Category Archives: Injuries

by | September 13, 2010 · 7:14 am

Hotel Industry Swimming Pool And Spa Risks: Las Vegas Hotel Suffers Chemical Malfunction In Pool Which Sickens Guests

Richard Brenner, hazardous materials coordinator for the Clark County Fire Department, said that sodium hypochlorite went into the hotel’s lazy river pool when a valve used to control the chemical malfunctioned and did not shut off properly. He also added that the chemical went into the water and fumes in the air had made guests sick but expected them all to be ok.

About 100 people had trouble breathing but did not need to go to hospitals, instead were treated by responding emergency personnel.  It was also reported that the people taken to local hospitals were conscious and alert and none of the guests were in critical condition.

High concentrations of a chemical similar to bleach seeped into a pool at the world-famous MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip, leading the hotel officials to evacuate some 1,500 guests and sending at least 26 people to local hospitals with breathing difficulties on Friday.

“People started smelling chlorine. It doesn’t take much to set our nose off”, Brenner said.

The MGM Resorts International officials emphasized that once it was discovered what happened the valve was immediately shut off. While the leak only affected the lazy river pool, all of the resort’s five pools were closed to error on the side of caution.

For more:  http://www.dailyrosetta.com/chlorine-leaks-at-mgm-grand-las-vegas-pool/1247.html

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by | September 10, 2010 · 2:15 pm

Hotel Industry Swimming Pool Liability Risks: Arizona Hotels Vary In Enforcing Existing Codes Regarding Drinking In Pools, Music Stages, Public Parties And Oversized Crowds

Many resort pool parties are already limited to guests who’ve rented rooms and their friends, like the ones at the Hotel Valley Ho, or to guests who’ve purchased tickets, like the ones at the Clarion Hotel Scottsdale.

  • No more drinking or eating in the pool.
  • No music stages abutting the pool.
  • No open-to-the-public parties, except ones already booked.
  • No free entry and oversized crowds.

“In the last two years the scale and grandeur of the parties has picked up, and we are just trying to help the facilities understand the public-health impact before we start focusing on enforcement,” said John Kolman, director of the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department.

Kolman said inspectors have reminded managers to monitor pool capacity, to double-check that rescue equipment is always visible, to keep lounge chairs, stages and other structures 4 feet from pool edges, and most crucially, to stop inviting the public to their events.

Inspectors will continue to make unannounced checks through September, the traditional end of the pool-party season.

But at the W Scottsdale, general manager Leon Young said he’s seen real revenue losses since he started enforcement. He has, however, seen room sales go up slightly.

His hotel has made a name for itself hosting buzzy daytime bashes and nighttime swim parties, serving pool-friendly drinks such as frozen creamsicle cocktails or bottles of vodka with Gatorade on ice. Now, the second-floor pool will be pen only to those who rent cabanas, daybeds or rooms.

“Certainly, I can understand you don’t want to be floating next to a piece of lunch meat,” Young said. “But if we follow the rules about no glass near the pool, I don’t see why we couldn’t allow some drinks in the pool.”

Young is optimistic the county will be open to revisiting the regulations to create variances that would allow resorts and hotels to pursue party profits.

“We are rooms-focused in spring and peak season, but in summertime, it really is about the events and promotions you can organize to bring people in,” Young said.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/bars/articles/2010/08/27/20100827phoenix-hotel-pool-party-scene-drinking-banned.html#ixzz0zAPbsor7

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by | September 7, 2010 · 10:57 am

Hospitality Industry Employment Risks: Hotel Management Must Take Steps To Mitigate “Workplace Violence” By Having Relevant Policies In Place

Threats derive from a complex number of sources that may trigger violence. These may include policies that some employees find objectionable, such as a bad performance review or constructively intended criticism; rivalry or disagreement between employees; failed or drama-filled romance with a co-worker; and stressful or discourteous interactions with customers (who may themselves be sources of violence).

“…employees have benefited from stress-reduction classes or lessons in tactics to diplomatically handle difficult people…”

Most commonly, the violent act is undertaken by a terminated employee who becomes disgruntled and feels there is nothing to lose.

    Prior to making any new hires, an employer would be wise to assess the risks and set up relevant policies that at least address the most common threats. This evaluation might begin with an assessment of the premises. Sometimes the most serious threat is external. Depending on the type of business they conduct, employees may routinely expect to handle contentious or emotionally distraught customers. Other workers, perhaps those who handle large cash transactions or valuable merchandise, may be targets of robbery.

    Short of creating a high-security compound, employers can take some precautionary measures in these cases. Mitigating features can include alarm systems, security cameras or guards, an employee-controlled buzzer on the entrance door and even bulletproof glass.

    Another approach that may be less obvious, yet is effective, is for employers to train employees on how to avert bad situations. For instance, employees have benefited from stress-reduction classes or lessons in tactics to diplomatically handle difficult people.

