Commercial kitchens are often cramped, hot and hectic. They are not the sort of places where you can take your time over things without any pressure. Failing to keep up with the rest of the team could throw the whole service into chaos. Throw in the long hours that kitchen work can involve and you can add fatigue to the pressures these staff are under.
All this can lead to mistakes. Here are some of the things that could cause an injury:
Sharp objects
Knives need to be kept sharp to cut food efficiently. The downside is a simple slip could lead to a severe injury. It’s not just those using the knives who are at risk, but also those who wash them up. The same applies to other blades, such as those found in liquidizers or meat slicers.
Hot objects
Someone in a rush could easily knock over a pan of boiling liquid or pull a sizzling frying pan off the flame and straight into the path of someone passing close by. While minor burns are part and parcel of kitchen work, some burns and scalds have incredibly serious consequences.
Heavy objects
Employees may feel under pressure to move items fast, without the opportunity to seek help or the space to lift them in the ideal manner. Back injuries can occur from a one-off event or repeated lifting over the years. Wrist injuries from repeatedly lifting heavy pots and pans are another common occurrence.
Those are just some of the dangers kitchen staff must contend with. If injuries occur, they may be under pressure to continue working when what they need is paid time off to recover and seek treatment. Understanding how to claim workers’ compensation will be crucial
