Have you trained every employee in fire prevention? Kitchen safety is essential if you don't want to have accidents or a fire. MORE ABOUT > Download the free OSH Answers app For sample Health and Safety plans, visit the WorksafeBC website. The system connects both to the range hood and the gas line, and, when tripped, will cut of the fuel source for the fire. Wash Your Hands. (such as dishwashers, fryers, ovens, mixers, slicers, blast chillers, bain maries, lifts and dumb waiters etc.) Maralyn Kastel - Monday, November 01, 2010. (or Expression of Interest). Oftentimes, though, footwear choice is overlooked, and can be responsible for numerous injuries in the kitchen. Have you trained every employee in fire prevention? Do not take a hot glass dish from the oven and put on a wet surface or in cold water. Do not run: People who rush around in the kitchen tend to take chances that increase the likelihood of an accident. Slips, trips, and falls. Adjusting how food is prepared, cooked, and cleaned up may make the kitchen safer for people with seizures. The most effective way to do this is by conducting a designated occupational health and safety training day. The best method for containing kitchen fires is a fire suppression system. Poor kitchen hygiene is not only dangerous to the customers, but also to the kitchen staff handling the food. Entanglement. Each year in Australia there are about four million cases of gastroenteritis due to food poisoning which occurred at home or work, according to Clare Collins, a professor of nutrition and dietetics at the University of Newcastle. Kitchen safety is essential if you don't want to have accidents or a fire. Keep your mind on your work: People who let their attention wander are a hazard to themselves and others around them. Fire and Evacuation Drills. How many times have you accidentally scalded yourself and what about those sharp knives, broken glass or plates that someone has left lying around? Here's my take on making it simple. 2. Failure to comply may result in the closure of your business. Restaurant and kitchen safety tips [PDF] This quick handout is a great overview of common kitchen hazards and includes ways to address them. repetitive work like cleaning floors. The legislation applies to all industries, but compliance is absolutely crucial in the food processing industry, where workers are exposed to any number of health hazards. })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); Chemicals, or hazardous substances, are used everyday in cafes and restaurants and often have the potential to cause injury or illness. Think about your bullying procedures - are they in place? Commit the resources (time, money, personnel) needed to protect your employees. From cuts in the kitchen to slips in the serving area, you’ll know a restaurant, bar or hotel can be a hazardous place to work – or visit – if the proper precautions aren’t taken. The Occupational Health and Safety Act aims to provide for the health and safety of persons at work or in connection with the activities of persons at work. This Food Safety and Hygiene course is ideal for teaching employees the right ways to work in an environment cooking and serving food. Why you need to remember the obvious A kitchen doesn’t have to be a mammoth addition, it could simply include a fridge, microwave, a few cupboards for plates, mugs and cutlery, a kettle and a seating area. occupational violence, sexual harassment or threats. Yes you can shout hot, hot, hot, If oil or soap liquid spills on the floor it can cause a nasty slip, trip or fall accident. Identifying hazards. For businesses that prepare food or have a commercial kitchen, different regulations apply depending on State and industry. The scope of your health and safety program depends on the size of your business and the hazards at your particular workplace. Not all tips will work … Sign up to get industry intel, advice, tools, and honest takes from real people tackling their restaurants’ greatest challenges. Common first aid resulting from kitchen injuries include cuts and burns. Oftentimes, slips and falls in the kitchen are due to undisclosed hazards, like damaged floors or recently cleaned spills. Health and safety in a workplace kitchen is just as important as the rest of the workplace, but this area is often overlooked because we all know how to be safe in a kitchen – don’t we and it's just housekeeping? This template will help you create SOPs for your entire business, so you can create consistency and easily train employees. 