Hotels and resorts in the coastal communities of Florida, like Vero Beach, are always popular with tourists, but winter – and the holidays in particular – bring added tourists who make things even busier. If you or a loved one is on the housekeeping staff of one of these lodging businesses, you know that it can be extremely physically taxing.
Housekeeping employees spend their days bending, stretching, lifting, reaching and twisting their bodies. Musculoskeletal injuries can develop over time or because of one traumatic event.
Slip- or trip-and-fall injuries are also common. Housekeeping professionals often have to maneuver spills and wet bathroom floors. Guests often leave shoes, bags and other things scattered around the room that are easy to trip over.
Chemical and biological hazards
There are numerous chemical and biological hazards involved in cleaning hotel rooms. These and other commercial businesses generally use very strong cleaning products that aren’t safe to touch or breathe for long – especially in a poorly ventilated area.
Biological hazards can also be a danger. You never know what you’re going to find in someone’s trash. Some hotels have wastebasket liners, which make emptying them safer, but others believe this cheapens the look of the room. Further, not everyone gets their trash inside the wastebasket. You never know when a piece of broken glass or other sharp object might be in bedding or towels.
Employers’ responsibilities to workers
All employers in the hospitality industry should provide their cleaning staff with the safety equipment they need – including gloves, masks and sturdy shoes. Some larger equipment, like vacuum cleaners, now has lighter-weight options that help minimize muscle strain injuries. Proper training can also help employees learn techniques that are less taxing on their bodies.
It’s important to know that most Florida employers with at least four employees are required to provide workers’ compensation benefits to those who suffer a work-related injury or illness. It’s smart to learn about your rights to workers’ comp before you need it.
Don’t let your employer give you false or misleading information about workers’ comp, threaten or retaliate against you for seeking workers’ comp. If you have questions or concerns, getting experienced legal guidance can help you learn the facts and get the compensation to which you’re entitled.