Category Archives: Health

by | July 17, 2011 · 8:10 am

Hospitality Industry Health Risks: Nevada Hotel Guests Exposed To "Bacteria Causing Legionnaires' Disease"; Water Treatment Capabilities Increased

“…Spokeswoman Stephanie Bethel of the Southern Nevada Health District said Thursday that six cases of the sometimes-deadly form of pneumonia have been reported among Aria guests by the Centers for Disease Control….”

The hotel says in a letter to guests that it added additional water treatment and the latest tests show no detectible levels of the bacteria.

The Aria Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip is warning guests who stayed during a two week window that they may have been exposed to high levels of the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease.

Bethel says all six people were treated and have recovered. Hotel officials say water tests in several guest rooms between June 21 and July 4 detected elevated levels of the bacteria Legionella.

For more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/9748294

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by | July 11, 2011 · 5:12 pm

Hotel Industry Employee Risks: The "National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health" (NIOSH) Releases Statistics And Goals For Reducing Injuries To Hotel Room Cleaners

Nearly 1.8 million people worked in the traveler/accommodations industry in 2008, including more than 400,000 hotel room cleaners.

Most cleaners are women, and many are immigrants and minorities who perform tasks including dusting, vacuuming, changing linens, making beds, scrubbing bathrooms, cleaning mirrors, and disposing of trash.

Hotel cleaners face hazards such as the following:

  • ergonomic hazards that include bending, pushing carts, and making beds;
  • trauma hazards that include slips, trips, and falls;
  • respiratory, dermal, and possibly carcinogenic hazards from chemicals in cleaning products;
  • mold and microbial contaminants;
  • infectious agents; and
  • occupational stress due to heavy workloads, lack of adequate supplies, job insecurity, low pay, and discrimination.

Organizations and individuals can help improve the safety and health of hotel cleaners in the United States:

  • Identify and evaluate hazards and adopt inter¬ventions to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses in the hotel environment.
  • Evaluate the quality and ensure maintenance of equipment used in hotel cleaning operations.
  • Encourage the use of ergonomic carts and vacuum cleaners, and long-handled tools like mops and scrub brushes; and inform suppliers about the best equipment for cleaners.
  • Conduct research on guest practices that would improve the work environment for room cleaners.
  • Partner with OSHA, NIOSH, labor, and oth¬ers to study why disparities exist in injury rates among room cleaners and what remedies are effective, and to quickly implement available remedies

For more:  http://ohsonline.com/articles/2011/07/08/niosh-fact-sheet-highlights-safety-health-concerns-among-hotel-cleaners.aspx?admgarea=news

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by | July 6, 2011 · 8:23 am

Hotel Industry Pool Safety: Risks Of Dangerous "E. Coli" Outbreaks In Hotel Pools Increase As Chlorine Levels Decrease, pH Levels Rise Due To "Sunlight, Dirt And Material From Swimmers' Bodies"

“Because of the risk for outbreak of illness, it is essential that public pools and water parks follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for adequate chlorine and pH levels.”

Sunlight, dirt, debris and material from swimmers’ bodies can all reduce chlorine levels in pool water. That is why chlorine levels must be routinely measured. As pH goes up, the ability of chlorine to kill germs goes down, so pH levels also need to be tested. Specific regulations regarding testing timetables and testing procedures would prevent illness.

“…E. coli O157 can cause severe dehydration, hemorrhagic colitis (may require removal of part of the colon), and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), sometimes referred to as E. coli kidney failure. In addition to uremia and renal failure, HUS can cause seizures, strokes, encephalopathy, acute respiratory distress syndrome, heart attack and heart failure, blindness, paralysis, pancreatitis and death…”

E. coli attorney Fred Pritzker is calling for better regulations for public swimming pools after fifteen people were sickened at the Opelika SportsPlex and Aquatic Center in Opelika, Alabama. Parents should be able to bring their children to a public swimming facility without the children getting exposed to E. coli O157 or another dangerous pathogen,” said Pritzker. “Better regulations regarding chlorine and pH testing would help prevent E. colioutbreaks.”

To date, thirteen children and two adults who either played in the Splash Park or swam in the pool at the Opelika SportsPlex and Aquatic Center between June 4 and June 22 were identified with severe gastrointestinal illness consistent with E. coli O157 poisoning. Five children have been confirmed positive for E. coli O157:H7 infection.

Four children were hospitalized, and two remain hospitalized. “Based on the information that we have now, it appears that the common source of exposure was the Aquatic Center,” said State Health Officer Dr. Donald Williamson.