For more:   http://www.workforce.com/section/legal/feature/employers-prevention-workplace-violence/index.html

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by | September 1, 2010 · 7:39 am

Hotel Industry Water Safety Risks: Hotel Management Must Check Water Filtration Systems Regularly To Eliminate Risk Of Legionella Bacteria

“We did find Legionella in the water system of the hotel,” said Vincent Conte, deputy director of epidemiology, disease control and immunization services at the health department.
 
Health officials praised the hotel’s owner and management for their quick response to the crisis and efforts to disinfect the water supply and system in the 54-story, 677-unit building opened in December 2008.

A study by the Miami-Dade County Health Department released Tuesday found seven confirmed and three “probable” cases of people who contracted the water-borne Legionnaires’ disease after staying at the luxurious Epic Hotel and Residences last fall.

In addition, one man, a 57-year-old tourist from England, died in November.

Seven of the ill hotel guests have fully recovered and three others are in the process of recovering, county officials said. One of the guests was from Germany and another from Spain.

None were Miami-Dade residents.

The only connection between the tourists is that they stayed at the Epic Hotel, health officials said.

Their complex investigation focused on the water at the hotel and condominium development at 270 Biscayne Blvd. Way in downtown Miami.

While county health officials said they were not able to prove “100 percent” that the filtered water at the hotel caused the disease, Legionella bacteria was found in 23 of 25 cultures collected by the hotel’s contractor. Similar results were found in the health department samples.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/01/1801654/study-links-legionnaires-cases.html#ixzz0yI5crfY9

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by | August 29, 2010 · 7:22 am

Hotel Industry Pool Safety Risks: “Balconing” Has Caused Over 30 Serious Accidents In Europe And Might Escalate At American Hotels

“…with four dead and more than 30 serious accidents in just two months, the dangerous craze of jumping from balconies into the hotel pool is getting completely out of control…”

‘Balconing’ – as it has been dubbed – is a growing problem in Spanish resorts, with the number of accidents already triple that of previous summers.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6IOExQ12PI&feature=related]

And in the space of just 12 crazy hours, the emergency services had to rush three people to hospital after three different jumps.

Most of the victims are young Brits, although the craze is also popular with Spaniards and Germans.

Internet video site YouTube has come under fire after countless clips of people leaping from balconies were uploaded in recent months.

According to a hotel receptionist in Alcudia, Mallorca, groups of drunken youngsters return after a night out and try to keep the party going by taking part in the deadly stunt.

“This year it has become a real plague,” she said.

According to Sebastian Darder, a spokesman for the Balearic Islands’ hoteliers’ association, all reported incidents of balconing were the result of drunkenness.

For more:  http://www.theolivepress.es/2010/08/27/leap-of-madness/

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by | August 28, 2010 · 9:07 am

Hospitality Industry Employment Risk: Management Must Insure Compliance With H-2B Visa Program Requirements And Fair Labor Standards Act

 “…the hospitality industry is “always on the radar” for potential violations because it employs large numbers of H-2B and younger workers…”

In June and July, employment law firms began issuing legislative alerts to hospitality industry clients, warning them of plans by Wage and Hour Division officials to launch investigations of the hotel and motel industry beginning Oct. 1.

These investigations will center on compliance with H-2B visa program requirements and the Fair Labor Standards Act. The H-2B visa program allows businesses needing one-time, seasonal, peak-load, or intermittent staffing to use foreign workers as temporary labor.

Dolores Quesenberry, a spokeswoman for the N.C. Department of Labor, told Carolina Journal that she was unaware of any increased complaints, but did say the hospitality industry is “always on the radar” for potential violations because it employs large numbers of H-2B and younger workers.

Paul Stone, president of North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association, told CJ that the lodging and restaurant industry is North Carolina’s second largest employer, with approximately 500,000 workers, accounting for 10 percent of the state’s total workforce. Of the 1,600 hotels in North Carolina, only a few employ H-2B workers, Stone said, mostly because the program is so restrictive. Before hiring an H-2B worker, for example, an employer must certify there are no domestic applicants qualified for the position.

Stone wonders why hospitality employers are being targeted with the economy mired in recession. Wage and hour audits and similar investigations disrupt operations and increase costs, especially if an employer has to engage outside counsel or auditors, said Stone.

For more:  http://www.lincolntribune.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=20513

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by | August 27, 2010 · 6:58 am

Hotel And Spa Industry Safety Risk Management: New Pool And Spa Codes To Be Released In 2012 By International Code Council (ICC) And Assoc. Of Pool And Spa Professionals (APSP)

“This new pool and spa code in particular will impact safety as soon as it is put into use because it will become part of codes that are already adopted in 50 states.”

The International Code Council (ICC) and the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) announced that they will collaborate on a comprehensive pool and spa code for release in 2012. The new code will comprise the most-current thinking on pool and spa safety, energy efficiency and best practices. It will be the only code that addresses all types of pools, spas and hot tubs — both public and residential — as well as aquatic recreation facilities.

“The ICC develops codes that focus on keeping people safe where they live, work and play,” said Jay Peters, Code Council Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Group (PMG) Executive Director. “This new pool and spa code in particular will impact safety as soon as it is put into use because it will become part of codes that are already adopted in 50 states.”

