HOUSEKEEPING HOUSEKEEPING EMERGENCY and EMERGENCY and

SAFETY PROCEDURES SAFETY PROCEDURES

Group IV- 3H2 Group IV- 3H2

SAFE OPERATING SAFE OPERATING PROCEDURE: PROCEDURE:

HOUSEKEEPINGHOUSEKEEPING PurposePurpose A clean workstation free of debris and clutter isA clean workstation free of debris and clutter iscritical to maintaining a safe work environment.critical to maintaining a safe work environment.Housekeeping is a continual effort, but one Housekeeping is a continual effort, but one

wherewherethe rewards are far greater than the effort. Thethe rewards are far greater than the effort. Theproper management of routine tasks should beproper management of routine tasks should bemaintained at all times. maintained at all times. Poor housekeeping affects all aspects ofsafety and can result in both minor andmajor incidents.

Application

Housekeeping is the responsibility of all employees.Employees are responsible for their departments and anyother locations they do work for Supervisors areresponsible for overseeing employees and insuring thatproper housekeeping is maintained. We must take every precaution to prevent accidents.Managers and employees must take responsibility for

theirsafety and for the safety of our customers. The key isconsistent use of safe work practices. Work areas shouldbe maintained so that they do not create a safety hazardfor anyone. All new employees will receive basic officesafety training during their initial orientation.  

If a problem exists at any point the employee

should contact a supervisor or complete a “Report

of Unsafe Conditions” form. Aspects of properhousekeeping practices are outlined in all

safetyprograms and trainings. This is a summary of

themajor housekeeping tasks that must bemaintained on a regular basis.

Emergency and Safety Emergency and Safety ProceduresProcedures

Executive housekeepers should institute Executive housekeepers should institute safety-safety-training programstraining programs design to instruct design to instruct housekeeping employees in safe work practices. housekeeping employees in safe work practices. Specific instructions to guard against hazards and Specific instructions to guard against hazards and dangers unique to their job assignments should dangers unique to their job assignments should also be provided. also be provided.

Housekeeping departments of large lodging Housekeeping departments of large lodging establishments often form establishments often form safety committees safety committees consisting of three or four employees for the consisting of three or four employees for the purpose of preventing accidents from happening purpose of preventing accidents from happening and investigating accidents after they take place in and investigating accidents after they take place in the workplace. Members of the safety committee the workplace. Members of the safety committee regularly inspect all areas in the department, such regularly inspect all areas in the department, such as the laundry room, and employee areas, looking as the laundry room, and employee areas, looking for possible and safety and fire hazards.for possible and safety and fire hazards.

Problems that are usually encountered in a hotel are as follows:

1.1. FireFire

2.2. FloodsFloods

3.3. EarthquakeEarthquake

4.4. TyphoonsTyphoons

Fires and ExplosionsFires and Explosions Small fires can easily be extinguished without Small fires can easily be extinguished without

evacuating the building or calling the fire evacuating the building or calling the fire department. However, even a small fire can quickly department. However, even a small fire can quickly become a serious problem. The first few minutes are become a serious problem. The first few minutes are critical to preventing a larger emergency. critical to preventing a larger emergency.

Classification of Fire:Classification of Fire:1.1. Class A fires- ordinary combustible solids such as Class A fires- ordinary combustible solids such as

paper, wood, rubber, and textiles. paper, wood, rubber, and textiles. 2.2. Class B fires- petroleum hydrocarbons and volatile Class B fires- petroleum hydrocarbons and volatile

flammable solvents. flammable solvents. 3.3. Class C fires- electrical equipment. Class C fires- electrical equipment. 4.4. Class D fires- combustible or reactive metals such as Class D fires- combustible or reactive metals such as

sodium, potassium, or magnesium, metal hydrides, sodium, potassium, or magnesium, metal hydrides, or organometallics. or organometallics.

Causes of Fire

ØCarelessness (including smoking)

ØBurning rubbish / waste

ØPoor housekeeping

ØElectrical faults

ØMisuse of electrical installations

Fire PreventionFire Prevention Fires in lodging properties are quite common but Fires in lodging properties are quite common but

so is the fact that most hotels, motels and resorts so is the fact that most hotels, motels and resorts with state of the art equipment to suppress fires with state of the art equipment to suppress fires when they occur. Executive housekeepers can help when they occur. Executive housekeepers can help prevent fires by fireproofing guestroom furnishing. prevent fires by fireproofing guestroom furnishing. Curtains, carpets, pillows, blankets, and upholstery Curtains, carpets, pillows, blankets, and upholstery should be purchased labeled as fire-retardant or should be purchased labeled as fire-retardant or flameproof, as cigarette smoking in bed by guests flameproof, as cigarette smoking in bed by guests is the typical cause of fires in guestrooms. is the typical cause of fires in guestrooms.

