 Workplace accidents cost the foodservice over $48 billion per year.  Fatigue, poor kitchen design and minimal training all contribute to these accidents.  Following OSHA - USDA – FDA – EPA regulations help prevent accidents.  By practicing safety every day will help prevent accidents in the work place.

Uniforms  Must be clean  Prevents outside contaminates Hats  Must cover hair. Aprons  Must be clean.  Ideal place for bacteria growth.  Remove when leaving food prep. area Shoes  Sturdy & slip resistant.  Closed toes.

Gloves  Protect your hands from injuries: wire-mesh & heavy duty for cleaning  Food handlers gloves serves as a precaution against food contamination.  Wash your hands with soap & water before wearing gloves.

Foodservice gloves are for single use only.  Replace when:  Cracking eggs.  When they become soiled or torn.  After handling any raw food.  After touching money or non-food items.

 Foodservice workers are responsible for helping to prevent personal injuries.  Know your environment & keep it safe.  Warn other of potential dangers.

 Never run. Walk.  Wiping up spills immediately  Wear proper shoes.  Keep your work area uncluttered.  Use safe ladders or foot stools for climbing.  Allow wet floors to dry before resume walking on them.

Most common kitchen injury  Always use knives for their intended purpose only.  Always cut away from your body.  Always carry a knife down at your side.  Never reach for a falling knife.  Never place a knife in the sink.  Keep knives sharp.

 Use dry pot holders or side towels when handling hot items.  Turn handles of pots & pans away from the from of the stove.  Ask for assistance when moving hot containers.  Be careful when working around fryers and hot fat or grease.

 Improper lifting & bending are one of the most common injury.  20-25% of all worker’s compensation claims.  Many could have been prevented if employees had taken he proper precaution.

 Pushing & pulling puts less strain on your back than lifting.  Use rollers or trucks if available to move the object.  Always ask for assistance if needed. Before lifting heavy objects, ask yourself:  Can I lift this object.  Is the object too heavy or too awkward.  Do I need help.  Is my path free of clutter.

Follow these steps when lifting heavy objects 1. Bend at your knees. 2. Keep your back straight. 3. Keep your feet close to the object. 4. Center your body over the load. 5. Lift straight up. 6. Don’t twist your body. 7. Set the load down slowly, keep your back straight.

 Be familiar with each piece of equipment.  Familiarize yourself with safety features.  Make sure you know how to work all the safety features.  Follow manufacturer’s instruction manual.  Turn off or unplug the equipment before cleaning.

 Workplace fires cause substantial property & equipment damage.  Cause serious injury & death.  Flames & high heat sources in the kitchen increase the probability of fire.

 Keep workplace clear of grease build-up.  NO SMOKING.  Use precaution around gas appliances.  Make sure all smoke alarms systems work.  All exits unlocked & accessible.

Sparky says, “Precaution & prevention is your best course of action…. RRRUFF”

Most common type of fire prevention equipment.  Different types for different types of fires.  Located within each work station.  Inspected & tagged.  Use properly.  Follow proper procedures when in use.

Hood system  Help remove excess smoke, heat & vapors.  Should be cleaned regularly. Sprinkler System  Also called: ANSUL SYSTEM  Chemical propellant used to extinguish fires.  Must be properly maintained.

 Call 911 or appropriate emergency personal.  Be familiar with fire emergency procedures.  Know your fire exits & alternate routes.  Help customers and co-worker leave the building.  Meeting area & head count.  Keep calm.

Any emergency is a potentially life-threatening.  Always be prepared for the unexpected.  Always post emergency telephone number.  Fire Department, Poison Control & Health Department.  Learn basic “First Aid”  Emergency Response System.

 First Aid involves assisting an injured person till professional medical personal arrives.  American Red Cross offers hands-on practical information classes.  Keep the victim & others calm & comfortable.  Call emergency personal.  Administer “First Aid”  Keep non-emergency personal away from the area.

Any degree of burn requires immediate treatment.  Cool the burn. Cool tap water or soaked towels.  Never apply ointment or antiseptic sprays.  Bandage the burn as directed.  Stay calm.

 Avulsion: Portion of the skin is partially or completely torn off. A severed finger.  Puncture: Skin is pierced with a pointed object, making a deep hole. Knife, ice pick. Can be very deep.  Abrasion: Scrape. Minor cut. Road Rash is an abrasion.  Laceration: Cuts & tears in the skin. Can be quite deep. A knife wound or glass cut.

For Minor Cuts  Put on disposable gloves to protect against infections.  Clean cut with soap & rinse under water.  Bandage the wound using a sterile gauze.  Apply direct pressure to stop the bleeding. For more sever Wounds  Put on disposable gloves to protect against infections.  Apply pressure using a clean towel or gauze.  Elevate the wound.  Cover the wound with a clean bandage.  Wash your hands thoroughly after treating the wound.

 Caused by blockage of the air way.  Person will have difficulty breathing and speaking.  Use on conscious & choking person.  Never on unconscious or pregnant woman.

1. Stand behind victim. Wrap your arms around victim’s waist. 2. Locate the victim’s navel. 3. Make a fist with one hand. Place the thumb side of your fist against the middle of the abdomen. Just above the naval & below the breast bone.

4. Press your hands into the victim’s abdomen. 5. Use quick, inward & upward thrusts. 6. Repeat as many time as it takes to dislodge the object.

 Victim is unresponsive.  Choking, cardiac arrest, stroke or heart attack.  Helps keep oxygen flowing to the brain & heart.  Use only if properly trained.  Contact your local Red Cross for classes.