Safety

Kitchen work is usually considered a relatively safe occupation, at least in comparison with many industrial jobs. Nevertheless, the kitchen presents many hazards. Minor injuries from cuts and burns are common, and more serious injuries are all too possible. The quantity of hot equipment and powerful machinery, combined with the busy, sometimes frantic pace, make it important for everyone to work carefully and with constant attention to the rules of safety.

In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) established sets of rules governing workplace safety. Employers are required to follow these rules and guidelines. In Canada, information on comparable legislation, both national and provincial, is provided by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).