The Food Preparation area of a restaurant
offers young workers an opportunity for developing skills in culinary
art, sanitation principles, and in the use of kitchen equipment. Young
workers in this area may also be exposed to the following hazards:
Young workers often help prepare foods for restaurants
and are exposed to cuts while using sharp kitchen tools
such as knives or cleavers.
Other sharp surfaces and equipment may also provide a cutting
hazard for workers.
Possible Solutions
Young Worker Solutions
Dangerous cutting position
Cut away from the body keeping thumb out of the cutting line Store knives in knife holders Sheath storage bag
Employers have the primary
responsibility for protecting the safety and health of their
workers. Employees are responsible for following the safe work
practices of their employers.
Handle, use, and store knives and other sharp
utensils safely.
Cut in the direction away from the body.
Keep your fingers and thumbs out of the way of the cutting line.
Use any protective clothing
provided by employer such as steel mesh or Kevlar gloves.
Use a knife only for its intended purpose and use the appropriate knife for the cutting job.
Store knives, saws, and cleavers in a designated storage area when not in use.
Do not store the blades with the cutting edge exposed.
Install knife holders on work tables to prevent worker injury.
Equip newly purchased knives with blade guards or knuckle
guards that protect the hand from slipping onto the blade.
Let a falling knife fall. Do not try
to catch it.
Carry knives with the cutting edge angled slightly away from
your body, with the tip pointed down to your side.
Place a knife that you are
handing to someone, down on a clean surface, and let the other person pick it up.
Clean the knife immediately after use or place it in a dishwasher or a container labeled
"for knives only."
Do not store knives and other sharp objects in sinks between periods of use.
Do not touch knife blades.
Avoid placing knives near the edge of a countertop.
Do not talk with coworkers while using a knife. When interrupted, stop cutting and place the knife down on a secure surface. Do not try
to cut while distracted.
Employer Solutions
Steel mesh gloves protect against blade cuts
Unsafe way to sharpen knives
Shake mixer blade
Kevlar gloves protect against blade cuts
Safer way to sharpen knives
Securely hold shake cup container on mixer blade
Employers have the primary
responsibility for protecting the safety and health of their
workers. Employees are responsible for following the safe work
practices of their employers.
Follow OSHA Standards including:
Follow the
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standard [1910.132]:
Assess tasks to identify potential
worksite hazards and provide and ensure employee use of
appropriate personal protective equipment.
Require employees to use appropriate
hand protection when hands are exposed to hazards such
as cuts and lacerations. For example, use steel mesh or Kevlar gloves when cutting. Hand
Protection Standard [1910.138(a)].
Consider implementing recommended safe work practices, including:
Allow only experienced, trained workers to
sharpen knives. This is done correctly by keeping the thumb
beneath the knuckle guard rim protection on the handle of the sharpener, rather
than on top of the rim where it may get cut.
Keep knives sharpened and in good
condition; dull knives tend to slip and may cause injuries. Tell other staff when knives are newly sharpened.
Protect workers who use shake mixer blades.
Remind workers to securely hold the top of the container onto the shake cup while mixing to
avoid exposure to the blade.
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