The hospitality industry is a vital part of Australia’s economy. According to Tourism Research Australia, almost 250,000 Australians work in cafes, restaurants, clubs and bars. These occupations carry a slew of unique workplace health and safety challenges that every employer and worker needs to be mindful of daily.

Devising an effective WHS strategy and practical processes and procedures for the hospitality industry requires careful consideration. So, what are the key things for businesses to focus on, and how can their processes be adapted to ensure every employee makes it home safe at the end of the day? Workers in the hospitality sector face a large number of unique WHS risks.

Understanding Employee Demographics

Hospitality is comprised of many different kinds of people, many of whom entered this industry at a young age (15-24).

The relatively low skill set, and level of experience required for customer service roles in the industry makes them a natural fit for students looking for part-time work while in school or university, or people seeking opportunities to gain early work experience.

There are both positive and potentially negative factors to consider when employing young people.

On the plus side, their enthusiasm, energy levels and eagerness to learn can result in highly effective workers, people with growing minds that can quickly pick up new tasks and responsibilities. Hiring people on a casual or part-time basis can also be a good way to maintain and control salaries.

The flipside of this is a comparative lack of experience and maturity. A lack of well-developed skills and training can leave younger workers vulnerable to hazards that more experienced employees would easily avoid. In Queensland, for example, WorkCover notes that 45 per cent of all workers’ compensation claims in hospitality are made by workers under 30 years old.

“Young workers are often still getting used to a particular type of work and don’t exercise the same precaution as an older, more experienced worker as they tend to be unaware of the associated risks,” says Melissa Steadman, WorkCover Queensland industry manager. “It is important to ensure that their workplace health and safety induction is thorough, and that refresher training is completed regularly.”