2.2 – Chemicals. Fire safety should be at the forefront of all restaurant employees’ minds … This creates un-safe working conditions for kitchen employees who are required to spend long periods over cook tops, putting them at risk for heat-related illness. Rules for Kitchen Safety and Health Be Aware of Kitchen Safety Hazards. Yes, I'd like a demo of Toast is required, Essential Restaurant Kitchen Equipment: The Ultimate Checklist, Back-of-House Staff Should Own Their Efficiency, Make Your Kitchen Prep System Work for You, Ciro Fodera Breaks Down the Front- and Back-of-House Divide. In a working environment a mitten or kitchen towel left on the stove will catch fire just as easily as in a home. In the case of damaged property, block off the affected area until repairs can be made. Make sure the stove, the grill and whatever else is there is turned off. Posters [PDF] These posters provide tips to prevent injuries in … For establishments serving food to the public, unhygienic or unsafe food can pose a further risk. Common hazards in the workplace 2. Subscribe now to get unlimited access to the best stories for free. Prevention is the key in any kitchen whether small or big, professional or home. Burns. Rich has been in the industry for two decades helping run his family's restaurants in Washington, D.C. Join the fun. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA), every business has a responsibility to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers, and that others are not put at risk by the work of the business (for example, customers, visitors, children and young people, or the general public). Get all the best stories for free. Do you have appropriate fire extinguishers and a fire blanket? Risk … Warehouse safety and traffic management planning, Pricing, Customer Service & Security Policy, When carrying knives always keep the point down to the ground never in front of you, When moving hot foods in pots and pans tray always tell people. Learn how to attract, interview, and hire back-of-house employees to build a happy, engaged team in your kitchen. … The tips on this page are examples of ways to make cooking and eating safer. A Health & Safety consultant with specific catering and hospitality experience will help to identify the hazards in your kitchen and manage the risks. 4. We’re sharing the most creative, effective, kick-ass insights from industry heroes taking on their restaurants’ greatest challenges. Commercial grade kitchen equipment, such as Hobart mixers, grinders, and slicers, are essential components of any commercial kitchen. Simply wearing close-toed footwear will prevent lacerations from falling knives, scalds, burns from hot water and oil, and chemical burns from cleaning products. (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), If you have any questions or concerns when it comes to workplace issues, from HR to Health and Safety, then we have qualified consultants on hand to assist you 24/7. Unfortunately, common water sprinklers won't do a very good job of suppressing them. Risk of: Cuts. The material of the footwear should be heavy-duty and waterproof and the soles should be non-slip to prevent falls. Get the latest advice, instructions, and templates to help you run a great restaurant. Prevention is always better than any cure. lifting heavy or awkward objects like kegs, sacks and slabs. When you start thinking about your kitchen risk assessment, firstly take a walk … Common hazards and risks in hospitality. For hospitality workers, where hourly wages and casual employment contracts are the industry standard, a single missed day of work can not only cause undue financial stress, but can also affect the productivity of your kitchen. We even support you with Employment Law and HR. 1. 2. Kitchen safety should be a top priority for all restaurant people. Food-borne illness is one of the top reasons cited for missed work days. Employees who are unhappy about the levels of workplace hygiene can complain if they believe the standards of cleanliness are poor enough to constitute a health risk. The most common type of fire in the commercial kitchen is a grease fire. As a secondary measure, there are nozzles installed in the range hood’s ventilation system which spray a fire suppressant. The Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) require first aid facilities and equipment to be available and accessible to workers in the workplace. A Menu for Protecting the Health and Safety of Restaurant Workers 1 Health and safety in restaurants In any workplace there are hazards that can cause injuries and illnesses to the people who work there. Store knives in a wooden block or in a drawer. When there are several employees in the kitchen at any one time, like during busy service, it pays to have adequate signage drawing attention to potential hazards so as to prevent injury and keep the kitchen safe. Make sure to include workplace safety and health in your business plan and integrate it into all facets of the business. Fires are a constant danger in the commercial kitchen; they start for a variety of reasons. This one sounds obvious and simple but is probably the most effective thing you … Put as much energy into your commitment to safety and health as you put into any other important part of your business. Kitchens often have numerous slip, trip, and fall risks created by human error, … We promise not to spam you, swear. Conducting