I work in a fast food restaurant and I serve the drinks, meaning I handle the ice scoop, cup, and lid. Between filling drinks I wipe off the counters with diluted bleach on a cloth. Can the bleach left over from the rag get all over the cups and lids that I'm filling? It's not like my hands are wet when I'm filling the cups; they just smell like bleach. I'm probably just being paranoid but I just want to be sure. Thanks.
2007-02-08 15:35:26 · 9 answers · asked by Glen N 1 in Dining Out ➔ Other - Dining Out
In the question, I mean to say that am I risk for contaminating others?
2007-02-08 15:47:42 · update #1
Other details: How much is a capful of bleach? Could this cause serious illness? And also, I always try to hold the lid in the hand that I didn't have the cloth in.
2007-02-08 15:59:06 · update #2
It depends on the bleach.If it is household bleach you can drink it and it will only cause vomiting,upset stomach.(not recommended to do but it wont kill you.)If it is business strength or hospital strength it can hurt you and should be rinsed off.
2007-02-15 08:17:31 · answer #1 · answered by -bls 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bleach evaporates pretty quickly, but yes, you could be contaminating some of the cups, etc. How fast the bleach dries depends on the concentration, often when the surface is still damp, the bleach has already evaporated (even when you can still smell it). Most manufacturers and health codes recommend 1-2 Tablespoons per Gallon of water. After 25 years in restaurants I can tell you that you are probably using 100-200 times that concentration. Some managers are strict about it but most just pour bleach into the bucket, or spray bottle.
The good news is that we drink practically the same chlorine, in a much lower concentration, everyday. It is used to purify tap water.
PS once or twice a week, borrow a small amount of hand cream from one of the ladies you work with (trust me, they'll have some). It will save your hands from some nasty cracks,etc.
2007-02-08 23:45:58 · answer #2 · answered by Gordon M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The recommended concentration from the FDA is 50-100 ppm. At that concentration, by the time the water evaporates, the bleach should be gone. If you can smell the bleach on your hands, you may be using too much. To check the concentration, the manager should have a small vial of chlorine test strips. The test strips are white and turn gray to black, with a color chart on the side of the bottle to determine chlorine concentration. If he doesn't have them or know where they are are, then it will be non-critical violation on the next health inspection.
Not having sanitizer (bleach) in the container where the wiping rags are stored in is a non-critical violation. Having too much sanitizer in the container where the wiping rags are stored would be a critical violation under misuse of toxic chemicals.
2007-02-13 08:27:35 · answer #3 · answered by Cary G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as contaminating the cups and such that you handle, it is probably better that you use bleach than not. If all it is is that your hands smell of bleach, then at least they are clean. I would recommend a hand sanitizer, such as Purell to both mosturize your hands and take the small away. As far as the health department is concerned, even if you use straight bleach, it is not a concern. It just means you are going above and beyond what they require.
2007-02-09 01:16:28 · answer #4 · answered by daddyspanksalot 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you can avoid bleach on your hands you should --- food professional for over 30 years --- a good bacteria-preventia soap is better --- your boss should have gloves for you to use when serving the public ==== the bleach smell on you hands comes off to the people you are serving as a sour smell -- so back to good hand washing and the use of gloves for the washing of the counters....good luck and if you try to talk to your boss about this problem please make him think that it was his idea to make any change in the procedures..... it goes down easier that way.
2007-02-08 23:47:49 · answer #5 · answered by XTX 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would use protective gloves if you have to use bleach. Your hands might be holding up at the moment but long term use will make them look old, dry and cracked.
When you get older your hands show your age so look after them with plenty of hand cream and wear rubber gloves. Hands are not easy to give plastic surgery to like a face lift and they are always on show like the face too.
Look after them now.
2007-02-10 05:09:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Gordon M...
it is indeed used everyday to purify tap water
It isn't going to contaminate your or anyone around you but it will make your skin wicked dry...
Get some Neutrogena Hand Cream, this is what big, burly Nordic fishermen use to prevent dry skin after exposure to harsh elements...
2007-02-09 01:48:13 · answer #7 · answered by nackawicbean 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can dry and irritate your skin. Wash and moisturize often.
2007-02-08 23:43:43 · answer #8 · answered by J W 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Only if you don't drink it.
2007-02-09 00:08:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