Category Archives: Management And Ownership

Hospitality Industry Guest Injury Risks: Children Seriously Injured In UK Hotel "Jumping Castle" When Wind Gust Sends It Crashing Into A Telephone Pole

“Seventy per cent of all injuries on jumping castles occur from falls, most of these result in fractures… there can also be concussions,”

“…Three children in the UK were seriously injured after a jumping castle they were playing in was lifted off the ground by a wind gust before crashing into a telegraph pole….”

Seven-year-old Koby Dakin, his brother Kyle Dakin, 10, and eight-year-old Imogen Wright were thrown into the air after winds exceeding 60 km/h ripped the castle from its supports during a christening party at the White House Hotel in Whitby, North Yorkshire, at the weekend.

Mr Young’s son Koby was airlifted to hospital suffering a broken leg, two arm fractures, a broken rib, punctured lung and head trauma, while his older brother was treated in hospital for a leg injury.

Imogen Wright was hospitalised with head injuries and a concussion.

For more:  http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8255791/children-injured-after-jumping-castle-blows-away

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Filed under Guest Issues, Injuries, Liability, Management And Ownership, Risk Management

Hospitality Industry Employee Safety Risks: Hotel Housekeepers And Staff May Wear "Electronic Panic Buttons" To Protect Against Assault If New York Legislation Is Passed

“New York hotel workers would have electronic “panic buttons” under a new bill proposed after then-IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn was charged with sexually assaulting a hotel maid…”

“…Hotel workers needing urgent help could use the panic buttons to contact the hotel’s front desk or its security, then police could be called if necessary…”

“…assaults may be undercounted, experts say, since workers may fear being sacked and employers, mindful of insurance, might not want to report assaults that are not severe….”

 Assemblyman Lancman, who chairs the Assembly’s subcommittee on workplace safety, said attacks on hotel maids and housekeepers were relatively common although he had no data to support that.

In 2009, 100 hotel maids were assaulted—70 by people, 30 by animals—according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But assaults may be undercounted, experts say, since workers may fear being sacked and employers, mindful of insurance, might not want to report assaults that are not severe. 

Hotel companies are examining security protocols following the incident, industry executives said on Tuesday.

 For more:  http://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20110525/NEWS01/110529923

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Filed under Crime, Guest Issues, Injuries, Labor Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Risk Management

Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: Texas Hotel Manager Arrested For Theft As Guest Cash Payments Were Adjusted In The Computer

“….Hotel management discovered Hunter had been stealing for some time, the affidavit claimed. Officials found Hunter would check guests in and adjust off cash payments in the computer, then take the money...”

“…Hunter…was charged with theft over $1,500 under $20,000, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Hunter’s bond was set at $5,000…”

A 30-year-old woman is suspected of stealing more than $3,000 from a Burkburnett business she worked for. On May 13, police were contacted by a representative of Sunway Hotel Management. The person said an audit of the property found money had been taken from the hotel safe, and from cash transactions.

The representative said Hunter, the general manager, said she had borrowed the missing money to pay for a child’s doctor bill, and would return it when she got paid. She was told she needed to come to the hotel to discuss the issue but never showed up.

A total of $2,618 in cash payments had been taken that way, allegedly all by Hunter. The total reached about $3,268 including petty cash from the safe.

For more:  http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2011/may/25/crime_beat_5-25/

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Filed under Crime, Guest Issues, Insurance, Liability, Management And Ownership, Theft

Hospitality Industry Guest Service: Hotels Will Optimize "Guest Satisfaction" By Following Retail Industry Leaders Such As Nordstroms In Using "Hand Held" Devices For "Check-In, Room Key Cards, Spa, Restaurant And Other Services"

“…Nordstroms’ President, Blake Nordstrom, announced that some 5,000 hand held devices will be in the hands of Sales Associates by this July…”

“…everyone is in Guest Services…no more Front Desk – we have a Concierge Center. Check folks in right there on your hand held, take their credit card impression, dispense the “room key card”, via e-mail, and the bar code will open the Guest Room door, plus be used for all Hotel charges – spa, restaurant, golf, etc…”

 Nordstrom’s credo is exceptional Customer Service, and,   for those of us who have waited in line or even tried to find a Sales Associate in these large stores, the mobile application is just great.  By the way, Nordstroms just posted a 6.5 percent increase in first-quarter same-store sales.

Many operations already have the option of Kiosks, but they are so impersonal.  Get your people out from behind their desks (those barriers), meeting, greeting and rooming your Guests.  This is the “personal touch” in a technical world, and, watch, in 3-5 years this is what it will look like.