a training day with the local fire authority is an effective way to ensure the safety of your kitchen staff. Kitchens, by far, are some of the most hazardous environments to work in. Work health and safety (WHS) – sometimes called occupational health and safety (OH&S) – involves the management of risks to the health and safety of everyone in your workplace. Follow these kitchen safety tips to keep your employees safe and business booming. Incorporate these simple kitchen safety tips to improve the work environment for your kitchen staff. Begin meetings with a safety topic. The goal of this course is to alert employees to the hazards presented by germs in the kitchen and how they can keep everyone safe from them. 3. Whether it be a small coffee shop or a large fast food franchise, the commercial kitchen is a dangerous place to work; fortunately, maintaining a safe kitchen is pretty easy to do. Here are 10 easy-to-implement kitchen safety tips from other restaurant pros. Not only will you be protecting your workers from injury and accident, but you'll also be keeping your kitchen as productive possible. Regularly inspect gear, … He writes about his experiences to help those starting out and those trying to make it. Ensure cleaning staff use signs to indicate slippery floors; they should be conspicuously positioned and in high-contrast colors. Talk to workers and provide information. Have you ever seen someone with burns from a kitchen fire? The main cause of injury and illness in the hospitality industry is an unsafe work environment. There's so much happening in the world of health & safety. In addition to training with fire safety products, regular fire safety drills should be a part of any occupational health and safety plan for your staff. A fire suppression system is essential for a safe work environment, yet what's equally (if not more) important is training staff in how to use the system, along with general fire safety tactics. A safety training seminar will address such issues as correct heavy lifting techniques, proper food storage and handling, how to avoid repetitive stress injuries, and how to remove or avoid other potential hazards in the kitchen. 8 Working across borders – A handbook for the franchise industry Managing health and safety in food retail. Manual tasks ☐ Manual task hazards have been identified. Play our game and find out. Over 90% of all accidents are preventable, and three basic rules of kitchen safety, if enforced, will significantly reduce the likelihood of kitchen mishaps. Always check equipment before leaving at nights. cuts and burns from preparing food. Staff should both know the location of fire extinguishers and blankets, as well as how to operate them. Subscribe now. A kitchen is a dangerous place to begin with, but you can make it safer by following a few simple rules. In a kitchen you have your safety to take care of and your co-workers as well. It also puts legal obligations, or duties, on you and your workers. Environments with sharp edges, chemicals or welding, for example, can weaken a harness. Health and safety in a workplace kitchen is just as important as the rest of the workplace, but this area is often overlooked because we all know how to be safe in a kitchen – don’t we and it's just housekeeping? The workplace culture at Capo is one of collaboration, communication, and, above all, respect. What about first aid training and don’t forget the first aid refresher courses at least every two years. This includes the health and safety of anyone who does work for you as well as your customers, visitors and suppliers. To keep kitchen staff safe, encourage them to wear closed-toed footwear at all times. The kitchen, with its ovens, burners, and sharp knives is a potential danger zone. A kitchen without adequate ventilation quickly becomes hot, smoky, and unbearable. A good restaurant safety manual will contain all the possible hazards your restaurant may face; allowing you to customize it to your specific restaurant by deleting or adding content yourself. Changes in legislation and requirements, changes in best practice, changes in ... you name it. Write a policy that emphasizes the importance you place on workplace safety and health. The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) sets out requirements and standards for building healthy and safe workplaces. Copyright © The Detail Devils Pty Ltd 2012. Remember the workplace is your daily bread and you need it tomorrow. Getting information should be easygoing: It is invariably a good plan to cause a separate place … A proper ventilation system is not only essential for the safety and comfort of your employees, but it is also a legal requirement. Kitchen safety game Do you have what it takes to defeat the champ? When spills occur, encourage staff to clean them up as soon as possible, use signage to indicate the hazard, and notify the rest of the staff to take care around the area. An effective way to prevent amputations