There are many hazards that restaurant workers have to deal with on a daily basis. And no matter what type of preventative measures the employer takes, accidents still happen. Whether it be a sliced finger, a burn on the arm, or a worker slipping on a spill in the kitchen—injuries can occur at any time in a restaurant. There can also be fatalities associated with restaurant work. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the number of food service and bar employees that died while at work increased to 40% in 2017. The leading cause of death for kitchen workers was homicide.

Common Kitchen Injuries

1. Cuts and lacerations from equipment. Even the most seasoned chefs will occasionally sustain cuts or scrapes. But in some cases the injury is serious enough that a finger gets amputated or worse.
2. Sprain and strain. Chefs and other restaurant workers are sometimes on their feet for 8 plus hours at a time. They also have a risk of sustaining a repetitive strain injury, or tendonitis. Hours of chopping onions or slicing peppers can end up causing intense pain.
3. Burns and scalds. Restaurant workers are constantly in danger of heat-related injuries. Everything from a flaming hot grill to scalding water, workers have to be cautious continuously.
4. Injuries to the eyes. Working in a restaurant also poses a danger for eye injuries, such as a splash from grease. This is a time when you want to seek immediate medical treatment to avoid long-term injury.

OSHA and Kitchen Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHAct) was passed to prevent workers from being seriously injured or killed at work. Employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for employees. Workers have the right to also receive information and training about workplace hazards and how to prevent them.

Prevention of Accidents

Each employee is responsible for their own safety and the safety of others. Accidents often occur from being careless so employees must be attentive to what they are doing and where they are going. Tips on preventing kitchen injuries include:

• Avoid burns by wearing protective gear
• Make sure to let hot oil and grease cool before it is moved.
• Wear proper footwear so that you don’t slip and fall.
• Safely operate all equipment by following directions.
• Use caution with sharp edges such as knives, machine parts, and broken glass.

Workers’ compensation is a benefit provided to Georgia employees in case they are injured in an accident while on the job. If you were injured in a kitchen accident in Georgia, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Contact a workers compensation lawyer to make sure you know your rights and avoid making common mistakes.