Free CPD-Accredited Certificate Course Equips Commercial Kitchen Workers with the Hazard Knowledge and OHS Compliance Skills to Stay Safe on Every Shift
Alison has launched a new CPD-accredited certificate course: Kitchen Safety Compliance for Foodservice Workers: Hazards and PPE. This free beginner-level online course gives workers in restaurants, hotels, cafeterias, catering businesses, and other foodservice operations the practical knowledge they need to identify workplace hazards, handle dangerous materials safely, respond to fires and emergencies, select and use the correct PPE, and meet occupational health and safety requirements — all at no cost, with a shareable certificate on completion.
The course covers the full scope of kitchen safety compliance: the legal framework governing occupational health and safety, and what employers, supervisors, and workers are each responsible for; how workplace safety programs, safety committees, and induction training prevent accidents before they happen; WHMIS hazard classes, how to read supplier and workplace labels, and how to use safety data sheets correctly in a commercial kitchen environment; PPE selection for chemical, thermal, and mechanical hazards; fire prevention principles, the fire triangle, fire extinguisher selection and use; chemical spill response; lock-out procedures before cleaning or repairing kitchen equipment; and the compensation rights available to workers under workplace safety legislation.
The Most Dangerous Workplace Nobody Talks About
The commercial kitchen is one of the most hazardous working environments on earth. Open flames, boiling liquids, high-pressure steam equipment, industrial-grade knives, powerful machinery, and potent cleaning chemicals exist in a fast-paced, high-stress environment where a single lapse in attention can cause a serious injury. Burns, lacerations, slips and falls, and chemical exposures are among the most frequently reported workplace injuries in the foodservice sector — and they are disproportionately suffered by the workers least likely to have received formal safety training.
The foodservice industry is one of the world's largest employers, sustaining hundreds of millions of jobs globally across every income level and region. It is also one of the sectors with the highest rates of staff turnover and the lowest rates of structured safety induction — creating a workforce that is perpetually new, often young, and frequently unaware of the OHS rights and responsibilities that are designed to protect them. When a worker does not know how to read a WHMIS label, does not understand the difference between a Class B and Class C fire, or does not know the lock-out procedure before reaching into a piece of equipment, the consequences can be severe and irreversible.
Safety Compliance as a Right, Not a Privilege
Mike Feerick, Founder and CEO of Alison, stated: "No one should have to learn kitchen safety the hard way. The foodservice industry puts millions of people — many of them young, many of them in their first job — into genuinely hazardous environments every single day. This course exists to make sure that every one of those workers, regardless of where they work or how much their employer invests in training, has access to the knowledge they need to stay safe."
This launch adds to Alison's growing portfolio of occupational health, safety, and compliance courses, reinforcing its mission to make critical professional knowledge freely available to workers everywhere.
To learn more or enrol in the course, visit: alison.com/course/kitchen-safety-compliance-for-foodservice-workers-hazards-and-ppe
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About Alison
Alison is a global leader in free online learning and skills development. With over 50 million registered learners across 193 countries (as of October 2025), Alison empowers individuals, communities, and organisations to upskill quickly and effectively – at zero cost.
The Alison platform provides immediate access to over 6,000 free, CPD-accredited courses, covering essential areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Business Operations, Healthcare and Sustainability. Courses are created by a mix of independent experts and global leaders, including IBM, Stanford and Microsoft.
For organisations, Alison offers a Free Learning Management System (LMS) that enables unlimited learners to access thousands of courses with no upfront cost. A premium version with advanced analytics and customisation is also available. Alison's offering includes a full suite of assessments and psychometric tools, including a Workplace Personality Assessment, Mental Health & Wellbeing Assessment, English Language Proficiency Test, as well as Numerical, Verbal, and Abstract Reasoning tests.
To further support career development, learners also gain access to a Career Guide, a Resumé Builder, and the ability to study offline through the Alison App. The platform is also expanding its reach with multilingual versions, starting with complete Spanish, French, and Hindi offerings — reaffirming its mission to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Founded in 2007, Alison pioneered the concept of free, large-scale online learning and is recognised as the world’s first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform. Today, its mission continues: to break down barriers to learning, helping people gain skills, build confidence, and improve their lives — no matter where they live or what they earn.