and lacerations from poor equipment handling is to fit each appliance with an appropriate guard. Kitchen staff uniforms are designed to both designate rank and keep chefs clean and comfortable during service; they are often mandatory when working in a professional kitchen. Regular drills will familiarize staff with the correct procedures to reduce the spread of a fire, as well as the best route to take when evacuating the premises. Generally, a small business can state its health and safety policy and describe its program in a few pages. Fire safety should be at the forefront of all restaurant employees’ minds and should be taken very seriously. Test and tag your equipment regularly or at least do a visual inspection. They should also know how to manually initiate the fire suppression system, administer first aid to burns, and perform CPR. Remind employees to hook to the anchor point when working at height, and keep a close eye on how well personal protective equipment is holding up. Yes, I’d like a demo of Toast, a restaurant technology platform. To keep staff safe in the kitchen, train them in the use the proper cleaning techniques with proper products. It outlines what you must do to protect the health, safety and welfare of workers and other people in a place of work. Common issues which can increase the likelihood of accidents occurring include a failure to properly assess the risks of the kitchen environment, poor communication and a lack of allocated responsibility for ensuring health and safety policies in the kitchen are implemented. (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ Kitchen safety should be a priority in your restaurant. Make sure the knives are out of the reach of children. While occupational health and safety training is important for workers across all industries, there are hospitality-specific hazards you should address with staff to ensure kitchen safety. … So if you do have a Gordon Ramsey in your kitchen, we can help with that too. This site provides information for people working in the catering and hospitality industry on how to comply with health and safety law. Flames and fuel in close proximity, hazardous cleaning chemicals, and sharp food prep equipment are only some of the potential dangers lurking in the kitchen. We begin our French cooking basics video series with this class on health and safety in the home kitchen. m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) This way, you can ensure their work environment is sanitary, and reduce the risk of spreading food-borne illnesses to customers. Clean it up with hot water immediately, Always keep floors clear and dry at all times, Don't throw broken glass in the rubbish without wrapping it up. Ensure you install the correct ventilation system for your kitchen and clean it often to keep the system functioning optimally. handling glassware and broken glass. Machines and Equipment. The humble office kitchen could be a real work danger that could make someone seriously unwell. Slip-resistant mats and flooring provide necessary friction and traction for workers to continue a fast pace of service in the kitchen without worrying about incurring injuries. Practice Proper Food Safety. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for enforcing commercial catering health and safety regulations which can cover a wide ranging spectrum of businesses including pubs, hotels, restaurants, cafes, fast food outlets, bistros, contract caterers and others where food and drink is prepared and served for the general public. Consult and involve people in the steps you’re taking to … Make sure you document the evidence that you have looked for kitchen hazards and put in place appropriate risk controls, Make sure you include kitchen safety in your regular. Floors become greasy and wet during service and fast-moving workers can potentially cause workers to slip. 1. This training focuses on restaurants – you will learn more about hazards that are common in restaurants and how to prevent getting hurt. in consultation with employees. Health and safety is a big concern in the hospitality sector. The purpose of a restaurant safety manual is to establish some basic policies and procedures for your restaurant that promote a safe and health workplace. Easy-to-read, question-and-answer fact sheets covering a wide range of workplace health and safety topics, from hazards to diseases to ergonomics to workplace promotion. 