Accident prevention (Safety)

SAFETY

Safety pertains to the things such as disasters, emergencies, fire prevention and protection. It also includes the prevention of injury or any sort of damage to property.

On the other hand, security is the freedom from fear, anxiety and doubts concerning human as well as protection against thefts of guest, employee or hotel property.

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Three “E” of Safety

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Safety Education

Employees should be encouraged to come up with ideas for inculcating safety into hotel methods because safety programs and policies are only effective when practiced accordingly. Proper training should be provided to each staff.

• Teaching safe method, with emphasis on areas of potential danger and how they can be guarded.

• Demonstration of use of safety equipment

• Ability to recognize the sign of hazard around them.

• Teaching legal implication of non-adherence to safety procedure.

Safety Engineering

It is done in the designing phase of the establishment. Generally, equipment, furniture and fittings are allocated the space in accordance with the safety measures.

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Safety Rules Enforcement

Rules are not meant only to be made. Proper implementation and following the rules become quite necessary. Motivation and enforcement are to be ensured.

Safety Awareness and Accident Prevention

Safety awareness should be an ongoing program at all establishments. Various laws and rules for ensuring the safety in the establishments have been devised out by the Government. Safe work environments and safety of the employees should be taken care by the Management.

In order to raise AWARENESS, following points should be kept in mind:

• All employees should be well aware of the potential hazards in their respective department.

• H.O.D. should ensure that employees follow safe job procedures, correct unsafe conditions immediately and do not work in hurry to avoid accidents.

• Housekeeping Safety Manual enlisting safety rules should be prepared.

Basic Guidelines for the Prevention of Accidents

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Prevention is better than cure. If we prevent accidents to happen, then it becomes easy for us to provide the maximum efficiency during work.

Following guidelines should be following in order to prevent accidents:

1. Always follow instruction while using any cleaning equipment.

2. Replace cap on cleaning chemicals immediately and securely after dispensing.

3. Label cleaning agents clearly.

4. Keep floors clean and dry.

5. Place warning signs around the area while cleaning.

6. Always dry hand before touching any electrical pieces of equipment or wiring.

7. Clean away broken glass carefully.

8. Mark faulty equipment as ‘OOO’ ( Out Of Order )

9. Dispose off rubbish carefully.

10. Never place sharp objects or cigarette butts in trash bags.

Action in case an accident occurs

An accident may happen anywhere, anytime with either the guest or employees. Following preventing measures can be used:

• With the help of another person, check if the victim requires any assistance.

• Report the matter immediately to the manager concerned.

• Either administer First-Aid or get help from trained personnel.

• Transport the victim immediately to a hospital if required.

• Fill in the accident report form.

Accident Report Form

Prevention of Fire

Fires may be prevented if fire hazards are identified & eliminated. Some unsafe practices that may lead to fires are as follows:

• Guests smoking in bed.

• The hotel not providing sand urns or sufficient & appropriate ashtrays in rooms as well as public areas.

• Using high-wattage light bulbs in lamps.

• Leaving linen chute doors open.

• Storing rags & cloths with residues of cleaning polish still on them.

• Not unplugging electrical appliances when not in use.

• Using faulty electrical equipment or sockets.

• Leaving magnifying glasses where the sun can catch them.

• Using furnishing materials that are easily combustible.

• Each establishment must conduct fire drills on a periodic basis & ensure that all staff attends these drills so that they know what is to be done during a fire emergency.

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What to do in case of Fire Emergency

In case a fire breaks out, follow the guidelines given below:

• Immediately switch on the nearest fire alarm.

• If possible, attack the fire with suitable equipment, remembering to direct the extinguishers at the base of the flames. Do not attempt to fight a fire if there is any danger of personal risk.

• Close windows & switch off all electrical appliances, including fans & lights.

• Close the door to that affected area & report to your immediate supervisor for instructions.

• Carry out instructions

• Remain at the assembly point until instructed to do otherwise.

