The hospitality industry includes:
- accommodation providers
- cafes and restaurants
- takeaway food services
- pubs, clubs, taverns and bars.
Injuries
The most common injuries to workers in the hospitality industry are from:
- muscular and musculoskeletal trauma
- slips and trips
- cuts and burns
- exposure to heat and/or cold
- electrical hazards
- hitting or being hit by an object
- mental stress
- fatigue.
The most common injuries affect:
- upper limbs (42%)
- trunk (18%)
- lower limbs (15%)
- head (6%)
- psychological injury (4%).
Employer responsibilities
Employers must:
- give employees all necessary information, instruction, training and supervision to do their work safely
- provide and maintain a safe working environment
- ensure the conduct of the business does not endanger workers and customers
- be familiar with the Codes of Practice that govern certain types of work in this industry.
Worker responsibilities
Workers must:
- take reasonable care of your health and safety in the workplace
- take reasonable care not to adversely impact the health and safety of co-workers and customers
- cooperate with your employer to maintain health and safety in your workplace
- report any incidents or hazards to your supervisor
- wear and maintain in good order any personal protective equipment connected with your work.
Hazards
Common hazards that workers in this industry are exposed to include:
- exposure to heat, electrical devices and sharp objects
- excessive loud noises
- demanding and aggressive customers
- long hours standing
- unorthodox or impromptu work spaces.
Staying safe in the workplace
To address some of the common hazards encountered in the hospitality industry we have guidance materials on topics such as:
