As we begin the year 2026, it is the perfect moment to reflect on your safety program and ensure that all the foundational elements for a safer year are firmly in place. At the heart of a strong safety program is the commitment to continuous improvement—beginning with clear leadership, sustained engagement, and well-structured processes that engage every level of the organization. Remember, safety is everyone’s responsibility!
Safety committee meetings should be held monthly and are intended to improve safety awareness and share ideas. These gatherings should not merely be routine, but purposeful monthly events that bring together both staff and management. A prepared safety topic sets the tone and ensures focus, while reviewing recent injury trends (with names anonymized) fosters transparency without singling individuals out. When the team works together to identify root causes of incidents and implement corrective actions, the process becomes proactive rather than reactive. Further, these meetings are an ideal time to review self-inspection findings, ensure documented hazards are repaired promptly, engage committee members respectfully, and tackle any outstanding items that might be lingering. Lastly, encourage the managers to share the monthly safety topics with their staff.
Safety Inspections should be completed monthly by trained staff members. Inspectors should be well versed in what to observe—whether it’s structural life-safety issues, slip/trip/fall risk, or unsafe behaviors. When a hazard is identified it must be reported and tracked until it is fully resolved, and involving staff or management in the walkthrough adds fresh perspective and enhances ownership. Different eyes seeing the same space can uncover overlooked issues and create strong buy-in.
Accident Reporting Investigations are critical to complete accurate incident reports, identifying root causes, and reducing risk. Encouraging or requiring immediate reporting of injuries creates the conditions for quicker recovery and prompt and thorough investigation. Incident reporting must stick to the facts. Depending on the injury type, the area of occurrence may need to be secured. If serious, call emergency medial services. Interviewing witnesses, identifying the root cause of the occurrence, and documenting corrective measures all serve to close the loop and reduce the chance of recurrence. This level of attention not only protects your people but helps preserve the hotel’s brand reputation.
Finally, turning our attention to the broader program elements—those foundational policies, protocols, training and awareness mechanisms that underpin everything else. This includes developing or updating safety policies to address your specific loss exposures, emergency crisis, and ensuring that your emergency-preparedness plans are robust and practiced. Compliance training—such as OSHA (or equivalent) requirements—and forward-facing staff training like de-escalation or active assailant response, must be provided regularly. Encouraging peer observations and coaching opportunities helps to embed safe behaviors and remembering that risks may be visible (wet floor, broken handrail) or invisible (stress, fatigue, conflict) gives you a more holistic view of safety.
Safety should not be an add-on, but a central operating principle. A consistent, engaged, and thorough approach will set a strong tone for a safer 2026 and show that you value the well-being of everyone who works and stays in your environment.
Contact our Risk Advisory Services (RAS) Team for additional information.
Verist Hospitality and Leisure January 2026 Safety Calendar
Verist Real Estate January 2026 Safety Calendar
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