For more:  http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110630006874/en/E.-coli-Lawyer-Calls-Regulations-Wake-Opelika

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by | June 17, 2011 · 7:00 am

Hotel Industry Guest Safety: Texas Hotel Guests Injured When "Glass Panels" Fall From 24th Floor To Pool Deck Recalling Fatal "Window Accident" In Atlanta

“….two glass panels fell from balcony railings of two unoccupied condominium units on the 24th and 25th floors and landed in the pool area…”

The hotel’s general manager, Drew McQuade, told the newspaper that four people were treated for cuts and other injuries.

“It was not packed, but there were a fair amount of guests at the pool,” McQuade said. “We feel fortunate that there were not more people injured.”

The incident, which occurred June 10, recalls the May 28 tragedy at the W Hotel in Midtown in which two women fell through a glass window in their 10th floor hotel room. LaShawna Threatt, 30, was killed in that incident and Cierra Williams, 28, was critically injured. Witnesses said the two women were engaged in “horseplay” when they crashed through the window.

McQuade said engineering experts were investigating the incident.

For more:  http://www.ajc.com/news/glass-panels-fall-from-979520.html

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by | June 14, 2011 · 6:46 am

Hospitality Industry Health Risks: Hotel Owners Can Now Obtain "Bed Bug" Insurance Policies That Combine Insurance For Pest Control And "Lost Revenue"

“…In the past, the cost of treating bedbugs was seen as an unplanned expense that had to be paid out of pocket by the landlord…”

“…Treatment of bedbug problems and replacement of any property was excluded from property insurance policies. In recent months, some hotels have obtained loss of attraction coverage that covers losses if rooms have to be taken out of service because of bed-bug infestations…”

Aon Risk Solutions, the risk management arm of giant insurance broker Aon Corp., has teamed with Global Excess Partners, a Manhattan-based commercial property insurance company, and Terminix, the nation’s largest pest-control company, to offer the first-ever bedbug-specific insurance policy for hotels, landlords and corporations.

The new insurance plan, announced Monday, will not only cover the cost of bedbug termination, but also covers lost revenue during the time the creatures are still running riot before succumbing to pest eradication techniques that range from a new non-toxic treatment that can clean a room in five days or less, to mattress encasements.

In an effort to quell a chance of an outbreak, many companies have been hiring exterminators like M&M to conduct monthly preventive visits, which cost anywhere from $100 to several thousand dollars. Mr. Wong said his company recently conducted a $25,000 job that came as a result of bedbug infestation.

For more:  http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20110613/REAL_ESTATE/110619964

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by | June 10, 2011 · 9:14 am

Hospitality Industry Health Risks: Arkansas Hotel Evacuated After High Levels Of "Carbon Monoxide" Sickens Family Of Four; Traced To A Faulty Swimming Pool Heater

“…Fire Department officials say a North Little Rock hotel was evacuated after a family of four was hospitalized with carbon monoxide poisoning…traced to a faulty swimming pool heater…”

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported Friday that Fire Department Capt. J.R. Pflasterer said the carbon monoxide was found at unsafe levels throughout the hotel Thursday He said it was traced to a faulty swimming pool heater.  Pflasterer said 64 people were forced to leave the Comfort Inn and Suites after the family went to a hospital about 8 a.m. He said about 10 of those evacuated reported headaches or dizziness.

Pflasterer said carbon monoxide levels returned to normal Thursday afternoon. The hotel’s telephone number was continually busy Friday morning, so it could not be learned when it would reopen.

For more:  http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/852f6fb07d9149cb9238e0adf171f81b/AR–Carbon-Monoxide-Ark-Hotel/

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by | June 8, 2011 · 7:37 am

Hotel Industry Pool Safety Risks: Hotel Management Must Insure Full "Pool And Spa" Safety Compliance Including Drain Cover And "Clear Water" Maintenance

“…On average 566 people are hospitalized in Florida each year for injuries suffered from near drowning… Costs of a near drowning-related hospital stay range from $10,000 for standard 2-day treatment to $4 million in case of brain damage…”

“…Federal law requires public pools and hot tubs to be equipped with an anti-entrapment drain cover. A safety vacuum release system is required for those pools or hot tubs with a single main drain…”

 “…Keep pools clean and clear so that swimmers can be seen if they are in trouble in the water. This can prevent drownings. Also clean and clear water is a sign of disease free water. ..”

