Having a designated smoking zone in the premises is of really not much help because if the smoker does not wash his or her hands thoroughly after smoking, the smoke reside can easily get transferred and transmitted further, thus spreading the risk of contamination. Again, if the upholstery is not cleaned periodically and frequently, the smoke residue can pose health hazard.
“Ours is a wellness resort, so we are very particular in the matter of smoking. Rooms where smoking is allowed is also sanitized completely once every month. Normally, in other rooms, if the curtains and other upholstery are taken for washing or dry cleaning once in three months, the process is carried out once a month in smoking zones in the resort,”says Balamurugan.
Sumedha agrees. “In fact, I personally train my staff about the repercussions of smoking. They believe that it is the nicotine that affects the guests but it is not true. It is in fact the bacteria infected saliva from the mouth, which gets transferred onto the fingers, and from the fingers it gets onto the food meant for the guests. We have an isolated smoking zone for the employees, which gets cleaned and sanitized by the world class sanitizers. The dispensers and disinfectants are supplied by Diversey, our hygiene partner. The housekeeping uses these chemicals to keep the furniture and other surfaces clean. We, on our part, also personally check the efficacy of the chemicals that they supply.”
Rooms where smoking is allowed is also sanitized completely once every month, unlike other rooms where curtains and upholstery are taken up for dry cleaning once in three months – Balamurugan
Keeping hotel premises hygienically clean is not a one man job. It requires an equal, substantial and dedicated participation from the employees down to the last level. In huge set ups it is obviously a Herculean task to ensure that every employee, at every point in time, follows the prescribed rules and guidelines to the core, so that guests enjoy the same experience time and again.
Workplace Environment
So how does one ensure that the employees comply with norms? According to Santosh Naik, DS Administration Manager – RE, Shell India Markets Pvt Ltd, it is all about intervention and self- discipline. When it comes to corporate offices, employee productivity is directly proportional to the hygiene standards required for a healthy office work environment. “Yes, I agree. A clean and safe working environment adds to the employee’s output. It is on top priority for Shell to ensure safety and wellbeing of its employees,” says Santosh.
Not just safety, asset integrity and energy efficiency are given priority at Shell. “Meeting cost and service standard expectations that are aligned to business needs, drawing on our processes & tools and developing our staff to manage and sustain services are important. To enable smooth functioning, our Services Team delivers a fit-for-purpose working environment and related services, driving functional excellence in strategy, standards and tools for all locations.
Continuous improvement is always our initiative to make our office a great place to work. By benchmarking internally and externally, this is done effectively. – Santosh Naik
“Regular health risk assessments enable us to provide a great place to work in. We look at more common programmes to enhance services to make the workplace better. For example, we provide traveller data which guides the visitor on how to use the office premises. We have put up posters strategically in the wash area, offices, sites, etc. Our well-trained FM staff ensure the hygiene is maintained.”
Besides the regular hygiene products, Shell has also installed sanitary waste disposal units which are maintained appropriately. “Adequate budget is provided to ensure safe working environment. Cost is not the detrimental factor, if there is a necessity to upgrade the support services.”
Sumedha adds, “At Leela Kempinski, it’s an on-going process. You cannot bring in the change overnight. It is a gradual process and we believe in upgrading ourselves every day. The youngsters joining us are very enthusiastic and open to new ideas. The HR team too, proactively participates in the process. They arrange for the training and induction of new employees. I personally take their class for two hours to teach them the rules of safety and hygiene.”
Hygiene Basics at Workplace
- Have an infection control plan in place
- Hand washing facility should be made available wherever possible
- Provide tissue boxes to employees. Discourage them from using handkerchief
- Encourage staff not to share their belongings with other colleagues
- Remove all unnecessary reading material from waiting areas
- Ensure all ventilation system are in proper working condition always
Ashesh P
