Hotel Reception

Maintaining a Safe and Secure Environment 2 of 16

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

In larger organisations, there may be an employee who's function is to promote, investigate and comply with all aspects of health and safety and the requirements of the Act. In smaller establishments, the health and safety role may be part of another role, that of owner, receptionist or manager. Whichever type of hotel a receptionist works in, she should have some knowledge of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and follow its guidelines in all aspects of her work.

Extract:

'It is the duty of the employer to consult representatives of the employees with a view to the making and maintenance of arrangements which will enable him and his employees to co-operate effectively in promoting and developing the health and safety at work of the employees and in making sure that the measures are effective...'

'Every employee has a duty while at work:

a) to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself - and of other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work.

b) as regards any duty or requirement imposed by his employer or any other person or under any of the relevant statutory provisions to co-operate with him so far as is necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with.'

In other words, it is the employer's duty to provide and maintain a safe environment in which employees may work. It is the duty of the employees to take reasonable safety precautions and to co-operate with the management in making the organisations's premises a safer and healthier place in which to work.

For more information about the Act, visit the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents web site.