Silent Beacon’s Comprehensive Guide to Panic Button Compliance and Brand Directives
In recent times, the hospitality sector has been emphasizing measures to bolster the hygiene and security of its venues. The 5-Star Assurance stands as a pivotal safety commitment made by top-tier hotel chains, encompassing the provision of panic buttons for hotel staff within the U.S. Simultaneously, as the industry accentuates the need for enhanced safety, various municipalities and states have recognized the importance of these hotel panic buttons. Consequently, numerous jurisdictions have introduced regulations making panic buttons an essential safety standard for hotels.
This article delves into the latest compliance requirements and brand directives related to hotel panic buttons in the U.S. For a more in-depth understanding of specific municipal or state regulations, we suggest referring to the original governmental documentation or seeking guidance from specialized compliance legal experts.
Disclaimer: The insights and resources shared in this article are intended solely for informational purposes and should not be construed as legal counsel. For specific legal advice, please consult with a qualified attorney. The views expressed herein are those of the individual contributor.
State and City Compliance for Silent Beacon’s Panic Button
State: Georgia
Currently, Senate Bill 389 is under consideration. It mandates that all tourist accommodation providers furnish their service staff, working solo in guest rooms, with a panic device, free of charge. The bill dictates that the Department of Public Health should, by December 15, 2022, formulate and disseminate a program, with a tentative approval deadline of January 1, 2023.
Georgia’s Panic Button Specifications:
A bidirectional communication device or a similar electronic tool enabling a person to swiftly alert and summon immediate assistance from security personnel, management, or other relevant staff within the tourist accommodation.
State: Illinois
From March 1, 2021, Illinois introduced the Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act. This legislation mandates that hotels and casinos provide safety devices to employees working in isolation in guest rooms, restrooms, or casino floors.
Illinois’s Panic Button Specifications:
A mobile emergency communication tool, provided by the hotel or casino employer, tailored to the establishment’s size, layout, and technological capabilities. This device should enable employees to instantly alert and summon assistance from security, management, or other designated staff.
State: Massachusetts
Bill H.1657, the Safer Hotels for Workers Act, is currently under review, with an anticipated deadline one year post-approval for hotels with 25+ rooms. This bill dictates that in hotels housing at least 25 rooms, employers must furnish an employee, working in isolation in guest rooms or other enclosed areas where guests might be present, with a panic button. Additionally, hotels must devise and uphold a program to educate hotel staff about the usage of panic buttons and their rights should they activate them.
Massachusetts Panic Button Specifications:
A mobile emergency communication device that an employee can swiftly activate to summon immediate on-site assistance from security personnel, management, or other relevant hotel staff.
State: New Jersey
The State of New Jersey passed the Panic Button Law Bill with a deadline of January 1, 2020, for compliance. Hotels, inns, boarding houses, motels, or other similar establishments with at least 100 guest rooms are to provide panic buttons to each hotel employee who is assigned to work in a guest room without any other employee present, at no cost to the employees.
New Jersey Panic Button Specifications:
A two-way radio or other electronic device which is kept on an employee’s person when the employee is in a guest room, and that permits an employee to communicate with or otherwise effectively summon immediate on-scene assistance from a security officer, manager or supervisor, or other appropriate hotel staff member.
State: Pennsylvania
The House Bill No. 967, Protection of Hotel Employees, has passed the House on a bipartisan vote and now heads to the state Senate for future consideration. If passed, the act would take effect in 9 months for hotels with at least 150 guest rooms.
Pennsylvania Panic Button Specifications:
A two-way radio or other electric device that is kept on a hotel employee’s person when the hotel employee is on duty in a guest room and that permits the need for on-scene assistance to be conveyed to a security officer, manager or supervisor or other appropriate hotel staff member.
State: Washington
The Senate Bill 5258 was passed and hotel and motels with 60 or more rooms must meet the requirements by January 1, 2020. All other businesses subject to the law must meet the requirements by January 1, 2021.
Washington Panic Button Specifications:
The panic button is designed to be carried by the user (e.g., lanyards, clip-ons, etc.). The device should be simple to activate (e.g., a single action like a push, pull, or tap provides a sustained signal) without delays caused by entering passwords or waiting for the system to turn on.
City: Glendale, CA
The City of Glendale passed new measures to amend the “Hotel Worker Protection Ordinance,” which one of the key provisions was to protect hotel workers from violent or threatening conduct.
Glendale Panic Button Specifications:
A portable emergency contact device, including but not limited to a panic button that is designed so that a hotel worker can quickly and easily activate such device to directly contact a hotel security officer, manager, or supervisory hotel staff member designated by a hotel employer to respond to violent or threatening conduct and promptly summon them to the hotel worker’s location.
City: Long Beach, CA
A passed ordinance, the City of Long Beach requires any hotel containing fifty (50) or more guest rooms not later than six (6) months following the effective date of this Ordinance, shall provide each hotel worker with a panic button.
Long Beach Panic Button Specifications:
A portable emergency contact device, including but not limited to a panic button that is designed so that a hotel worker can quickly and easily activate such device to directly contact a hotel security officer, manager, or supervisory hotel staff member designated by a hotel employer to respond to violent or threatening conduct and promptly summon them to the hotel worker’s location.
City: Miami Beach, FL
The City of Miami Beach passed an ordinance that requires hotels to provide panic buttons to their employees who work in guest rooms, restrooms, or other areas where no other employee is present.
Miami Beach Panic Button Specifications:
A portable emergency contact device, including but not limited to a panic button that is designed so that a hotel worker can quickly and easily activate such device to directly contact a hotel security officer, manager, or supervisory hotel staff member designated by a hotel employer to respond to violent or threatening conduct and promptly summon them to the hotel worker’s location.
Upcoming Brand Directives for Silent Beacon’s Panic Buttons
Marriott
Marriott, a renowned brand, pledged its commitment to the 5-Star Assurance on September 6th, 2018. The brand’s Sr. Director of Guest Technology confirmed that panic buttons are now a mandatory requirement across all 30 of the company’s brands in North America, with full implementation expected by the end of 2023.
The Significance of Silent Beacon’s Panic Buttons
The hospitality industry is increasingly recognizing the pivotal role technology plays in safeguarding their workforce, particularly those working in isolation. Silent Beacon’s panic button empowers staff to swiftly summon assistance during emergencies or threats. A standout feature of these panic button solutions is their ability to provide real-time location data, enabling security teams to pinpoint the exact location and deliver prompt assistance. This precise location tracking is invaluable for large hotels with multiple floors, staircases, and public restrooms.
Given the round-the-clock operations of hotels, it’s imperative that all staff have a straightforward means to seek assistance when working alone or in potentially hazardous situations. Ensure your team is never left vulnerable; schedule a demonstration with Silent Beacon today and uphold the highest standards of safety compliance.
