Health, safety and fire requirements for hospitality venues

Health and safety responsibilities

As a hospitality business, you have legal duties to protect the health, safety and welfare of your employees, customers, and anyone else affected by your business activities.

The hospitality sector faces specific risks including slips and trips, manual handling injuries, burns, cuts, violence and aggression, and work-related stress.

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Employers in hospitality must ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and others affected by their work activities. This includes risk assessments, safe systems of work, training, and provision of PPE.

Employer duties

Under Section 2 of HSWA 1974, employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable:

Safe plant and systems of work
Safe use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances
Provision of information, instruction, training and supervision
Safe place of work with safe access and egress
Safe working environment with adequate welfare facilities

Risk assessment requirement

Employers with 5 or more employees must record significant findings of risk assessments in writing. Assessments must be suitable and sufficient, identifying hazards and evaluating risks.

Common hospitality hazards

Slips, trips and falls (wet floors, uneven surfaces)
Manual handling injuries (lifting kegs, stock, equipment)
Burns and scalds from cooking equipment
Cuts from knives and food preparation equipment
Violence and aggression from customers
Work-related stress and long working hours
Lone working risks

Health and safety policy

Businesses with 5 or more employees must have a written health and safety policy setting out arrangements for managing health and safety.

Step 1: Conduct risk assessments for all work activities and premises areas
Step 2: Identify control measures to eliminate or reduce risks
Step 3: Record significant findings if you employ 5 or more people
Step 4: Prepare written health and safety policy if you employ 5 or more people
Step 5: Provide health and safety training and induction for all staff
Step 6: Display health and safety law poster or provide leaflet to employees
Step 7: Maintain accident book and report serious incidents to HSE via RIDDOR
Step 8: Review risk assessments annually or when circumstances change

Health and safety in hospitality

Fire safety responsibilities

Fire safety is critical in hospitality premises, particularly those with sleeping accommodation. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places specific duties on the 'responsible person'.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

The 'responsible person' (employer, owner or occupier) must carry out a fire risk assessment for any non-domestic premises and implement appropriate fire safety measures. This applies to all hospitality premises including hotels, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs.

Who is the responsible person?

The responsible person is the employer, owner, landlord, occupier, or anyone with control of the premises. In hospitality, this is typically the business owner or manager.

Fire risk assessment

The responsible person must carry out and regularly review a fire risk assessment covering:

Identification of fire hazards (ignition sources, fuel, oxygen)
Identification of people at risk (employees, customers, vulnerable persons)
Evaluation and reduction of risks
Recording findings and fire safety plan (if 5+ employees)
Regular review and updates

Fire safety measures

Based on the risk assessment, implement appropriate measures including:

Fire detection and warning systems (smoke alarms, fire alarm panels)
Fire-fighting equipment (extinguishers, fire blankets)
Emergency escape routes and lighting
Fire safety signs and notices
Fire doors kept clear and free to close
Staff training on fire procedures
Emergency evacuation plan and drills

Fire Safety Act 2021 (from January 2022)

For buildings containing two or more sets of domestic premises (e.g. hotels, aparthotels), the responsible person must now assess fire risks in external walls, entrance doors to flats, and windows.

Step 1: Appoint a competent person to conduct fire risk assessment (may be yourself if trained)
Step 2: Complete fire risk assessment identifying hazards and persons at risk
Step 3: Implement control measures to reduce fire risk
Step 4: Ensure fire detection systems are installed and maintained
Step 5: Provide adequate fire-fighting equipment (extinguishers) and arrange annual servicing
Step 6: Establish clear evacuation routes with emergency lighting and signage
Step 7: Designate assembly point and ensure staff know evacuation procedures
Step 8: Train all staff on fire safety procedures during induction
Step 9: Conduct regular fire drills (at least annually)
Step 10: Record fire risk assessment findings if you employ 5 or more people
Step 11: Review fire risk assessment annually or after significant changes

Fire safety risk assessment guidance

Additional requirements for sleeping accommodation

Hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses, and any hospitality premises offering sleeping accommodation face enhanced fire safety requirements due to the increased risk to sleeping guests.

Fire Safety Certification

Fire Safety Certification - Fire safety (premises with sleeping accommodation)

Regulator: Fire Rescue Authority
Typical fee: None (assessment required)
Frequency: ongoing
Legal basis: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

Not a licence but legal requirement. Must conduct fire risk assessment for premises with sleeping accommodation (hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses). Responsible person must implement fire safety measures, maintain fire equipment, and keep assessment up to date. Subject to Fire and Rescue Authority inspection.

Managing common hospitality risks

Slips, trips and falls

The most common cause of injury in hospitality. Implement anti-slip flooring in kitchens and wet areas, maintain clear walkways, clean up spills immediately, and use warning signs.

Manual handling

Lifting kegs, moving furniture, carrying stock can cause back injuries. Provide training, use mechanical aids where possible (trolleys, sack trucks), and ensure team lifts for heavy items.

Burns and scalds

Kitchen staff face risks from hot equipment, oil, and steam. Ensure appropriate PPE (heat-resistant gloves, aprons), maintain equipment properly, and establish safe working procedures for handling hot items.

Violence and aggression

Staff in pubs, bars and nightclubs may face violence from intoxicated customers. Train staff in conflict de-escalation, implement policies on refusing service, consider security staff for high-risk venues, and provide a way for staff to summon help.

Lone working

Staff opening or closing premises alone face risks. Implement check-in procedures, provide personal safety alarms, ensure good lighting and secure entry points.

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Health, safety and fire requirements for hospitality venues

Health and safety responsibilities

Fire safety responsibilities

Additional requirements for sleeping accommodation

Managing common hospitality risks

Slips, trips and falls

Manual handling

Burns and scalds

Violence and aggression

Lone working

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🧪 Business Context Testing

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Health and safety responsibilities

Fire safety responsibilities

Additional requirements for sleeping accommodation

Managing common hospitality risks

Slips, trips and falls

Manual handling

Burns and scalds

Violence and aggression

Lone working

Related guides in Fire Safety

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