Restaurant kitchens are the heart of the business, but they’re also a major source of injuries for the workers in them. It’s imperative that the employer take steps to keep those workers safe while they do their job duties.
There are several things that employers can do to help keep their workers safe in the kitchen. Having the proper equipment and safety procedures are a good place to start.
What can kitchen workers do to prevent burns?
All kitchen workers should pay attention to what’s going on in the kitchen so they won’t accidentally come into contact with extreme heat. Using the proper equipment, such as hot pads or oven mitts to pick up hot items.
Workers should also be taught to shake off excess ice crystals, avoid overfilling baskets and take their time to lower foods into the fryers. They should also be shown how to use all the equipment in the kitchen to avoid getting burnt.
Restaurant employers should take steps to reduce the chance of employees getting burned when changing or disposing of grease or oil. Some restaurants use automated fry basket lowering technology and automatic grease dumping. These help to keep workers away from the hot grease, which reduces the chance of them getting burned during their work shift.
Any restaurant worker who’s hurt in the kitchen or anywhere else should ensure they get the medical care they need. This care should be covered by workers’ compensation, but some workers may have to fight for the benefits they’re due. If your workers’ comp claim isn’t going well, it may be time to seek some legal assistance.
