Safety Tips For Food Service Workers

Food service is one of the country's largest industries. According to some reports, more than 14 million Americans work in food service -- a number that's expected to reach 16 million by 2026. While some people assume that food service has a low risk of injury compared to other industries, workers can (and do) get injured. So, what steps can food service workers take to reduce the risk of injury?

Wear Non-Slip Shoes

Food service workers should wear non-slip shoes or footwear to protect against slip-and-fall injuries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states that 15% of all accidental deaths are attributed to slip-and-fall injuries. Such injuries are particularly common in the food service industry because of the presence of spilled liquids. Non-slip shoes, however, allow workers to traverse the workplace while minimizing the risk of slipping and falling.

Beware of Burns

Another common type of injury sustained by workers in the food service industry are burns. Each year, millions of food service workers suffer skin burns from touching hot plates, ovens, stoves and other hot surfaces. To protect against such injury, workers should be conscious of hot surfaces, either avoiding touching them or using the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Use Caution When Handling Knives

I know this probably sounds like common sense to most experienced food service workers, but it's still worth mentioning that workers should use caution when handling knives. It's not uncommon for workers to accidentally cut themselves when handling knives or other bladed tools. Being that knives are essential in this industry, however, avoiding them altogether isn't always an option. However, workers can still protect themselves from lacerations by handling knives with caution.

Keep Distance From Grease

When working around deep-fryer, workers should keep a safe distance to protect themselves from splashing grease. While the exact temperature varies, a typical deep-fryer can reach up 375 degrees. That's more than enough to cause severe skin burns. To protect against grease-related injuries, workers should keep a safe distance.

The food service industry is poised for strong growth in the coming years. Whether you currently work in the industry or are thinking of working in it, however, it's important that you follow some basic safety tips to protect yourself from injury. The tips listed here are just a few ways for workers to lower their risk of industry.