Which condition requires you to inform your employer and may prevent you from working?

• A. Infected cuts or wounds
• B. Healthy skin with no symptoms
• C. Minor pimples
• D. Dry hands after washing

Answer: (A)

In food handling, anything that could contaminate food or indicate an illness on the skin must be reported and may keep you from working. An infected cut or wound is a clear example: bacteria from the wound can transfer to food through contact, so you should inform your employer and you may be excluded from work until it’s healed or properly covered. This protects both customers and staff from possible foodborne illness.

Healthy skin with no symptoms isn’t a risk to food safety, so it’s fine to work. Minor pimples that aren’t infected or open typically don’t prevent work, though some workplaces may have rules about covering exposed skin. Dry hands after washing aren’t by themselves a safety red flag, as long as hands are clean and dry before handling food.