Hospitality businesses face many direct and indirect risks, so it’s good practice to refresh your risk management approach regularly. So, what’s the difference between direct and indirect risks?
Identifying workplace hazards
Direct risks include hazards that are environmental, regulatory, technological, market, staffing, financial, property, and equipment, to name a few. Hazards are things or situations that could harm a person.
Keep a step ahead with risk assessment and planning. Acknowledge that during economic uncertainty, disruption, and the skills shortage, forecasting can be another hazard.
Understanding the risks those hazards pose
Planning and undertaking a risk assessment gives you insights into:
- How past incidents and accidents can be better managed
- Risk severity, including which workers and others could be exposed
- Effectiveness of your existing control measures
- What else do you need to do to minimise and control the risk
Review differences during peak and off peak periods as well as during special events.
Implementing risk controls
Here are some typical risks in hospitality and how to control them:
- Food-borne illness: ensure staff are trained in safe food handling, use reputable suppliers and practice high levels of cleaning and sanitation
- Alcohol-fuelled behaviour: ensure all staff have and follow training in responsible serving of alcohol; offer courtesy transport; have safety and security systems.
- Kitchen fires: regularly check your fire safety equipment, including fire blankets, extinguishers, fire suppression, and sprinkler systems; routinely cooking equipment; train staff about fire risks.
Reviewing and maintaining control measures
Aim to be proactive about risk assessment – it’s a continuous process of assessing, adapting and improving how you operate. For example, you should review your risk control measures after a ‘near miss’ or injury, before introducing new equipment or work processes, and on request from health and safety representatives or stakeholders.
If you would like to know more about assessing risks in hospitality, please CLICK HERE or contact us for more information.