If you’ve ever worked in a professional kitchen, then you’ll already know what a fast-paced and adrenaline-fuelled environment it can be. However, kitchens are also filled with potential hazards, meaning that they can also be a dangerous environment for workers. From hot appliances to cleaning chemicals and sharp utensils, there are lots of risks kitchen staff need to be aware of when at work.
Health and safety regulations are designed to keep staff safe, and this includes the provision of essential safety clothing for kitchen staff. Business owners and employers have a duty of care to their employees, which includes the provision of appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment.) So what types of safety clothing should kitchen workers wear to keep them safe?
Cut-resistant Gloves
Cut-resistant gloves are designed to help to protect your hands from injury when handling sharp kitchen implements. The gloves are specially made from tough material to prevent sharp knife blades from accidentally cutting or slicing into your skin during food preparation.
Aprons and Double-breasted Jackets
The correct safety workwear is essential to protect kitchen workers from potential hazards during food preparation and cooking. Double-breasted chef’s jackets can help to prevent burns as they create a robust barrier between your skin and hot appliances or food spillages. Long sleeves will also protect your arms from splashes of hot oil, food or cleaning chemicals.
Using an apron over your clothing adds an additional layer of protection against hot appliances or splashes of hot liquids and food and as an added bonus, aprons can also help to keep your work uniform fresh and clean and looking good, even after a busy shift in the kitchen!
Kitchen Footwear
When you work in a kitchen, you typically work long hours and will usually be on your feet all day, so it’s vital that you have properly-fitting footwear that’s comfortable and supportive. It’s also important to ensure that you choose footwear that fully covers your foot in case you drop hot food or a heavy pan on your feet. Slip-resistant shoes with rubber soles and deep treads can help guard against injury as a result of spills.
Hair Net
Hair nets are designed to prevent loose hairs from getting into food during preparation, cooking or serving, which is unhygienic and unpleasant for diners. Even if you have short hair, you should still wear a hair net, as recommended by the Food Standards Agency. Long beards can also shed hair and should also be covered up with a special beard guard or net.
Oven Gloves
Just like when you’re cooking at home, oven gloves should always be used when handling cookware that has been in an oven. High-quality oven gloves will protect your hands from burns when handling hot trays, dishes and pans to cook and serve food.
Aftab Hussain is a versatile journalist who covers a wide range of news topics with depth and precision. His commitment to delivering unbiased reporting ensures that readers stay well-informed about the most significant events and stories shaping India and the world.