Survey finds first aid provision to be second-rate in commercial kitchens
Chef and kitchen workers' safety - and peace of mind - is being put at risk by poor first aid provision, warns a recent survey by supplier DayMark UK](http://www.daymarksafety.com/).
Its report found that more than two-thirds (68.5%) of chefs and kitchen workers (including pub staff) suffered a minor injury in the kitchen at least once a month, while 15.5% cut or burnt themselves at least once a week.
Furthermore, 15% had suffered injuries that required hospital treatment - most commonly cuts that needed stitches or burns (largely from fat fryers).
Yet 37% of respondents had no idea where the first aid kit was kept in the kitchen - and even if they did, 59% reported that contents were missing "occasionally" and 12% said missing "all the time".
Only 21% of chefs found it easy to locate items in the kit - 55% did not know who was responsible for it.
Concern about accidents at work preoccupied around 21% of kitchen staff surveyed, with a further 45% fretting about the possibility "sometimes". More worrying was the fact that 77% were unsure what to do if a colleague was injured.
"Where kitchen workers are operating in smaller units like pubs, the provision of first aid is very likely to require improvement," said DayMark sales director Greg Fitchett. "Managers have a duty to ensure proper provision is made, no matter how small the kitchen."
"We can see that people are worried about hurting themselves at work and that it is happening frequently, so it's vital that the first aid kit resources are there, ready for use."
For a full copy of the report, call 0800 783 7933 or e-maildaymarkuk@daymarksafety.comfor a PDF version.
By Angela Frewin
E-mail your comments to Caterer Products here.
Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs
