Cooks and Kitchen Workers Suffer Injuries in Kentucky

You might not think a restaurant or commercial kitchen is a dangerous place for a workplace accident in Kentucky.

But it turns out that preparing and serving food is hazardous work.

And the dangers are not limited to professional chefs and cooks, according to a recent article in The New York Times. The risks extend to waiters, servers, prep crew and dishwashers.

Among the common injuries:

• Sprains and strains
• Torn muscles
• Cuts
• Punctures
• Burns
• Fractures
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Joint problems

Food Service Injuries in Kentucky

Service workers – including those employed by restaurants – accounted for 64 percent of all private industry accidents and illnesses in 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The incident rate was 14.6 per 10,000 full-time workers.

Many of these injuries were musculoskeletal problems associated with bending, stooping and lifting. These are activities restaurant employees do all the time.

Another common ailment: carpal tunnel syndrome caused by repetitive stirring and fine knife movements.

Burns and Bone Spurs in the Kitchen

Here are some other job-related problems experienced by cooks and servers:

• Thoracic outlet syndrome in shoulders from lifting heavy objects while in an awkward posture – for example, while reaching into a refrigerator or oven;
• Bone spurs and cysts in feet from constantly standing;
• Burns from hot stoves;
• Scalding from hot liquids;
• Injuries from workplace violence.
• Slip and falls.

Men and women who are injured while working at a restaurant or commercial kitchen may file a claim for Kentucky workers’ compensation benefits.

Sources:

• The New York Times
• Bureau of Labor Statistics