• Do not use the lifts.

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Crime Prevention

It is imperative that all properties have a crime prevention committee or a security committee. The committee should consist of key management personnel, including department heads. Supervisors & other selected employees can also be roped in for valuable information & inputs. The committee members should meet on a scheduled basis periodically to review past plans & form new ones. The general responsibilities of this committee should be to

• Design a security booklet for all employees.

• Develop orientation & training programs on crime prevention in coordination with the training department.

• Analyze & resolve recurring security issues & investigate any security-based incidents.

• Conduct spot security checks & inspections of the property.

• Liaise with the local police department.

• Monitor the keeping of records & documentation of all security-related incidents.

Emergency Handling

An emergency is any unplanned event that can cause death or injuries to faculty, staff, students, or the public, or that can shut down a business, disrupt operations, cause physical or environmental damage, or can threaten the institution’s financial standing or public image. There are set procedures for dealing with emergencies which should specify:

What procedures are to be followed.

Who will be responsible? Employee duties and placements.

How the procedures will be followed

When the specified procedures should be followed. When should the guests be notified of a bomb threat, when the evacuation process should be initiated.

Planning for an Emergency

• Employee training

• Emergency resources: names and telephones number of an outside agency.

• Emergency checklists: each dept head should develop a checklist outlining the actions that he/she must have to take in the case of an event.

• Drills

• First aid training.

Dealing with Bomb Threat

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1. Remain calm

Without letting the caller know, try to alert another staff member that this is a bomb threat so this person can notify security officer and request a phone trace. Attempt to keep the caller on the line as long as possible using following techniques.

2. Ask or note the following:

a. When is the bomb going off?
b. Where is the bomb located?
c. What does the bomb look like?
d. What kind of bomb is it?
e. Did the caller place the bomb?
f. Why was the bomb placed?
g. Who is the caller (man, woman, child)?
h. The exact wording of the bomb threat.
i. Was there an accent, background noise, etc.?
j. Time the call was received.

3. If you believe there is an immediate threat of a bomb explosion, pull the fire alarm, evacuate the facility and contact security dept.

4. Share your information with the security officer.

5. Return to the building only after being given the “all-clear” sign by the officer.

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Dealing with Earthquake

1. If you are inside a building, take cover under a desk or table or under a doorway and hold on.
2. Stay away from windows or anything that could fall.
3. If outdoors, stay away from buildings, utility lines, and streetlights.
4. When shaking stops, evacuate the building. Assist people with disabilities.
5. Follow the instructions of emergency officials when present.
6. Proceed with any necessary cleanup and recovery of items if it is safe to do so and allowed by authorities.

Dealing with Death

1. Call or contact the HOD of your dept.

2. Clear the area of the scene.

3. Secure the scene and do not touch or move anything.

4. Assist in directing emergency personnel to the scene.

5. Do not give out any information to the media.

6. Contact the Associate Director for Facilities.

7. The Associate Director will contact Employee Assistance as needed for a post-crisis meeting for any other employees affected by the situation.

Dealing with the Explosion

• Assess the situation to determine the risk of additional explosions.

• If no apparent risk exists, use a fire extinguisher to put out any small fires.

• If a risk exists, activate the nearest fire alarm.

• Assist everyone in the area to get out.

• Close doors and windows behind you to contain the problem.

• Call security to report the explosion.

• Keep upwind (keep the direction from which the wind is blowing) of the explosion.

• Handle any medical emergencies.

• Report the explosion to your supervisor.

Dealing with the Fire

If you smell smoke or see fire:

1. If the fire appears controllable, try to extinguish it by using an available fire extinguisher. Attempt this for no longer than 30 seconds.
2. If the fire appears difficult to control, call for help of the security members.
3. Put on the fire alarm and assist persons with disabilities.
4. Do not use elevators.
5. Survey people outside for injuries and information about people who might still be in the building. 6. Do not re-enter the building until the all-clear signal is given by security personnel.