| hospitality & tourism module . . . |
Slips, trips and falls
Muscle strains and falls, trips and slips are the most common injuries in the hospitality industry.
Slips are the main cause of accidents in kitchens. Floors can become slippery when liquids, grease, food, or other substances are spilt on them, or while being washed. Floors should be cleaned regularly so that oil, fat and other spills do not create an uneven surface that can cause a fall or serious burn. The use of incorrect cleaning products can destroy the non-slip properties and may cause sheet flooring such as vinyl or lino to lift at the seams.
Employers must make sure floors are slip resistant in kitchens, serveries and dining areas.
Objects such as boxes, cartons, bins, and furniture left where people are moving around can also be hazardous. You could trip, stumble or bump into something, resulting in an injury, or objects could fall on you or others when you are near them.
An example of the dangers of an uneven floor can be found in the case study Slips, Trips and Falls in the Hospitality Industry.
It is important that you wear appropriate shoes for the work task and the type of floor surface. It may be necessary to wear rubber-soled shoes for some surfaces like wet tiles to reduce the risk of slipping.
It is also important you check the condition of your shoes. Often accidents happen because there is no tread left on the bottom of shoes or the shoes are not suitable for the work tasks.
