The hospitality industry is one of the largest in the United States, including in Tennessee. Many people work year-round and seasonally in hotels, resorts, restaurants and amusement parks. Like all workers, people employed by hotels expect to be safe when they come to work each day. However, no job is without some risk, although some are more hazardous than others.
Here are three types of injuries that are prevalent among hotel workers in Tennessee.
1. Strains due to heavy lifting
Housekeepers and others who work in places of lodging often need to lift heavy objects like furniture when cleaning or rearranging rooms. When someone does not properly lift a heavy object, for example by bending at their knees rather than their back, they put themselves at risk of getting hurt.
2. Respiratory issues due to chemicals
Many hotels use strong chemicals to ensure that rooms are clean for the next guests. While this helps protect hotel guests from germs, employees are at risk of overexposure to those chemicals working with them day in and day out.
3. Slipping and falling due to water or ice on the grounds
Hotel employees do not only work inside the building, but around the outside as well. Groundskeepers are at risk of falling due to icy sidewalks or water around the pool area. In addition, housekeepers are usually the first at the scene when there is a spill or leak somewhere in the building.
When workers are aware of the risks of their jobs, they can take steps to be safer in the workplace.
