October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run ScanOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
Bettesworth Construction
burn prevention

Kitchen Safety 101: How to Prevent Cuts, Burns, and Other Injuries

Prevent kitchen injuries with safer knife handling, burn controls, food-safety habits, appropriate PPE, and intact equipment guards.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 4 min read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Kitchen injuries are largely preventable when you control knife movement, treat heat and steam as serious hazards, keep raw food separate from ready-to-eat food, and use guarded equipment correctly.

Prevent cuts when using knives

Set up before you cut

  • Keep knives sharp and in good condition. A dull blade is more likely to slip.
  • Choose the knife intended for the task and place a stable cutting board on a secure work surface.
  • Keep the cutting area clear enough that you do not have to work around clutter.

Control the blade and your hands

  • Direct every cut away from your body. OSHA’s kitchen-equipment guidance states, “Always direct the cut away from the body.”
  • Keep the fingers and thumb of your guiding hand out of the blade’s path; curl them away from the edge rather than placing fingertips in front of it.
  • Stop cutting if you are distracted or interrupted. Put the knife down before responding.

Carry, pass, and recover a knife safely

  • Carry a knife at your side with the tip pointing down and the sharp edge facing away from you.
  • When handing a knife to another person, place it on a surface for them to pick up instead of passing it handle-first or blade-first.
  • If a knife falls, step back and let it fall. Never try to catch it.

Store and clean knives safely

  • Use a designated knife holder or another storage method that protects the edge and keeps the blade stable.
  • Do not leave a knife near a counter edge or put it in a sink where someone reaching into the water may not see it.

Use cut protection as a supplement

Steel-mesh and Kevlar gloves are examples of hand protection for cutting hazards. Select a glove by its cut-resistance rating, fit, dexterity, and suitability for the particular task. A glove does not replace controlled technique, a stable work area, or training.

Prevent burns from cookware, oil, ovens, and steam

Handle hot cookware with the right protection

  • Use dry oven mitts or pot holders when handling hot pans, baking dishes, racks, or lids. Choose protection with an appropriate heat rating, sufficient length, a reliable grip, and a surface that can be cleaned.
  • Use tongs or heat protection when handling items in a steamer.
  • Keep handles and mitts clear of flames, heating elements, and hot surfaces.

Open ovens and steamers from the side

  • Stand to the side when opening an oven or steamer so the door or lid can shield your face from the first release of heat.
  • When uncovering steaming food, lift or tilt the lid so escaping steam is deflected away from your face and hands.

Keep pan handles out of the traffic path

Turn handles away from the front edge of the stove. This reduces the chance of a person or clothing catching a handle and pulling hot contents down.

Prevent foodborne illness with Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill

Clean

  • Wash hands with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds before and after handling food.
  • Wash cutting boards, knives, counters, and other tools with hot, soapy water after preparing raw food.

Separate

Keep raw meat, poultry, fish, and their juices away from ready-to-eat food. Use clean equipment and surfaces for food that will not receive further cooking.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
NoCry Premium Cut Resistant Gloves Food Grade — 100% Food Safe — Level 5 Meat Cutting Glove for Chefs & Butchers — Perfect Mandoline Glove or Oyster Shucking Gloves with Superior Comfort & Dexterity
  • 4X MORE CUT-RESISTANT THAN LEATHER — Safety gloves made from the highest level of cut resistant material on the market. These mandolin gloves cut prooft are 4X better at protecting you than leather and 10X better than steel. These cutting gloves or kevlar gloves are designed to dramatically reduce the risk of nicks and slices from kitchen knives, mandolines and graters when accidents happen.
  • 100% FOOD SAFE — Cut gloves food grade with superior grip and a snug fit keep sharp blades securely in your hand so you can prepare food with excellent dexterity and precision. These cut proof gloves for men and women or butcher gloves are perfect for oyster or lobster shucking, dicing vegetables, or using the mandolin.
  • AMBIDEXTROUS — These cut resistant work gloves can be worn on either hand, making these chef gloves for food prep or knife gloves a top choice for anyone in need of premium cut protection. And the breathable cutting gloves for chefs and butchers keep your hands dry, comfortable, and flexible all day long, as opposed to metal or chainmail gloves for cutting food.
  • MACHINE WASHABLE — These oyster shucking anti cut gloves are designed for easy maintenance and prolonged use. Simply throw these kitchen gloves for cutting or no cut gloves in the washing machine, and these fish cleaning gloves will come out looking and feeling brand new.
  • LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY — Experience the ultimate protection and comfort with the kitchen safety gloves. These cutting gloves for women and men are EN388:2016 Level 5 and ANSI 105-2016 rated, meaning these fish glovesor cut gloves kitchen have passed strict tests to meet these high standards.

Cook

Use a food thermometer to verify that food reaches its proper cooking temperature rather than judging doneness by appearance. USDA FSIS cautions, “You can’t see, smell, or taste harmful bacteria that may cause illness.” Choose a thermometer for its temperature range, readability, response time, probe design, and ease of cleaning.

Chill

Refrigerate perishable food within two hours. Shorten that limit to one hour when the surrounding temperature is above 90°F. Do not rely on smell or taste to decide whether food is safe.

