you are entitled to workers' compensation benefits. Spooner & Perkins, P.C., have the skills and experience to help you pursue the benefits.Â
Contact us for a consultation to determine your benefits and help you get them.
