Question

A food handler is washing his or her hands when the manager notices a lesion containing pus on one of the food handler's fingers. The manager should ensure that the food handler:

a) Puts on gloves
b) Continues washing hands
c) Stops handling food immediately
d) Wraps the lesion with a bandage

Answer 1

To prevent contamination, the manager should ensure that the food handler with a lesion containing pus stops handling food immediately. The lesion should be properly covered, and the food handler may need to wear gloves if necessary for tasks not involving food contact.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a food handler has a lesion containing pus on a finger, the manager should ensure that the food handler stops handling food immediately. This is essential to prevent the spread of pathogens and to ensure food safety. The food handler should be directed to cover the lesion with a clean and secure bandage, and then, if necessary, wear gloves before resuming any tasks that do not involve direct contact with food or utensils.

Having pus in a lesion indicates a potential bacterial infection, which is a health hazard in a food preparation area. Proper handwashing is a critical measure to prevent the spread of pathogens, but in the case of a purulent wound, avoiding direct contact with food and food contact surfaces is a priority until the wound is properly treated and covered. This aligns with guidelines provided by public health authorities, which stress the importance of preventing contamination from a variety of sources including wounds and infections.