COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Work Safely in the Hospitality Industry course. This course is designed to help you understand the key safety practices required to maintain a safe and compliant workplace. The hospitality industry is fast-paced and dynamic, often involving a variety of risks, from kitchen safety concerns to dealing with customers. Ensuring a safe environment is essential for protecting both employees and customers while complying with Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations. In this course, we will cover the legal obligations and roles of both employers and employees in fostering a culture of safety within hospitality settings.
Identifying common hazards is an important step in creating a safe work environment. In hospitality, workers are exposed to physical hazards such as wet floors, sharp objects, and hot surfaces, chemical hazards like cleaning agents, and environmental hazards including noise and extreme temperatures. This section will teach you how to recognise these hazards and take proactive steps to manage and reduce risks.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential in preventing injuries in hospitality. Workers may need gloves, aprons, non-slip shoes, and other forms of PPE depending on their role. You will learn about the correct use and maintenance of PPE, as well as the legal requirements for ensuring PPE compliance in hospitality settings.
Manual handling and safe lifting techniques are key to preventing injuries when lifting heavy food supplies or equipment. This section will provide guidance on safe lifting practices, how to prevent musculoskeletal injuries, and the use of mechanical aids and trolleys to reduce physical strain.
Fire safety is critical in hospitality, particularly in kitchens where the risk of fire is elevated. You will explore fire prevention strategies, safe use of fire extinguishers and emergency equipment, and how to conduct fire evacuation drills to ensure everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency.
Food safety and hygiene are paramount in the hospitality industry. Following Australian Food Safety Standards (FSANZ) is critical to prevent foodborne illnesses. You will learn how to prevent cross-contamination during food preparation, safely handle and store food, and adhere to hygiene practices to maintain a clean and sanitary environment.
The safe use of kitchen equipment is essential for preventing accidents in hospitality settings. This section will cover how to operate kitchen appliances such as ovens, fryers, and slicers safely, the importance of regular equipment maintenance and inspections, and how to respond to equipment malfunctions to prevent hazards.
Chemical safety is another key concern in hospitality, where cleaning agents and other hazardous substances are commonly used. You will learn about the safe handling and storage of chemicals, how to use Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for hazardous substances, and the proper disposal of hazardous materials to ensure a safe working environment.
Slips, trips, and falls are common in hospitality due to wet or greasy floors. This section will focus on identifying and managing slippery surfaces, maintaining clear walkways, and using non-slip mats and signage in high-risk areas to prevent accidents.
Safe food storage and temperature control are vital for maintaining food safety. You will learn about the safe temperature ranges for storing perishable foods, how to monitor and maintain fridge and freezer temperatures, and best practices for labelling and rotating food inventory to ensure compliance with food safety standards.
Managing workplace violence and aggressive customers is another important topic in hospitality. You will learn de-escalation techniques to handle difficult customers, how to report and document incidents of workplace violence, and personal safety measures to protect staff in conflict situations.
Safe cash handling procedures are essential to reduce the risk of injury and financial loss. This section will cover how to implement secure cash handling practices, prevent theft and robbery, and reduce risks associated with repetitive cash handling tasks.
Security and theft prevention are also key concerns in hospitality. You will learn how to recognise and prevent theft, including staff theft and shoplifting, implement security measures such as CCTV and access controls, and manage suspicious behaviour or potential threats in the workplace.
Infection control and hygiene practices are crucial, particularly in food and beverage preparation areas. This section will teach you about hand hygiene, the correct use of PPE, and the cleaning and sanitising procedures required to prevent public health risks such as the flu or pandemics.
Waste management and sustainability are increasingly important in the hospitality industry. You will learn how to safely dispose of kitchen waste and hazardous materials, implement recycling practices, and reduce the environmental impact of daily operations through energy and water conservation.
Finally, continuous improvement of safety practices is essential to maintaining a safe workplace over time. You will learn how to conduct regular safety audits and inspections, gather feedback from staff and customers to improve safety protocols, and review and update safety measures based on new risks and regulations.
By the end of this course, you will have the skills and knowledge needed to work safely in the hospitality industry, ensuring a safe environment for both employees and customers while maintaining compliance with WHS regulations and industry standards.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Safety in the Hospitality Industry
- Understanding Workplace Safety in Hospitality
- Legal Obligations Under Australian WHS Regulations
- Roles and Responsibilities of Employers and Employees in Hospitality Safety
2. Identifying Common Hazards in Hospitality Settings
- Physical Hazards
- Chemical Hazards
- Environmental Hazards
3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Hospitality
- Types of PPE for Hospitality Workers
- Proper Use and Maintenance of PPE
- Legal Requirements for PPE in Hospitality
4. Manual Handling and Safe Lifting Techniques
- Safe Lifting Practices in Hospitality
- Preventing Musculoskeletal Injuries
- Use of Mechanical Aids and Trolleys for Lifting and Transporting Items
5. Fire Safety in Hospitality Environments
- Fire Prevention Strategies in Kitchens and Dining Areas
- Safe Use of Fire Extinguishers and Emergency Fire Equipment
- Fire Evacuation Procedures and Drills
6. Food Safety and Hygiene Standards
- Australian Food Safety Standards (FSANZ)
- Preventing Cross-Contamination in Food Preparation
- Safe Handling, Storage, and Cooking of Food
7. Safe Use of Kitchen Equipment
- Operating Kitchen Appliances Safely
- Equipment Maintenance and Inspections
- Responding to Equipment Malfunctions and Hazards
8. Chemical Safety in Hospitality
- Safe Handling and Storage of Cleaning Chemicals
- Using Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for Hazardous Substances
- Proper Disposal of Hazardous Chemicals
9. Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention
- Identifying and Managing Slippery Surfaces
- Maintaining Clear Walkways and Aisles
- Using Non-Slip Mats and Signage in High-Risk Areas
10. Safe Food Storage and Temperature Control
- Safe Temperature Ranges for Storing Perishable Foods
- Monitoring and Maintaining Fridge and Freezer Temperatures
- Proper Labelling and Rotation of Food Inventory
11. Managing Workplace Violence and Aggressive Customers
- De-escalation Techniques for Handling Difficult Customers
- Reporting and Documenting Incidents of Workplace Violence
- Personal Safety Measures for Hospitality Staff
12. Safe Cash Handling Procedures
- Reducing Risks of Injury from Repetitive Cash Handling
- Implementing Secure Cash Handling Practices
- Preventing Theft and Robbery in Hospitality Settings
13. Security and Theft Prevention in Hospitality
- Recognising and Preventing Theft in Hospitality
- Implementing Security Measures
- Managing Suspicious Behaviour and Threats
14. Infection Control and Hygiene in Hospitality
- Hand Hygiene and PPE Use in Food and Beverage Preparation
- Cleaning and Sanitising Workspaces and Equipment
- Managing Public Health Risks
15. Waste Management and Sustainability in Hospitality
- Safe Disposal of Kitchen Waste and Hazardous Materials
- Recycling and Reducing Environmental Impact
- Energy and Water Conservation in Hospitality Operations
16. Continuous Improvement of Safety Practices
- Conducting Regular Safety Audits and Inspections
- Gathering Feedback from Staff and Customers to Improve Safety
- Reviewing and Updating Safety Protocols Based on New Risks and Regulations
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.