For more:  http://www.hoteltechresource.com/article54896.html

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Filed under Guest Issues, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Technology, Training

Hospitality Industry Risk Solutions: "P3 Hospitality Risk Report" On "Special Packages" Provides Important Information To Hotel Management (Video)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQJVtyo1i0c&feature=youtu.be&hd=1]

Petra Risk Solutions’ Director of Risk Management, Todd Seiders , offers a P3 Hospitality Risk Report – ‘Special Packages’. 

P3 ( Petra Plus Process) is the Risk Management Division of Petra Risk Solutions – America ’s largest independent insurance brokerage devoted exclusively to the hospitality marketplace.

  For more information on Petra and P3 visit petrarisksolutions.com or call 800.466.8951.

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Filed under Claims, Guest Issues, Injuries, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Training

Hospitality Industry Pool And Spa Risks: Family Of Man Who Drowned After Being "Sucked Into Hotel Whirlpool Drain" Sues For "Negligence, Emotional Distress And False Imprisonment"

The family of a man who met a bizarre and tragic end by being sucked into a jacuzzi at a Bahamian resort is suing the hotel for negligence, emotional distress and false imprisonment.

There was no emergency shut off button nearby and other guests tried in vain to save him.

‘No Sandals employees were either trained or willing to provide CPR for the 45 minutes or more that transpired before an ambulance arrived.’

John Van Hoy Jr, 33, died on December 28, 2010 after he was sucked into the drain of the hotel’s whirlpool and drowned while workers allegedly ignored his fiancée’s cries for help. His family are suing the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort, its American-based marketing firm, and the companies that built or supplied parts for the whirlpool.

According to Courthouse News Service, Mr Van Hoy was ‘in excellent shape, and could bench press over 300 pounds’, but when he dunked his body underwater he got caught in the whirlpool’s suction drain and could not free himself. His fiancée was said to be relaxing nearby when she noticed he did not come up for air.

She screamed for help, then jumped into the pool to try and save him herself after she claims that staff ignored her, but she was unsuccessful. The suit says: ‘Nicole Cleaveland then sought the help of a Royal Bahamian employee who ignored her pleas for help and walked away.’

When he was finally freed, the suit says that it took an ambulance 45 minutes to arrive and there was no one on site to administer CPR on Mr Van Hoy.

He was pronounced dead when he arrived at hospital. According to Miami New Times, the complaint also alleges that after the death, the phone was removed from Miss Cleaveland’s room, and that she was interrogated by hotel staffers who tried to get her to admit that either she or Mr Van Hoy was responsible for his death.

The complaint says: ‘In the final moments of his life, John Van Hoy Jr experienced unimaginable conscious terror and utter foreboding doom – all of which was exacerbated by him knowing that his [fiancée’s] efforts to save him had failed.’

The family are seeking damages for negligence, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment and product liability.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1387854/Family-man-fatally-sucked-hotel-jacuzzi-sues-resort.html#ixzz1McV9LT36

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Filed under Guest Issues, Health, Injuries, Insurance, Liability, Management And Ownership, Pool And Spa, Risk Management, Training

Hospitality Industry Health Risks: Kentucky Hotels "Annual Inspection Reports" Are Now Posted "Online" With Scores And Violations Easily Accessed

Scores from annual inspections of more than 70 Northern Kentucky hotels and motels can now be found online.

Information on the inspection process, along with the scores, can be viewed on the Northern Kentucky Health Department’s website.

CLICK ON "INSPECTIONS" TO VIEW ONLINE INSPECTION REPORTS

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Filed under Guest Issues, Health, Maintenance, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Technology, Training

Hospitality Industry Employee Issues: California Legislature Considers Legislation To Require "Fitted Bed Sheets" To Reduce Housekeeping Injuries But Costs To Hotels Would Be Significant

“…Supporters of the bill argue it will reduce worker injuries by eliminating the need for workers to repetitively lift extremely heavy mattresses when making beds…”

“… They contend that flat sheets cause workers to strain their backs, shoulders and wrists, and are often responsible for repetitive motion injuries…” 

“..But the California Hotel and Lodging Association says replacing existing sheets to comply with the bill could cost between $30 million and $50 million…”

“…Hotel operators argue they will need to purchase new equipment in order to launder the fitted sheets. They also say fitted sheets will have to be replaced more often, that the elastic in fitted sheets breaks down faster than fabric, and that fitted sheets cost more to iron, fold and store…”

The California Legislature is considering a bill that would regulate what type of sheets can be used on hotel bed mattresses across the state. State Bill 432, sponsored by Sen. Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), also calls for the use of long-handled tools like mops and dusters so housekeepers do not have to get down on their hands and knees to clean bathroom floors.

