Author Archives: Ida

by | March 30, 2010 · 6:48 am

Hospitality Industry Health Issues: Swine Flu Risks Can Impact Hotels And Restaurants If Steps Are Not Taken To Educate Staff And Keep Establishments Clean

Swine flu is a type of influenza caused by a virus which can cause serious health complications or even death in a small proportion of the population. Officially called Influenza A H1N1, the symptoms are similar to ordinary flu (e.g. fever, headache, sneezing) but can be more severe.

The spread of the flu is now recognised as a pandemic (i.e. global epidemic) and its effects are likely to intensify during the autumn and winter. Businesses could be adversely affected and forward planning is important. The key challenge will be to maintain the normal operation of their business whilst protecting staff from unnecessary exposure – especially those who are most vulnerable.

 

 

(From a Lexology.com article)   Employers have a duty to take steps that are reasonably necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all their employees, including those who are particularly at risk for whatever reason. Information on the symptoms of swine flu and those most at risk is available from the NHS at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/pandemic-flu/ pages/symptoms.aspx.

Simple precautions can make a big difference in preventing the spread of the virus:

  • Educate your staff without causing panic. For example, display posters outlining the most common symptoms of swine flu and the Government’s key precautionary steps.
  • Provide handwash and paper tissues in all communal areas and encourage their regular use.
  • Regularly clean surfaces frequently touched by people (including hotdesk areas, kitchens, toilets and showers).
  • Consider using telephone or videoconferencing where possible, instead of face-to-face meetings.
  • Keep work-related travel to a minimum, especially abroad.
  • Deploy those most at risk to areas where personal contact is minimal (e.g. allow them to work from home).
  • Send home anyone with flu-like symptoms (including the boss!) until they have been diagnosed. If confirmed as having swine flu, ensure they do not return to work until their symptoms have completely gone.

Employees also have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of people they work with. They must co-operate with their employer to enable it to comply with its duties under health and safety legislation. Accordingly, employees who refuse to co-operate or who recklessly risk their own health or that of colleagues or customers can be disciplined.

At present there is no obligation to report outbreaks of swine flu under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), but this may change.

http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=847f7d6f-2a93-4d80-b8fa-0871e29c82a9

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Health Issues: Swine Flu Risks Can Impact Hotels And Restaurants If Steps Are Not Taken To Educate Staff And Keep Establishments Clean

Filed under Health, Liability, Training

Tagged as , , , ,

by | March 29, 2010 · 7:17 am

Hospitality Industry Safety: OSHA Outreach Training Program May Be Mandated Nationally As It Stresses “Safety And Health Hazard Recognition And Prevention”

The OSHA Outreach Training Program is our primary way to train workers in the basics of occupational safety and health. Through the program, individuals who complete a one-week OSHA trainer course are authorized to teach 10-hour and 30-hour courses in construction or general industry safety and health hazard recognition and prevention. Authorized trainers can receive OSHA course completion cards for their students. Over the past three years, over 1.6 million students have received training through this program.

10-HOUR GENERAL INDUSTRY REQUIRED COURSE TOPICS
*OSHA subpart references are provided for informational purposes;

training should emphasize hazard awareness
Mandatory – 6 hours  
One Hour – Introduction to OSHA, including:

  • OSH Act, General Duty Clause, Employer and Employee Rights and Responsibilities, Whistleblower Rights, Recordkeeping basics
  • Inspections, Citations, and Penalties
  • Value of Safety and Health
  • OSHA Website and available resources
  • OSHA 800 number
One Hour 
Walking and Working Surfaces, Subpart D – including fall protection
One Hour 
Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, Fire Prevention Plans, and Fire Protection, Subpart E & L
One Hour 
Electrical, Subpart S
One Hour 
Personal Protective Equipment, Subpart I
One Hour 
Hazard Communication, Subpart Z
 

2 Comments

Filed under Health, Liability, Training

Tagged as , , ,

by | March 27, 2010 · 8:39 am

Hotel Safety Issues: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning That Killed Hotel Guest In 2008 Caused By Blocked Basement Exhaust Vent During Remodeling

The lawsuit, filed in July 2008 in Philadelphia, alleged that a plastic canopy was placed over a basement exhaust vent and trapped the carbon monoxide emitted from hot water heaters. The poisonous air was pulled into the rooms by air handling units. In addition to Philip Prechtel’s death, several people, including Katherine Prechtel, were hospitalized.

