Is it against 'Health and Safety' to have one person working in the kitchen on their own?

James T

no it isn't but they must have suitable procedures in place to ensure the safety of the worker, such as a phone or something for contact needs, the right equipment, means of escape, first aid knowledge

No, it is not.

gail

No but it is against the law if your employer doesn't have a risk assessment for the hazards and implemented controls for that person, working alone.
This catches employers out time and time again. If you are worried about lone working ask to see the risk assessment this should show you all the controls that your employer has in place to protect you.
I fhe hasn't got one then tell im he has to have one.
Reg 3 Management of H&S at Work Regs.

Wamibo

What country are you are asking about? Assuming it is the UK can I answer what I understand the Law is here. No it is not against UK H & S Regs for one person to be working on their own at any workplace unless they are doing some "hazardous" task such as working with certain sorts of machinery, lifting and carrying heavy weights, working with hazardous substances or something of that sort.

In my job as a security guard I frequently work on sites far away from anybody else and have to do patrols alone all over site throughout 12 to 15 hour day and night shifts. The only check on my safety is the hourly phone call I have to make to my Control which is to tell them I am OK and awake and alert.

During my patrols, (on duty all myself during the night on a wage of Â£6 per hour), amongst the various places on the site I do have to check the kitchen unsupervised, and without anybody else present.I do sometimes make use of equipment in the kitchen such as ovens, grills, fridges etc. to cook myself something to eat or drink..

This is completely normal. Security officers on sites all over the UK do exactly the same as me 365 days per year. So clearly either tens of thousands of employers and clients all over Britain are failing to comply with Health & Safety laws or using a kitchen alone is not deemed hazardous to a worker's safety in English Law..

MR JEDI FOX ESQ

Oh my God..... don't tell my misses that one, she'll have me in there peeling spuds and washing dishes forever. LOL.

I've not heard of it being a H&S matter though. It's not as if you're going to get attacked by a screaming Blanc Mange.

tormolly

Well if it is I must be involved I work on my own in a kitchen and would hate anyone else working beside me .
Cannot see why it should be to be honest ,surely we do not need nanny state supervising the supervisor

Ben Gunn

Where employees are working alone, it is the responsibility of employers to conduct a risk assessment. This must take into consideration the type of work, equipment used etc. If the risk assessment says that two people are required, then this is required by law.

arbiter

http://www.hse.gov.uk/

the section on myths is quite interesting

Paul at purple haze

not to my knowledge is it against H&S rules, but i would say it goes against commonsense as you could have any number of accidents in a kitchin were you would need the help of sombody. A sutitable Risk assesment should be done in any place of work before carrying out work in general. you might also find this page of some help:- http://www.healthandsafety.co.uk/NEHaSinComCater.html

SnoddersB

Don't ask you will be opening a can of worms.

John T

No - why on earth would it be??
t

Martin C

In a Commercial kitchen yes

taxed till i die,

Yes it is.

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