The food and beverage industry is extensive, with everything from kitchen settings to manufacturing environments requiring attention to health and safety. But when honing in on hospitality in particular, what kind of risks are workers exposed to? And how can we help to prevent them?

The food and beverage industry

Anyone who works in or around a kitchen setting is exposed to a particular set of risks. With crowded spaces, potentially dangerous objects, and more, combined with a fast-paced atmosphere, there’s great potential for accidents to happen. While it’s important to uphold health and safety where possible, remember that if you have experienced a severe or life-changing injury in the food and beverage industry, you may be able to claim for compensation.

Why health and safety is so important

The food and beverage industry is prone to numerous risks, although some are more common than others.

Here are a few examples:

1. Burns and scalds:

According to the National Burn Care Review Committee, 250,000 people receive burn injuries each year in the UK. If you work closely with hot stoves or fryers, you’re at risk from severe burns or scalds, which can lead to more serious injuries. It isn’t just the food you should be wary of either, as hot liquids and hot oil can be just as dangerous, as well as hot steam. 

2. Cuts:

Something even more likely to happen is being cut, so being diligent is key. Particularly when working at speed, fast cutting techniques, whether that’s dicing or slicing, can result in an accident. Professional knives and tools can be extremely sharp and using these safely is essential.

3. Slips, trips, and falls:

This type of accident may not feel directly related to the food and beverage industry, however, slips, trips, and falls are always a risk. Liquids and food can be spilled onto the floor for example, and made even more dangerous if an individual is holding something hot or sharp when they fall.

4. Sprains and strains:

This type of injury occurs more commonly than you might expect. From storing and retrieving items from high surfaces to lifting up heavy items, there are a lot of unsuspecting hazards that put stress on your muscles, ligaments, and more.

What health and safety measures should be taken?

To help prevent these accidents from happening, tidiness and cleanliness are paramount. Floors should be cleaned periodically and items should be put back into their original position. Hazard signs should also be used in the interim to highlight anything that could cause injury. On top of this, workers should avoid distracting those handling sharp equipment. 

The correct uniform should be worn, such as aprons to help protect yourself from hot substances, and sturdy shoes are necessary.

Accidents often happen due to fatigue. Therefore, workers should take regular breaks and where possible, spread out any repetitive tasks to avoid a lack of concentration. The layout of the workspace should also be ergonomic and comfortable for workers.

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