(From a MCall.com article)   The family of a South Carolina man who died after inhaling carbon monoxide at an Upper Macungie Township hotel in January 2008 has settled a federal lawsuit against the hotel and several contractors.

Philip D. Prechtel, 63, died after a makeshift canopy placed on the side of the Best Western Allentown Inn & Suites during a remodeling project captured carbon monoxide gas that was drawn into several rooms, including the one Prechtel slept in with his wife, Katherine.

The terms of the settlement, reached last week, were not disclosed, according to court documents.

On behalf of the Prechtels, attorney James Huber of Allentown was seeking at least $350,000 for the loss of Philip Prechtel’s household services, Social Security benefits and health insurance. Huber was also seeking damages for the physical and emotional pain and loss suffered by Katherine Prechtel.

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a5_5settle.7218447mar26,0,5677482.story

Comments Off on Hotel Safety Issues: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning That Killed Hotel Guest In 2008 Caused By Blocked Basement Exhaust Vent During Remodeling

Filed under Health, Liability, Training

Tagged as , , , ,

by | March 26, 2010 · 6:06 am

Workers’ Comp Fraud Prevention: State Of Colorado Amends Bill That Would Restrict Video Surveillance That Is Deemed “Intrusive Or Harassing”

The original intent of the bill was to restrict workers’ comp insurers’ use of video surveillance to only cases where the insurer has a reasonable basis to suspect fraud. It also would have imposed a significant fine on insurers that violated the rule. However, the legislation was amended after lawmakers raised concerns that it would seriously hinder insurers’ efforts to prevent fraud.

The amended version prohibits evidence from being introduced at workers’ comp administrative hearings if it is deemed that the surveillance was intrusive, intimidating or harassing. In addition, the evidence would not be permitted if the administrative law judge finds that the investigator, if questioned, misrepresented himself to the claimant and did not disclose on whose behalf he was conducting the surveillance. The legislation would also require insurers to present the surveillance videos to the claimant’s treating physician for review.

http://www.riskandinsurance.com/story.jsp?storyId=375682191

Comments Off on Workers’ Comp Fraud Prevention: State Of Colorado Amends Bill That Would Restrict Video Surveillance That Is Deemed “Intrusive Or Harassing”

Filed under Crime, Insurance, Liability

Tagged as , ,

by | March 25, 2010 · 5:21 am

Hospitality Industry Workplace Safety: Assistant Secretary Of Labor Stresses Need To Increase OSHA Penalties Against Employers Who Do Not Comply With OSHA Standards

Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, who emphasized that current OSHA penalties must be increased in order to motivate employers to increase their compliance with the OSHA standards. Michaels stated that environmental laws currently carry much heavier penalties than penalties under the OSH Act, especially where loss of human life is involved.

(From and Hr.cch.com article)    The Workforce Protections Subcommittee of the House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing Tuesday on the “Protecting America’s Workers Act (PAWA) (H.R. 2067).” The bill, introduced by Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), chair of the subcommittee, addresses three major weaknesses in the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act:

  • It would expand OSHA coverage to more than 8.5 million state and local public employees who currently have limited or no protection from safety and health hazards at work.
  • It also would amend OSHA’s whistleblower provisions to expedite the process because the current delays in decision-making deprives workers of due process.
  • Finally, the bill would update civil and criminal penalties.

http://hr.cch.com/news/safety/032410a.asp

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Workplace Safety: Assistant Secretary Of Labor Stresses Need To Increase OSHA Penalties Against Employers Who Do Not Comply With OSHA Standards

Filed under Health, Insurance, Liability, Training

Tagged as , , ,

by | March 24, 2010 · 6:17 am

Restaurant Industry Food Safety: Foodservice Employees’ Illnesses Are A Source Of Contamination At Restaurants And Can Be Traced To A Lack Of Insurance And Paid Sick Days

“…Affordable health insurance and paid sick days for all foodservice employees…would achieve significant and measurable improvements in food safety, especially as it relates to the thousands upon millions of non-outbreak, or sporadic, illnesses caused by contaminated restaurant food each year….”

(From a ChainLeader.com article)   First, many servers and food workers are responsible for covering their own shifts, which, in these times of lean staffing, can be next to impossible. Second, if they stay home, they make no money. Third, if they appear to “flake out” by not coming to work, they may lose premium shifts. They might even lose their jobs.

