The hospitality industry is one that can be hazardous. This is an industry that is fast-paced, public-facing, and tiring, which means that accidents and injuries can happen. While sometimes these are unavoidable, you will also find that often they could have been prevented and it could be the fault of the employer. So, what are the most common injuries in hospitality?
Slips, Trips & Falls
The most common form of injury in hospitality is slips, trips, and falls accounting for 29% of non-fatal injuries. This is hardly surprising with workers having to navigate busy, fast-paced environments where food and drink are being served. Spillages leading to slippery surfaces can be hard to avoid in certain environments, so it is key that processes are in place to handle spillages including signs and fast cleaning.
Lifting/Handling
Lifting and handling injuries account for 22% of all non-fatal injuries in hospitality. Often, these are muscle injuries that occur from workers having to continuously lift and carry items over a prolonged period of time. The key to the prevention of these injuries is ensuring that staff is trained on safe lifting and apparatus is used for heavy lifting. Additionally, staff needs to be taking regular breaks and have a manageable workload.
Struck by an Object
In hospitality, 10% of injuries result from being struck by an object. This can result in minor, superficial injuries like bruises and cuts or lead to more serious issues like concussions or vision problems. These injuries can be avoided by making sure that items not on the ground level are secured, not working under moving loads and pallet trucks and trolleys sticking to designated routes. For those that suffer an injury at work that is not their fault, you may want to make a personal injury claim with a specialist lawyer to recover damages.
Acts of Violence
Acts of violence are also more common in hostility than other sectors and account for 7% of accidents at work. This is because those in hospitality are often in face-to-face roles and often in places where the public will be intoxicated. Prevention can be tricky here, but training staff on how to deescalate confrontations and physical security measures like CCTV and security guards can make a big difference.
It is clear that the hospitality industry can be a hazardous one for employees with a wide range of threats. Often, these injuries could be prevented and it is down to the employer to create a safe work environment for staff. Sometimes, these accidents and injuries are unavoidable due to the nature of the work, but it is still essential to make safety a priority as the work can be dangerous and staff needs to be protected.