Introduction:

This risk assessment aims to identify and evaluate potential hazards faced by shift workers in working in hospitality businesses via the Limber App. By understanding these risks, appropriate measures can be implemented to minimise the likelihood and impact of incidents, promoting a safe working environment.

Hazards and Risks:

2.1 Physical Hazards:

• Slips, trips, and falls due to wet or uneven surfaces, cluttered areas, inadequate lighting, or rush hours.

• Musculoskeletal injuries from manual handling, such as lifting heavy objects or prolonged standing.

• Burns or scalds from hot surfaces, equipment, or handling hot liquids.

• Exposure to hazardous substances, including cleaning chemicals and allergens.

• Noise exposure from kitchen equipment or loud customer areas, leading to hearing impairment.

2.2 Psychological Hazards:

• Work-related stress due to high workloads, time pressure, dealing with difficult customers, or irregular shift patterns.

• Workplace violence or aggression from intoxicated customers or conflicts among staff.

• Emotional strain from dealing with sensitive or distressing situations, such as accidents or customer complaints.

2.3 Environmental Hazards:

• Poor indoor air quality caused by inadequate ventilation or exposure to cooking fumes.

• Temperature extremes, such as hot kitchens or cold storage areas, leading to discomfort or heat-related illnesses.

• Inadequate lighting in work areas, increasing the risk of accidents or eyestrain

2.4 Allergen Risks:

• Hospitality businesses often handle and serve a wide variety of food items, which can pose risks to individuals with allergies or intolerances.

• Allergens such as peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, dairy, gluten, and others can trigger severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.

2.5 Rogue Actor Risk

• The use of the app could introduce a risk of the behaviour of individuals who may misuse the app to cause harm to others.

• This includes instances of malicious intent, such as individuals using fake identities to post shifts with the intention of engaging in illegal activities or harming others

Risk Assessment and Control Measures:

3.1 Slips, Trips, and Falls:

Hirers are required to look after all Workers on site, including, but not limited to:

• Regularly inspecting and maintaining flooring, ensuring it is clean, dry, and free from obstacles.

• Provide slip-resistant footwear to employees.

• Install adequate lighting and signage to highlight potential hazards.

Limber provides adequate places for the Hirer to make the Worker aware of hazards before a shift, including: shift descriptions, screening questions, pre shift chat and in person before or during the shift starts.

3.2 Musculoskeletal Injuries:

Hirers are required to look after all Workers on site, including, but not limited to:

• Where heavy lifting is required, providing proper manual handling guidance, including training on lifting techniques and the use of mechanical aids.

• Avoiding giving tasks which require prolonged periods of standing or repetitive movements.

Limber provides adequate places for the Hirer to make the Worker aware of hazards before a shift, including: shift descriptions, screening questions, pre shift chat and in person before or during the shift starts.

3.3 Burns and Scalds:

Hirers are required to look after all Workers on site, including, but not limited to:

• Providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as heat-resistant gloves and aprons.

• Ensuring proper training on safe handling of hot substances and equipment.

• Regularly inspecting and maintain equipment to prevent leaks or malfunctions.

Limber provides adequate places for the Hirer to make the Worker aware of hazards before a shift, including: shift descriptions, screening questions, pre shift chat and in person before or during the shift starts. 

Limber also provides Workers with the ability to include all their experience, skills and training in their profile and any cover notes or voice notes included in applications. In doing so, Limber enables Hirers and Workers to ascertain if the Worker has the necessary skills for the role.

3.4 Hazardous Substances:

Hirers are required to look after all Workers on site, including, but not limited to:

• Storing and handling chemicals properly

• following safety guidelines 

• providing relevant training.

• Using less hazardous alternatives where possible, or automating processes to minimise exposure.

• Providing adequate ventilation and PPE for tasks involving exposure to hazardous substances.

Limber provides adequate places for the Hirer to make the Worker aware of hazards before a shift, including: shift descriptions, screening questions, pre shift chat and in person before or during the shift starts. 

