Workplace Safety Ranking for the Hospitality Sector
The Compensation Experts, a leading UK-based firm, recently published a report titled 'The Workplace Safety Index', which sheds light on the attitudes towards safety in the workplace by employees and employers in the hospitality sector. The report highlights the challenges faced by hospitality workers in the past 12 months due to the pandemic.
According to the report, the conditions of buildings, floors, and machinery in the hospitality sector have safety scores of 8.2, 8, and 7.7 respectively. However, the average UK hospitality worker stated a workplace safety score of 7.6 on a scale of 1-10.
The report found that 42% of hospitality workers have suffered a workplace accident, and only 39% felt their employer took social distancing rules seriously. These findings resulted in an alarming 39% of UK workers feeling unsafe in their place of work.
The report also did not provide details on the nature or severity of any workplace accidents or incidents, nor did it specify the nature or severity of the workplace accidents suffered by 42% of hospitality workers. It is not clear if the report includes data from before or after the pandemic, or if the safety ratings are based on the respondents' overall perception of safety or specific incidents.
The report did not provide information on the specific measures taken by employers in the hospitality sector to ensure safety during the pandemic. However, it is known that workplace processes in the hospitality sector were forced to change to stay within government guidelines during the pandemic.
Safety measures in the operation of machinery in the gastronomy industry include ensuring that process flows are not blocked by heavy machines or shelving, maintaining accessibility, and compliance with occupational safety regulations issued by statutory accident insurance institutions. These include proper kitchen layout for accident prevention and ergonomics, fire protection, adequate ventilation, and space requirements tailored by regional regulations. Additionally, appropriate protective equipment such as gloves, eye, and hearing protection are used when handling cleaning agents for machines to prevent injuries.
PPE equipment in the hospitality sector has a safety score of 8.1, suggesting that the sector is making strides in providing protective equipment to its workers. Despite this, there is still a significant concern about safety in the workplace, as highlighted by the report's findings.
The report by The Compensation Experts provides a valuable insight into the current state of workplace safety in the UK hospitality sector. It serves as a call to action for employers to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of their employees, ensuring that they feel safe and secure in their place of work.
