Working Procedures » Health and Safety

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

Health and safety legislation in the travel and tourism industry
Common workplace hazards and risks
Risk assessment procedures
Emergency procedures and evacuation plans
Staff responsibilities for health and safety
Customer safety in different tourism environments

Introduction to Health and Safety in Travel & Tourism

Health and safety is a crucial aspect of the travel and tourism industry. Whether you're working in a hotel, at an airport, on a cruise ship, or as a tour guide, keeping both staff and customers safe is a top priority. Poor health and safety practices can lead to accidents, injuries, legal issues and damage to a company's reputation.

Key Definitions:

Health and Safety: Procedures and precautions put in place to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related illnesses.
Hazard: Anything that could cause harm (e.g., wet floors, faulty electrical equipment).
Risk: The chance that someone could be harmed by a hazard and how serious that harm might be.
Risk Assessment: The process of identifying hazards and evaluating the risks they pose.

Health and Safety Legislation

In the UK, several laws govern health and safety in the workplace:

§ Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

This is the main piece of legislation covering workplace health and safety in the UK. It sets out the general duties that:

Employers have towards employees and the public
Employees have to themselves and to each other
Certain self-employed have towards themselves and others

§ Other Important Regulations

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999: Requires employers to carry out risk assessments
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992: Covers basics like ventilation, temperature, lighting and cleanliness
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992: Covers lifting and carrying

Common Workplace Hazards in Travel and Tourism

The travel and tourism industry has unique hazards depending on the specific workplace:

! Hotels and Accommodation

Slips, trips and falls
Manual handling injuries
Chemical hazards from cleaning products
Food safety issues
Fire risks

! Transport Services

Moving vehicles
Luggage handling injuries
Passenger safety during transit
Extreme weather conditions
Vehicle maintenance issues

! Tourist Attractions

Crowd control
Equipment safety
Access issues
Environmental hazards
Activity-specific risks

Risk Assessment Procedures

Risk assessment is a systematic process that helps identify hazards and implement control measures. In travel and tourism, risk assessments should be carried out regularly to ensure the safety of both staff and customers.

✓ The 5 Steps of Risk Assessment

Identify the hazards: Look for things that could cause harm
Decide who might be harmed and how: Staff, customers, contractors, etc.
Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions: How likely is harm to occur and how severe would it be?
Record your findings and implement them: Document the assessment and put control measures in place
Review your assessment and update if necessary: Regularly check if anything has changed

⊕ Control Measures

When deciding on control measures, follow this hierarchy:

Eliminate: Remove the hazard completely if possible
Substitute: Replace with something less hazardous
Engineering controls: Redesign the process or equipment
Administrative controls: Change the way people work
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Last resort when other controls aren't enough

Case Study Focus: Hotel Fire Safety

In 2017, a major hotel chain in the UK implemented enhanced fire safety procedures following a review of their risk assessments. They identified that many staff were unsure of evacuation procedures and fire exit routes were sometimes blocked with cleaning equipment.

Actions taken included:

Monthly fire drills for all staff
Clear signage for fire exits
Designated fire wardens on each floor
Regular checks to ensure fire exits remain clear
Updated emergency procedures in multiple languages for international guests

When a small kitchen fire broke out in 2018, the hotel was evacuated in under 3 minutes with no injuries reported.

Emergency Procedures

Every travel and tourism business must have clear emergency procedures in place. These procedures should be documented, communicated to all staff and regularly practised.

Key Emergency Procedures

Fire evacuation: Clear routes, assembly points, roll calls
First aid: Trained first aiders, first aid kits, accident reporting
Dealing with accidents: Recording, reporting, investigating
Security threats: Suspicious packages, bomb threats, terrorist incidents
Natural disasters: Floods, earthquakes, extreme weather (especially relevant for international tourism)

All emergency procedures should be:

Written down clearly
Communicated to all staff during induction
Regularly practised through drills
Updated when necessary
Available in multiple languages where appropriate

Staff Responsibilities for Health and Safety

Everyone in a travel and tourism business has responsibilities for health and safety:

♀ Employer Responsibilities

Provide a safe working environment
Carry out risk assessments
Provide information, instruction, training and supervision
Consult with employees on health and safety matters
Provide appropriate PPE when necessary
Report certain accidents and incidents (RIDDOR)
Display the Health and Safety Law poster

♂ Employee Responsibilities

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety
Take reasonable care not to put others at risk
Cooperate with their employer on health and safety
Use equipment and materials properly
Not interfere with or misuse anything provided for health and safety
Report hazards and concerns to supervisors
Follow training and instructions

Customer Safety in Different Tourism Environments

Keeping customers safe is a vital part of providing good service in the travel and tourism industry. Different environments present different challenges:

Special Considerations for Customer Safety

♥ Vulnerable Customers

Extra care should be taken for:

Children
Elderly people
People with disabilities
Non-English speakers

&plane; Adventure Tourism

Additional safety measures for:

Equipment checks
Qualified instructors
Clear safety briefings
Weather monitoring
Emergency response plans

⊛ International Travel

Consider:

Local laws and regulations
Cultural differences
Language barriers
Local health risks
Emergency contacts

Case Study Focus: Adventure Tourism Safety

A zip-lining company in Wales implemented comprehensive safety procedures after a near-miss incident in 2019. Their approach now includes:

Triple-checking of all equipment before each use
Weight restrictions clearly communicated
Mandatory safety briefings with demonstrations
Two staff members present at all times
Regular staff training on emergency rescues
Daily weather assessments
Clear communication procedures between platforms

Since implementing these measures, the company has maintained a perfect safety record and customer satisfaction has increased by 15%.

Summary

Health and safety is not just about following rules – it's about creating a culture where everyone takes responsibility for keeping themselves and others safe. In the travel and tourism industry, good health and safety practices:

Protect staff and customers from harm
Reduce the risk of legal issues and compensation claims
Improve customer confidence and satisfaction
Enhance the reputation of the business
Create a positive working environment

Remember, health and safety is everyone's responsibility and taking it seriously is essential for success in the travel and tourism industry.