And so the food-safety precaution that the restaurant industry relies on to protect customers from much of foodborne illness is the expectation that these employees will decide on their own to stay home.

http://www.chainleader.com/article/452255-Food_Safety_Solutions_Execution_and_Advocacy.php

6 Comments

Filed under Health, Liability, Training

Tagged as , , , ,

by | March 23, 2010 · 5:35 am

Hotel Health And Safety Issues: Education On The “Risks For Infestation” Of Bed Bugs May Help Keep Treatment And Legal Costs Down

“Based on the traveling behavior of bed bugs, any industry or travel destination with a high visitor turn over is particularly at-risk for infestation,” said White. “It will be especially important for the hospitality industry to be educated on this matter so they can respond competently to a situation where treatment and legal costs can spike quickly.”

(From a PCTOnline.com article)   Pennsylvania’s hospitality sector has recognized the risks bed bugs pose to their industry and will gather March 25 to attend a bed bug seminar hosted by the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association (GPHA) to learn how to combat this emerging issue.

GPHA is an association that represents the interests of the hospitality industry throughout Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Their activities include civic representation, community partnerships and industry education.

The association’s statewide seminar titled, “Bed Bugs and the Hospitality Industry: Little Bugs, Big Problem” will be held at the downtown Marriott Hotel in Philadelphia, PA, March 25 at 8:30 a.m. The event will address the latest information on bed bugs and the most recent treatment breakthroughs to minimize cost. The seminar will also tackle the problems this pest represents that are unique to the hospitality industry.

Suzanne Geyer, an associate director with GPHA acknowledged that the bed bug seminar would present important information to industry management regarding the correct procedures needed to effectively approach dealing with bed bugs.

“This seminar will be especially important for practitioners because the information provided here is specific to hospitality and will provide a deeper understanding of bed bugs and some of the strategies needed to minimize the operational impact these pests can inflict,” said Geyer.

http://www.pctonline.com/Philadelphia-bed-bug-seminar.aspx

Comments Off on Hotel Health And Safety Issues: Education On The “Risks For Infestation” Of Bed Bugs May Help Keep Treatment And Legal Costs Down

Filed under Conferences, Health, Insurance, Liability, Training

Tagged as , , ,

by | March 20, 2010 · 7:01 am

Hospitality Industry Risk: Smaller Hotels Reporting An “Epidemic” In Theft Of Flat Screen TV’s From Rooms Prompting Many Operators To Install Camera Systems

The theft prompted him to take action, investing in a $1,500 camera system to monitor the walkways outside rooms and, hopefully, he said, act as a deterrent to other would-be thieves.

(From a ReporterNews.com article)   Theft is “frequent enough we have to make a large order every month for linens and supplies we shouldn’t have to,” said Jo Ann Schibi, manager of the MCM Elegante Hotel. “It’s the hotel business. It’s been like this forever.”

Perhaps, but missing televisions have upped the ante for some victimized hotels in Abilene.

Dasi Reddy, owner of the Knights Inn Civic Plaza Hotel downtown, said he’s had six or seven televisions taken from rooms in the past 14 months.

At Motel 6 just west of town and near Interstate 20, eight flat-screen televisions were reported stolen March 7 from an unoccupied room, just two days after a 32-inch television had been reported stolen from a hotel room.

Local staff at the Motel 6 declined to comment, and police were unavailable Friday to discuss the case.

But TV thefts were described as “a new epidemic for us” by Laura Rojo-Eddy, director of corporate communications for Accor North America, the parent company of Motel 6.

The chain began renovations in the second-half of 2008 that included the addition of flat-screen televisions to rooms. With the flat-screen televisions, however, more thefts have followed, said Rojo-Eddy.

“I guess they’re smaller and easier to carry,” said Rojo-Eddy. “The industry kind of has had a problem to take care of them.”

For hotel operators, the losses hurt the bottom line during an economic recession that has included a sharp decrease in travel spending.

With an insurance deductible that doesn’t cover a $200 loss, Reddy said he mainly has paid for the replacement televisions himself.

Several items — including a television, microwave and ice machine — turned up missing March 12 after the departure of guests staying through a church outreach program, Reddy said.

