Working in hospitality means making an experience as enjoyable for customers as possible. This duty is by no means easy – and sometimes, it can be dangerous. Hospitality industry accidents can happen, and they can lead to painful injuries and devastating illnesses.
However, there are ways to prevent them and stay safe on the job.
Common hospitality hazards and injuries
Backing up, we will look at some of the more common situations or conditions that can cause an accident injuring hospitality workers.
- Slip-and-fall accidents on wet floors in bathrooms, pools, kitchens or lobbies
- Burns from fires, hot kitchen equipment or chemicals
- Sprains or strains from lifting luggage or moving heavy equipment
- Repetitive motion injuries from actions like vacuuming or typing
- Head injuries caused by falling objects
These conditions can be painful and prevent people from working for days, weeks or longer.
Preventing unsafe conditions to protect workers
Considering how disruptive and painful a work-related accident or injury can be, making every effort to prevent them can be crucial. Some common ways to keep hospitality workers safe include:
- Ensuring walkways and entryways are clear and dry
- Putting up warning signs around wet surfaces
- Closing off access to dangerous environments
- Taking frequent breaks during strenuous or repetitive tasks
- Fixing broken or burned out lighting
Employers would also be wise to properly train all workers in safety procedures regarding:
- Food preparation
- Lifting heavy objects
- Using potentially toxic chemicals
- Fall prevention
Understanding the risks of working in hospitality and how workers and employers can prevent them can help people stay safe on the job.
What if an accident still happens?
Unfortunately, accidents can still happen due to failed precautions, mistakes or simply bad luck. Should this happen to you, report the incident to your employer and see a doctor.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you can also pursue workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits partially replace your wages and cover medical expenses related to your work accident. Our workers’ compensation attorneys are available to answer your questions and pursue benefits on your behalf. There are no fees unless we win your case.