Ergo chapter 1

• Safety


  The process of protecting employees from work-related illness and injury
• Developing a company safety plan and program

  1. Developing the Environmental, Safety and Health Policy statement

  2. Implementing a workplace safety plan and program
• Facilities planning in the hospitality industry

  • Prioritizing safety features such as non-slip flooring, fire safety systems, and emergency exits
• Safety features in the hospitality industry

  • Putting fire extinguishers in places
  • Providing first aid kits
  • Holding earthquake drills
  • Installing a sprinkler system
• Good ergonomics and facilities planning can have a significant impact on the success of a hospitality facility
• Benefits of ergonomic facilities planning in the hospitality industry

  • Reducing the risk of injuries
  • Enhancing the guest experience
  • Minimizing absenteeism
  • Boosting employee morale
  • Improving productivity
• Ergonomic facilities in the hospitality industry

  Adjustable chairs and tables, anti-fatigue mats, ergonomic keyboards and lifting equipment
• It is essential for employers in the hospitality industry to assess or evaluate their workstations and provide ergonomic facilities that suit their needs
• Solutions to common barriers to implementing ergonomics

  • It costs money
  • Staff isn't interested in learning a better way to do things
  • Management isn't interested in staff comfort or safety
• Engineering improvements


  Rearranging, modifying, redesigning, or replacing tools, equipment, workstations, packaging, parts, or products
• Administrative improvements


  Changing work practices or the way work is organized, such as providing variety in jobs, adjusting work schedules and work pace, providing recovery time, modifying work practices, ensuring regular housekeeping and maintenance, and encouraging exercise
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)


  Safety gear such as gloves, knee and elbow pads, footwear, and other items that employees wear
• Just because there is a risk factor occurring in the workers' task does not mean that it is a hazard that will produce a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) for the worker(s). Individual capabilities and combination of risk factors increase the potential for injury.
• Workers can provide management help in identifying the root cause of the ergonomics hazard with management spending time and money without seeing reduction or elimination in the effects (the MSD injuries).
• Good ergonomic practices for front desk staff

  • Using desk counters of appropriate height to minimize back bending
  • Using anti-fatigue mats or thick carpets to cushion impact of prolonged standing
  • Placing monitors at suitable height and angle to minimize neck bending and glare
  • Using shoes with lower heel heights
  • Taking short breaks
  • Not cradling the phone between the neck and shoulder
• Good ergonomic practices for room attendants


  • Using appropriate equipment and training in proper work methods and postures to reduce the risk of strains and injuries
• Good ergonomic practices for laundry operators

  • Proper work design and automation of certain processes
  • Training in proper work methods and postures
  • Job rotation and scheduled rest breaks