How To Keep On Top Of Health And Safety In Hospitality

Health and safety is a vital part of any workplace, and the hospitality industry is no different. Whether you’re employing staff in a hotel, restaurant or bar, it is your duty to ensure workers are fully protected against any hazards they may face day-to-day. From slips and falls to injuries from incorrect use of equipment, most of the hazards in catering and hospitality can be avoided with the correct risk assessment and PPE. If you’re looking for further information on hospitality health and safety, look no further. Here at MI Supplies we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to detail the top risks your workers face, and what you can do to help eliminate them.

What are the key things to consider?

There are a number of hazards to consider for those working in hospitality. Hazards will, of course, depend on your particular workplace, but include;

• Slips and falls
• Heat hazards
• Lifting and manual handling
• Cuts from knives and kitchen equipment
• Contact with hazardous chemicals

Managing slips, trips and falls

The most common injury or hazard in hospitality is the risk of a slip, trip or fall. These can be caused by spillages of food or drink in a kitchen or wires from equipment being left as an obstruction. It is vital to ensure that any spillages are cleaned up quickly and efficiently, and equipment and wires are stored safely away from workers. Ensuring staff are prepared with appropriate footwear is also hugely important. Specialist catering shoes are available, providing exceptional grip in potentially hazardous locations. Food safety wellingtons may also be required for those working in the warehouse.

Managing heat hazards

There are two kinds of heat hazards to be aware of in the hospitality industry: direct hazards such as burns from equipment, and temperature hazards in hot kitchens. To minimise the risk of direct heat injury, kitchen workers should always be fully trained to use appliances and equipment. PPE also comes into play here - chefs should be equipped with appropriate catering clothing and gloves to ensure their hands and bodies are protected. The temperature in the workplace must also be considered. It is inevitable that your kitchen will become hot quickly, so make sure the workplace is well ventilated with a constant air flow and an efficient extraction system.

Lifting and manual handling

Manual handling risks need considering in any workplace. Lifting heavy items incorrectly can cause back pain and injury, yet this can often be avoided. From kitchen staff and bar staff to waiters, it is important to make sure workers are given training detailing how to perform risk assessment, along with the correct ways in which to lift heavy objects. The following PDF from HSE on Preventing Manual Handling Injuries To Catering Staff covers the risks faced, along with advice for both employers and employees on how to minimise and prevent lifting related injuries.

Knife and cut hazards in hospitality

From chefs and bar workers to pot washers, there are knife hazards for everyone working in the catering industry. Again, training is paramount - all staff who will come into contact with knives or sharp equipment should be adequately trained to handle them. Knives in the kitchen should be well looked after to minimise any risk. This includes storing them safely and ensuring they are never left loose on a worktop. Knives should always be carried and handled correctly - away from the body, and with the blade pointing down. Knives should also only ever be used for their intended purpose, and if kitchen workers need to sharpen knives protective gloves should be supplied.

Managing contact with hazardous chemicals

It is paramount in the catering industry to keep the workplace clean. This means it is inevitable that those working in hospitality will encounter potentially hazardous chemicals such as drain cleaners, bleaches and sanitisers. Cleaning materials all pose a risk if they come in contact with the skin, so the appropriate PPE is vital for those handling chemicals. Gloves should be worn at all times when handling chemicals and, depending on the job, face and eye protection may also be needed.

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For further ways to keep on top of health and safety in the workplace, be sure to explore the full hospitality clothing and accessories collection at MI Supplies. From catering protective headwear to ensure hygienic preparation of food to catering hearing protection you can find everything you need to keep staff safe and protected at work.