Occupational Health and Safety Manual Alexandra Beers and Taylor Bondy OHSW_W22: Occupational Health and Safety Sheila Maclean April 19th, 2022 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety 2.0 The Importance of Safety and Loss Control 3.0 4.0 5.0 2.1 Costs of Accidents 2.2 Supervisor’s Role in Preventing Accidents 2.3 How to Involve Your Employees in Accident Prevention Accident Reporting 3.1 3.2 3.3 Supervisor Role when an Accident Occurs Safety and Emergency Procedures Reporting Accidents to The Seashell Internal Reporting System (IRS) 3.4 3.5 Reporting Accidents to Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia How to Effectively Utilize Witnesses and Reporting 4.1 What is a Hazard? 4.2 Common Hazards in Restaurants 4.3 Controlling, Preventing, and Reducing Hazards in the Workplace 4.4 4.5 How to Effectively Conduct Safety Inspections Follow Up After Safety Inspections Hazards and Safety Inspections Appendices 5.1 5.2 5.3 On-the-Spot Safety Procedure Injury Report Form (Worker’s Compensation Reporting) Safety Inspection Checklist 5.4 Form for Recording Hazards 5.5 Hazard Identification: Sharp Objects 1.0 Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety At The Seashell, we strive to provide a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, customers, and other visitors. Accidents in the workplace can have a tremendous impact on the injured workers, their co-workers, and even their family members in terms of pain or suffering, disability, stress, and loss or change of employment. A commitment to improving health and safety in the workplace can aid in the retention of exceptional employees, boost morale and productivity across the board, encourage employee participation, and create a better working environment overall. The following guide has been prepared by the Occupational Health and Safety Committee with the purpose of educating our workforce to prevent injuries or illness resulting from work-related causes, and to minimize the losses of material resources and interruptions that can occur following the accident. 1 2.0 The Importance of Safety and Loss Control We are committed to fostering a culture of safety within the organization, and take a dynamic approach to health, safety, and accident prevention. Studies have shown that 85% of all workplace accidents can be avoided, with the majority of accidents being related to human error, inattention, or chance occurrences. It is because of this that we believe that many accidents can be avoided with proactive engagement from all employees and an wellestablished Internal Responsibility System. In addition to our duties as your Employer, all employees, including supervisors, have a personal responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow co-workers against potential hazards in the workplace. Responsibilities of the Employer: Ensure that equipment is maintained in accordance with safety standards, Provide all employees with the necessary support and training to carry out responsibilities related to health and safety, Ensure all employees are familiar with potential health and safety hazards in the workplace, Investigate incidents that have resulted in workers being injured or equipment being damaged, Co-operate with the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee and Department of Labour and Advanced Education OHS Officers Comply with the Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act at all times Responsibilities of the Supervisor: Ensure the health and safety of all employees who work under your direct supervision, Conduct regular safety inspections to ensure that all hazards in your work environment are eliminated or reduced to improve safety, Report all workplace injuries to the Worker’s Compensation Board of Nova Scotia, Ensure that all employees under your supervision are aware of the hazards that exist in the workplace, and Ensure that all employees under your supervision have access to the appropriate personal protective equipment, which is being used in accordance with established safety procedures and is regularly inspected and maintained. Responsibilities of All Workers: Immediately report any potential hazards in the workplace to your supervisor, Ensure that you are wearing the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the task being completed, Never work under the influence of any alcohol, drugs, or other substances, or if you are overly tired, Utilize any safety procedures that have been provided for hazard reduction, and Co-operate with representatives of the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee. 2 2.1 Cost of Accidents In 2020, there were 196 time-loss claims in the Nova Scotian food service industry, with a total of 1,142,835 days of work being lost across all industries due to workplace injuries. Accidents can be financially devastating when considering both direct and indirect costs. Direct costs can include the cost of Worker’s Compensation claims, increased insurance premiums, in addition to wage costs and disability insurance for injured employee(s) . Indirect costs are related to damage to equipment or the cost of rental equipment, cost of investigating the accident, the cost of finding and/or training temporary employees to replace the injured employee(s), and production/service interruption leading to a loss of revenue, productivity, or customers. 