According to the Florida Department of Health, studies from 2001-2005 suggest that the state averages 465 deaths per year from unintentional drowning. Similar studies suggest that Florida ranks in the United States in drowning deaths for young children. A more recent statistic points that in 2008 71% Florida’s drowning deaths involved children ages 0-4. The federal and state laws offer some pool regulations through the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act of 2007, named after a 7-year-old who died after the suction of a drain entrapped her underwater. Entrapment occurs when a pool’s filtration system sucks a child under water.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission enforces the law, and public places such as health clubs and hotels must comply or risk an immediate closure of the pool area. So the first step to pool safety is to make sure the pool drain complies with the law and has a safety vacuum release.

In addition to preventing the dangers from faulty drains there are other steps to make pools safer. Many pools with cloudy water may contain harmful bacteria. Believe it or not many deaths and injuries come from bacteria in pools and spas. Legionnaires disease is a disease that can kill and can be acquired from just sitting next to a dirty hot tub or spa. In a recent Orlando case a visitor from England died when exposed to Legionella bacteria and acquired Legionnaires disease sitting poolside next to a hotel spa next to the pool. If the hot tub is dirty or murky, stay away and contact the pool operator and the County Health Department. Your life may depend on it.

For more:  http://orlando.injuryboard.com/property-owners-liability-slip-and-fall/pool-safety-tips-for-summer-.aspx?googleid=291052

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by | June 3, 2011 · 6:57 am

Hotel Industry Guest Health Risks: More Major Hotels Are Offering "Allergy Friendly" Rooms To Satisfy Demand From Sensitive Guests

Hyatt Rooms Executive Ash Awasthi said you will notice the air smells pure as soon as you walk into one of their 10 rooms set aside and treated to be allergy friendly…”They are nine to ten times purer than what you get outside.”

Hyatt places a $25 per night up charge for an allergy friendly room…The American Hotel and Lodging Association says almost 40% of all hotels now have allergy friendly options and up-charges vary.

Most people don’t realize this, but you can ask for an allergy friendly room at the Hyatt.

Awasthi said these rooms are special for three reasons. First, he said very single surface is chemically treated so dust doesn’t stick. Also, there is a special casing on the mattress and pillows. “Basically it’s the fabric that prevents any impurities,” he said. He also pointed out what he said is a medical grade air purifier. “This filters out 99% of the particles or bacteria you have in the room.”

Lewis had not heard of allergy friendly hotel rooms and said, “It’s certainly something I would look into going forward.”

Hyatt places a $25 per night up charge for an allergy friendly room. “If I went outside and found myself gasping for air, I think $25 is fair,” Lewis said.

Ear Nose and Throat Doctor Carmelo Saraceno in Tampa says he would recommend the rooms to his patients and thinks they are a great option. “It’s (allergies) not comfortable and leads to other medical conditions later on,” he said about the long-term affects of allergies.

Lewis tried an allergy friendly room shortly after we met him at the Hyatt and noticed his eyes were not nearly as itchy the following morning.

For more:  http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/homepage_showcase/more-hotels-going-allergy-friendly

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by | June 1, 2011 · 8:00 am

Hotel Industry Guest Safety Risks: Death Of Woman Who Fell From 10th Floor Window Of Atlanta Hotel Will Trigger Investigation Of Permitting And Inspection Of Hotel Window Replacements And Installation (Video)

“…how did two young women crash through windows of the Midtown W Hotel on Saturday, May 29th….One woman died, the other is severely injured…”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipR_7kvir8o]

“…The windows go floor to ceiling and do not appear to be double paned windows. There is a barrier about 40 inches up from the floor…The City of Atlanta says no permits were issued for new windows and no permit inspection was done for window installation…”

 

According to Fulton County property tax records, the building was constructed in 1974 and was taken over by Noble Investment Group from Starwood Hotels and Resorts. It then underwent a 50 million dollar renovation project in 2007.

The City of Atlanta says no permits were issued for new windows and no permit inspection was done for window installation. We’ve asked whether or not the existing windows would meet today’s safety standards. We are still waiting for a response.

“Just within an instant, they literally, flew out of the window,” Raymond Hamilton said as he describe how he watched the horrible scene early Saturday morning.

The fiancé of the woman who died has many questions. Even though he says he’s heard nothing from the Midtown W Hotel or its management he plans to continue to seek answers and so do we.

For more:  http://www.11alive.com/news/article/192882/40/Tragic-fall-at-W-Hotel-raises-window-safety-concerns–

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by | May 16, 2011 · 6:30 pm

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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