Cal/OSHA Produces Fact Sheet, Poster for Preventing
Work-Related Injuries to Housekeeping Workers
Oakland—Cal/OSHA
has produced a fact sheet and poster to help employers in the hotel and lodging
industry comply with a new regulation to prevent work-related injuries suffered
by housekeeping workers. The Hotel Housekeeping
Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention regulation went into effect
July 1 and requires employers to complete an initial worksite evaluation by
October 1 to identify and address housekeeping worker hazards.
The Safety
and Health Fact Sheet provides an overview of the workplace health
and safety requirements that reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and
disorders common among housekeepers. Employers are also encouraged to post the Preventing
Musculoskeletal Injuries in Housekeepers poster in
a place accessible to all housekeeping workers. The poster includes information
on the causes of musculoskeletal injuries, the employer’s responsibility to
have an effective program to control the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, and
employees’ rights.
“We created these guidance
materials to help workers know their rights and employers their
responsibilities to comply with this standard,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann
Sum. “In addition, Cal/OSHA Consultation Services are available to assist
employers and employees who have questions or need more information.”
The employer’s housekeeping
safety program must include the following:
·
Procedures
to identify and evaluate housekeeping hazards through worksite evaluations
·
Procedures
to investigate musculoskeletal injuries to housekeepers
·
Methods
to correct identified hazards
·
Employee
and supervisor training on safe work practices and on the process for early
reporting of injuries to the employer
·
Procedures
to involve employees and their union representative in worksite evaluations, injury
investigations, and evaluation of corrective measures
A musculoskeletal injury is
caused by a single traumatic event, such as slip, trip or fall, or by repeated
exposure over weeks, months or years to repetitive motion, force, vibration or
awkward positions caused by daily tasks such as lifting heavy furniture and
equipment, pulling linens and pushing carts.
In 2012, hotel worker
representatives presented a petition to
the Occupational
Safety and Health Standards Board requesting a new standard
to control the hazards faced by hotel housekeepers. Cal/OSHA convened public
advisory meetings over a three-year period to gather information, and
determined that existing regulations did not adequately address the hazards
faced by housekeepers. Dozens of workers spoke at the meetings, sharing their
experiences and discussing how their injuries impacted their lives at work and
at home.
The California Division of
Occupational Safety and Health, or Cal/OSHA, is
the division within the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) that helps
protect California’s workers from health and safety hazards on the job in
almost every workplace.
Hotel and lodging industry
employers are encouraged to contact Cal/OSHA’s
Consultation Services Branch for free on-site or
telephone consultations. Consultation Services assist employers in developing
and maintaining workplace safety and health programs pursuant to Cal/OSHA’s
regulations. Employers and employees can call (800) 963-9424 for assistance from
Cal/OSHA Consultation Services.