General hazards

General rules for working in the kitchen

In general a huge range of hazards can arise in the kitchen. You must therefore wear the prescribed protective clothing in the kitchen, and in particular wear protective gloves when working with the kitchen appliances.

The following section describes the nature of these hazards, what effect they have and how you can avoid them.

Spraying into hot fat

In the kitchen, water spray and splashing, for instance when using a water jet or spray, can cause the following hazards:

Projectile-like dispersal of fat-and-water mixture

When?

If water is sprayed into containers holding hot fat, causing the water to vaporize rapidly

How can I avoid the hazard?

Do not spray into hot fat

Wear specified protective clothing, in particular protective gloves

Spraying water onto hot surfaces

In the kitchen, water spray and splashing, for instance when using a water jet or spray, can cause the following hazards:

Risk of scalding from splashing water

When?

If water is sprayed onto hot surfaces, e.g. into a cooking chamber

How can I avoid the hazard?

Do not spray onto hot surfaces

Wear specified protective clothing, in particular protective gloves

Damp kitchen floor

In the kitchen, condensate running out during cooking, for instance, can cause the following hazards:

Risk of slipping on damp kitchen floor

Where?

In front of the appliances

How can I avoid the hazard?

Always keep the floor around the appliances dry

Risk of poisoning

In the kitchen, gas appliances can cause the following hazards:

Danger of carbon monoxide poisoning

Where?

At the appliance installation site

How can I avoid the hazard?

Do not obstruct lower area of equipment.
Only operate appliance in a draught-free environment.
Ensure that the fitted ventilation equipment is working properly, and that the ventilation requirements stipulated by the gas installation engineer are met.
Have the appliance serviced annually.

Contact with cleaning agents

Cleaning products are used in the kitchen. This can cause the following hazards:

Risk of chemical burns or irritation to skin, eyes and respiratory system from contact with cleaning agents and their fumes

When?

For all cleaning actions
When handling cleaning-fluid canisters

When aggressive cleaning products are used

How can I avoid the hazard?

Wear personal protective equipment
Do not let cleaning agents come into contact with your skin or eyes
Do not breathe in spray

Always use the specified cleaning products

Moving heavy loads

In the kitchen, lifting heavy weights can result in tiredness, discomfort and problems with the moving equipment.

Risk of injury from overstressing your body

When?

When lifting heavy containers and other heavy loads

How can I avoid the hazard?

Observe the rules associated with handling heavy loads