2.2 Supervisor’s Role in Preventing Accidents Supervisors are the strongest allies of safety efforts in the workplace and must work to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all employees. All supervisors should attempt to incorporate safety into their leadership style so that they can project expectations to their staff and lead by example to prevent accidents in the workplace. At The Seashell, our supervisors have a responsibility to: Know about health and safety expectations and rules, Seek out potential and actual hazards in the workplace, Take action to eliminate or reduce hazards, Motivate employees to exhibit positive and safe behaviour, Foster a culture of safety while demonstrating good practice leadership – for example, if you see a pen on the floor, pick it up so that nobody will slip! 2.3 How to Involve your Employees in Accident Prevention Employees in Nova Scotia have three basic worker’s rights: 1. The Right to Know: employees are entitled to know about issues or hazards that can impact their health and safety or that of another in the workplace, especially when the hazard is directly associated with their position. 2. The Right to Refuse: employees have the right to refuse unsafe or unhealthy work that they believe will endanger the safety of themselves or another person in the workplace. 3. The Right to Participate: employees have the right to participate through joining the Joint Occupational Health and Safety committee, reporting unsafe conditions they notice in the workplace, and through voicing their concerns or opinions regarding issues in the workplace that can impact their health and safety, or that of the workplace. Accident prevention starts with employee awareness. All employees at the restaurant must be aware of any safety issues so that they are engaged in the health and safety process, fostering a culture of safety from the bottom-up. 3 Restaurant & Kitchen Safety Training: Every employee is encouraged to play an active role in creating a safe environment as a part of our proactive accident prevention strategy in the restaurant. Upon hire, all employees will participate in a mandatory Restaurant and Kitchen Safety Training course offered by The Seashell. Restaurant and Kitchen Safety training must be re-completed every 5 years to ensure that knowledge is maintained. The primary focus of this course is to ensure employees are aware of the best restaurant safety practices to prevent workplace injuries or illness in the food service industry, Employees will understand their basic rights in relation to safety in the workplace, Employees will understand that the risks of unsafe acts and behaviours in the workplace have an impact on everyone. Employees will be given step-by-step guidance on how to complete and submit an Accident Report Form to The Seashell Occupational Health and Safety Committee representative, Rhiannon Gillis. Employees will have the opportunity to voice their ideas or concerns on current safety procedures and policies that impact their own safety at The Seashell. The Seashell Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee Meetings: At The Seashell, we have a joint occupational health and safety committee which is composed of employees who work within the restaurant, representatives from the Human Resources team, and participants from senior management. The committee gives all staff members the opportunity to maintain an internal responsibility system for dealing with health and safety issues at The Seashell. Meetings will be held on the last Wednesday of every month in The Seashell dining room from 2pm to 3pm. All employees will receive an email invitation one-week prior to every meeting to encourage participation from all departments; even if you are not a member of the committee, we encourage all employees to attend the committee sessions if they are interested in health and safety in the workplace. Committee meeting notes will be recorded and posted in The Seashell breakroom and emailed to all employees on the Sunday of the same week to ensure all employees have access to the health and safety information that was discussed. 4 3.0 Accident Reporting In Canada, it is a legal requirement to report accidents in the workplace. Communicating the severity of an accident helps us as the Employer and the Workers’ Compensation Board to identify how and where the risks occurred and whether it should trigger the investigation process. Why do we report accidents? To provide accurate information which can later be used for risk assessment, To contribute to the maintenance of a healthy workforce, To increase communication and raise awareness about health and safety issues, and To enable a thorough investigation of an accident if deemed necessary Near Misses are incidents that did not cause harm to employees or the property but had the potential to do so. Why do we report near misses? To identify hazards that may not have been obvious to the organization, To assist in the development of solutions for identified hazards, To encourage employee participation in their occupational health and safety, and To work proactively in hopes of preventing similar incidents from occurring 3.1 Supervisor Role When an Accident Occurs At The Seashell, we work hard to prevent accidents from happening in the first place; however, when they do occur, the importance shifts to protecting the safety of our employees in the moment, accurately reporting the accident, and assisting the employee(s) through the return-to-work procedure. Accidents have to be handled on a case-by-case basis, but a list of reminders has been provided below to assist you if an accident is to occur in your workplace. