Workplace Health and Safety

Workplace Health and Safety Student Program
Hospitality and Tourism Industry (Continued)

Electricity

The proper maintenance and installation of electrical equipment, cords and power points, as well as their proper use are important factors in eliminating electrical hazards in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry.

Electricity and water don't mix #0151 this includes other liquids. Bare feet and wet skin lower the body's electrical resistance. Keep electrical appliances away from water and wet areas.

Electric shock occurs when a person becomes part of an electrical circuit and the current flows through their body. A fatal shock is called electrocution.

General safety precautions in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry include:

keeping equipment in safe working order through inspection and preventative maintenance programs;
disconnection of faulty equipment and replacement of frayed cords or damaged power points;
switching off equipment at the power point before pulling out the plug;
using a power board with individual switches instead of double adapters. Taking care not to overload circuits and fuses by using too many appliances from the one power point;
keeping electrical cords off the floor to reduce the risk of damage from drag or contact with sharp objects. A damaged electrical cord can cause a fatal electric shock;
using electrical equipment according to its instruction booklet; and
employing only licensed electrical workers to perform electrical work. This includes new electrical installations and alterations, and repairs to existing installations. An unqualified person should not be employed to undertake electrical work.

Hazardous Substances

Hazardous substances are dangerous. How dangerous depends on the type of substance, what it is made of, the way it enters the body, and the amount of substance that enters the body.

Your workplace may use a lot of different hazardous substances. Some may be things you see every day such as cleaning solvents and powders, paint, or glue.

A hazardous substance can be any substance, whether solid, liquid or gas, that may cause harm to you.

Harm to health may occur suddenly. Some people can be more susceptible than others.

We use hazardous substances almost every day of our lives. It may be antiseptic for a cut, paint for the walls, or a cleaning product for the bathroom or toilet. They may seem harmless, but even these ordinary things can make you very sick if they are used incorrectly.

Material Safety Data Sheet

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provides detailed information on a hazardous substance. It gives more details than a label. MSDSs are provided for your employer by the manufacturers and suppliers of hazardous substances.

If you need more information on what you are using, ask your supervisor or safety and health representative for an MSDS.

Your employer must keep a register of all hazardous substances used on the site. Where you are to work with certain hazardous substances the appropriate MSDS should be available near the work area for consultation when needed. It is important that hazardous substances in workplaces are used according to:

the manufacturer or supplier's written instructions, (the MSDS); and
agreed safe work procedures.

First aid treatment for hazardous substances should be part of your training.

It is the responsibility of your employer to provide you with safe work procedures for handling hazardous substances and to provide information, training and supervision.

The most common hazardous substances in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry are chemicals. Chemical products, such as cleaning agents, are used daily.

If you do not use them correctly, including using the appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing correctly, you may suffer symptoms of dizziness, nausea, itchy eyes or itchy skin almost immediately or other symptoms such as dermatitis or cancer gradually, over a much longer period of time.

Your supervisor should tell you how to use a chemical safely and follow instructions on the material safety data sheet (MSDS).

Ways to reduce the risk:

follow safe work procedures;
always wear the appropriate safety equipment provided by your employer;
do not eat, drink or smoke while working with a hazardous substance;
do not keep food or drink near the substance;
wash your hands and face and other exposed areas with soap and water before going to the toilet or eating and drinking; and
read the manufacturer or supplier's written instructions.

First Aid

First aid treatment for hazardous substances should be part of your training.

For skin contact - wash with soap and water, rinse with clean water.

For eye contact - hold eye open under running water for at least 15 minutes.

For swallowing - inform your supervisor or health and safety representative immediately or ring the Poisons Information Centre 131126.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is an inflammation that occurs when a substance comes into contact with the skin. The skin is irritated and there is an abnormal reaction. This might include itching, cracking or splitting of the skin.

A range of substances can cause contact dermatitis, including:

industrial chemicals;
manufactured products;
metal objects; and
natural plant and animal products.

Some occupations such as food handlers, have a higher risk of contact dermatitis. For example, substances such as cleaning fluids and detergents can contain chemicals which may cause irritations in some workers.

Different people will react differently to each substance and some workers may not be affected by them at all.

Heat Stress

Heat stress does not happen only when a person is working outside in summer. In the Hospitality and Tourism Industry a person can suffer from heat stress from working in a hot workplace such as a laundry, kitchen, or boiler room.

The cooking process and the need to serve food hot often causes high temperatures and humidity in kitchens and serveries. Both can affect the health, comfort and efficiency of kitchen staff.

Extraction fans may not be enough to properly ventilate all parts of the work area . Additional extractor fans may be necessary with air inlets situated to make sure that there is air movement in the whole work area.

The effects of heat stress range from simple discomfort to life-threatening illnesses such as heat stroke. Heat stress reduces work capacity and efficiency. Signs of heat stress include tiredness, irritability, inattention and muscular cramps.

Ways to reduce the risk:

ensure that your indoor work areas are adequately ventilated, including extraction of air where necessary;
replace fluid lost through perspiration by drinking water, juices or soft drinks frequently;
take rest breaks in a cool place; and
wear appropriate clothing.