The hospitality industry is increasingly recognizing the importance of safeguarding their employees, especially those who work alone or in isolated environments. This has led to the implementation of various “panic button” mandates across different states in an effort to increase workplace safety. These regulations are designed to protect hotel workers, particularly housekeeping staff, from potential threats such as harassment, assault, and other emergencies. In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore the different state laws regarding panic buttons for hotel workers and how Silent Beacon’s Enterprise Safety Solution can help your hotel business comply with these mandates while ensuring the safety and well-being of your employees.
What is a Panic Button?
A panic button is a portable emergency contact device, also known as a safety device, that allows employees to quickly summon immediate on-scene assistance from security personnel, managers, or other appropriate staff members. This technology plays a crucial role in providing a safer working environment, particularly for hotel and restaurant workers who often find themselves working alone or in secluded areas.
State-Specific Panic Button Laws
Washington State – RCW 49.60.515 (2023)
Under RCW 49.60.515, all hotel, motel, retail, or security guard companies must provide a panic button to each employee. This includes hotel housekeeping staff and room service attendants. The law emphasizes the necessity of immediate on-scene assistance from another worker, security guard, or employer representative when the panic button is activated.
Click here to read the law for yourself.
New Jersey – State Bill S2986
Governor Phil Murphy signed S2986 into law, mandating hotels with over 100 guest rooms to provide panic buttons to protect employees from violent acts, including sexual assault and harassment. The law specifies that the device must be easily accessible and capable of summoning immediate help from security officers, managers, or supervisors.
Click here to read the law for yourself.
Illinois – Hotel & Casino Safety Act
The Illinois SB 75 legislation mandates that all hotel and casino employees working alone must be provided with a notification device similar to a panic button safety device. This law also requires hotels to furnish a list of anti-sexual harassment policies to protect all employees.
Click here to read the law for yourself.
Massachusetts – Bill H.1657
Bill H.1657 requires hotel employers to provide panic buttons to employees working in guest rooms or enclosed areas alone. The legislation also mandates the development of an educational program to inform employees about the use of panic buttons and their rights when activating them.
Click here to read the law for yourself.
Miami Beach, Florida
According to the Miami Beach Local Ordinance, hotels and hostels must provide panic buttons to all employees who work alone in guest rooms or restrooms. The devices must be provided at no cost to the employees.
Click here to read the ordinance for yourself.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas mandates that housekeepers in casinos must be equipped with panic buttons to ensure their safety while performing their duties.
New York City, New York
Unionized hospitality workers in New York City have been entitled to personal panic buttons since 2013, ensuring a safer working environment for housekeepers and other hotel staff.
Local Mandates and Pending Legislation
Several local ordinances and pending bills also emphasize the need for panic buttons in the hospitality industry, including:
- West Hollywood, CA: Ordinance No. 21-1159
- Glendale, CA: Hotel Workers Protection Ordinance
- Irvine, CA: Hotel Worker Protection Ordinance
- Long Beach, CA: Hotel Working Conditions
- Los Angeles, CA: Hotel Worker Protection Ordinance
- Oakland, CA: Hotel Minimum Wage and Working Conditions
- Sacramento, CA: Sacramento County Hotel Worker Protection Act of 2018
- Santa Monica, CA: Hotel Worker Protection Act
- Miami Beach, FL: Panic Button Local Ordinance
- Anaheim, CA: Chapter 6.101 Hotel Worker Protections
- Georgia – Senate Bill 389
- Pennsylvania – House Bill No. 987
Why Silent Beacon’s Enterprise Safety Solution is Ideal for Hotel Businesses
Silent Beacon offers a comprehensive, centralized Enterprise Safety Solution (ESS) that stands out in the panic button and emergency alarm industry. Here’s why our solution is the best choice for hotel businesses:
Centralized Employer Portal
Our ESS provides a centralized portal for employers to monitor and manage employee safety efficiently. This platform allows hotel employers to track real-time alerts and ensure immediate response to emergencies.
Safety App
Silent Beacon’s Enterprise solutions safety app is easy to set up and use for employees of all backgrounds. Click here to learn more about our IoS and Android application and watch our set up guide video.
Advanced Alert System
Silent Beacon’s alert system includes features like footsteps and check-in, ensuring that hotel employees are never alone in an emergency. The alert system is designed to provide detailed information, including the employee’s location, making it easier to dispatch help quickly. The GPS tracking only activates when the button is pushed by an employee.
Two-Way Communication
With Silent Beacon, employees have direct access to two-way communication with 911 or a call center. This feature ensures that help is always just a button press away, providing peace of mind to both employees and employers.
Compliance with Panic Button Laws
By integrating Silent Beacon’s panic button solution, hotel businesses can easily comply with various state and local mandates, ensuring that they provide the necessary safety protections for their employees.
The implementation of panic button mandates across the hotel and hospitality industry underscores the paramount importance of employee safety. By equipping hotel workers with panic buttons, hotel businesses not only comply with legal requirements but also foster a safer and more supportive working environment. Silent Beacon’s Enterprise Safety Solution is designed to meet these needs, offering a reliable and efficient way to ensure the safety and well-being of your staff.
For more information on how Silent Beacon can help your hotel business comply with panic button mandates and enhance employee safety, visit our website and sign up for a free trial today. Let’s work together to create a safer workplace for everyone in the hospitality industry.
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By leveraging these insights and implementing Silent Beacon’s advanced safety solutions, hotel businesses can ensure compliance with mandates, protect their employees, and ultimately, enhance their overall operations.
