{"id":267,"date":"2020-04-27T15:57:54","date_gmt":"2020-04-27T15:57:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/chapter\/occupational-health-and-safety-in-tourism\/"},"modified":"2022-01-10T14:12:20","modified_gmt":"2022-01-10T14:12:20","slug":"occupational-health-and-safety-in-tourism","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/chapter\/occupational-health-and-safety-in-tourism\/","title":{"raw":"11.5 Occupational Health and Safety in Tourism","rendered":"11.5 Occupational Health and Safety in Tourism"},"content":{"raw":"So far\u00a0we have primarily discussed risk management from a client\/guest perspective.\u00a0However, substantial effort in a tourism and hospitality operation must be put into managing worker safety as well. Responsibilities for worker safety are generally legislated by occupational health and safety laws, which clearly dictate safety standards. Employers who fail to\u00a0adhere to these standards may be penalized or fined\u00a0(WorkSafeBC, 2015a).\r\n\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"653\"]WorkSafeBC[\/pb_glossary] is the provincial organization for occupational health and safety in BC. It is an independent agency managed by a board of directors who are appointed by government. The mandate of WorkSafeBC is to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Promote the prevention of workplace injury, illness, and disease<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Rehabilitate those who are injured and provide timely return to work<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Provide fair compensation to replace workers' loss of wages while recovering from injuries<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Ensure sound financial management for a viable workers\u2019 compensation system (2015b)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThere was an average of 4300 tourism and hospitality WorkSafeBC claims each year from 2014 to 2018, which is slightly below the average of all sectors within BC. (WorkSafeBC, 2020c). To reduce these claims and protect workers, WorkSafeBC has an extensive worker safety program with educational resources and training programs available. A partnership with go2HR \u2014 the tourism and hospitality human resources organization \u2014 has been developed to raise awareness in tourism and hospitality about worker safety, particularly for young, vulnerable workers (go2HR, 2015).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_266\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-266\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hzimmermann\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1371\/2020\/04\/Autsch-.jpg\" alt=\"A kitchen knife is held in one hand. A finger on the other hand has a bandage with a sad face.\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/> Figure 11.8 Kitchen accidents are a common workplace injury in hospitality. Many are more serious than this.[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n\r\n<strong>Spotlight On: Yukon Occupational Health and Safety<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIn the Yukon, a Certificate of Recognition (COR) is also strongly encouraged for businesses in all sectors with more than 10 employees and is required for all Yukon Government contracts.\u00a0 This Certificate of Recognition (COR) in this occupational health and safety program is offered in partnership with Northern Safety Network Yukon. For more information, please visit the following websites:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Yukon Government (<a href=\"https:\/\/yukon.ca\/en\/certificate-recognition\">https:\/\/yukon.ca\/en\/certificate-recognition<\/a>)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Northern Safety Network Yukon (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.yukonsafety.com\/cor\">https:\/\/www.yukonsafety.com\/cor<\/a>)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThe Yukon also has the Yukon Workers\u2019 Compensation Health and Safety Board which is governed by two pieces of legislation, the <a href=\"https:\/\/laws.yukon.ca\/cms\/images\/LEGISLATION\/PRINCIPAL\/2008\/2008-0012\/2008-0012_3.pdf\">Workers\u2019 Compensation Act<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/laws.yukon.ca\/cms\/images\/LEGISLATION\/PRINCIPAL\/2002\/2002-0159\/2002-0159_1.pdf\">Occupational Health and Safety Act<\/a>. These acts were created to provide clear guidelines on how businesses establish their policies and procedures in order to exceed minimum legal requirements for safety in their workplaces. In 2019, the board started the process of working to consolidate both these acts into a more cohesive document similar to WorkSafeBC\u2019s with a target completion date of 2025 which will result in some of the above links changing to reflect this consolidation.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nThe nature of tourism and hospitality often means operations need to employ a considerable number of employees; these are often entry-level positions, requiring little experience. Employers need to be cognizant of the requirements for worker safety under WorkSafeBC; failing to do so may result in fines for the operation, or far worse \u2014 workplace injuries to employees.\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n\r\n<strong>Spotlight On:\u00a0WorkSafeBC BC Tourism and Hospitality Resources<\/strong>\r\n\r\nWorkSafeBC has extensive resources for tourism and hospitality workers to avoid workplace injury. These include prevention tools for accommodation, adventure tourism, food and beverage, and events. WorkSafeBC also explains updates and changes to workers' compensation in BC, and provides opportunities for courses and training in first aid and injury prevention.\u00a0For more information, visit\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.worksafebc.com\/en\/health-safety\/industries\/tourism-hospitality\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">WorkSafeBC BC Tourism and Hospitality website<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nIn addition to concerns about safety, employers and employees must be aware of the [pb_glossary id=\"461\"]Employment Standards Act[\/pb_glossary]. This act defines the legal requirements around employment such as minimum wage, breaks, meal times, vacation pay, statutory holidays, age of employment, and leave from work (British Columbia Ministry of Labour, 2015).\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n\r\n<strong>Take a Closer Look: Employment Standards Act FAQs<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThis list of frequently asked questions provides quick answers to inquiries about employment standards in BC, including whether employers are required to pay for sick leave, time in meetings, and coffee breaks. You can read more about them at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.labour.gov.bc.ca\/esb\/faq.htm\">Employment Standards Act FAQs<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"<p>So far\u00a0we have primarily discussed risk management from a client\/guest perspective.\u00a0However, substantial effort in a tourism and hospitality operation must be put into managing worker safety as well. Responsibilities for worker safety are generally legislated by occupational health and safety laws, which clearly dictate safety standards. Employers who fail to\u00a0adhere to these standards may be penalized or fined\u00a0(WorkSafeBC, 2015a).