Rank #2
Sale
THOMEN 4 PCS (M+L) Cut Resistant Gloves Level 5 Protection for Kitchen
  • Protect Your Hand - Throw away the normal gloves and try to use our THOMEN cut resistant gloves. It is made from level 5 cut resistant material, protect your hands from injury, stronger than normal gloves. Let you enjoy cooking time.
  • Excellent Comfort - Unique transverse knitting tech and elastic material provide good grip, suitable for different size hands. It also allows breathability for those long processes and your hands stay dry and comfortable. Will you amaze with it?
  • Easy to Clean - Our upgrade safety cutting gloves can be washed by hand or dishwasher, as kitchen dish-washing towel. Wa, it is so useful for you!
  • Multifunction - THOMEN anti cut gloves are great for oyster shucking, wood carving, whittling, butchering, peelers and mandolin slicers, yard working, garage working, dealing with broken glass, etc.
  • Sincere Customer Service - We value the voice of our customers, if you have any questions, please contact us. We promise to provide you with friendly and prompt customer service.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Keep powered kitchen equipment guarded

Mixers, slicers, and similar powered machines can cause cuts, burns, broken bones, and amputations at their danger zones. Guards must remain in place to protect people from those moving or heated parts. Never bypass, remove, or defeat a guard. PPE supplements safe operating technique and training; it is not a substitute for the machine’s built-in protection.

Best Value
Xuhal 20 Pairs Cut Resistant Gloves Level 5 Protection Safety Work,L
  • Cut Resistant Gloves Bulk: 12 or 20 pairs of cut resistant gloves are enough for your daily needs, so you can enjoy kitchen activities such as cooking, scraping, cutting, chopping, DIY crafts, garden or yard projects
  • Level 5 Protection: our cutting gloves are made of level 5 cut resistant material to protect your hands from cuts and abrasions, with high cut resistance, comfortable and reliable to wear
  • Fits Most People: the kitchen cuts gloves come in 4 sizes, S, M, L, XL for you to choose from, ensuring your safety in the kitchen or while doing crafts, making you easy to enjoy the DIY process; Please check the sizing information carefully before you buy
  • Easy to Wear and Grip: these kitchen gloves are comfortable to wear, flexible and stretchable, with a stretchy nylon blend that is non-slip and non-sliding, preventing your hands from getting hurt or cut in the kitchen or other situations
  • Wide Applications: these anti cut gloves are suitable for oyster shucking, wood carving, peeling, butchering, peelers, slicers, yard work, garage work, broken glass handling and so on
Rank #4
Schwer SlicePro ANSI Cut Resistant Gloves, Food Grade Cutting Glove for Kitchen Food Prep, Mandoline Gloves for Meat Cutting, Oyster Shucking, Fish Fillet Processing, PR1501-G, L
  • Cut Resistant - Constructed with ultra-high-strength fibers and stainless steel, these A9 cut resistant gloves are designed to reduce the risk of cuts during food-handling tasks involving sharp blades. Suitable for both professional kitchen use and home cooking. Note: These gloves provide cut resistance only and are not designed for puncture protection.
  • Food Safe - Our cut gloves are food-grade certified and tested to be free of harmful chemical residues, making them suitable for direct food-contact tasks. Safe for a wide range of food-handling applications.
  • Enhanced Durability - Made with high-quality materials and reinforced knitting construction, these cut proof gloves are built for repeated use and long-term wear in demanding food-handling environments.
  • No Glass Fiber - These kitchen cutting gloves contain no glass fiber, making them a comfortable option for users with sensitive skin. Suitable for extended wear during tasks involving sharp blades or cutting tools.
  • Multi-Purpose Use - Suitable for a variety of tasks including food preparation, knife handling, oyster shucking, meat cutting, mandolin slicing, vegetable and fruit peeling, and other cutting-related work.
Rank #3
Dowellife Cut Resistant Gloves Food Grade Level 5 Protection, Safety Kitchen Cut Gloves for Chef Oyster Shucking Mandolin Knife Butcher Meat Cutting
  • Protect your hand from cuts and abrasions---The high performance cut resistant material HDPE is adopted and the gloves is awarded with the highest EN388:2003 level 5 (EN388:2016 Level C) cut resistance certification. 10 times stronger than normal gloves.
  • Excellent comfort and dexterity to wear and grip--- flexible operation, Not too hard, No sliding. The special high elastic nylon is blended to make the gloves fit your hand so well.
  • Easy to keep clean and dry--- it is hand and machine washable and can be cleaned as kitchen dishwashing towel.
  • More convenient to hang dry and replace--- One intimate designed hang ring is fixed on each gloves wrist.
  • Now click the "Add To Cart" button to order to avoid 99% hand accidental injury for your family at kitchen cuts, oyster shucking, meat cutting, butter mandolin, vegetables slicing, fruits peeling, wood carving, carpentry and garden working .

Choose kitchen safety equipment by the hazard

Equipment Selection criteria Use it for
Cut-resistant glove Cut-resistance rating, secure fit, dexterity, and compatibility with the task Additional hand protection during appropriate cutting work
Oven mitt or pot holder Heat rating, length, grip, and ease of cleaning Hot cookware, oven racks, baking dishes, and lids
Food thermometer Temperature range, readable display, response time, probe design, and cleanability Checking whether food has reached a safe cooking temperature
Knife holder or blade guard Edge protection, stability, accessibility, and whether the blade is enclosed Keeping stored knives secure and reducing exposed-edge contact

A practical pre-shift safety check

  • Is the cutting board stable and the knife appropriate and sharp?
  • Are knives stored in their holder rather than in a sink or beside an edge?
  • Are dry mitts, pot holders, or suitable steam-handling tools available?
  • Can hot pan handles be kept away from the stove front?
  • Are raw-food tools and surfaces separated from ready-to-eat food, with soap and water available for cleanup?
  • Is a clean, readable food thermometer available?
  • Are guards installed and functional on mixers, slicers, and other powered equipment?

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Site Office

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.