Chapter 9 Safety in the Kitchen 137 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. The Apron The apron is the least understood piece of clothing. Aprons certainly keep employees clean and looking good. Aprons are not to be used for wiping hands, as this could be a source of cross-contamination. The most important function aprons fulfill is protecting cooks from spills. If a hot liquid spills on an apron, the employee can imme- diately lift the apron away from the body to minimize any burns. Footwear Footwear is often overlooked when considering safety. Cooks spend most of the workday on their feet. Shoes need to be solid, well constructed, and comfortable, 9-2. Sturdy, comfortable shoes reduce fatigue and accidents. Some shoes are available with nonslip soles. This is ideal since kitchen floors are often slippery. At no time should open-toed shoes or sandals be worn in the kitchen. These shoes provide no protec- tion against a falling knife or heavy object. Many European chefs wear clogs, which are open-heeled shoes. Clogs keep feet cool. Unfortunately, they can also cause accidents if the worker’s heel slips off the clog. Jewelry Jewelry does not belong in the kitchen. Rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets can get caught on moving equipment and cause serious injury. Small pieces of jewelry, such as those used in piercings, can fall into food unobserved and become a physical hazard. Kitchen Injuries The kitchen can be a dangerous place. There are many ways in which workers can be injured. Most kitchen injuries are minor, heal quickly, and do not require additional medical care. If there is any doubt about the severity of an injury, play it safe and get medical attention. Every professional kitchen should have a supervisor who is trained in basic first aid and lifesaving techniques. Every kitchen should also have an accessible first aid kit Draz-Koetke/Goodheart-Willcox Publisher 9-1 The chef’s uniform is designed for safety and comfort. Draz-Koetke/Goodheart-Willcox Publisher 9-2 Sturdy, nonslip, close-toed shoes should be worn in the kitchen.