The last thing a guest wants to have to consider is if the hotel is safe enough. So, whether you’re taking measures to protect guest safety, or protect hotel employees from injury or harm, here are the fundamental hotel safety tips for employees.
5. Identify Hazards and Deal with Them
9. Keep Spills Mopped, Glass Swept and Debris Cleaned Away
10. Wear the Appropriate Clothing
1. Prioritise Security
Every single member of staff should be aware of security, from the front desk personnel to the chefs in the kitchen. Here are a few simple but important practices to follow when it comes to hotel security:
-
Report suspicious behaviour.
-
Don’t hand out room keys without someone providing ID.
-
Don’t give out guest information.
-
Make sure prohibited areas are well monitored so that guests don’t end up where they shouldn’t.
You don’t need to treat each guest as a potential threat as most security measures are just common sense. Keep side exits locked, be vigilant at all times and you’ll minimise the chance of a problem arising.
2. Get to Know Everyone
Get to know the staff you work with. Even if you don’t know their names, make sure you know their faces. If someone new starts, take time to introduce yourself.
It’ll be easier to spot anyone that shouldn’t be there but you’ll also build strong relationships with other members of the team. Having a culture of trust and support means that everyone’s looking out for everyone else and will be less likely to ignore a hazard that could end up causing a problem.
3. Check Visitor Credentials
Check the credentials of any people who come on site for work, which includes any builders, florists, temporary catering staff, wedding venues, and so forth. If you see a new face, check credentials.
Make sure that all employees understand the protocol and that those who come on site know it as well.
4. Make Sure Doors are Locked
If you’re nipping out for a cigarette break or you’ve taken a delivery, always be aware of the doors you’ve left unlocked. It only takes one slip-up for someone to access the hotel who shouldn’t be.
5. Identify Hazards and Deal With Them
Health and safety is the responsibility of everyone that’s working in the hotel. To ensure all guests, visitors and staff are safe at all times, encourage everyone to spot hazards and to deal with them quickly and effectively.
6. Learn the Evacuation Plan
Evacuation plans are designed for each floor and for each scenario, so make sure that employees know the evacuation plans - stairways, elevators, escalators, and so forth - in order for them to help guests leave the hotel safely in case of fire or emergency.
7. Take Regular Breaks
Shifts at a hotel can be long and exhausting, so encourage all employees and coworkers to take regular breaks. A little stretch break or a snack can make all the difference to that employee's day.
After all, tired or frustrated staff won’t be performing as well as they can.
8. Know How to Use Equipment
Whether it’s appliances in the kitchen or even something as simple as the vacuum cleaners, make sure all staff are correctly trained on all equipment they’ll be using. They should be able to spot faulty equipment immediately and make sure it’s reported so that it can be fixed as soon as possible.
9. Keep Spills Mopped, Glass Swept and Debris Cleaned Away
For the safety of everyone at the hotel, any spills, glass or debris need to be cleaned up in order to minimise hazards. Since slips, trips, and falls are the most common workplace accident, it’s important that spills are cleaned up immediately.
10. Wear the Appropriate Clothing, Especially Footwear
Slip-resistant, safe, and comfortable footwear is an absolute must for any hotel employee. Spending all day on your feet can take its toll if you aren’t wearing the appropriate footwear. They should be comfortable, durable and able to deal with anything your shift throws at you.
There are a lot of different job roles in a normal hotel. From cleaners and chefs to desk staff and waiters, everyone needs to be wearing footwear that suits their specific job role. For example, a chef will need safety shoes that are puncture-resistant but they won’t need to look as professional as the shoes that the desk staff wear.
Zinc is perfect for busy chefs.
Aristocrat III is stylish and professional, perfect for desk staff.
There’s usually a uniform that hotel staff wear but that uniform can be created from comfortable, breathable materials to ensure that the wearer is always cool and happy during even the longest of shifts.
Make Sure Your Guests Have the Perfect Stay
A proactive approach to hotel safety is just one of the steps you can take to give guests the perfect stay at your hotel. From the check-in process to the room itself, there are little improvements you can make here and there to have guests recommending your services to their friends and family.
We’ve put a guide together that’s filled with these tips to help your guests enjoy their stay.