$afety and security are two responsibilities of hotel managers. uests e%pect to sleep, meet, dine, and entertain in a facility that is safe and secure F and are entitled to reasonable care under law. House*eeping personnel can help meet this guest e%pectation and, in some cases, ma*e the difference in the property8s safety and security system.
Sa$#ty
(
( terterm m thathat t perpertaitains ns to to disdiscuscussinsing g disdisastaster er prepreparparedneedness, ss, firfire e prepreenentiotion n andand protection,
protection, protection protection deices, deices, and and conditions conditions that that proide proide for for freedom freedom from from in2ury in2ury andand damage to property.
damage to property.
The two hotel departments most li*ely to hae the largest number of accidents The two hotel departments most li*ely to hae the largest number of accidents and in2uries are maintenance and house*eeping.
and in2uries are maintenance and house*eeping.
"ne basis for this freuency is the sheer labor-intensity of these two dep
"ne basis for this freuency is the sheer labor-intensity of these two dep artments.artments. In many
In many operatoperations, house*eeions, house*eeping and ping and maintmaintenance employ more people enance employ more people than any than any otherother department.
department.
(nother reason lies in the fact that wor*ing in house*eeping or maintenance (nother reason lies in the fact that wor*ing in house*eeping or maintenance inoles physical actiities and euipment use F both of which increase the ris*s of inoles physical actiities and euipment use F both of which increase the ris*s of accident and in2ury.
accident and in2ury.
To reduce safety ris*s, the e%ecutie house*eeper must be aware of potential To reduce safety ris*s, the e%ecutie house*eeper must be aware of potential safety hazards and deelop procedures to preent accidents.
safety hazards and deelop procedures to preent accidents.
$afety should be a top priority. "ngoing safety training programs help ensures $afety should be a top priority. "ngoing safety training programs help ensures that safe conditions are maintained in all wor* areas.
that safe conditions are maintained in all wor* areas.
To deelop programs, management must be aware of the laws that regulate the To deelop programs, management must be aware of the laws that regulate the wor
wor* * enenirirononmement nt F F and and momore re spspececifificicalallyly, , how how ththosose e lalaws ws afaffefect ct hohoususe*e*eeeepipingng personnel.
personnel. Em!lo$e
Em!lo$ee Morale ae Morale an# Managn# Management Coement Concernsncerns n
nsasafe fe wowor*r*ining g cocondindititionons s hahae e a a nenegagatitie e efeffefect ct on on ememplployoyee ee momoraralele. . IfIf employees are preoccupied with hazardous conditions in the wor* place, they will not be employees are preoccupied with hazardous conditions in the wor* place, they will not be able to perform the best of their ab
able to perform the best of their ability.ility.
&or most part, it is difficult to motiate employees until unsafe conditions are &or most part, it is difficult to motiate employees until unsafe conditions are corrected.
corrected.
"ne of management8s top concerns should be for the health and welfare of "ne of management8s top concerns should be for the health and welfare of employees.
employees.
+mployees are one of the most important assets a hotel has. If managers want +mployees are one of the most important assets a hotel has. If managers want employees to proide uality serice, they must treat employees fairly and with respect. employees to proide uality serice, they must treat employees fairly and with respect. !espect for an employee8s right to wor* in a safe and hazard free enironment is a good !espect for an employee8s right to wor* in a safe and hazard free enironment is a good place to begin.
place to begin. %otentia
%otentiall$ Hazar#ll$ Hazar#ous Con#ous Con#itionsitions
(ccidents and in2uries do not hae to occur. 'y following three simple rules, (ccidents and in2uries do not hae to occur. 'y following three simple rules, employees can contribute to a
employees can contribute to a safe, accident-free wor* enironmentsafe, accident-free wor* enironment
9< 9<
Ta*e adeuate timeTa*e adeuate time
)orrect unsafe conditions immediately)orrect unsafe conditions immediately
Eo it safely the first timeEo it safely the first time
Lifting: Lifting:
House*eeping tas*s often inole lifting heay ob2ects. +mployees may also be House*eeping tas*s often inole lifting heay ob2ects. +mployees may also be reuired to moe furniture in order to
reuired to moe furniture in order to complete a thorough cleaning tas*.complete a thorough cleaning tas*.
Incorrectly lifting heay ob2ects such as bags, bo%es, and containers may result in Incorrectly lifting heay ob2ects such as bags, bo%es, and containers may result in strained or pulled muscles and bac* in2ury. In turn, these in2uries can result in loss of strained or pulled muscles and bac* in2ury. In turn, these in2uries can result in loss of wor* and long-term pain and suffering.
wor* and long-term pain and suffering.
