Assessment of health risks in canteen kitchens

Abstract

The ergonomic, occupational hygiene, and safety factors in canteen kitchen work were examined using worksite surveys and a questionnaire. Pain in the shoulders was found to be associated with the raised position of the upper limbs caused by excessively high working surfaces. Temperature, ventilation, and especially drafts caused the greatest disturbance at the workplace. Measurements revealed that variations in temperature during the day and between the neck and ankle caused the complaints. The most commonly occurring accident involved a wound to the fingers caused by a knife. However, employees reported burns to be the greatest accident risk. The two methods gave the most contradictory results concerning accidents and safety evaluations and the results corresponded best in ergonomic factors. © 1996 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.