This landmark code will draw on APSP’s ANSI-approved American National Standards for pools, spas, hot tubs and other recreational water along with ICC’s expertise in building-safety codes, fire-prevention codes and energy-efficiency codes for residential and commercial construction. The provisions of the code will increase consistency in pool and spa construction, maintenance and operation across the country and internationally.

“Finally, builders, manufacturers and code officials will have a uniform reference wherever the ICC codes are in use,” said Carvin DiGiovanni, Senior Director of Technical and Standards for APSP. “We are looking forward to getting started on the development of what promises to be the most comprehensive pool and spa code possible.”

For more:  http://www.prweb.com/releases/APSP_ICC/safety-code/prweb4402584.htm

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by | August 26, 2010 · 2:16 pm

Hotel Industry Liability Risks: Hotel Guests’ 4-Year Old Child Finds “Condom” In Room And Family Has Retained Attorneys To File Suit Against Hotel Owners

Jones has since filed a report with the Atlanta Police Department and the family engaged lawyers to negotiate a settlement with the hotel. If no settlement is reached, the lawyer plans to file suit.

Wyndham Hotels said it was “disturbed to learn of the allegations,” but that the hotel in question was individually owned and operated. It has been sold since the incident occurred, the hotel chain said.

A 4-year-old boy was being tested for sexually transmitted diseases after he found a used condom in an Atlanta hotel room and tried to blow it up, thinking it was a balloon, his family said.

The boy found the condom in the sheets of a bed in the hotel where his family was staying, according to his grandmother Carmen Jones.

According to the statement, she then called hotel management and asked for alcohol and mouthwash for her grandson. The hotel manager came to the room, put on latex gloves and took the condom from her, citing “company policy.”

“He had his tongue in it,” Jones said in a statement released by her lawyers. “I immediately took it out of his mouth.”

The boy sickened and developed sores on his tongue not long after, Jones said. She took him to Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta to have him tested for sexually transmitted diseases, including herpes and HIV, a local CBS affiliate reported.

He had “little white blisters all on the top of his mouth, on his tongue, inside the mouth, inside the lip, the bottom lip. It was all over,” Jones told the CBS affiliate.

For more:  http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/boy-tested-for-stds-after-finding-condom-in-atlanta-hotel-room/19609907

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by | August 25, 2010 · 5:26 am

Hospitality Industry Risk Management: Management Must Train Staff To HALT If They Are “Hungry, Angry, Lonely And Tired” To Prevent Accidents, Mistakes And Bad Public Relations With Guests

 

"...Whenever (hotel employees) are hungry, angry, lonely or tired...(they) need to stop, HALT! In this state of being hungry, angry, lonely and tired (employees) are much more vulnerable to getting... buttons pushed...AND BAD THINGS ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN... "

Many hotel guests have all of these conditions going on upon arrival at the front desk. They have traveled a great distance, they are tired, and they may have not eaten in hours and as a result are angry or grumpy.  Any delays or unpleasant encounters will send this guest into a full fledge melt down going off on employees who may also be vulnerable. 

 In your hotel consider what investment goes into getting a guest to call and book a stay at your location?  How much advertising was done?  How many staff hired? How much time and energy in training with staff, operators and front-line?

How much patience and time was given to gain that guest trust?  Your building preparations and maintenance of the property? What did it take to have them call and give you their credit card and put their money into your hotel or establishment? 

Considering this investment is significant when in a moment that guest can be turned away by a negative encounter with one of your employees or managers. 

What took months and perhaps thousands of dollars to build can be lost in a moment. Your hotel and its ultimate success is only as good as its weakest employee. That might be a scary thought!  But even the best employee can be worn thin and not recognize their vulnerable condition.

For more:   http://www.4hoteliers.com/4hots_fshw.php?mwi=5338

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by | August 23, 2010 · 4:30 am

Hospitality Industry Trends: Hotel Ownership Should Consider “Green Lodging” Certifications As Healthier And Safer Business Practices

“… it creates a healthier environment for those working at a hotel, motel or bed and breakfast as more of the cleaning supplies use fewer chemically infused ingredients, fewer linens are laundered, cans, bottles and other goods are recycled and lighting, entertainment, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems become more energy saving and efficient…”

“Growing numbers of consumers, including families and conference planners, want to know that the hotel where they plan to stay is ‘green,’ ” says Amey Marrella, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection, who this past week announced that the state just certified its 15th “green lodging.”

Being green, says the commissioner, can include increased energy efficiencies, water-use reductions or reducing, reusing and recycling materials found in a hotel, motel or bed and breakfast.

In addition, Marrella says being a certified green lodging hotel can provide that hotel or motel with a competitive marketing tool, in addition to the savings provided by reduced energy use.

By “greening a hotel,” the institution can become more efficient, become friendlier to its surrounding environment and, say DEP officials, bolster its bottom line.

For more:   http://www.theday.com/article/20100822/BIZ02/308229886/-1/BIZ

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