Hotel workers help keep guests comfortable, fed, and satisfied, but the job brings safety risks. In 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported about 231,400 work-related injuries and illnesses nationwide among private accommodation and food service workers. Slips on wet floors, burns in kitchens and laundry areas, aggressive guests, late-night security issues, and exposure to chemicals or infectious materials can quickly turn a routine shift into an emergency. These safety practices can help prevent injuries and keep hotel workers safe on the job.
1 Keep walkways clean, dry, and clear.
Clean spills right away and place wet floor signs until surfaces dry. Remove clutter, cords, and luggage from hallways, stairwells, and lobbies as soon as possible. Fix loose mats and damaged flooring so housekeepers and bell staff don’t slip while moving carts or bags.
2 Provide proper protective gear to prevent burns and cuts.
Require workers to wear the right personal protective equipment (PPE), such as heat- or cut-resistant gloves, dry oven mitts, and aprons, when working with hot surfaces, sharp knives, slicers, irons, or laundry equipment. Train staff to use all tools and machines safely.
3 Label, use, and store chemicals safely.
Clearly label all cleaning chemicals and store them in designated areas away from food, linens, and guests. Keep Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for every product on site and make sure staff know where to find them. Train workers to use SDSs for safe mixing instructions, required PPE, and spill response steps.
4 Control fire risks and plan for emergencies.
Reduce fire hazards by storing paper products, linens, and cleaning chemicals away from heat sources. Clean dryer vents, kitchen hoods, and filters on a regular schedule. Develop and practice written fire prevention and emergency action plans so staff know how to evacuate guests, shut off equipment, and get help quickly. Always keep exits marked, clear, and unlocked.
5 Strengthen security and violence prevention.
Adopt a zero-tolerance policy for violence and harassment. Train front desk, housekeeping, maintenance, and night-shift staff to spot warning signs, report threats, and use safety tools such as good lighting, locked access doors, and panic buttons — especially for workers who enter guest rooms alone or work late at night.
6 Reduce strains, sprains, fatigue, and ergonomic injuries.
Protect workers from muscle and joint injuries by providing carts and dollies for moving linens, trash, luggage, and supplies. Teach them to lift with their legs instead of their backs. Rotate tasks that involve repeated bending or reaching and schedule enough staff so workers can take regular breaks and stay hydrated.
7 Train often and fix hazards fast.
Train workers in a language they understand on slip and burn prevention, chemical safety, hazard communication, emergency procedures, and how to report accidents or near misses. Consider enrolling staff in an OSHA 10-Hour General Industry course to build a strong safety foundation and reinforce safe work practices.
8 Address bloodborne and infectious exposure risks.
Housekeeping staff may come into contact with contaminated linens, vomit, or bodily fluids. Employers must develop written plans to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens and provide proper PPE, handwashing stations, and training on how to clean contaminated materials safely.
Safety is everyone’s job. When hotel employers and workers take simple, active steps every day, they prevent injuries, protect guests, and build a safer workplace for all. Contact our Workplace Safety professionals for OSHA-authorized training for your employees or to have a free, confidential, onsite consultation to ensure your organization is complying with safety regulations at Safetytraining@tdi.texas.gov or 512-804-4610.