“We want to help them,” said Reddy, who charges churches a reduced rate when they are helping house homeless or other displaced people. The church sponsoring the stay has been able to return some of the missing items to the hotel, he noted.

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2010/mar/19/stolen-tvs-trouble-hotels/

2 Comments

Filed under Crime, Insurance, Liability, Theft

Tagged as , , ,

by | March 19, 2010 · 1:35 pm

Sexual Harassment In The Hospitality Industry: Restaurant Operators Should Have Backgrounds Checked Closely To Prevent Harassment Of Gays

The hospitality industry is calling for people who operate restaurants to be subjected to more stringent vetting following the case of a restaurateur fined for sexually harassing a gay worker.

(From a TVNZ.co.nz article)   Hospitality workers made up 10% of workplace sexual harassment complaints to the Human Rights Commission in the last two years and in the latest incident the Employment Relations Authority found an Auckland restaurateur guilty of sexually harassing an employee.

Graeme George Edwards has been fined $15,000 in damages and lost pay after harassing, then sacking, a gay employee at his Mexican restaurant.

Hospitality insiders say it’s just the tip of the iceberg and the behaviour is widespread.http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/harassment-rife-in-hospitality-sector-3423490

Comments Off on Sexual Harassment In The Hospitality Industry: Restaurant Operators Should Have Backgrounds Checked Closely To Prevent Harassment Of Gays

Filed under Crime, Liability, Training

Tagged as , , ,

by | March 18, 2010 · 2:14 pm

Hotel Industry Safety And Surveillance: New Technology From 3VR Security Increases Safety For Hotel Guests

“The system will also allow us to do things we never thought about.” Just some of the uses that are being tested at Hilton Americas-Houston include counting arriving vehicles to determine peak times for staffing and monitoring any vehicle accidents in the garage area to provide guests with needed information for their insurance purposes. Ltd.

(From SecurityInfoWatch.com article)  In order to provide guests with the ultimate in security and customer service, Hilton Americas-Houston, the city’s largest hotel, has enhanced their surveillance systems with cutting edge technology from 3VR Security, Inc. The 3VR platform makes it possible for the property to find relevant surveillance footage in seconds, rather than hours, allowing the hotel to utilize the technology for multiple purposes.

As the number-one convention hotel in the city, Hilton Americas-Houston is the first hotel to utilize 3VR’s facial recognition, license plate recognition and advanced motion analytics to provide the ultimate in guest security. In the hotel security business since 1990, John Alan Moore, director of security and life safety for Hilton Americas-Houston says “I’ve never seen anything that is able to do the things this technology does; it’s light-years ahead of the system we previously used.” In addition to providing the ultimate in security for their guests, the hotel is also able to utilize the 3VR system to ensure the best possible customer service. Hilton Americas-Houston is now able to help guests locate lost possessions with the system’s color, directional and object search capabilities. A guest’s misplaced suitcase can be found almost instantly by following the piece using a search based on color and object, from the time it enters the hotel all along its path throughout the building. With over 7,000 lost guest items per year in lost and found, the system will significantly increase the hotel’s ability to satisfy the customer on even higher levels. Another use for the system that Hilton Americas-Houston has found useful is recognizing repeat customers. According to Moore, “We will be able to tie in with front office systems to flag our Gold Card members in order to be able to blow them away with service. This is another tool to be used to keep Hilton as the leader in the industry.” With 90% accuracy, the system registers few false positives, even picking up good facial info on cameras not specifically designated as facial-recognition. On a humorous note, the system is so sensitive that it has recognized faces that were not actually guests; they were photos of the t-shirts of guests. Moore said “President Obama made an appearance on our skywalk, on a guest’s clothing. That’s how bad the system wants to recognize a face.” This high-sensitivity makes the system a most useful tool for the property, providing the ultimate in guest safety and security.

Moore stated, “The system will also allow us to do things we never thought about.” Just some of the uses that are being tested at Hilton Americas-Houston include counting arriving vehicles to determine peak times for staffing and monitoring any vehicle accidents in the garage area to provide guests with needed information for their insurance purposes. Ltd.

http://www.securityinfowatch.com/node/1315210

Comments Off on Hotel Industry Safety And Surveillance: New Technology From 3VR Security Increases Safety For Hotel Guests

Filed under Crime, Insurance, Liability, Theft

Tagged as , , ,