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Commercial Kitchen Fire Safety

commercial grade kitchen equipmentOperation of a commercial grade kitchen, many safety considerations should be addressed, including food safety, employee and volunteer safety, and fire safety. This blog post addresses the specific issues associated with providing adequate fire safety for your kitchen.

Commercial cooking operations are defined as kitchens that have cooking equipment that produce grease and grease laden vapors. This includes flat grills, char broilers and deep fat fryers. The typical residential range (electric or gas) would not be considered a grease producing appliance. Other equipment, such as ovens, microwaves and steam kettles also fall into the non-grease producing appliance category. The following is information regarding two of the most common types of equipment that produce grease and/or grease laden vapors.

Deep Fat Fryers

Deep fat fryers are a major cause of kitchen fires. Oil can splash and easily come into contact with an open flame from an adjacent piece of cooking equipment, such as a gas-fired range top. A 18-inch clearance must be maintained between the deep fat fryer and the open flame cooking equipment. If a 18-inch clearance is not possible, a vertical steel barrier extending 12 inches above the top of the deep fat fryer or open flame appliance(s) can be used as an alternative means of protection.Read More »Commercial Kitchen Fire Safety

Candle Safety

candle with smokeAccording to Underwriters Laboratories (UL): “Fire statistics show that one out of every three candle fires occurred when candles were left unattended or were inadequately controlled. One out of four fires occurred when a combustible material, such as curtains or a pillow, came too close to the candle.”

As part of your organization’s risk management program, the first duty is to eliminate possible exposures. This includes the use of candles. Unless your traditions require the use of candles, it is recommended that they not be used, or that flameless candles be substituted. Flameless candles are very realistic, battery operated, widely available, and some even come with timers. As with all electrically powered devices, ensure that electric candles are UL listed, so not to trade one fire hazard for another.Read More »Candle Safety

Tips for avoiding slip, trip and fall accidents

Slips, trips and falls are a leading cause of injury for businesses and workplaces. Employees and other parties on your premises – visitors, customers, vendors, contractors and subcontractors – could be at risk for this type of accident or injury.

It is a common misconception that slip and fall injuries “just happen” and that there is little that can be done to prevent them. Years of experience show that proper slip, trip and fall prevention can help in reducing the number of injuries and in reducing loss costs.

Slips-Trips-Falls

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Preventing offline identity fraud

offline identity fraudIdentity fraud does not always begin online. According to Travelers claim data, 44 percent of ID fraud cases happen when a person’s purse or wallet has been lost or stolen. Because thieves can use the information they find inside, here are some ways to help protect yourself and your identity.

Watch your wallet and purse
Many people store personal information in their purses and wallets, making it easier for thieves to commit identity fraud. Help secure your identity by keeping your purse and wallet in a safe place and carrying only essentials when you go out. Leave credit cards you will not be using in a secure place at home. Unless it is absolutely necessary, avoid carrying Social Security cards, birth certificates or passports as they contain key pieces of personal information thieves could use to steal your identity.Read More »Preventing offline identity fraud

Be aware – not all kitchen fires start with cooking

Houseware-Electric-teapotWhen thinking of the cause of a kitchen fire, it is common to think of cooking. But not all kitchen fires start because of cooking hazards. Non-cooking related fires commonly involve refrigerators, freezers or dishwashers. The following tips can help prevent non-cooking related fires from occurring in your kitchen.

Proper fire extinguisher use

You should know exactly how to use a fire extinguisher in the event a fire develops and you feel you are safely able to fight it. It is recommended that only those trained in the proper use of fire extinguishers consider using them when appropriate.

Call for help before attempting to extinguish a fire. A fire may grow out of control more quickly than you anticipate. It is wise to have help on the way.

Determine a safe evacuation path before approaching the fire. Do not allow the fire, heat or smoke to come between you and your evacuation path.

Attack the fire using the PASS method:Read More »Proper fire extinguisher use

Driving safely in winter weather

driving in winter weatherFalling snow can be picturesque, but it can also wreak havoc on the roads. While no one enjoys driving in snowy or slippery conditions, there are steps you can take to help improve your safety.

Here are some guidelines that can help you stay safe when driving in adverse winter conditions:

  • Make sure your car is prepared for cold temperatures and winter conditions like snow and ice. Keep your equipment properly maintained and include a winter survival kit in your vehicle: an ice scraper, snow shovel and sand/salt. Jumper cables are also a good idea since batteries are prone to failure during cold weather.Read More »Driving safely in winter weather

Product Recall Insurance for Prepackaged Salad

Product RecallMost manufacturers, importers and wholesalers we deal on a regular bases avoid adding product recall coverage to the list of their insurance policies. Unless the destiny makes you deal with it, unlikely one knows  that the expenses for the product recall are inclusive of notification, inspection, retrieval, transportation, utilization/salvaging, compensation to injured/damaged parties, as well as good name restoration. For example, more than 90 tons of ready-to-eat salads and sandwiches by a California catering company are being recalled after 26 people in three states were sickened by a bacterial strain of E. coli linked to its products, federal health officials said on 11/10/2013.

Richmond-based Glass Onion Catering are recalling approximately 181,620 pounds of salads and sandwich wraps containing cooked chicken and ham, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said. It’s unknown how much exactly the product recall is going to cost. Read More »Product Recall Insurance for Prepackaged Salad

International Advantage Natural Disaster Enhancement

When working in the real world, businesses can face real world problems.
A U.S.-based church group was stranded in a Haiti crisis zone. Our service provider sent a security detail to escort the group to the Dominican Republic, where they were repatriated safely to the U.S. within 24 hours of the call.

How can we help?
Our international package policy can provide executive assistance services with an optional Natural Disaster Relocation and Repatriation coverage enhancement to assist your employees in their time of need.

Read More »International Advantage Natural Disaster Enhancement

New is Well Forgotten Old

California Woman Sues McDonald’s Over Coffee Burns. She says she suffered second-degree burns when she spilled hot coffee on her lap at the drive-up window of a McDonald’s has filed suit against the fast-food chain. The Fresno Bee reported she seeks more than $2 million in damages. If a settlement isn’t reached, her lawyer said they plan to present their case to a Fresno jury. In 1992, a similar case made national headlines. A New Mexico woman who said she was burned by McDonald’s coffee was awarded $2.9 million.