Guides to enable travel businesses return to work safely as the sector recovers from the Covid-19 crisis have been created as part of a new collaboration between the World Travel & Tourism Council and
the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.
The aim is to help the sector recover from the pandemic by tapping into IOSH’s experience and practical solutions to help businesses best look after the safety and health of their workforce.
Rebuilding consumer confidence through safety and health protocols in all tourism operations has emerged as one of the biggest priorities for WTTC and the wider sector.
IOSH is seen to be ideally placed to provide support in preventing accidents and ill health as the chartered body for occupational safety and health professionals and leading developer of specific training courses.
IOSH chief executive Bev Messinger said: “The purpose of this collaboration is to support the WTTC and the businesses in the travel and tourism sector at this difficult time with our expertise and resources to keep your employees safe and healthy.
“Restarting operations isn’t something which can happen overnight. There needs to be a planned, risk-controlled approach – based on strong leadership, worker involvement and sound health and safety advice – to ensure safe people, workplaces, systems and equipment.
“IOSH’s returning safely campaign has offered fresh advice to help people carry out Covid risk assessments and update the ways they work to ensure everyone stays safe and societies and economies recover.”
WTTC president and chief executive Gloria Guevara added: “WTTC is delighted to partner with IOSH on such an important set of guidelines.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way we work, and we hope that at the right time companies begin to return to offices, with the right protocols and measures in place to protect and safeguard their staff.
“Consumer and employee confidence is a key component in the recovery of the travel and tourism sector, and we believe that these guidelines will play a significant role in that process.”
The guidance includes:
· Returning safely guide
· Risk assessments guide
· Covid-19 ergonomic factsheet
· Maintaining good leadership principles factsheet
· Mental health and wellbeing – working from home factsheet
· Remote workers guide.