+mployees can also incur cuts and scratches when lifting items such as trash or +mployees can also incur cuts and scratches when lifting items such as trash or dirty linens which contain pointy ob2ects or bro*en glasses. In all instances, employees dirty linens which contain pointy ob2ects or bro*en glasses. In all instances, employees should *now what conditions to loo*
should *now what conditions to loo* for and the special precautions to ta*e.for and the special precautions to ta*e. Some gui
Some gui#elines for #elines for safe movinsafe moving an# lifg an# lifting:ting:
Inspect the ob2ect before lifting. Eo not lift any item that you cannot get yourInspect the ob2ect before lifting. Eo not lift any item that you cannot get your arms around or that you cannot see oer when carrying. et help if it is too arms around or that you cannot see oer when carrying. et help if it is too heay.
heay.
Loo* for any protrusions, especially when lifting trash or bundles of linen.Loo* for any protrusions, especially when lifting trash or bundles of linen. Dui
Duite te oftoften, en, thethese se iteitems ms contcontain ain poipointy nty ob2ob2ectects s or or brobro*en *en glaglass. ss. +%e+%ercircisese special care to aoid in2ury.
special care to aoid in2ury.
Bhen lifting, place one foot near the ob2ect and the other slightly bac* andBhen lifting, place one foot near the ob2ect and the other slightly bac* and apart. Geep well balanced.
apart. Geep well balanced.
Geep the bac* and head of your body straight. 'ecause the bac* muscles areGeep the bac* and head of your body straight. 'ecause the bac* muscles are generally wea*er than the leg muscles, do not use the bac* muscle to lift the generally wea*er than the leg muscles, do not use the bac* muscle to lift the ob2ect.
ob2ect.
'end slightly at the *nees and hips but do not stoop.'end slightly at the *nees and hips but do not stoop.
se both hands and grasp the ob2ects using the entire hand.se both hands and grasp the ob2ects using the entire hand.
Lift with the leg muscles.Lift with the leg muscles.
Geep the ob2ect close to the body. (oid twisting your body.Geep the ob2ect close to the body. (oid twisting your body.
Bhen setting an ob2ect down, do not use your bac* muscles. se the legBhen setting an ob2ect down, do not use your bac* muscles. se the leg
muscles and follow the procedures used to
muscles and follow the procedures used to lift ob2ects.lift ob2ects.
Bhen tuc*ing in sheets, pic*ing up a laundry or cleaning a tub, bend with theBhen tuc*ing in sheets, pic*ing up a laundry or cleaning a tub, bend with the
*nee and not on the bac*, nor on the waist to preent bac* in2ury. *nee and not on the bac*, nor on the waist to preent bac* in2ury.
se your body weight in se your body weight in pushipushing and ng and pullipulling the ng the acuumacuum, not , not 2ust your arms2ust your arms
and shoulder. To aoid slipping and tripping, hold the cord and coil as you go. and shoulder. To aoid slipping and tripping, hold the cord and coil as you go.
Bear the right shoes. Bor*ing shoes should be slip resistant, with a closed toeBear the right shoes. Bor*ing shoes should be slip resistant, with a closed toe and fit to gie you the best comfort.
and fit to gie you the best comfort.
Batch where you are going to preent slips and fall.Batch where you are going to preent slips and fall.
se door stopper and not se door stopper and not linens or ob2ects that could cause a linens or ob2ects that could cause a slip or fall.slip or fall.
Turn on lights and loo* all sides before entering any room. There may beTurn on lights and loo* all sides before entering any room. There may be spills or bro*en glasses on the floor that need
spills or bro*en glasses on the floor that need to be cleared.to be cleared.
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If a bro*en glass is found, sweep the floor and place the glass in a containerIf a bro*en glass is found, sweep the floor and place the glass in a container separate from the trash.
separate from the trash.
To push the room attendant8s cart easily, chec* if it has stic*ing wheels.To push the room attendant8s cart easily, chec* if it has stic*ing wheels. Bithout it, it will be harder to push and
Bithout it, it will be harder to push and could in2ure the user. !emoe stic*ingcould in2ure the user. !emoe stic*ing thread on the wheels.
thread on the wheels.
'e careful with loose screw or sharp edges as they could catch on one8s'e careful with loose screw or sharp edges as they could catch on one8s clothing and cause cuts.
clothing and cause cuts.
Bhen pushing the cart, lean forward into the cart, rely on Bhen pushing the cart, lean forward into the cart, rely on one8s legs and feelone8s legs and feel not unto one8s bac* or across the body.
not unto one8s bac* or across the body.
Geep the cart close, use feet and legs and not arms and shoulders.Geep the cart close, use feet and legs and not arms and shoulders.
In case a cart falls down, do not try to stop or stand it up by alone. It is heaierIn case a cart falls down, do not try to stop or stand it up by alone. It is heaier than you thin* and can cause accidents. (s* for help.
than you thin* and can cause accidents. (s* for help.
Eo not oerload laundry cart to ma*e it easier to pull.Eo not oerload laundry cart to ma*e it easier to pull.
