The hospitality industry is the beating heart of the service economy, providing employment across hotels, restaurants, and bars. While the sector is crucial for economic health and tourism, it ranks near the bottom in workplace wellbeing, with workers facing unique pressures that contribute to high injury rates and significant health challenges. The nature of the work – long hours, physical strain, and emotional stress from dealing with customers—makes hospitality workers vulnerable to both physical injuries and mental health issues.

Injury data: The cost of fast-paced work environments

Working in hospitality is physically demanding, with repetitive tasks, heavy lifting, and exposure to hazards like sharp objects and hot surfaces. These are not just risks on paper—each injury represents a worker who may face time off work, medical expenses, and even long-term impacts on their physical and mental wellbeing.

  • Musculoskeletal injuries (such as neck and back pain, wrist and ankle sprains, fractures) account for 48% of claims, often a result of heavy lifting, repetitive motions, and falls, slips or trips (20%) usually caused by wet surfaces, stairs, or navigating through crowded spaces. These risks are common for waiting staff carrying large trays or kitchen staff working in confined spaces. For these workers, pain and restricted movement can persist long after the injury occurs.
  • Wounds (27%) and burns (13.5%) are also common in busy kitchens or fast-paced restaurant environments due to sharp knives, boiling liquids, and hot surfaces.

Source:  ReturnToWorkSA – Industry Risk Analysis Report (2021-2023 FY)

Common hazards and risks: Everyday dangers in hospitality work

Hospitality is not just physically demanding; it also presents a range of hazards that can endanger workers’ safety and mental wellbeing.

Health data and risk factors: The human impact of unhealthy work conditions

Beyond physical injuries, hospitality workers face significant health challenges. Industry challenges include irregular hours, low wages, and a high turnover rate, all of which can contribute to poor health outcomes.

  • Mental health issues are pervasive, with 61% of hospitality workers reporting a mental health condition in the past 12 months—more than double the general population. These issues are often linked to high-pressure work environments, where long shifts and customer-facing roles lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout . Source:  ReturnToWorkSA – Industry Risk Analysis Report (2021-2023 FY)
  • Lifestyle factors are another major issue, with many workers reporting poor sleep quality and insufficient rest. This, combined with high rates of smoking, alcohol consumption and unhealthy eating habits due to the fast-paced nature of the work, leads to deteriorating health over time. Source: The Mental Health and Wellbeing of Chefs in Commercial Kitchens - Australasian study (external site)
  • Chefs are at a higher risk, with suicide rates four times higher than the general population. This reflects the intense pressure, isolation, and financial instability many face in their roles.Source: Suicide among hospitality workers in Australia, 2006–2017 (external site)

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Additional resources: Supporting the wellbeing of hospitality workers

Despite the challenges, there are resources and initiatives aimed at improving the health and safety of hospitality workers.