Kitchen Accidents

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for implementing and carrying out safety regulations in the commercial catering industry.  These regulations cover a multitude of different types of premises and businesses where food is prepared and sold like pubs, hotels, restaurants, cafes, fast food outlets, bistros and contract caterers. The kitchen is a dangerous place to work and many accidents occur every day.  It is the responsibility of the HSE to ensure that employers complete the appropriate risk assessment and adhere to stringent rules governing safety in the kitchen.  As with other industries it is the responsibility of the employer to assess risk, to provide training and the appropriate equipment.

The most common accidents in the commercial kitchen are from slips, trips and falls.  Most of these accidents occur because of wet floors so it is essential to wipe up any spillages that occur immediately.  Warning signs should be used and areas cordoned off if necessary until the floor is dry.  Floors should be well maintained and should not have an uneven surface or loose or damaged floor tiles.  Passageways and walkways should be kept free of obstacles or obstructions.

Kitchen staff often have to handle heavy and cumbersome objects.  It is important never to push, pull or drag heavy items.  If an object is too heavy to lift on your own you should ask a colleague for help or use a special lifting device.  You should always follow basic health and safety advice on how to lift objects properly.

Cuts are a common form of injury in the kitchen because employees are working with very sharp knives.  Safety procedures should be followed and proper training given.

Kitchen staff are also vulnerable to burns from hot liquids such as oil and water. The HSE have specific guidelines to advise on safety procedures for opening steam doors and the draining and cleaning of fat fryers, for example.

If you have been injured in an accident in a commercial kitchen which wasn’t your fault you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim.  You should seek the advice of an experienced personal injury lawyer.