Commercial kitchens are hectic places. You may have up to a dozen cooks and chefs working in the same kitchen simultaneously. All sorts of activities take place in a commercial kitchen, such as cutting, slicing, stirring, mixing, frying, baking, food preparation, and so on.
Due to the hectic activity that takes place inside of a commercial kitchen, workers are bound to have accidents sooner or later. In most cases, accidents are preventable if certain precautions are taken beforehand.
Below are the top five ways to prevent accidents in a commercial kitchen.
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Safety Signs
Commercial kitchens need to have safety signs posted on the walls and doors. Any area where flammable substances are present, there should be danger signs to remind the workers.
Other safety signs required include no-smoking signs, mandatory signs (for covering hair, eyes, etc.), hazard signs, and emergency signs.
The biggest dangers in commercial kitchens are the risks of burns and fires. There are so many ovens, stoves, and deep fryers working simultaneously while generating a lot of heat. One mistake during the cooking process could set fire to the entire kitchen or burn someone severely.
The safety signs help workers prevent fires and to locate the fire equipment and exits if necessary.
Clean Floor Messes Immediately
Commercial kitchens have a lot of foods and liquids being boiled, cooked, poured, and prepared. It is only natural that accidental spilling and splattering will take place every now and then. These food and liquid elements will end up on the floor if they do not end up on anyone’s clothes.
Floor messes should be cleaned up immediately. Even if a little bit of water is on the floor, clean the floor with a mop until it is completely dry. Otherwise, workers are liable to slip and fall on the floor debris. Then you are looking at a possible lawsuit if they hurt themselves.
Keep Knives Out of the Sink
If you are going to leave a knife unattended, make sure you put it in a safe area. Never leave used knives lying around in areas where workers will put their hands, such as a sink filled with water.
When you are done using a knife, clean that knife individually and place it back on the knife rack, don’t just let knives pile up in the sink because someone will likely cut themselves on the blades. If you have a dishwasher, you can always put the knife in the designated area for knives in the machine.
Dry Your Hands Frequently
Do you ever notice how chefs always keep a dish towel nearby? It is because their hands are frequently getting wet and dirty from preparing food. Keep a dishtowel tucked in your waistband so that it is always next to you.
Anyone handling pots, pans, drinking glasses, or other objects in the kitchen must have dry hands before they pick up these objects. If they have wet hands, then these objects are liable to slip out of their hands and cause an accident. Just take out the dish towel and dry your hands when they are wet.
Wear Sturdy, Slip-Resistant Shoes
Do not wear your ordinary sneakers or dress shoes in a commercial kitchen. Look for sturdy shoes that have slip-resistant attributes to them. Rubber shoes or insoles will undoubtedly help prevent slipping on a kitchen floor. Also, look for steel-toed boots to protect your toes in case something falls on your feet.
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