“Just by using fitted sheets you could cut the number of lifts in half, and we think that would go a long way in preventing worker injury,” said Leigh Shelton, a spokesperson for UNITE HERE, a union that represents California hospitality workers.

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Filed under Health, Injuries, Labor Issues, Liability, Maintenance, Management And Ownership, Training

Hospitality Industry Pool Illness Risks: Budget Deficits Risk Shutdown Of State-Run "Public Pool And Spa Inspection Programs" Putting Guests At Risk And Raising Insurance Premiums

“…it’s important that pool operators and owners of public pools in this state know that there is someone looking over their shoulder, however benign that eye may be…”

The lone state inspector, Tim Wilson, also reviews construction plans and educating operators, builders and others in the industry on the federal law, intended to prevent injury and death from improperly installed drains.

“…South Carolina considered shutting down its program several years ago because of budget problems, but the hotel and motel industry pushed to keep it to avoid increased insurance costs…The state implemented fees to support the program..”

Resort owner Peter Spanos doesn’t support big government regulations but fears a proposal to eliminate New Hampshire’s public pool and spa inspection program will mean more pool-related illnesses in a state that receives 34 million visits annually. Spanos, owner of the Shalimar Resort on Lake Winnisquam in Tilton, said that wouldn’t be good for New Hampshire’s image or his business.

The House budget cut would save $139,000. Environmental Services Commissioner Thomas Burack said without the program, people would be at greater risk of gastric illnesses and lung, skin and eye infections. New Hampshire appears to be unique in using this budget-cutting measure, and some question whether it would tarnish the state’s reputation and hurt its $4 billion tourism industry.

New Hampshire inspects nearly 1,400 public pools and spas. In the last five years, the state reported 2,211 water quality violations; 313 bacterial and 725 safety, with 224 immediate closures. Manchester, Nashua, Bedford and Merrimack do their own inspections.

For more:  http://www2.wjtv.com/lifestyles/2011/may/08/cut-would-eliminate-nhs-pool-inspection-program-ar-1817932/

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Filed under Guest Issues, Health, Management And Ownership, Pool And Spa, Risk Management, Training

Hospitality Industry Guest Privacy: Hotel Management Must Standardize Privacy Procedures For Entering, Cleaning And Inspecting Guest Rooms

“If someone has a couple of articles of clothes on the bed we will move them to make the bed…if they have expensive things on the bed – purses, electronics, cameras – we will not touch that bed.”

“…if there is something sensitive, like a closed wallet or laptop, a supervisor or manager will stand at the door for the employee’s safety…”

“…keep a log on what keys have been used on the room’s electronic doors…”

“…hotels’ insurance providers require police statements for incidents…have everyone write a written statement and sign and date it…”

While every chain hotel has a set corporate policy, each individual hotel may be less stringent and abiding for the guest’s benefit.

“According to Iowa law, we can enter a room anytime we want,” Jepsen said. Generally, hotel staff won’t enter a room if they don’t suspect something may be wrong in the room, Jepsen said. With extended-stay guests, who are staying 30-40 days, they are required to enter the room a minimum of twice a week. They mainly change the sheets and make sure garbage isn’t piling up, but also they make sure their equipment isn’t damaged. By the end of 30 days, a mattress could be ruined or the guest could be smoking in the room, Jepsen said.

There are other reasons for entering a guest’s room. “There have been instances where guests put their ‘do not disturb’ sign up but they may have a medical issue,” said King. “It could go unnoticed for long periods of time.”

“In the back of our mind, we always know what our rights are and what the rights of our guests are,” she said. “You can’t always have rules written in stone.”

Protection exists for both the hotel and the guests. Country Inn & Suites and AmericInn, like most hotels, have video surveillance systems. Both also keep a log on what keys have been used on the room’s electronic doors.

With any serious crime, such as theft, the police are immediately contacted, Jepsen said. “If a guest reports a theft, it’s investigated to its fullest extent,” she said. This is also done because the hotels’ insurance providers require police statements for incidents.

“What I always do is I have everyone write a written statement and sign and date it,” Jepsen said.

For more:  http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/538926/Hotel-rules-protect-both-operator-and-guest.html?nav=5010

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Filed under Crime, Guest Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Privacy, Risk Management, Training