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Assess the scene of the accident to ensure the safety of injured or involved employee(s) Seek the appropriate medical attention for the injured employee(s) Complete an Accident Report Form (see Section 3.2 for internal reporting procedures) Immediately submit the completed Accident Report Form to the Joint OH&S Committee Notify the employer of the accident or near-miss occurrence as soon as possible Contact the injured employee(s) to check-in and provide reassurance about the returnto-work process 7. Report any accident to the Worker’s Compensation Board of Nova Scotia within 5 business days if the employee required medical attention or lost time from work as a result of the accident (see Section 3.3 for external reporting procedures). 8. Assist the injured employee(s) in the return-to-work process while remaining empathetic, letting them know that you are concerned for their health and well-being. 5 3.2 Safety and Emergency Procedures The way that we respond to accidents can vary on a case-by-case basis. As a standardized measure, we ask that all employees of The Seashell follow our company’s on-the-spot safety and emergency procedure in the case of all workplace accidents. A copy of the on-the-spot safety procedure can be found in Appendix 5.1; the information will also be posted across the organization (ie. In the breakroom, the kitchen, the storage room, etc) so that employees can easily access the information in the case of an emergency. 3.3 Reporting Accidents to The Seashell Internal Reporting System (IRS) As a supervisor, you will be responsible for completing an Accident Report Form to be submitted to The Seashell’s Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee immediately following any workplace accident. Accident Report Forms should be completed by the supervisor with assistance from any employee(s) who was injured or involved in the accident. The following information will be required on the Accident Report Form: The name, age, position, department, and contact information for all employee(s) who were injured or involved in the accident/near miss, The name, position, department, and total number of witnesses, if any, The name, position, and contact information of the employee who is completing the form, The date, time, and location of the accident/near miss occurrence, Whether or not the accident resulted in an injury or fatality, A written explanation of what happened and how/why the accident or near miss occurred, The type of treatment to be received by injured employee(s) and the name of their medical practitioner (when available), and The number of days that the injured employee(s) are expected to be absent, if any. It is imperative that the Accident Report Form be submitted by email or fax to the JOHSC Representative from the Human Resources Department immediately following the accident or near miss occurrence. Any delays in reporting as a result of completing postaccident safety measures must be relayed to the JOHSC Representative from the Human Resources Department. Completed forms can be submitted to: Rhiannon Gillis The Seashell JOHSC Employee Representative (902) 222-3333 RG.seashell.ohsc@gmail.com 6 3.4 Reporting Injuries to the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) of Nova Scotia As a supervisor, you will be required to complete an Injury Report Form to be submitted to the WCB following any workplace accident. Employees who are injured at work are covered under the Nova Scotia Worker’s Compensation program which works as a type of disability insurance for individuals who suffer from injuries or illness as a result of workplace accidents. By law, employers are required to report all accidents and incidents to the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) of Nova Scotia in a timely manner. Accident involving an injury requiring medical attention or lost time from work Accident involving a serious injury Serious incident Fatalities Within 5 business days ASAP, within 24 hours ASAP, within 24 hours Immediately How do I report accidents to the Worker’s Compensation Board of Nova Scotia? When reporting to the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia, complete the Injury Report Form found in Appendix 5.2 with all necessary information, being as detailed as possible. Once the injury report form has been completed, it can be submitted to the WCB online through MyAccount, by mail, or by fax to (902) 491-8001. Worker’s Compensation Board (Halifax Office) 5668 South St, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2Y2 3.5 How to Effectively Utilize Witnesses and Reporting A crucial part of accident reporting is speaking to those who witnessed the accident to establish a complete understanding of the events that occurred. Collecting accurate information from witnesses assists with the determination of the frequency and causes of accidents. Investigating past similar reports can also help to identify the cause to create an safer working environment for all. As a supervisor, you may be asked to assist with witness interviews and record witness statements in detail while remaining concise: Types of Witnesses: Primary witnesses are those who were present and saw the accident take place with their own eyes. Secondary witnesses are those who did not see the accident but were in the vicinity when it took place or immediately before or after. Tertiary witnesses are those who were not present at the time of the accident, nor before or after, but still may have valuable information to be used as evidence. This may include an employee who voiced a leak in the vicinity days before the accident. 