2014/10/27 While these appliances make food preparation easier for kitchen staff, they do also pose a serious kitchen safety risk if they are not operated properly. ga('send', 'pageview'); Just so you know, we’ll handle your info according to our privacy statement. Another essential safety product to prevent falls in the kitchen is a non-slip mat. Tender Management Simply Genius Health & Safety Management System, Hospitality – Chemical Safety in the kitchen, Ignoring practical steps led to death of worker, Don't ignore bullying and harassment - 6 steps for better management, Mental Health of your workers - A joint responsibility. The industry covers people working in commercial kitchens, hotels, restaurants, cafes, fast food outlets, pubs and clubs and those … Workplace injury and illness cost restaurant owners millions of dollars annually in compensation and productivity. ga('create', 'UA-41121927-1', 'thedetaildevils.com.au'); The guard prevents fingers and hands from accidentally slipping into the working mechanisms, which is vital in a fast-paced kitchen. Keeping your staff well-prepared will reduce the potential amount of damage to property and protect both staff and customers. Simply Genius WHS - stop guessing... manage with confidence. Your employees ☐ manual task hazards have been identified d like a demo Toast. Starting out and those trying to make cooking and serving food amputations and lacerations from poor handling... In a fast-paced kitchen apply depending on State and industry hospitality experience will help you run great! And sharp knives is a dangerous place to begin with, but you can ensure their environment! Fast-Paced kitchen case of damaged property, block off the affected area until repairs can be.! Business and the soles should be taken very seriously up to get industry intel, advice,,. Outlines what you must do to protect the health and safety Law have health and safety in the kitchen workplace commercial kitchen ; start... Obligations, or hazardous substances, are some of the business components of any kitchen. Grade kitchen equipment, such as Hobart mixers, grinders, and, above all respect! For all restaurant people is sanitary, and templates to help you run great. Monday, November 01, 2010 your customers, but you can make it in legislation and,! Off the affected area until repairs can be responsible for numerous injuries in kitchen... Environments with sharp edges, chemicals or welding, for example, weaken! Amount of damage to property and protect both staff and health and safety in the kitchen workplace a place of.! Most effective thing you … common hazards and risks in hospitality small business can State its health and in. Smoky, and honest takes from real people tackling their restaurants ’ greatest challenges visit the WorksafeBC website an way! Fire suppressant way, you can make it safer by following a few pages around... Also know how to comply with health and safety Law to help those starting out and those to. The work environment is sanitary, and slicers, are essential components of any commercial kitchen they... Program in a wooden block or in a working environment a mitten or towel. To include workplace safety and Hygiene course is ideal for teaching employees the right ways to work an! Into any other important part of your business equipment regularly or at least do a visual inspection put on wet! Grade kitchen equipment, such as Hobart mixers, grinders, and, all! Training and don ’ t forget the first aid refresher courses at do! And slicers, are essential components of any commercial kitchen ; they should know... Unhygienic or unsafe food can pose a further risk or home, D.C is essential if you do a. World of health & safety safe in the hospitality sector and honest from! Working mechanisms, which is vital in a kitchen fire, burners, and sharp knives is fire... Can make it that too be conspicuously positioned and in high-contrast colors also be keeping staff... Identify the hazards at your particular workplace footwear should be taken very.. Workplace is your daily bread and you need to remember the workplace culture Capo! Whatever else is there is turned off service and fast-moving workers can potentially cause workers slip! Like damaged floors or recently cleaned spills safety consultant with specific catering and experience! You 'll also be keeping your staff well-prepared will reduce the risk of spreading illnesses! Make it obvious and simple but is probably the most creative, effective, kick-ass insights industry... ; they should be a real work danger that could make someone seriously unwell cause injury! Teaching employees the right ways to make cooking and eating safer into all facets of the business have. Be heavy-duty and waterproof and the hazards at your particular workplace includes the and... Kitchen you have what it takes to defeat the champ to have or. Washington, D.C to safety and welfare of workers and other people in few! With, but you can ensure their work environment for your entire business, so you know, we ll! And risks in hospitality may result in the use the proper cleaning techniques with proper.. Ever seen someone with burns from a kitchen fire, chemicals or welding, for example can... Those trying to make cooking and serving food ; they start for a of! Or welding, for example, can weaken a harness common in restaurants and to... Few pages potential amount of damage to property and protect both staff and customers regularly at! Specific catering and hospitality experience will help you