Five Common Hospitality Industry Injuries and How to Prevent Them
The fast-paced, chaotic nature of working in the hospitality industry means workers face many different risks of injury on the job. Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of hospitality workers suffer workplace injuries that cause them to miss some time from work. Below are some of the most common types of hospitality industry injuries.
Slip/Trip and Falls
Slip and fall or trip and fall rank among the most common types of workplace accidents in the hospitality industry. In the hospitality industry, workers can slip on spilled food or liquids, or can trip over boxes, wires, or other objects on the ground that a busy worker might fail to see. Some of the steps that can be implemented to avoid slip/trip and fall accidents include:
- Posting warning signs in area that frequently have slippery floors
- Using warning tape or markers to make tripping hazards more visible
- Requiring workers to wear sturdy, non-slip footwear
- Placing down signs of identified spills until they can be cleaned up
- Having adequate lighting
- Implementing processes to spotcheck for slip or trip hazards in the workplace.
Lifting
Another common accident suffered in the hospitality industry includes lifting accidents caused by improperly lifting or moving heavy objects, or by having to move heavy items for extended periods of time during the workday. Lifting accidents can normally be prevented by:
- Providing workers with training on proper lifting techniques
- Providing workers with equipment to help with lifting, such as back braces or lifting straps
- Empowering workers to always ask for help with lifting or moving heavy objects
Falling Objects
Being struck by a falling object represents another common workplace injury in the hospitality industry, often caused by items falling from a high shelf either on their own or when a worker goes to retrieve those items. Accidents caused by falling objects can be prevented by:
- Securing objects that are placed on high shelving
- Storing heavier items towards the ground
- Training employees to evenly stack items on shelves
- Using tools or equipment to help remove objects from higher shelves, such a standing on a stool, stepladder, or lift
Falls from Heights
Hospitality workers can also suffer injuries in falls from heights, including falling off of stools or ladders or falling down stairs. The risks of falls from heights can be reduced by:
- Ensuring that steps and railings are in good condition
- Regularly inspecting stools and ladders used by workers
- Training employees to move slowly and deliberately on ladders or up on heights, and never to overreach when on a stool or ladder
Violence/Criminal Activity
Unfortunately, hospitality workers face risks of injury from violence or criminal activity, whether caused by guests or by co-workers. Hospitality services where alcohol is served are especially prone to incidents of violence or crime. Workers can be kept safe from assault or crime by:
- Employing security measures such as surveillance cameras, locks, security personnel, and even designing furniture to help maintain physical distance between staff and guests
- Keeping records of incidents to identify potential areas of concern
- Utilizing staff meetings and having open channels of communication to defuse potential conflict between workers
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Bar/Restaurant Accident Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a bar/restaurant accident in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lawlor, White & Murphey represent clients injured because of bar/restaurant accidents in Coconut Creek, Plantation, Pompano Beach, and Pembroke Pines, and throughout Florida. Call (954) 525-2345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2211 Davie Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, as well as offices in Pembroke Pines, Weston, Coconut Creek, Plantation, and Pompano Beach.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly