Barista Injuries

ALEIN

Hi All,

I was having a discussion with a friend and we hit on the area on common injuries of Barista's.

I was wondering what your thoughts were on this and what you thought was the most common injury?

I thought it would be being burnt????????????

Look forward to hearing reading the replies.

blanyon

Mine would have to be twisted ankle (but I am a mobile operation so that would be a bit unusual). Second place for me would be general soreness but I spose that doesn't count as an injury. My vote would have to be for burns but that shouldn't occur in a properly designed workspace.

askthecoffeeguy

when I was making 800 plus coffee per day at my old joint I developed a ganglia the size and xhape of half a golf ball on my left wrist which resulted from a burst tendon forming a fluid filled sack! I went to the doc he and recommended cutting it out and I said to way! I eventually ended up treating it with acupuncture (one large needle to burst the sack and others in the area for drainage) - and electric shock treatment vis a held held tens device which I thoroughly recommend! (not the stabbing pain from the needle but the 'simulated massage' from the tens device) Also I've investigated and refined my technique since then and upgrded my equipment that I work with so no further problems since which is pretty good really considering that I'm on my feet 12hrs most days!

ALEIN

Hi askthecoffeeguy, How did you fget the injury was it from the twisting action, weight of the milk jugs or combination of both?

floatncoffee

sore wrist from twisting the steam knob all day.. i made a big wheel plate that bolted up to the knob and it cured it straight away we use our forearm now .. another is sore knees even with anti fatigue mats sometimes it still hurts but mostly it would be burns i would think

askthecoffeeguy

For me it was a combination of twist action for the steam wand combined with excessive tapping of the group handle with the tamper to knick the grind into the basket - the constant vibration through my wrist was I think what did it! Also worn seals meant that I had to use a lot of force to get the handles out - thankfully no such problems now as the new joint us in all ways a much more ergonomic work environment combined with better equipment and a more refined technique = no dramas!

thecafeninja

I got pain in my wrist from continually hitting the bang bang - bit like carpal tunnel. Went away after a couple of months after I stopped making coffee.