Above all, employees must be trained not to panic Above all, employees must be trained not to panic in case of fire but remain calm in all cases. in case of fire but remain calm in all cases. Panic Panic emotionemotion can cause people to feel disoriented, can cause people to feel disoriented, preventing them from acting rationally.preventing them from acting rationally.

If there is any doubt whether the fire If there is any doubt whether the fire can be controlled locally by available can be controlled locally by available personnel or equipment, the personnel or equipment, the following actions should be taken: following actions should be taken:

1.1. Activate the emergency alarm system. Activate the emergency alarm system. 2.2. Confine the fire (close window, doors Confine the fire (close window, doors

between rooms, and fire doors) to prevent between rooms, and fire doors) to prevent further spread of the fire. further spread of the fire.

3.3. Assist injured personnel. Assist injured personnel. 4.4. Evacuate the building; move to an assemble Evacuate the building; move to an assemble

point for accountability. (See the Emergency point for accountability. (See the Emergency Response Plan for your assembly area.) Response Plan for your assembly area.)

5.5. DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO GO BACK INTO DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO GO BACK INTO THE BUILDING!THE BUILDING!

Emergency Exit PlanEmergency Exit Plan

Flood PreventionFlood Prevention

By installing and maintaining By installing and maintaining floodgates at all potential entry floodgates at all potential entry points into the hotel.points into the hotel.

Sandbags are on hand during Sandbags are on hand during typhoon season in preparation for typhoon season in preparation for any continuous downpour that may any continuous downpour that may occuroccur

Earthquakes

Dangers associated with Earthquakes:

1.1. Partial building collapse such as collapsing Partial building collapse such as collapsing walls, falling ceiling plaster, dislodged walls, falling ceiling plaster, dislodged light fixtures and pictures. light fixtures and pictures.

2.2. Flying glass from shattered windows. Flying glass from shattered windows.

3.3. Overturned furniture such as cabinets, Overturned furniture such as cabinets, standing lamps or bookcases. standing lamps or bookcases.

4.4. Fires, broken gas lines and similar causes. Fires, broken gas lines and similar causes.

5.5. Fallen power lines. Fallen power lines.

6.6. Inappropriate actions resulting from panic. Inappropriate actions resulting from panic.

Safety Rules during Earthquake:

Remain Calm!Remain Calm!

If your inside the hotel:If your inside the hotel:1.1. Stand in doorway.Stand in doorway.2.2. Get under a table or desk.Get under a table or desk.3.3. Brace yourself in an inside corner Brace yourself in an inside corner

away from windows.away from windows.4.4. Move to an inner wall or corridor.Move to an inner wall or corridor.5.5. Watch for falling objects.Watch for falling objects.

6. Stay away from tall shelves, cabinets and other furniture that might slide or topple.

7. Stay away from windows, sliding glass doors and mirrors.

8. Grab anything handy to shield your head and face from falling debris and splintering glass.

9. Do not be alarmed if the fire alarm or sprinklers go off.

10. Do not rush outside...stay on the same floor that you are on.

11. Do not use the elevators as the power for elevators may go out and leave you trapped.

12. The greatest danger from falling debris is just outside doorways and close to outer walls.

If you are outside the hotel: 1. Move away from the building,

garage walls, power poles and lamp posts.

2. If possible, proceed cautiously to a safe area.

General Safety Rules after an Earthquake:

1. Remain calm. Do not panic. 2. Do not light matches, cigarettes or turn

on3. electrical switches.4. Protect hands and feet in all areas near5. broken glass or debris.6. Keep head and feet protected (with

blanket, hat, pillow, etc). 7. Fill your bathtub and sink with water.8. Wait for further instructions by the Hotel

Emergency Response team

Other Safety Tips for Other Safety Tips for Housekeeping Workers:Housekeeping Workers:

Use gloves as often as possible in the workplace.Use gloves as often as possible in the workplace. Use goggles when decanting hazardous chemicals.Use goggles when decanting hazardous chemicals. Wipe all spills immediately, particularly on the floors.Wipe all spills immediately, particularly on the floors. Walk; do not run!Walk; do not run! Report all hallway obstructions.Report all hallway obstructions. Discard chipped or broken glassware safely.Discard chipped or broken glassware safely. Use pan and brush to sweep up broken glass.Use pan and brush to sweep up broken glass. Never touch electrical switches with wet hands.Never touch electrical switches with wet hands. Do not use equipment that has frayed electrical Do not use equipment that has frayed electrical

cords.cords. Store heavy material on lower shelves and lighter Store heavy material on lower shelves and lighter

material above.material above.