7 When are witness interviews conducted? Witness interviews are conducted immediately after the accident occurs. This will help to generate accurate information before witness’ recollections begin to blur. This also helps to lower the risk of interference from other witnesses. What type of questions are asked in witness interviews? Open-ended questions are best for conducting interviews to encourage witnesses to give detailed explanations rather than a “no” or “yes” answer. Ask the witness to describe their experience and probe when needed (what happened next?). It is important to confirm your own understanding of witness statements to collect the most accurate information. How are questions asked in witness interviews? Questions are to be asked in a calm manner to put witnesses at ease. Refrain from using blame, frustration, or anger towards any witnesses, especially those who may have just experienced a traumatic event. It is important to show empathy and keep lines of communication open throughout the interview. 8 4.0 Hazards and Safety Inspections 4.1 What is a Hazard? A hazard can be broadly classified as a situation in the workplace that has the potential to cause injury, illness, or death and damage to equipment. More specific examples of hazards that can impact food service workers are noted in Section 4.2. Although hazards are present in most lines of work, individuals who work within the food service sector have a 60% higher chance of suffering from work-related hazards when compared to individuals in other sectors. 4.2 Common Hazards in Restaurants Slips, Trips, and Falls: slipping, tripping, or falling is one of the top hazards in the food service industry, with more than half of injuries resulting from slippery or wet floors. Sprains, Strains, and Pains: musculoskeletal injuries are the number one injury that employees sustain in the workplace. Food service workers are required to complete repetitive tasks (for example: lifting, bending, and knife handling) which can lead to injury if proper safety measures are neglected. Fire Hazards: cooking equipment that has not been properly maintained or is being used incorrectly make up more than half of all restaurant fires. Falling Objects: if not stored properly, pots, pans, and other materials can fall and cause injuries such as cuts, bumps, and potentially concussions. Working with Hazardous Chemicals: improper use of supplies such as degreasers, soaps, or dishwashing liquid can cause skin problems, chemical burns, and other more severe injuries. 4.3 Controlling, Preventing, and Reducing Hazards in the Workplace Most workplace injuries or illnesses can be prevented if we identify workplaces hazards and take the necessary steps to control them. Risk assessment is the process where we identify hazards or risks that have the potential to cause harm. After we have identified the hazards within our workplace, we then evaluate the potential risk that is associated with the hazard. Once we have analyzed the hazard and determined the potential risk associated, we use risk control to determine appropriate ways that we can eliminate or partially reduce the risk associated with the hazard. Some examples of risk control would be: Selecting the appropriate safety features when purchasing or replacing equipment, Modifying work processes or safety procedures following hazard identification, Developing and implementing safe work procedures for hazardous tasks, such as knife handling, and Ensuring that employees use the appropriate personal protective equipment for the task they are completing, in addition to following all safe work procedures. 9 4.4 How to Effectively Conduct Safety Inspections As a method of risk assessment and control, we set aside time once a month to conduct preventative workplace safety inspections with the purpose of identifying unsafe conditions or acts that may cause injury so that we can implement the proper corrective measures. At The Seashell, we require our supervisors to conduct a scheduled safety inspection at the end of each month. However, we also require a safety inspection following any workplace accident or following the addition of new equipment. Safety investigations are conducted by a supervisor with a representative from the Joint Occupational Health and Safety committee present. It is also recommended that an employee from the department be present during the safety investigation as they are the ones who frequently work in the environment being inspected. When is the safety investigation conducted? A safety inspection checklist has been provided in Appendix 5.3 which can be used while conducting your safety inspection; in addition to this, tips have been listed below to assist the supervisor when conducting their safety investigation: 4.5 Follow Up After Safety Inspections Use the checklist provided to ensure that your inspection is thorough and consistent from month-to-month, Look for additional hazards that may not have been included in the safety inspection checklist; the work environment is constantly changing, so it may be beneficial to ask yourself what duties would be performed in that work area, Observe how the employees perform tasks to ensure they are following safe work procedures, including the use of personal protective equipment when applicable, If you are unsure, ask workers how they perform their tasks and ask about safety concerns related to their position, Record any unsafe actions or conditions that are observed so that they can be remedied following the safety inspection. Take the time to document and remedy serious hazards or work practices and communicate with employees regarding the inspection that was conducted. A copy of the hazard documentation form can be found in Appendix 5.4, which must be completed immediately following the safety inspection and submitted to The Seashell’s JOHSC Employee Representative. Once this has been completed, create an action plan to remedy or minimize less serious hazards and communicate the plan with the employees so that they are aware of any follow-up action that may take time to complete, such as purchasing or renting new equipment. Maintaining communication with your employees throughout the process will show them that you care about their health and safety in the workplace. 