Risk Alert for Senior Living Communities

Preventing Injuries to Food Service Employees

Every year, Church Mutual senior living customers report more than 500 injuries to their employees. One occupation needing specific risk management attention is food service employees.

Employees in this category include chefs, cooks, dieticians, dishwashers, kitchen aides and similar support staff. Past claims provide insight into key safety issues to help prevent similar injuries. Use the following guidelines to help evaluate, develop and implement good risk management practices and procedures for food service employees:

Slips, Trips and Falls

Greasy or wet floors can lead to slips and falls. Immediately clean up spills and mop floors regularly.
Properly store all products and supplies to eliminate clutter.
Require all employees to wear slip-resistant footwear.
Ensure that nonskid floor mats are used in wet locations and that mats lay flat.

Cuts, Punctures and Scrapes

Teach employees how to properly handle, use and store knives.
Unplug slicers, mixers, blenders and similar machinery before cleaning.
Require cut-resistant gloves be worn when cutting.
Do not use hands or feet to manually compact trash.

Lifting Strains

Instruct employees about proper body mechanics and lifting techniques.
Arrange work areas so materials are within convenient reaching or lifting distances.
Organize storage areas to stock heavy items on lower shelves.
Provide material-handling equipment, such as carts, to limit lifting and carrying objects.

Burns

Require employees to use hand protection, such as oven mitts, when handling hot pans.
Teach the “standing-to-the-side” method when opening ovens and automatic dishwashers to allow steam to escape.
Instruct employees to never carry or move containers containing hot oil or boiling water.
Allow fryers and hot cooking pots to cool before performing cleaning procedures.

For a complete collection of the Risk Alert for Senior Living Communities series, click here.