Common Hotel Accidents and How To Avoid Them
Unfortunately, accidents happen in every job. However, in the hospitality sector, things can become increasingly complicated – especially if a guest ends up being hurt in an incident. In the following guide, we’ll outline the most common accidents seen in hotels and what you can do to reduce the risks.
What kind of accidents happen in hotels?
Mishaps and accidents frequently seen in hotel environments include:
Slips, trips, and falls
Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive show that falls from a height accounted for a quarter of all the fatal accidents in the workplace from 2020-2021.
Back injuries among staff
Back pain is common and usually occurs if individual attempts to carry heavy loads without comprehensive health and safety training.
Fires
Fire and Rescue Services in the UK attended 174 fires in hotels in 2020-21 alone, with over 295 incidents responded to in the previous year. Hotel kitchens, breakfast buffets, and cigarettes all pose a real threat of fire in any hospitality setting.
Am I responsible?
If you own, manage or direct a hotel, you’re responsible for making sure it is as safe as possible for your staff and visitors. Along with obtaining specialist insurance for your hotel, you must evaluate and control the risks present in the workplace as part of this responsibility.
Sometimes, accidents happen without fault. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help protect your hotel in case the worst happens.
How to prevent accidents
Use barriers
If your hotel boasts a showpiece staircase or balconies, it’s important to make sure these features are fitted with appropriate barriers or other measures to prevent major falls.
Provide PPE
It’s crucial to make sure your staff is fully equipped with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for their roles and responsibilities.
Conduct a risk assessment
By conducting a risk assessment, you can reveal areas where you might be able to do more to protect your employees. A few things to consider could include:
- Your workplace processes, activities, and substances used throughout that could potentially harm the health of your employees
- Asking your employees if they have any concerns about existing hazards
- Checking data sheets or manufacturer’s instructions for equipment used regularly
- Adjusting procedures to meet individual requirements – for example, people with disabilities, new or expectant mothers, or migrant workers
With the right administrative and preventative measures in place, your hotel will be in a much stronger position should it need to deal with the aftermath of a serious accident.
