Guides & Toolkits

Closing the Loop: Setting Up a Health & Safety System in Your Small Business (Tourism & Hospitality)

This Stream includes all of our Guides & Toolkits Flipbooks.

Issue link: https://www.wsps.ca/resource-hub/i/1317163

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 29 of 43

30 Workplace Safety & Prevention Services Tourism & Hospitality: Closing the Loop: Setting Up a Health & Safety System in Your Small Business common Hazards (continued) Burns Burns from hot surfaces, water, oil and food are common causes of injury in the restaurant or hospitality workplace. Protect your staff with these proper precautions: Make sure staff is properly trained to prepare/handle hot items Check, repair and report on equipment regularly Fit splash guards around hot surfaces Provide properly fitted lids or covers Provide appropriate personal protective equipment, such as oven mitts for extra protection Pathways around the equipment need to be clear, clean and dry at all times Heat Stress A common threat to those working indoors in commercial kitchens or outside on the grounds is heat stress. Some guidelines for reducing the risk of heat stress in the workplace and to considerably cool things down, would be to: Determine appropriate work-rest schedules Schedule work to limit exposure in extreme heat; alternate work and rest with frequent rest breaks Know the warning signs and symptoms Keep hydrated and well-rested, in a cool, ventilated rest area. Always pair workers if there is a risk of heat stress Dress for the heat and wear protective equipment Workplace Hazardous materials Information System (WHmIS) The Right to Know is the premise on which WHMIS is based. It is a system that is used throughout North America to ensure consistent labelling and categorizing of hazardous materials. Employees must receive WHMIS training, which allows them to recognize hazards identified on warning labels and Material Safety Data Sheets; to safely handle, store and dispose of these materials; and to apply appropriate first aid should they come into contact with these materials. As the employer, you need to ensure that you: Maintain an inventory of all hazardous substances used in the workplace Maintain up-to-date Material Safety Data Sheets (you can get these from suppliers and manufacturers) and make them accessible to employees Ensure hazardous substances are properly labelled Provide appropriate personal protective equipment related to the use of these substances Provide workplace and job-specific WHMIS training Working Alone Working alone, day or night, poses its own particular set of risks. To minimize these risks, it's important to: Have someone maintain regular contact with the employee Keep emergency phone numbers accessible and up-to-date Keep back doors closed

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Guides & Toolkits - Closing the Loop: Setting Up a Health & Safety System in Your Small Business (Tourism & Hospitality)