Hazard Identification and Risk Management in Tourism Operations

These flashcards cover the definitions, types, and identification processes of hazards and risks within the tourism and hospitality industry as presented in Lesson 1.4 and 1.5.

Hazard

Anything that has the potential to cause harm to people, property, equipment, or the environment, leading to injuries, diseases, or financial loss.

Hazard Identification

The process of finding, recognizing, evaluating, and reporting hazards before accidents happen to protect workers, guests, and business reputation.

Physical Hazards

Environmental conditions that may cause injury without necessarily touching harmful substances, such as wet floors, broken chairs, or loud noise.

Biological Hazards

Hazards coming from living organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and mold.

Chemical Hazards

Harmful chemicals that can cause poisoning, burns, or respiratory problems.

Ergonomic Hazards

Hazards resulting from poor workplace design or improper body movement, such as heavy lifting or long sitting hours.

Psychosocial Hazards

Factors in the workplace that affect workers' mental and emotional health, such as guest aggression.

Risk

The likelihood that a hazard will actually cause injury or damage.

Probability

The likelihood or chance that a harmful event will occur.

Severity

The seriousness of the consequences if a hazardous incident occurs.

Risk Score

A value determined by the formula: $\text{Risk Score} = \text{Probability} \times \text{Severity}$.

Risk Matrix

A tool used to combine probability and severity to determine the overall level of risk.

Risk Prioritization

The process of ranking risks according to their level of importance so that the most serious risks are addressed first.

Elimination

The first level of the Hierarchy of Controls which involves removing the hazard completely, such as taking damaged equipment out of service.

Substitution

The second level of the Hierarchy of Controls which involves replacing the hazard with a safer alternative, such as using less hazardous cleaning chemicals.

Engineering Controls

The third level of the Hierarchy of Controls which involves changing the physical environment or equipment to reduce hazard exposure.

Administrative Controls

The fourth level of the Hierarchy of Controls which involves changing procedures, policies, training, schedules, or using warning signs.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The final level of the Hierarchy of Controls which involves using specialized gear to reduce exposure to hazards.

Workplace Inspection

A method of risk identification where the physical premises are examined to find potential hazards.

Incident Report Review

The examination of previous accidents and incidents to reveal existing risks and patterns.