Operators Must Be Alert To All Dangers

The deaths of two children in Corfu last year have highlighted safety concerns in the hospitality industry. Since carbon monoxide (CO) is both a colourless and odourless gas, the importance of having equipment regularly checked by professionals can't be overstated. Anyone flouting the regulations faces fines or possible imprisonment. But there are other, more common health and safety considerations for which hospitality operators are responsible, but which they often overlook. One of the biggest hazards is fire. New regulations, which came into force last year and apply to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales, have made it the property owner's responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone in and around the premises. Another common cause of accidents in the sector, which is often dismissed or overlooked, is "slips and trips". These cause the largest number of accidents in any work environment and cost industry £512m a year, according to HSE figures.

The new regulations:

• Apply to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales


• Emphasise preventing fires and reducing risk


• Make it the owner's responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone using the premises and in the immediate vicinity


• State that risk assessments must be undertaken on all premises with five or more employees


• Do away with the need for fire certificates