Bhen reaching for something, especially in the tub, neer stand on the edge ofBhen reaching for something, especially in the tub, neer stand on the edge of a toilet bowl. ou might loose your
a toilet bowl. ou might loose your balance and fall.balance and fall. La##ers:
La##ers:
Ladders can be used when cleaning areas on or near the ceiling or for such tas*s Ladders can be used when cleaning areas on or near the ceiling or for such tas*s as
as chachanginging ng liglight ht bulbulbs. Bhen bs. Bhen selselectecting ing a a ladladder for der for a a parparticticulaular r clecleanianing ng 2ob, its2ob, its condition, height and footing should be inspected.
condition, height and footing should be inspected.
)hec* the ladder for stability and e%amine crosspieces for sturdiness. If the ladder )hec* the ladder for stability and e%amine crosspieces for sturdiness. If the ladder is bro*en or defectie, do not use it. !ather, tag the ladder, place it out of serice, and is bro*en or defectie, do not use it. !ather, tag the ladder, place it out of serice, and report it to the appropriate house*eeping
report it to the appropriate house*eeping superisor or the maintenance departmentsuperisor or the maintenance department
(n aluminum or metal ladder should neer be used when wor*ing near or on (n aluminum or metal ladder should neer be used when wor*ing near or on electrical euipment. Ladders with rubber footings should be used on tile floors or in electrical euipment. Ladders with rubber footings should be used on tile floors or in *itchen areas to preent slipping. In all instances, the floor should be dry and clean. ( *itchen areas to preent slipping. In all instances, the floor should be dry and clean. ( ladder must be high enough so that an attendant can stand on it and do the 2ob without ladder must be high enough so that an attendant can stand on it and do the 2ob without oerreaching. :eer stand on the top step of a ladder. If the area cannot be reached while oerreaching. :eer stand on the top step of a ladder. If the area cannot be reached while standing on the step below
standing on the step below the top step, the ladder is too the top step, the ladder is too short for he 2ob.short for he 2ob.
Ladders should be placed so footing is at least one fourth of the ladder length Ladders should be placed so footing is at least one fourth of the ladder length away from the wall. :eer place a ladder against window or an uneen surface.
away from the wall. :eer place a ladder against window or an uneen surface. 'efore climbing, test the ladder for stability; it should be well balanced
'efore climbing, test the ladder for stability; it should be well balanced and secureand secure against the wall and floor. (lways be sure to face a ladder when climbing and hae a against the wall and floor. (lways be sure to face a ladder when climbing and hae a clean and dry hands and feet. Eo not hold any items or tools that may preen
clean and dry hands and feet. Eo not hold any items or tools that may preent the use oft the use of one or both hands. Aar* the area underneath the ladder with caution signs so that guests one or both hands. Aar* the area underneath the ladder with caution signs so that guests or employees do not wal* under the ladder.
or employees do not wal* under the ladder. Machine
Machiner$:r$: +m
+mploployeyees es shshouould ld be be autauthohoririzezed d anand d trtraiained ned in in ththe e ususe e of of mamachichinenery ry anandd euipment before operating such deices. Aost euipment, machineries, and power tools euipment before operating such deices. Aost euipment, machineries, and power tools come with instructions.
come with instructions.
=1 =1
$ome employees may need additional training and superised practice before operating euipment and machinery on the 2ob by themseles. Aany power tools and other machineries are euipped with protectie guards or shields. These safety guards should neer be remoed.
+mployees may also be reuired to wear protectie eye goggles or gloes. (ll protectie gear should be worn per instructions. +uipment and machineries should ne er be left unattended while in use. Bhen not in use, all tools and euipment should be turned off and stored in the proper place. :eer use a piece of euipment or machinery that is not operating correctly. )ontact the appropriate superisor or the maintenance department to hae it repaired as soon as possible.
Electrical E&ui!ment:
+%tra care must be ta*en when operating electrical euipment. +en one of the most common house*eeping appliances li*e a acuum cleaner can be harmful or deadly if operated improperly or in unsafe conditions. (n employee should neer operate electrical euipment when standing in water or when hands or clothing are wet. It is also unsafe to operate electrical euipment near flammable liuids, chemicals, or apors. $par*s from electrical euipment could start a fire.
+uipment that spar*s, smo*es, or flames should be turned off immediately. If it is possible and safe to do so, the euipment should be unplugged.
In no instance should an attendant attempt to restart the euipment. The malfunction should be reported to the appropriate house*eeping superisor or the maintenance department.
+uipment wires and connections should be chec*ed periodically. +uipment with loose connections or e%posed wires should not be used. (n appliance should neer be unplugged by pulling or yan*ing the cord. This will loosen the connection between the cord and the plug and cause spar*s and shorts. +uipments should be unplugged by grasping the plug and pulling it gently away from the outlet.
Bhen using electrical euipment, the cord should be *ept out of traffic areas such as the center of hallways or cross doorways. This is not always possible, particularly with such tas*s as acuuming corridors. In such situations, *eep the cord close to the wall and