10 5.1 – On-the-Spot Safety Procedure WHAT TO DO IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS Accidents in the workplace impact everyone. If you are the first at the scene of an accident, you have a responsibility to follow The Seashell’s step-by-step emergency safety procedure to ensure your safety, in addition to the safety of all other members of the restaurant who could be impacted by the accident 1. ASSESS THE RISK The hazard that caused the accident could still be a danger to others. Employee health and well-being is our top priority, especially in the event of an injury. Assess the scene of the accident to ensure that your own safety is not at risk before acting. Do not enter a situation that will put your own safety at risk. 2. GET HELP Do not attempt to resolve the accident on your own. In the case of an emergency, such as a fire, bodily injury, or robbery, call 911 immediately for the appropriate assistance. Even in non-emergency situations, the injured employee(s) may still need to be taken to the hospital to assess the extent of the damage or injuries caused. 3. SECURE THE SCENE Once emergency services have been called, secure the scene of the accident as efficiently and as safely as possible to prevent further injuries or damages and to assist in the follow-up investigation. Consider environmental factors such as: Smoke, Loose or falling objects, Leaks, Broken glass. 4. TAKE ACTION Take the appropriate action to mitigate further injuries or damages such as: Perform first aid, Comply with emergency services, Evacuate people from the premises, Remain calm. 5. REPORT THE ACCIDENT Once emergency services have arrived and released you from first-responder responsibility, complete and submit an Accident Report Form regarding the accident to the Occupational Health & Safety Committee immediately following the accident. Rhiannon Gillis Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee Representative PHONE: (902) 222-3333 : EMAIL: RG.seashell.ohsc@gmail.com 5.2 – Injury Report Form (Worker’s Compensation Reporting) 5.2 – Injury Report Form (Worker’s Compensation Reporting) 5.2 – Injury Report Form (Worker’s Compensation Reporting) 5.3 – Safety Inspection Checklist SAFETY INSPECTION CHECKLIST Use the following checklist to assess your workplace during regular safety inspections. Go over all aspects of the workplace to identify and eliminate or reduce the effects of possible hazards. If a hazard is identified but not on the inspection checklist, use the ‘other’ section located in #13 to make note of the potential hazard. Location: ________________________ Date of Inspection: ___________________ Inspection Completed by: _______________________________________________________ No. Area or Item 1 Floors A B C D E Floors are clean and free of oil, grease, or waste No tripping hazards are present Signs are posted to warn of areas where the floor is wet Floor or carpet is in good condition and is not worn out or lifting There are no protruding objects (nails, wires, etc) 2 Storage A B C D E F Supplies and materials are properly stored on shelves The storage layout minimizes lifting that could lead to injury The storage area is appropriate for the materials being stored Trolleys or dollies are accessible to assist in moving heavy items Storage shelves and racks are in good condition Storage areas are clearly marked 3 Lighting A B Lighting is adequate for the work being completed Emergency lighting is working properly 4 Stairs and Walkways A B C D E F G Handrails for stairs are securely fastened to the wall Stairs and walkways are clear of materials, equipment, and debris The anti-slip treads on stairs are in good condition Aisles are unobstructed and wide enough for normal traffic Mirrors are installed at blind corners Escape routes are unobstructed Escape routes meet the provincial standard 5 Maintenance of Equipment and Machinery A B C D E Ladders are safe and in good condition Ladders are stored in a safe and proper place Equipment or machinery is clean and in good condition Appropriate safeguards are effective and in the proper place Tools and utensils are not damaged Status S S S S S U U U U U N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A S S S S S S U U U U U U N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A S U N/A S U N/A S S S S S S S U U U U U U U N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A S S S S S U U U U U N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.3 – Safety Inspection Checklist 6 Waste Disposal A B C D E There is an adequate number of waste containers Appropriate containers are present for toxic or flammable waste Waste containers are in suitable locations Waste containers are emptied regularly Chemical waste is handled in accordance with legislative standards 7 Hazardous Materials A B C D E Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) are provided for all hazardous materials Hazardous materials are clearly labelled Hazardous materials are properly stored with appropriate segregation Hazardous materials are properly disposed of All hazardous materials and dangerous goods have been identified 8 Emergency Measures A B C D E F G First aid kit(s) are accessible and clearly labelled First aid kit(s) are adequate and clean Extinguishers have been inspected within the last year Extinguishers are easily identifiable and not obstructed Extinguishers are appropriate for the types of fire they