If you work in the hotel industry, have you ever considered the dangerous aspects of your job when it comes to hotel employee safety? People don’t always think about this, but as a hotel worker, you are putting yourself at risk. These risks are from entering unknown guestrooms to interacting with hotel guests who may become volatile, depending on the situation. There are many workplace safety tips you can follow during your hotel job.

There are even risks simply from the physical demands of the job. For example, a housekeeper is continually twisting and lifting, putting himself or herself at risk for ergonomic-related injuries.

In fact, according to Hotel Management, housekeeping departments are especially susceptible to putting themselves in harm’s way. For these reasons, hotels have taken notice, and “many of the largest hotel companies in the industry, along with the American Hotel & Lodging Association. They have pledged to improve safety conditions in hotels through investments in training and technology. They are starting with a plan to issue employee safety devices to workers as soon as possible.”

While the American Hotel & Lodging Association is asking for changes to happen “as soon as possible,” New Jersey is putting hotel employee safety first by giving hoteliers a deadline. In June, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation that will require “hotels with more than 100 guestrooms to provide housekeepers with panic devices. The law, intended to help protect hotel employees from sexual assault and other dangerous working conditions, is set to go into effect in January.”

Fortunately, Silent Beacon is ready to help hotel workers in New Jersey and beyond.

Silent Beacon’s personal safety device is the perfect panic button for a hotel employee to activate at a moment’s notice. The small, lightweight device is Bluetooth-enabled and perfect for any hotel worker to carry with him or her. The device comes with an accessory clip, making it easy to clip onto a keychain or lanyard. The Beacon is easily concealable and can be dropped into a bag or pocket while you’re at work.

To set up the Silent Beacon, pair the device with the free app.Establish a contact list including emergency personnel and indicate if you would like to enable two-way communication with your contact. When you activate the panic button, all contacts on your list will receive alerts. They will recieve via text message, phone call, and/or email. In an emergency situation, all you need to do is press the panic button, and help is on the way.

Your employer will have access to Silent Beacon’s business portal. So that he or she can control alerts and users. Management can also send out group alerts to relevant departments, including mass alerts If there is a potential emergency. This needs to be everyone aware of. And thanks to the Silent Beacon’s GPS technology, your location is easily visible. In the event that you need help, first responders will be able to pinpoint your exact location. And allowing help to arrive quickly when every second count.

• Move carefully

If part of your job involves lifting, carrying, moving, etc., be sure to use proper form. When lifting, bend at the knees – not the waist. If something is too heavy for you to lift or move alone, wait to complete the task until someone can assist you. Also try to avoid quick, sudden movements that could strain or pull muscles and cause injury.

• Be aware of potentially dangerous guests

Is someone becoming visibly agitated because there’s a problem with the reservation?  Are there couples sitting in the lounge, engaged in a heated argument that appears to be escalating? Is the guest you’re delivering breakfast approaching you in a threatening way? 

All of these situations are red flags that should put you on high alert. Do your best to de-escalate any interactions like these that are heating up. At the same time, don’t be afraid to call for backup – or walk away – especially if you feel the situation is spiraling out of control.

• Know your workplace emergency plan

When it comes to hotel employee safety, one of the easiest ways to stay safe is to know exactly what to do in an emergency. If the fire alarm goes off, do you know the protocol? What about if there is a crime committed outside the hotel? Or if there’s an active shooter? Having a plan can make all the difference.

Of course, we don’t like to think these scenarios could happen to us. But knowing how to handle critical situations could be the difference between life and death. Become familiar with hotel evacuation routes and memorize protocols for different emergency situations. Hopefully, you will never need this information, but if you do, you’ll be well-prepared. And that increases your chances of getting through the incident safely. Must follow this workplace safety tips. 

• Follow management’s safety directives.

You may be expected to keep doors closed at all times. But when that food delivery arrives, you may be tempted to prop a door as you haul 50 boxes from the loading dock into the kitchen. Or, if someone unfamiliar is in an employees-only area, you might assume he or she is legitimate. And never ask to see his or her ID.

These scenarios illustrate simple breaches of safety protocols that are easy to avoid. The more that everyone adheres to the safety policies and procedures, the more likely that your hotel will not be vulnerable to dangerous people and situations. Instead of focusing on the inconvenience of the rule, remember the safety reasons behind it. Sometimes that is all the motivation you need to do the right thing.

• Work together

As much as possible, try to remain in the company of others during your workday, as there is a certain degree of safety in groups. If you need to deliver a tray to a room, ride in the elevator with other people. If possible, clean rooms close to other housekeeping staff, so that you’re working the same hallway, floor, etc. And if your hotel’s rules are putting you in a risky situation, speak up. It’s entirely possible the procedure is efficient – yet no one ever considered that it puts employees at risk.

Following these workplace safety tips isn’t a guarantee that nothing will ever happen. But being prepared and carrying Silent Beacon will ensure you receive the help you need, no matter the emergency.

References:

https://www.hotelmanagement.net/security/hotel-employee-safety-devices-not-one-size-fits-all

https://www.hotelmanagement.net/security/new-jersey-becomes-first-state-to-require-panic-buttons