Pubs told how to avoid personal injury straight up
With the cold and dark winter nights looming, hospitality venues and pubs have been advised to do all they can to ensure customer and staff health and safety.
According to workplace equipment providers Slingsby, the pub industry pours out millions in personal injury claims every year as a result of trips or falls on their premises.
Therefore, insurers have recommended services to keep walkways clear, put grit down ahead of frost, ensure there are sufficient warning signs if floors are slippery and provide workers with non-slip footwear.
Lee Wright, marketing director at Slingsby, said: “Although they may sound trivial, slips and trips always increase during the winter due to walkways being wet or icy underfoot and the dark nights reducing visibility.
“This is a headache for many hospitality businesses that have to strive to keep employees safe and avoid any potential personal injury claims that can be associated with these types of accidents.
“However the good news is that with a little planning and some common sense such accidents can easily be avoided.”
Hospitality and health and safety
The need for safety where consumers are concerned has swept the nation. Safety spot checks are also being carried out on local shops, pubs and industrial units before the Christmas rush in Taunton.
The services are being checked by Taunton Deane’s Health and Safety Team in conjunction with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services.
Slip and trip hazards, stockroom safety, waste storage, fire precautions, ladder and kick stools, and the use of compactors and bailers are among the items that will come under the team's investigation.
Cllr Tim Slattery, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Health, stated: “With the Christmas rush on its way, owners are stocking up for Christmas. When space is at a premium and stockrooms are full, ensuring staff and public safety is paramount.
“Fires and other avoidable accidents can cause serious injuries and deaths as well as having a detrimental effect on a business, so it's something we take very seriously.
“Both Taunton Deane Borough Council and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service will be carrying out random spot checks to offer advice and guidance in the first instance.
”However, if the advice is not followed we will take enforcement action against those breaching the standards. The safety of people, whether staff or shoppers, is not something we're prepared to compromise on,” he stated.
The checks began in early December and will run all the way through the holiday period in an attempt to ensure local firms are aware of safety rules and are acting within the law.
Chris Hole, Group Manager for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and Jemma Ellery, Acting Principle Environmental Health Officer both agreed that advice and education is the preferred method of helping local companies, but stressed that the advice given must be acted on.
Updated on 12/8/2009