Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Knife Handling 

CARRYING A KNIFE/SHARP OBJECT 

If you’re carrying a knife through the kitchen, especially a busy kitchen, there is a specific way to carry a knife/sharp object.  

1. You must walk with the knife pointed straight down, with the sharp side of the blade facing behind you.  

2. Keep your arm rigid.  

3. Alert nearby employees by saying “SHARP BEHIND, SHARP CORNER, SHARP TO YOUR RIGHT, etc.”  

 Be very clear of your direction for the safety of everyone.  

 USING A KNIFE 

When using a knife, it’s very important to use all available PPE for your safety and for the safety of those around you.  

1. Gather all PPE & instruments before cutting.  

2. Knife (please refer to instructions above about how to properly carry a knife) 

3. Cutting Board  

4. Non-Slip Mat 

5. Cut Resistant Gloves 

TIPS WHEN CUTTING  

1. While cutting your food is to make sure you are always cutting away from you. If the knife slips you will want it to do in the direction away from your hand. 

2.  An added measure is to turn the guiding hand into a claw, keeping the thumb and fingers tucked under as you hold the food you are cutting. This way even if the knife does happen to slip you are in a better position to avoid any injuries 

3. When using cut resistant gloves, wear a set of disposable gloves under and over the cut resistant gloves for ease of cleaning & to reduce cross contamination.  

   The primary function of oven mitts and fryer gloves is to protect hands from some of the extreme heat encountered in a commercial kitchen when reaching into a hot oven, carrying scalding hot baskets or even cleaning fryers.  

MUST DO WHEN CLEANING OR CARRYING HOT ITEMS 

1. Wear appropriate PPE.  

2. Pulling things out of ovens – use oven mitts 

3. Carry, cleaning or grabbing things from a fryer – use Fryer Gloves & an apron for any possible splashes 

4. When transporting hot objects, alert nearby employees of the hot object by saying “HOT BEHIND, HOT TO YOUR RIGHT. HOT CORNER, etc.” & walk cautiously from start point to finish point  

Be very clear of your direction for the safety of everyone.