Hazardous Chemicals
Restaurant workers can be exposed to potentially dangerous chemicals, such as the following:
Cleaning Chemicals And Safety
- Oven Cleaners: Oven cleaners are used to remove grease and carbon buildup from kitchen appliances. They often contain strong alkalis like sodium hydroxide, which can cause severe skin burns and respiratory irritation if inhaled. Proper protective gear, such as gloves and masks, should always be used when handling these products.
- Floor Cleaners: Floor cleaning solutions help maintain hygiene in restaurants but may contain bleach, ammonia, or quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), which can irritate the skin and lungs. Wet floors also increase the risk of slips and falls, so proper signage should be used when cleaning.
- Pesticides: Pesticides are used to control pests in food establishments. These chemicals can be toxic if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. Improper use or storage can also lead to food contamination, making it essential to follow safety guidelines strictly.
- Disinfectants: Disinfectants eliminate bacteria and viruses on surfaces but often contain chlorine, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or quats, which can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. Mixing chlorine-based disinfectants with ammonia can release toxic chloramine vapors, which pose a serious health hazard.
- Drain Cleaners: Drain cleaners help break down grease and clogs but contain strong acids or bases (such as sulfuric acid or sodium hydroxide) that can cause severe burns if they come into contact with skin. Fumes from drain cleaners can also be dangerous in poorly ventilated areas.
- Soaps and Detergents: Soaps and detergents are used for dishwashing and handwashing. Some contain fragrances, preservatives, or surfactants that may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Industrial-strength detergents, used in commercial dishwashers, can be caustic and should be handled with care.
- Latex: Disposable latex gloves are commonly used for food handling and cleaning. However, some workers may develop latex allergies, leading to skin irritation, hives, or respiratory issues. Nitrile or vinyl gloves can be used as safer alternatives.
Potential Hazards
Hazardous chemicals can cause several types of injuries. Here is a closer look:
- Soaps and detergents may cause allergic reactions and skin irritation.
- Broken skin from soap or detergent irritation may provide an avenue for infection or injury if exposed to chemical hazards.
- Drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and grill cleaners' solutions and sprays can be caustic and can cause skin burns and eye and skin irritations.
- Ammonia, used as a cleaning agent, and chlorine solutions, used as a disinfectant in dishwashing, can cause skin, eye, and nose irritations. Caution: Mixing chlorine and ammonia solutions will result in a chemical reaction that releases toxic chloramines, which can cause severe respiratory distress and other health hazards.
- Latex gloves, worn to protect the hands from chemicals, may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some workers.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-5. Mixing chlorine and ammonia solutions will release what toxic gas?
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