The accommodation and food services industry includes businesses that provide short-term accommodation including hotels, motels and camping grounds, as well as food and drink services, such as restaurants, cafes, and pubs.
Workplaces in this industry are often fast-paced and physically demanding which can increase the likelihood of injury. Many employees are casual, part-time, young, or have irregular hours and some may have limited English proficiency. These factors can increase their risk of injury and make it harder for them to understand their work health and safety (WHS) rights and responsibilities. Under the WHS laws, PCBUs must manage the risks to workers in this industry.
Common hazards
Examples of common hazards in the accommodation and food services industry include:
- Hazardous manual handling: heavy lifting and awkward postures can lead to sprains and strains. Examples include:
- reaching for food, plates, or supplies above shoulder height, below mid-thigh, or far from the body
- repetitive cleaning tasks that involve bending or twisting
- bending over to wash large dishes or scrubbing with force
- repetitive movements such as chopping and cutting food which can cause fatigue
- carrying heavy or hot items such as plates and containers
- moving stock or furniture which requires repetitive, awkward, or heavy lifting
- reaching into chest freezers resulting in awkward postures
- prolonged awkward postures can lead to both physical and mental fatigue.
- cuts and amputations from machinery and sharp tools
- electric shocks during the cleaning or use of electrical appliances
- hearing damage from working in noisy environments
- violence and aggression from public interactions, particularly with customers under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- fatigue from long shifts and physically demanding work
- burns from hot surfaces, liquids or chemicals
- slips, trips, and falls in kitchens, bars, and other busy areas including managing the risk of falls.
Learn more about hazardous manual tasks and manual tasks in the food service industry.
Food delivery drivers
Food delivery workers, especially those in the gig economy with short-term temporary work, face unique risks from outdoor work, traffic and public interactions. Additional hazards for these workers include:
- traffic and road hazards from navigating roads on bikes or vehicles
- weather conditions such as heat, cold or rain exposure
- not having proper safety gear
- slips, trips, and falls when delivering food in wet, slippery or hazardous environments.
See Safe Work Australia's website provides food delivery workers, food outlets and platforms with useful work health and safety resources, information and contacts.
Safety tips for e-bike and scooter riders
Charging your e-bike and scooter safely
Hard surfaces
Charging on hard surfaces provides stability and reduces the risk of damage or fire hazards caused by an e-bike or scooter tipping over during charging.
Heat dissipation
Heat dissipation is the process of managing and releasing heat particularly from the batteries and electronic components of e-bikes and scooters. Hard surfaces such as concrete or tiles dissipate heat more effectively than softer surfaces, reducing the risk of overheating.
Fire prevention
Charging on non-flammable surfaces reduces the risk of fires spreading in the case of a battery malfunction.
Monitoring
Avoid charging your e-bike or scooter while you’re sleeping. Charging while you’re awake lets you monitor the process and quickly detect and respond to any overheating or unusual odours. If a battery fire does take place, you can take swift action to minimise damage and keep yourself safe. Being present to manage potential issues provides you with peace of mind for a safer charging experience.
Smoke alarms
Install smoke alarms where e-bikes or scooters are charged or stored.
Correct charger
It’s crucial to use the original charger provided with your e-bike or scooter to prevent overheating.
Responsibilities and duties
The Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WHS Act) and the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 (WHS Regulations) outline the responsibilities and duties relating to workplace health and safety in Western Australia.