Safety – Handling Hot Oil

1st-degree burn

The least serious burns are those in which only the outer layer of skin is burned, but not all the way through. The skin is usually red with swelling present.

Treat a first-degree burn as a minor burn unless it involves substantial portions of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or a major joint, which requires emergency medical attention.

2nd-degree burn

In second-degree burns the first layer of skin is burned through and the second layer of skin (dermis) is also burned. Blisters and swelling are evident while the skin appears splotchy.

If the second-degree burn is no larger than 3 inches in diameter, treat it as a minor burn. When the burned area is larger or if the burn is on the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or over a major joint, treat it as a major burn and get medical help immediately.

For minor burns, take the following action:

• Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cool (not cold) running water for 10 or 15 minutes or until the pain You may also cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Don’t put ice on the burn.
• Cover the burn with a sterile gauze Don’t use fluffy cotton, or other material that may get lint in the wound. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the burn, reduces pain, and protects blistered skin. Never apply butter or ointments, this could cause infection.
• Take an over-the-counter pain Consult your local pharmacy before dispensing aspirin.

3rd-degree burn

The most serious burns involve all layers of the skin and cause permanent tissue damage. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected. Areas may be charred black or appear dry and white.

For major burns, call 911 for emergency medical help. Until an emergency unit arrives, follow these steps:

• Don’t remove burned However, do make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smoldering materials or exposed to smoke or heat.

• Don’t immerse large severe burns in cold Doing so could cause a drop in body temperature (hypothermia) and deterioration of blood pressure and circulation (shock).
• Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If there is no breathing or other sign of circulation, begin
• Elevate the burned body part or Raise above heart level, when possible.
• Cover the area of the Use a cool, moist, sterile bandage; clean, moist cloth; or moist cloth towels.

Everyone makes mistakes. But to take shortcuts around proven safety steps when handling cooking oils can be extremely dangerous. Because the temperatures inside deep fryers may reach up to 600°F, bad things can and will happen when employees fail to properly handle used cooking oil— from slips to falls to third-degree burns.

Kitchens can get chaotic. So, it’s important to always stay alert and keep your cooking oil under control. Remember, improper handling of hot cooking oil is not only hazardous to you; it can seriously endanger everyone around you.