Question

What are some of the moral and physical hazards in the restaurant business?

Answer 1

MORAL AND PHYSICAL HAZARDS IN THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS

DANGEROUS MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT- The potential for accidents in the commercial kitchen filed with equipment is huge. These equipment are used for cutting, chopping, slicing. grilling, and searing food. Improper use, poor maintenance, and faulty equipment can lead to these machines doing the same to employees.

FOOD HAZARDS- Food hazard is another notable hazard, one that poses a risk to the customer and in the worst-case scenario to the business itself. Food hazards include poisoning and toxicity caused by using the same equipment or prep surfaces without cleaning and disinfecting them between tasks. Improper defrosting of frozen foods, improper storage are also common mistakes.

CHEMICAL HAZARDS- Restaurant kitchens are packed with hot surfaces, hot foods, and hot liquids and oil that splatter their surrounding area. Chemicals in the form of cleaning supplies and sanitizer present another hazard. The improper use of these chemicals can cause skin problems and even chemical burns.

FIRE HAZARDS- Cooking equipment alone causes more than half i.e 57 percent of restaurant fires. Not only cooking equipment but even electricals appliances can give rise to these unwanted events.

SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS- EHS Today reports that slips along with trips and falls still top the lists of hazards in the foodservice sector. Slips are caused because of loss of balance due to insecure footing. The trip occurs when an object or liquid on the ground causes an individual to lose his/her balance. Trips and Slips often lead to falling.

INJURIES FROM HEAVY LIFTING- Sprains, and strains are types of soft-tissue injuries prevalent in kitchen professionals that result from heavy lifting in the kitchen. The kitchen experts perform many repetitive tasks from those involving knife to lifting to bending. These occupational hazards can cause minor to serious pains.

CROWDED WORKSPACE RISKS- A cramped and crowded working area increases the risk of injury or accident from all sources.