www.calodging.com January + February 2024 7 FEATURE in reducing the number of incidents and resolving issues quickly. “Your local law enforcement should feel very comfortable and welcome when entering your hotel,” he said. “The sharing of incident information can be more accessible when a good relationship with law enforcement is in place,” added Alvarez. Strategies for Smaller Properties While having an on-site security team is great for preventing and dealing with safety issues, smaller properties may not have access to the same resources or personnel. Still, there are many ways smaller hotels can effectively prioritize guest and staff safety. Brittney Beck owns and operates Beck’s Motor Lodge, a small property in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood. She said her approach to safety relies on teamwork and communication. “For us, it’s very basic: security cameras, walkie-talkies, locked doors, and all employees’ watchful eyes,” she said. Beck utilizes a network of security cameras that monitor in real-time so that one person can keep an eye on all areas of the property. Simply chit-chatting with guests can also go a long way. “Our staff is very friendly, so they are constantly talking and interacting with guests to hear any concerns and enjoyments and to weed out persons who perhaps should not be on site,” Beck said. “Saying ‘Hi, how can I help you?’ gives you more information than you can ever imagine! And if someone doesn’t answer and walks off, another safety measure has just been implemented.” Beck also relies on outside help to support her team. A security guard is present during all weeknights and helps staff with any noise concerns, suspicious activity, or anything else that comes up. “It’s pricey, but it’s worth it because it puts our guests and my staff at ease,” Beck said. A strong working relationship with emergency services may also be beneficial for small properties. Beck added that learning to talk to emergency services effectively can lead to a quicker response. “Teaching staff how to call in and speak to emergency services calmly and clearly makes a difference in the outcome of the call,” said Beck. Using All Your Resources The breadth and complexity of training needs is the reason CHLA has developed a collection of safety training programs for our members. These programs can be found on our website at https://calodging.com/resources/ member-benefits/human-resources-benefits. They include: • ServSafe Alcohol Responsible Beverage Service, providing training that complies with the Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training Act that went into effect in 2022. The training helps staff identify signs of intoxication and prevent service to minors. It’s required for alcohol servers and their managers—anyone who takes orders for, pours, or delivers alcoholic beverages, checks IDs, or trains those people, and needs to be renewed every three years. • Injury prevention programs, that will enable properties to comply with the Cal/OSHA Hotel Housekeeping Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention standard. CHLA also offers a sample Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), a basic written workplace safety program that Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations (Title 8 CCR) section 3203, requires every employer to develop and implement. • Courses that cover the California requirements for sexual harassment prevention training for both supervisors and staff. The training, provided at low cost through a CHLA partner, is part of a larger package of training materials that also cover safety related to bloodborne pathogens as well as handling an active shooter situation. • The site will soon also cover the latest addition to state training mandates, the enactment last year of SB 553, a workplace violence law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September. When the law takes effect this year on July 1, it will require every California employer— not just in hospitality—to implement a comprehensive workplace violence prevention program with specific requirements. In addition, CHLA conducts webinars during the year on safety topics, including one focused on hotel safety and homelessness. The most recent webinar on the topic gave attendees valuable insights on how to effectively communicate with law enforcement to deescalate threatening situations, mitigate violence and property damage, and avoid a compromised guest experience. The discussion includes the latest on California’s pepper spray laws and accommodating minors. CHLA will also be repeating this session in-person at our next SAFE Conference schedule for March in San Francisco. Our staff is very friendly, so they are constantly talking and interacting with guests to hear any concerns and enjoyments and to weed out persons who perhaps should not be on site. –Brittney Beck, Owner, Beck’s Motor Lodge “
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Nzc3ODM=