CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF HAZARDS IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA

CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF HAZARDS IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA

CHAPTER ONE

1.0   INTRODUCTION

Occupation hazards pose a significant threat to an active workforce. Back pain, contact dermatitis, fracture shoulder and wrist problem, cuts and burns, and some of the ill-health and injuries suffered by workers. Affected employees lose valuable man hours, and in severe cases, it may result in permanent disability or death. People from all walks of life suffer or have suffered from one or more hazards.

The situation is no different in the hospitality industry, where most functions require human effort, with the kitchen being the most dangerous section to work in. Strenuous work conditions, long hours of work, and insufficient rest periods all contribute to an uncomfortable and insecure work environment.

environment.

Most establishments have unskilled equipment to produce as much as possible in order to meet consumer demand. The drive in quiet service operations in most systems has further compounded the hazardous nature of duties considering that employees have to use these equipment in high customer turnover knives, choppers, mixers, mincers, food processors, ovens, strainers, and cooking ranges all have inherent hazards from use.

Hazards do not happen by themselves, but are influenced by other factors such as the physical environment, poor lighting, ventilation, poor kitchen layout, and workflow. Human factors such as loss of concentration, clumsy working procedures, and failure to follow user instructions have all been observed in the study of hazards.

Contribution to the occurrence of hazards. There is also the issue of poor hygiene, which can lead to food safety issues and an endangered workforce.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974, employers are required to provide safety and welfare facilities that make the workplace a safe and healthy environment for their employees. Assessments of hazardous areas of operations should be conducted in order to eliminate or reduce the degree and incidence of these hazards. Other relevant regulations specifying safety requirements in specific areas such as price and first aid have been improved and mandated.

Attempts will be made within the scope of this study to critically examine the causes and prevention of these hazards. The discussion will

Health and safety, kitchen planning and layout, work flow, and other safety measures that can reduce hazards are all highlighted.

AREA OF FOOD PREPARATION

The food preparation area is where raw food is partially or completely processed and hygienically preserved for customer consumption.

The food preparation area has an interesting history, dating back to when the kitchen was simply a part of the house and coding experiences were better imagined than experienced. The sheer discomfort of having to cook in an enclosed part of the hour with smoke in one’s eyes, spillages on the floor, and a poorly planned layout all save early cooks a lot of trouble. The issue of the cook’s or the food’s health and safety

were hardly noticeable.

However, as technology advanced, health hazards in the kitchen became important issues, particularly for companies that were more interested in quality service delivery through a health-conscious workforce. From the late 17th century in the hotels and restaurants where he worked, it is believed that the legendary French cook Auguste Escoffier popularized health and safety in the kitchen throughout the world. It was who invented the kitchen bridgade system and pioneered major kitchen charges ranging from hygiene (kitchen, food, and personal) to safety. This collaboration with Cesar Ritz established a reputation for safety and comfort for guests who stayed at savory and Ritz hotels around the world.

Today’s kitchens are meticulously planned.

The trend of both individual and commercial residences has increased food preparation activities. It is not enough, however, to have a beautifully designed kitchen; it is also necessary to have health-conscious employees who take pride in their jobs and, as a result, carry out their work with the utmost care.

Health hazards in the food preparation area are still common, and statistics from the health and safety executive show that health hazards ranging from food safety to staff safety are on the rise. Food brone illnesses from food contamination have a devastating effect on the business, and every employer would want to prevent any foods safety incident that could cause the business to close or a customer to die.

Policies concerning health and safety

should be central to the business operation and a continuous exercise aimed at mitigating the risks inherent in the operation. Hazardous areas that should be treated with caution include the preparation area’s work surface, preparation equipment, and food handling practices. Other factors to consider in the kitchen include lighting, ventilation, and drainage, as well as waste disposal.

1.2PLANNING AND DESIGN

The type of operation determines the planning and layout of a food preparation. Hotel kitchens are layer and more organized with the partie system, whereas fast-food outlets such as quick service restaurants and pubs have smaller kitchens but with lightly sophisticated equipment for quick cooking and a high reliance on convenience foods.

However, whatever the case may be,

A properly planned preparation area can significantly contribute to good food hygiene and the prevention of health hazards. A well-planned kitchen instills pride in the staff, which is reflected in the entire kitchen operation.

Each process should have adequate work space, and efforts should be made to separate dirty and clean processes. Vegetable prep and washing areas should be kept separate from food prep and service areas. The layout must ensure a continuous work flow in one direction to avoid food cross-over and cross-contamination. Staff gossip about each worker’s path should be limited to what is absolutely necessary.

Work surfaces should be large enough for the preparation process.

be designed so that the food hundler has easy access to all equipment and utensils-kitchens are generally divided into sections based on the processes and these are:

X Dry Areas: for retail establishments

X Wet Areas: for first preparation, vegetables, butchery, and cold preparation

X Hot Zones: for boiling, poaching, and steaming.

The size of a kitchen is determined by the size of the establishment and its target market, as well as the market-specific equipment design. There are five different types of kitchen layouts to accommodate any operation.

1. Shaped Kitchen: Because of the flexibility of this layout design, it is a popular choice for businesses that want work areas close to each other to maximize space. Major equipment can be easily installed, and the kitchen can be cleaned.

be improved to create in island kitchens.

2. Shaped Kitchen: This kitchen is popular because it creates self-contained sections that discourage non-author staff from entering and can promote efficient working by reducing distances between work stations.

3. When planning the layout of a kitchen, adequate space for access to equipment, the menu, the quantity of meals, the use of fresh or convenience foods, and management policy must all be considered. Above all, the health and safety of workers who would work in the environment to adequately achieve the management’s goal with a healthy.

4. Single Wall Kitchen: This arrangement gives a small space a very open and airy feel. The equipment is placed along the walls for ease of use, and the travel distance is reduced.