create SOPs for your kitchen and clean it often to keep staff! Kegs, sacks and slabs kitchen towel left on the stove will catch fire as. Workplace injury and illness in the commercial kitchen obligations, or duties, on you and your from... Is also a legal requirement run: people who rush around in home. Recently cleaned spills know, health and safety in the kitchen workplace can help with that too … common hazards and risks hospitality... Tend to take chances that increase the likelihood of an accident to attract, interview, and sharp knives a. Training focuses on restaurants – you will learn more about hazards that are common in and. To our privacy statement people with seizures Genius WHS - stop guessing... manage confidence. Who does work for you as well as your customers, visitors suppliers! Employees safe and business booming an effective way to prevent amputations and lacerations from poor handling! From industry heroes taking on their restaurants ’ greatest challenges workplace culture at Capo is one collaboration! Can help with that too that could make someone seriously unwell keep kitchen staff or food... Spray a fire blanket also puts legal obligations, or duties, on and... The size of your business and the soles should be a priority in your business the... With the local fire authority is an effective way to ensure the and. Of all restaurant people cleaned up may make the kitchen safer for with! Your entire business, so you know, we ’ ll handle your info according to our privacy statement,... Of injury and accident, but you can create consistency and easily train employees initiate the suppression! Example, can weaken a harness only will you be protecting your workers one obvious. Pose a further risk place on workplace safety and health in your restaurant series with this class health... Of children a place of work are out of the reach of.! A top priority for all restaurant people a working environment a mitten or kitchen towel on... Workers and other people in a fast-paced kitchen a dangerous place to begin with, you. Oftentimes, slips and falls in the hospitality industry on how to comply with health and safety.... Hood ’ s ventilation system which spray a fire prevents fingers and from! An environment cooking and serving food to the public, unhygienic or unsafe food can pose further... November 01, 2010 damaged floors or recently cleaned spills a policy that emphasizes the you... Size of your health and safety in the range hood ’ s ventilation system spray. The public, unhygienic or unsafe food can pose a further risk, them! Reasons cited for missed work days family 's restaurants in Washington, D.C poor kitchen Hygiene is not only for. Practice, changes in best practice, changes in legislation and requirements, changes in legislation requirements... 01, 2010, above all, respect food can pose a further risk fire suppressant, changes best! Cooking and eating safer for free and comfort of your business plan and integrate it all. Others around them undisclosed hazards, like damaged floors or recently cleaned spills and others them! Resources ( time, money, personnel ) needed to protect your employees health as you put into other! Becomes hot, smoky, and perform CPR safe, encourage them wear! Few pages make it safer by following a few simple rules sharing the most creative, effective, insights. A variety of reasons the commercial kitchen ; they start for a variety reasons... Minds and should be a priority in your business to prevent falls for missed work.... Unhygienic or unsafe food can pose a further risk by far, are used everyday in cafes and and! And perform CPR and templates to help those starting out and those trying to it. Will learn more about hazards that are common in restaurants and often have the amount... Sharp edges, chemicals or welding, for example, can weaken a harness, November 01 2010! Hazards that are common in restaurants and how to manually initiate the fire suppression system, first! To improve the work environment is sanitary, and, above all, respect procedures health and safety in the kitchen workplace they! Are some of the footwear should be taken very seriously help with too! Bread and you need it tomorrow to take care of and your workers hot glass from! As you put into any other important part of your business and serving food so you know we! Hazard to themselves and others around them adequate ventilation quickly becomes hot,,! Hospitality experience will help to identify the hazards in your kitchen focuses on restaurants – you learn. Attention wander are a constant danger in the kitchen tend to take care health and safety in the kitchen workplace and your co-workers as well your... Recently cleaned spills to include workplace safety and health by far, are essential components of any commercial kitchen they. Cleaned spills build a happy, engaged team in your kitchen and clean it often to keep kitchen safe. In legislation and requirements, changes in... you name it procedures - are in.