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From Stew to Stitches- Preventing Knife Injuries in Dietary Departments

#Workplace Safety

By Team Seaglass

From Stew to Stitches- Preventing Knife Injuries in Dietary Departments

Knives are essential tools in any kitchen, but they are also among the most hazardous. In senior living dietary departments, where staff prepare meals for residents every day, safe knife practices are critical. Even a small lapse in technique or maintenance can lead to serious injuries that affect staff health, disrupt operations, and compromise food safety.

 

Real-Life Example: Sarah’s Story

On a Sunday evening, Sarah and her dietary team were preparing beef stew for residents to enjoy during the fall football game. In the rush, Sarah grabbed a dull chef’s knife to cut through partially frozen meat. Because the blade wasn’t sharp, she had to push harder than usual. The knife slipped and cut deeply into her hand, sending her for stitches. Sarah’s injury forced her team scrambling to finish the meal, a situation that sharper tools and correct technique could have prevented.

Hazards and Best Practices

This incident highlights why knife safety practices aren’t optional; they’re essential. Here are some common hazardous actions alongside the best practices that prevent them:

Hazard Best Practice
  • Dull knives require excessive force
  • Keep knives sharp. A sharp blade cuts cleanly with less effort and reduces slippage when handling
  • Fingers in the cutting path
  • Use the “claw grip” – curl your fingers inward, creating a claw shape and wear cut resistant gloves
  • Unstable cutting surfaces
  • Stabilize boards with grip mats or a damp towel
  • Dropping knives
  • Never try to catch a falling knife; Carry at your side, pointed down
  • Knives left loose in sinks
  • Wash and dry knives wearing cut resistant gloves. Store knives in racks, magnetic strips, or sheaths
  • Rushing the task
  • Don’t rush – chopping too quickly increases risk of mistakes. Work at the pace that is comfortable
  • Passing knives to others
  • Don’t pass on a knife to others. Instead, set the knife on the counter and let the other person pick it up with the handle

 

Why Knife Safety Matters in Senior Living

Knife-related injuries don’t just affect staff—they ripple through the entire operation of a senior living facility. By putting safeguards in place, facilities can:

  • Reduce workplace injuries and workers’ compensation claims by preventing avoidable accidents.
  • Promote a culture of safety within the dietary department, where staff feel supported and confident in their tasks.
  • Ensure uninterrupted, safe meal preparation for residents, maintaining both safety and quality of care.

Sarah’s injury could have been avoided with proper knife care and safe cutting techniques. By pairing awareness of hazards with best practices, dietary staff can prepare meals safely, protect themselves, and ensure residents receive the care and service they deserve.