CONTENTS:
Why Read This Website
Your Own Health Comes First
What Makes People Sick from Food
Food Temperatures
Use Wholesome Food
Handling Ready-To-Eat Foods
Date Marking (pdf)
A Clean Workplace is Safer
Imminent Health Hazards
Key Points
Worker Safety in Food Service
Burns and Cuts
Slips, Trips and Falls
Sprains and Strains
First Aid for Choking
Glossary  

Class Schedule
Testing Information
Inspection Form (pdf)

Burns may be caused by heat or chemicals and can be very severe. Immediately place the burned part of your body in cold water. Get to a doctor at once.

Heat-caused Burns are generally caused by:

1. Hot oil from deep fryers
   • Cool the oil to 100 F before disposing of it.
   • Do not use plastic containers to store oil unless it is completely cooled. The container may melt and dump hot oil on you and others.
   • Do not drop food into hot oil. It can splash onto you causing severe burns. Place food in hot oil using tongs or a frying basket.
2. Hot liquids and foods:
   • Do not place just washed food in hot oil. The water droplets will cause the oil to sputter and explode and send hot drops into the air. These drops can cause severe burns or can cause a fire.
   • Do not use the deep fryer to heat containers of food
   • Use hot pads or padded mitts when handling hot pots and pans.
   • Use dry hot pads or padded mitts when handling hot pots and pans which contain liquids or foods. Wet pads and mitts will get hot quickly and can cause burns.
   • Wear the right clothing. Wear a shirt that covers your neck and arms down to your wrists. Wear closed toe shoes. ( No canvas sneakers or sandals. )
   • Remove plastic gloves before handling hot pots and pans. These gloves can melt and stick to your skin, causing a severe burn.
3. Steam
   • When removing the lid from a steam kettle, stand away from the pot.
   • Stand to one side and turn your face away, when removing pans from a steam table. The lids should be removed slowly so steam can escape from the back of the lid and you can use the lid as a shield for your face.
   • Never try to open a pressure cooker unless pressure is zero.

Chemical burns are generally caused by:

Sanitizers and cleaning compounds:

• Use chemicals as directed on the label. If you are not sure of the instructions, be sure to ask your supervisor to explain them to you.
• Never mix chemicals!! They can produce poisonous gases.
• Be sure that spray bottles for cleaners and sanitizers are plainly labeled and stored away from surfaces where food is prepared.
• Destroy used chemical containers so they do not get used by mistake for storing foods.
• Use plastic gloves when handling undiluted sanitizers and cleaners.

   

  Cuts Cuts result from accidents with knives, food slicers, choppers, mixers, broken glass and other equipment with sharp edges.

   

  1. Knives: Dull blades can cause cuts because they are difficult to work with. More pressure must be used to cut with them. This can cause the knife to slip.
     • Knives should be sharpened frequently.
     • Use knives only for the special purpose for which they were meant. Knives have their own specialties. There are knives for chopping, peeling, de-boning, filleting , scaling, carving, cutting, opening oysters, and many other special jobs. The correct knife for the job is the safest knife for the job.
     • Store knives separately from other utensils. Never leave knives in the sink or in the wash water. Someone might reach in and grab the knife unknowingly.
     • Wear mesh gloves when cleaning knifes and slicer blades.
  2. Power-driven cutting equipment: Power driven e.g., slicers, mixers, can cause serious cuts and can result in the loss of fingers. Use clean, sanitized mesh gloves.
     • Cutting equipment should be sharpened regularly.
     • Do not remove guards and safety switches from cutting equipment.
  3. Glass:
     • If dishes are to be washed by hand, do not put them all in the sink at once. This causes heavier dishes to crush lighter ones and can lead to cuts.
     • Do not stack glasses and cups inside each other. They can get stuck and you can cut yourself as you try to separate them.
     • Never use a glass or dish to scoop ice or ice cream. They can chip into the food as well as cut your hand.
     • Use a separate and clearly marked garbage container for broken glass and dishes.