Injuries in the hospitality workplace

 

 

Employers and workers need to work together, recognising hazards or potential dangerous situations and making sure injuries are avoided.
Hazards commonly found in hospitality workplaces can cause significant injuries and need careful management, safety awareness, strict work procedures and safety equipment to reduce the risk of harm.
All hospitality workplaces should have access to first aid.
All accidents, incidents, first aid and “near misses” should be reported.
The table below lists some of the more common injuries found in hospitality workplaces and outlines the causes of these injuries as well as the steps that you can take to prevent them.

Types of injuries	Common causes	Make sure you:
Cuts	sharp objects knives broken glass slippery surfaces machinery or electrical appliances such as blenders or slicers	use all guards and protective equipment clean up quickly, safely and properly follow operating instructions use the correct knife for the task responsibly use sharp knives and store them correctly cut away from your body, on a clean, non slip surface turn off all equipment when not in use report any injury or hazard
Slips, trips, falls	slippery floors loose, uneven surfaces poor lighting obstacles on floor spillages poor housekeeping poor maintenance	wear sensible, covered, shoes with a good grip clean up quickly, safely and properly replace equipment when necessary don’t rush use non-slip matting in wet areas report any injury or hazard lift small loads
Burns and scalds	hot surfaces and cooking pots flames steam-coffee machines, microwaves, ovens hot liquids or oil	organise your work area properly do not allow pot handles to protrude use protective equipment such as thermal gloves open doors and lids away from you alert colleagues to heat report any injury or hazard
Manual handling back pain, sprains	awkward posture reaching or stretching repetitive tasks heavy loads lifting improperly	work comfortably push, don’t pull lift small loads and weights hold the load securely and close to your body change tasks and positions regularly use trolleys or teams for lifting heavy loads report any injury or hazard
Chemical exposure	improper storage of chemicals improper use of chemicals inadequate training in chemical safety mixing chemicals inhaling of fumes or gas	use automatic dosing mechanisms for chemicals, such as dishwasher detergents pumps refer to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) before handling chemicals follow instructions for use store chemicals in original containers with accurate labels work in well ventilated areas use personal protective equipment such as gloves, mask, goggles clean spills quickly and completely report any injury or hazard