Cook’s arm scalded while removing food from oven

At a meal time the chief cook opened the upper part of a combined oven to remove a tray of rice that was being kept heated. The tray was at head height for the injured person. Whilst removing the tray, scalding hot water (condensed steam) on the surface of the lid dripped onto the cook’s arm causing a scald injury. The accident was a medical treatment case and the cook had to be sent ashore for treatment.

The lower oven (which would have been safer) was not working and the upper oven was used instead for hot food storage. As the cook was shorter than the height of the oven it was not possible for him to see the condensed steam on the surface of the lid when he removed the tray.

Reaching upwards for a hazardous or heavy object at eye-line is something that ought to occur to you as being potentially tricky. In this case the cook could not see the top of the tray – and scalding water ran off the tray onto his arm. In different circumstances, this could have been dust or debris sliding off the object into your eyes and your face. You might find such an object is too heavy to control with your arms raised. Stop and think!