control Emergency exits are clearly marked and not obstructed Sprinkler systems have been inspected and are in good condition 9 Environment A B C Ventilation is clear from debris with screens on all openings There are no persistent odours or fumes Workers are protected from cool drafts or excessive heat S S S S S U U U U U N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A S U N/A S S S S U U U U N/A N/A N/A N/A S S S S S S S U U U U U U U N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A S U N/A S U N/A S U N/A 10 Sanitation A B C D E F G H Cleaning materials are stored away from food areas Consumable materials are properly stored Food preparation areas are clean and free from food residue Cleaning cloths are in sanitary condition Crumb traps are clean and free from excessive debris The interior of the fridge is clean and free from food residue Sink faucets and drains are clean and operating correctly Small appliances are unplugged when not in use and properly stored S S S S S S S S U U U U U U U U N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.3 – Safety Inspection Checklist 11 Electrical Safety A B C D E F G Wall outlets are not damaged Power cords, plugs, and switches are in good condition Power cords do not cross walkways Temporary cords are taped in place There are no exposed or bare wires Extension cords are for temporary use only There is clear access to electrical panels S S S S S S S U U U U U U U N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A S S S S S S S S S S U U U U U U U U U U N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A S S S S S U U U U U N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 12 General Housekeeping A B C D E F G H I J Damaged fixtures and/or equipment is clearly marked Wall and ceiling fixtures are securely fastened Wastebaskets are not placed in areas where they may be tripping hazards Materials are not stacked on surfaces Employees are using personal protective equipment properly Employees know where to find personal protective equipment Employees know where to find MSDSs for hazardous materials Employees know where to go and who to call for first aid assistance Employees exhibit proper manual lifting techniques Employees are trained to use fire extinguishers 13 Other A B C D E 5.3 – Hazard Recording Form HAZARD RECORDING FORM Use this form to record any identified hazards and the corresponding action taken by supervisors or management at The Seashell. Location: ________________________________________ Date: _________________________________________ Completed by: __________________________________ Name of Supervisor: _______________________ Description of Hazard Why is it a Hazard? Description of Immediate Action Taken RESPONSE & EVALUATION Step 1: Identify Hazard (To be completed by Supervisor or Management) Name: Date Received: Comments Risk Assessment Action Taken or Recommended Date of Action Completed: Step 2: Follow-up Evaluation Name of Supervisor: Did the action resolve the hazard? Signature: _____________________________ ☐ No Risk ☐Low ☐Moderate ☐High Date of Planned Action: Date of Follow-up: Is further action required? If so, what? Date of Documentation: ____________________________ 5.5 – Hazard Identification: Sharp Objects SAFETY TIPS FOR WORKING WITH SHARP OBJECTS Employees are at risk of injury from accidents that result in cuts from sharp objects, but may be injured as a result of the repetitive and long-term use of tools such as knives, which can be damaging to the hand, arm, and shoulder. Tools or equipment with sharp blade or edges can include, but are not limited to: Knives or other utensils, scissors, equipment with blades or moving parts, such as processors, mixers, blenders, etc. Before you Start: Make sure you are wearing cut-resistant gloves, closed-toe shoes, and tight-fitting sleeves, Choose the right tool for the right job; for example, a knife shouldn’t be used as a can opener or peeler. Inspect your tool to ensure it is sharp, clean, and in good condition – a dull knife will require more force than a sharp one, which increases your chance of injury If using a mechanical tool, ensure that all guards and safety devices are in place and functioning properly While You’re Working: Always cut away from your body and make sure that there are no body parts in the path the blade may take if it were to slip, Cut on a stable surface, such as a cutting board or slip-resistant matting If using a mechanical tool, turn off and unplug the equipment before trying to dislodge any items, and before post-use cleaning Keep your workspace clean and free from debris or other items that may cause a tripping hazard When not using your tool, ensure it is stored in a safe place, such as a sheath or holster After you Finish: Clean tools immediately after use or place in a labelled container for sharp objects. Store tools in a safe place, such as a sheath or holder If using a mechanical tool, ensure that you unplug the machine prior to cleaning Best Practices: Never pass or throw a tool to another employee; instead, place the tool on a flat surface, and let the other person pick it up. If a tool drops, don’t try to catch it! Quickly move out of the way and let it fall, then pick it up and sanitize before further use Never leave a sharp tool in a place where it cannot be immediately seen; for example, do not place a knife in dishwater or below a stack of containers. When walking with a sharp tool, hold it so that the tip and blade are pointed down and parallel with your side References 7 dangerous restaurant hazards that can hurt your restaurant. Alliance Insurance Group RSS. (2018, October 4). 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