Keep stored material away from sprinkler heads Keep stored material away from sprinkler heads and light bulbs.and light bulbs.

Do not use chairs or boxes to reach for stored Do not use chairs or boxes to reach for stored material.material.

Keep loads close to body when lifting.Keep loads close to body when lifting. Bend knees and keep a straight back when Bend knees and keep a straight back when

lifting heavy objects.lifting heavy objects. Never try to give heavy liquids to an Never try to give heavy liquids to an

unconscious person.unconscious person. Control bleeding by pressing on the wound with Control bleeding by pressing on the wound with

a clean towel.a clean towel. Do not use bare hands to push or pull trash in Do not use bare hands to push or pull trash in

wastebaskets.wastebaskets. Handled soiled linen with care to avoid contact Handled soiled linen with care to avoid contact

with sharps.with sharps. Always use gloves to handle blood spills or Always use gloves to handle blood spills or

stains,stains, Report any real or potential safety hazard to Report any real or potential safety hazard to

your supervisor.your supervisor.

Employee TheftEmployee Theft

Estimates of employee theft in the Estimates of employee theft in the workplace are very high. It is believed that workplace are very high. It is believed that half of all employees steal from their half of all employees steal from their employers. Housekeeping employees have employers. Housekeeping employees have ample opportunities to steal and pilfer-ample opportunities to steal and pilfer-they can steal from guests, as they have they can steal from guests, as they have master keys to access the guests’ rooms; master keys to access the guests’ rooms; and they can pilfer company property, and they can pilfer company property, particularly guest and cleaning supplies, particularly guest and cleaning supplies, linens, and tools.linens, and tools.

Minimizing TheftMinimizing Theft An effective way of controlling employee theft is by An effective way of controlling employee theft is by

implementing a implementing a parcel-pass systemparcel-pass system by which by which employees leaving the property must show security employees leaving the property must show security officers a signed authorization to remove any items officers a signed authorization to remove any items from the premises. A designated entrance/exit for from the premises. A designated entrance/exit for employees that is controlled by security can be very employees that is controlled by security can be very effective, deterring individuals from exiting the effective, deterring individuals from exiting the premises through unmonitored doors.premises through unmonitored doors.

Properties that use keys rather than cards must Properties that use keys rather than cards must establish an effective way of limiting access to establish an effective way of limiting access to guestrooms, floor closets, and storerooms by guestrooms, floor closets, and storerooms by establishing a establishing a key-control systemkey-control system. Keys must be . Keys must be accounted for at all times by logging them in and out accounted for at all times by logging them in and out at the beginning and end of shits. To avoid at the beginning and end of shits. To avoid misplacement, master keys should be attached to a misplacement, master keys should be attached to a cord or lanyard or placed in large metal rings.cord or lanyard or placed in large metal rings.

Theft by guests and Theft by guests and IntrudersIntruders

The proverbial filching of towels by guests is a The proverbial filching of towels by guests is a common today as it has ever been. In some cases, common today as it has ever been. In some cases, cash-only guests take with them bathroom cash-only guests take with them bathroom appliances, coffee makers, blankets, pillows, appliances, coffee makers, blankets, pillows, clock/radios, telephones, TV sets, and, in rare cases, clock/radios, telephones, TV sets, and, in rare cases, the entire furniture of rooms by parking a van behind the entire furniture of rooms by parking a van behind the room sliding door/window. the room sliding door/window.

Guest theft can be minimized by the establishment’s Guest theft can be minimized by the establishment’s not admitting travelers who don’t own a credit card. not admitting travelers who don’t own a credit card. In any case, section housekeepers should be trained In any case, section housekeepers should be trained to report immediately any missing item from rooms to report immediately any missing item from rooms or when observing a guest’s suitcases or trunks and or when observing a guest’s suitcases or trunks and the presence of suspicious characters loitering in the presence of suspicious characters loitering in hallways should also be reported.hallways should also be reported.