We have all had those close calls. Maybe you’re rushing through prep, the ticket printer’s going crazy, and suddenly that razor-sharp chef’s knife slips. Or you reach for something in the oven and your sleeve rides up just enough to meet that scorching hot rack. Ouch.
This is why proper protective gear isn’t just some checklist item. It’s what stands between your crew and a trip to the A&E (and a majorly understaffed shift).
PROTECTION AGAINST CUTS
Cuts are one of the biggest risks in food prep. Anyone who’s spent time in a kitchen has likely had a near miss. To help keep your crew safe, here are some gears you need:
Stainless Steel Gloves: For heavy-duty tasks involving significant cutting, stainless steel gloves give you superior protection. Their interwoven design creates an almost impenetrable barrier against cuts, making them ideal for butchers or food processors.
Cut-Resistant Gloves: Often made from high-performance polyethylene, cut-resistant gloves offer more dexterity than stainless steel options. They are a good protection for tasks that involve sharp knives or other bladed tools, such as graters and peelers. Look for those rated by standards like EN388 or ANSI.
Just remember – these gloves reduce injury severity but aren’t invincible, so proper technique is still crucial.
Oyster Shucking Gloves: Oyster shells are tough and sharp, and so are oyster knives. For those whose job involves repetitive shucking, oyster shucking gloves are important for protecting hands from cuts and scrapes. This allows crew members to focus on the task at hand without worrying about injuries. Plus, they give you a good grip on those slippery shells, preventing them from slipping or the knife from going the wrong way.
PROTECTION AGAINST HEAT
With cooking temperatures reaching up to 260°C, the kitchen can be a hotbed of hazards. Industry safety reports show that nearly one-third of kitchen staff experience burns annually, often resulting in time off work and long-term injury, underscoring the need for effective heat protection.
Heat Resistant Mitts
Picking the right heat-resistant mitts really depends on what’s cooking in your kitchen. Here are some options to consider:
For common baking and cooking tasks occurring between 175°C and 200°C, mitts that protect up to 204°C for 15 seconds are great for moving pots or taking hot dishes out of the oven and microwave.
If you’re working with deep fryers, use mitts that shield against hot oil splatters. These mitts feature a one-piece, seamless rubber exterior that protects up to 260°C for 15 seconds.
For those who frequently boil, simmer, or pressure cook, mitts with steam protection are a smart choice.
Unlike quick transfers of regular baking dishes, some tasks cannot be rushed and require longer heat protection. Whether it’s removing a heavy Dutch oven full of artisanal bread, adjusting a hot pizza stone, or handling multiple pieces of cast iron cookware that have been heating in the oven, mitts that protect up to 500°F (260°C) for 60 seconds are essential to provide the time needed to safely complete these tasks.
If you’re dealing with both heat and flames, use mitts that can handle the fire too. These are perfect for tasks like pulling items out of wood-fired ovens, grilling over open flames, or holding a pan handle over a gas stove.
For maximum heat resistance, silicone mitt is the best choice. If silicone is good enough to be used to make cooking tools like spatulas and baking mats, you can trust it to protect you from high temperatures without breaking down. Keep in mind that they can be cumbersome, making it harder to grip small items or handle delicate tasks.
Mitts protect your hands and lower arms, but if you’re reaching into hot ovens or handling large roasting pans, you’ll want extra coverage up to your arms.
Heat pads are great for quick grabs, so you don’t have to waste time putting on mitts when you just need to set down a hot dish. Many chefs prefer pads because they make it easier to keep things moving while cooking.
Handle guards slip over hot pot and pan handles, so you won’t need to put on mitts every time you want to grip a hot handle. They’re also a more affordable option, though their usage is limited to protecting your hands from hot handles only.
PROTECTION AGAINST COLD
It’s not uncommon for staff to make quick trips into walk-in freezers without jackets or gloves, just to grab an item and get back to work. However, even brief exposure to extreme cold can affect your agility, or lead to cold-induced fatigue and impairment. To mitigate these risks, freezer jackets and freezer gloves should be readily available near walk-in units.
PROTECTION AGAINST SLIP AND FALL
Proper non-slip shoes have been proven to reduce slipping rates by over 50% in a commercial kitchen. These shoes feature soles designed to grip the microscopic roughness of floor surfaces and have tread patterns that channel liquids away from the sole, making them highly slip-resistant. Look for models that feature cushioned insoles for extra comfort during long shifts and are made from water-resistant materials to keep your feet dry.
Image Credits (San Jamar):
Featured Photo: Silicone-Coated Oven Mitt from WebstaurantStore.com
Article Photos: Cut Resistant Glove, Oven Fryer Mitt, and Ultigrips Hot Pad from WebstaurantStore.com; Cool-Touch Flame Mitt from ChefStyle.gr