Limber also provides Workers with the ability to include all their experience, skills and training in their profile and any cover notes or voice notes included in applications. In doing so, Limber enables Hirers and Workers to ascertain if the Worker has the necessary skills for the role.

3.5 Psychological Hazards:

Hirers are required to look after all Workers on site, including, but not limited to:

• Promoting a supportive work culture

• Implementing strategies to reduce customer aggression, such as de-escalation techniques and security measures.

• Establishing clear procedures for reporting and addressing workplace violence, harassment incidents or instances of discrimination.

Limber provides adequate places for the Hirer to make the Worker aware of hazards before a shift, including: shift descriptions, screening questions, pre shift chat and in person before or during the shift starts.

Limber also keeps an audit of all conversations held via chat over the Limber App and Limber collects Hirer ratings for every shift. Where a Worker gives a Hirer the worst rating (1 out of 5), Limber reviews that feedback and, where necessary follows up any relevant allegations. Where Hirers are repeatedly accused of poor behaviour, Limber will suspend and then permanently block their account.

3.6 Environmental Hazards:

Hirers are required to look after all Workers on site, including, but not limited to:

• Ensuring proper ventilation systems are in place to maintain good indoor air quality.

• Monitoring and controlling temperature levels in work areas, providing appropriate clothing or cooling measures as needed.

• Installing adequate lighting in all work areas and address any maintenance issues promptly.

• Conducting regular inspections, risk assessments, and safety audits to identify new risks or areas for improvement.

• Providing comprehensive training on risk awareness, safe work practices, and emergency procedures.

• Encouraging open communication channels for employees to report hazards or concerns.

Limber provides adequate places for the Hirer to make the Worker aware of hazards before a shift, including: shift descriptions, screening questions, pre shift chat and in person before or during the shift starts.

3.7 Allergen Control Measures:

Hirers are required to look allergens control measures on site, including, but not limited to:

• Implementing clear procedures for the identification, labelling, and segregation of allergenic ingredients in food preparation areas.

• Providing comprehensive training to staff on allergen awareness, including recognising common allergens and understanding cross-contamination risks.

• Ensuring proper storage and handling of allergenic ingredients to prevent cross-contact with non-allergenic items.

• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date allergen information for all food items, including ingredient lists and potential cross-contamination risks.

• Implementing procedures to effectively communicate allergen information to customers, such as prominently displaying allergen information on menus or providing allergen information upon request.

• Regularly reviewing and updating allergen control measures in line with changing menus, recipes, or supplier information.

• Establishing protocols for responding to allergic reactions, including emergency procedures and the availability of first aid equipment and trained personnel.

Limber provides adequate places for the Hirer to make the Worker aware of hazards before a shift, including: shift descriptions, screening questions, pre shift chat and in person before or during the shift starts. 

Limber also provides Workers with the ability to include all their experience, skills and training in their profile and any cover notes or voice notes included in applications. In doing so, Limber enables Hirers and Workers to ascertain if the Worker has the necessary skills for the role.

3.9 Control Measures for Mitigating Intentional Harm:

Limber has the following process in place:

• All first shift postings are reviewed manually to check that:

  • The listing is for a bona fide business. This is reviewed with online searches including google and linkedin

  • The person listing the work/email used has a connection with the business or venue posting the shift (via the same method as above)

  • The shift listing matches the location of the business, or where the posting is for an events business the shift location matches a venue which would be expected to host such an event

  • The shift listing includes sufficient information about the work to be undertaken.

  • There are no other suspicious circumstances 

If we are in any doubt as to the veracity of the shift, then we will suspend the account and make further enquiries.

• We have live chat in our app to our customer service team for workers and we have a ratings system which enables workers to report issues. We review every 1 star rating to ensure follow up as outlined in 3.5 above.

• We provide guidance for workers in our policies to always leave shifts if they feel unsafe.

• We run right to work checks on all workers to ensure they are who they say they are and to keep everyone safe. Workers are also subject to the same ratings system

• We maintain an audit trail of all messages sent over the app.

• We will collaborate with law enforcement where requested.