Kitchen Safety PDF: Burns, Cuts & First Aid

SAFETY In The KITCHEN The kitchen can be a dangerous place… The kitchen is a fast paced and sometimes stressful place to be. With the addition of open flame, knives, and other hazards the kitchen can be dangerous. For this reason kitchen safety should always be taken seriously. Fortun...

SAFETY In The KITCHEN The kitchen can be a dangerous place… The kitchen is a fast paced and sometimes stressful place to be. With the addition of open flame, knives, and other hazards the kitchen can be dangerous. For this reason kitchen safety should always be taken seriously. Fortunately, with the proper knowledge and training the risk of injury in the kitchen can be greatly reduced or avoided.  But who is responsible? According to the Government it is the employer’s job to keep their employees safe. This requires proper training and supervision.  Do your part Even with proper training and supervision YOU must take personal responsibility. Using good judgment and applying kitchen safety skills will help keep you and those around you SAFE! It is important that you: – Understand the dangers in the kitchen – Help to prevent accidents – Know what to do if an accident occurs – Know who to contact in case of emergency http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz-KZGO65DA  Dressing For Safety While a uniform helps to distinguish a culinary professional, each part of the uniform also plays a specific role in keeping its wearer safe.  Chef Jacket & Pants The jacket is designed with long sleeves to protect the cooks arms from steam, splatters, and heat. The double breasted design protects the chefs chest from heat while standing in front of a hot stove or oven. Long pants should always be worn in the kitchen to protect the legs from burns.  Aprons & Headwear Professional chefs should always wear a chef hat or other headwear. This not only keeps hair and sweat out of the face while cooking, it also protects the food from contamination. Aprons should not be used to wipe hands as this can cause contamination. Aprons help to keep the chef clean, but also provide an extra layer to protect from burns and scalds.  Footwear & Jewelry When working in the kitchen you should wear solid, closed toe shoes. Preferably, these shoes should have a non-skid sole. These features will protect toes from falling knives and heavy objects, and will help to prevent slips and falls. Jewelry shouldn’t be worn in the kitchen. It can get caught on equipment and cause injury or can fall into food and become a physical hazard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uPYHDwVwzU  KITCHEN INJURIES While most kitchen FIRST AID KIT CONTENTS - Adhesive Tape - Antiseptic Ointment injuries are minor it - Adhesive Bandages - Burn gel or spray is important to be - Cold pack - Gloves - Gauze Pads - Eye-washing bottles - Hand Cleaner prepared. All - Plastic Bags - Scissors - Tweezers The following should only be used when instructed by kitchens should Poison Control Center: have a properly - Activated Charcoal - Ipecac syrup stocked first aid kit and employees should know where to locate it.  CUTS When working with knives, there will unfortunately be cuts. To avoid the frequency and severity of cuts the following precautions should be taken: – Practice correct knife cutting skills – Carry a knife by your side; tip down – Never leave a knife in the sink; especially in soapy water where it may not be seen – Never try to catch a falling knife – Sharp knives are safe knives. Dull knives cause injury! – Only use knives for cutting. Never try to open a can with a knife.  Falls Slips and falls are some of the most common injuries in the kitchen. These steps will help to prevent falls: – Quickly clean up spills and display wet floor sign – Clean greasy floors right away – Keep floors and walkways clear of obstruction – Never run in the kitchen – Wear shoes with nonslip soles  BURNS Most burns are minor, but they can be very serious and very painful. Burns can be prevented best if you: – Never use a damp or wet towel as a hot pad – Use thick hot pad – Never place hot dishes or pans in the dishwashing station without altering dish staff – When carrying hot pans through kitchen let those around you know by saying “Hot!” or “Hot Behind!” – Avoid contact with steam; open pot tops away from yourself  BURN CARE If a burn causes the Seek Medical Attention if: skin to redden or - The burn is larger than blister; place the two to three inches body part in cold around water and alert the - The burn is deep or skin supervisor. Do not peels use ice as it can - The burn becomes damage injured skin. infected As burns can become infected leave http://www.youtube.com/w blisters intact. atch?v=5_1T0iLmOck FIRE SAFETY Fire is a constant danger in the kitchen. Kitchens and restaurants are destroyed by fire every year. Fire needs fuel, oxygen, and heat. If one of these ingredients is missing; the fire cannot start. Remove one of these and a fire will go out. For example: Covering a pan that has caught on fire removes the oxygen source and the fire will go out.  Kitchen – Fires Fires can be prevented if you: Properly clean the hood vent system – Keep equipment from building up excessive grease – Always turn off heat sources when not in use – Use proper and undamaged electrical cords – Do not smoke on property  Clothing on Fire It is a very rare occurrence, but also a very serious one. If this happen to you or someone you know: – STOP where you are – DROP to the floor and cover your face – ROLL on the ground to smother the flames  Commit to SAFETY Your knowledge and the application of it, is the most important step in maintaining your safety and the safety of those around you. If you ever have any doubts, or need further clarification; see your instructor or supervisor. It is always better to be SAFE than sorry.