<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_267_653\">WorkSafeBC<\/a> is the provincial organization for occupational health and safety in BC. It is an independent agency managed by a board of directors who are appointed by government. The mandate of WorkSafeBC is to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Promote the prevention of workplace injury, illness, and disease<\/li>\n<li>Rehabilitate those who are injured and provide timely return to work<\/li>\n<li>Provide fair compensation to replace workers&#8217; loss of wages while recovering from injuries<\/li>\n<li>Ensure sound financial management for a viable workers\u2019 compensation system (2015b)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There was an average of 4300 tourism and hospitality WorkSafeBC claims each year from 2014 to 2018, which is slightly below the average of all sectors within BC. (WorkSafeBC, 2020c). To reduce these claims and protect workers, WorkSafeBC has an extensive worker safety program with educational resources and training programs available. A partnership with go2HR \u2014 the tourism and hospitality human resources organization \u2014 has been developed to raise awareness in tourism and hospitality about worker safety, particularly for young, vulnerable workers (go2HR, 2015).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_266\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-266\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-266\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hzimmermann\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1371\/2020\/04\/Autsch-.jpg\" alt=\"A kitchen knife is held in one hand. A finger on the other hand has a bandage with a sad face.\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1371\/2020\/04\/Autsch-.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1371\/2020\/04\/Autsch--150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1371\/2020\/04\/Autsch--65x65.jpg 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1371\/2020\/04\/Autsch--225x225.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-266\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 11.8 Kitchen accidents are a common workplace injury in hospitality. Many are more serious than this.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p><strong>Spotlight On: Yukon Occupational Health and Safety<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the Yukon, a Certificate of Recognition (COR) is also strongly encouraged for businesses in all sectors with more than 10 employees and is required for all Yukon Government contracts.\u00a0 This Certificate of Recognition (COR) in this occupational health and safety program is offered in partnership with Northern Safety Network Yukon. For more information, please visit the following websites:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Yukon Government (<a href=\"https:\/\/yukon.ca\/en\/certificate-recognition\">https:\/\/yukon.ca\/en\/certificate-recognition<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>Northern Safety Network Yukon (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.yukonsafety.com\/cor\">https:\/\/www.yukonsafety.com\/cor<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Yukon also has the Yukon Workers\u2019 Compensation Health and Safety Board which is governed by two pieces of legislation, the <a href=\"https:\/\/laws.yukon.ca\/cms\/images\/LEGISLATION\/PRINCIPAL\/2008\/2008-0012\/2008-0012_3.pdf\">Workers\u2019 Compensation Act<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/laws.yukon.ca\/cms\/images\/LEGISLATION\/PRINCIPAL\/2002\/2002-0159\/2002-0159_1.pdf\">Occupational Health and Safety Act<\/a>. These acts were created to provide clear guidelines on how businesses establish their policies and procedures in order to exceed minimum legal requirements for safety in their workplaces. In 2019, the board started the process of working to consolidate both these acts into a more cohesive document similar to WorkSafeBC\u2019s with a target completion date of 2025 which will result in some of the above links changing to reflect this consolidation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The nature of tourism and hospitality often means operations need to employ a considerable number of employees; these are often entry-level positions, requiring little experience. Employers need to be cognizant of the requirements for worker safety under WorkSafeBC; failing to do so may result in fines for the operation, or far worse \u2014 workplace injuries to employees.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p><strong>Spotlight On:\u00a0WorkSafeBC BC Tourism and Hospitality Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>WorkSafeBC has extensive resources for tourism and hospitality workers to avoid workplace injury. These include prevention tools for accommodation, adventure tourism, food and beverage, and events. WorkSafeBC also explains updates and changes to workers&#8217; compensation in BC, and provides opportunities for courses and training in first aid and injury prevention.\u00a0For more information, visit\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.worksafebc.com\/en\/health-safety\/industries\/tourism-hospitality\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">WorkSafeBC BC Tourism and Hospitality website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>In addition to concerns about safety, employers and employees must be aware of the <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_267_461\">Employment Standards Act<\/a>. This act defines the legal requirements around employment such as minimum wage, breaks, meal times, vacation pay, statutory holidays, age of employment, and leave from work (British Columbia Ministry of Labour, 2015).<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p><strong>Take a Closer Look: Employment Standards Act FAQs<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This list of frequently asked questions provides quick answers to inquiries about employment standards in BC, including whether employers are required to pay for sick leave, time in meetings, and coffee breaks. You can read more about them at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.labour.gov.bc.ca\/esb\/faq.htm\">Employment Standards Act FAQs<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"glossary\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\" id=\"definition\">definition<\/span><template id=\"term_267_653\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_267_653\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>BC's occupational health and safety organization.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_267_461\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_267_461\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Defines legal requirements around employment such as minimum wage, breaks, meal times, vacation pay, statutory holidays, age of employment, and leave from work.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><\/div>","protected":false},"author":138,"menu_order":5,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-267","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":250,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/267","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/138"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/267\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":731,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/267\/revisions\/731"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/250"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/267\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=267"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=267"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=267"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=267"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}