Barriers on Implementing Ergonomic Practices in Hotel Housekeeping

Abstract

Many hotel organizations have developed ergonomic policies and programs to prevent workplace injuries and provide safe and healthful conditions for their workers. Few multiple workplace studies have examined housekeepers’ perceptions of these policies and programs. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that workplace musculoskeletal illnesses (MSDs) be addressed through long-term health promotion, training, and prevention measures. The goal of these treatments should be to change pain and health-related behavior, aside from improving working conditions (Burton, 2010). The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests a “healthy workplace framework and model” that includes a broader view of workplace health, such as treating physical and mental difficulties, as well as increasing access to healthcare resources and community help. The purpose of this paper is to identify those elements that hinder (barriers) or facilitate (facilitators) the application of ergonomic measures in hotel housekeeping. Results reveal that the employee barriers and risk assessment and control are found to be significantly associated with each other. Risk assessment & control was found to be directly linked with the absence of ergonomic practices, whereas working conditions do not have significant relationship with the ergonomic practices. Authors even found that working conditions of housekeeping employees do not have significant relationship with employee barriers.

Keywords: Ergonomic Practices, Barriers, Housekeepers, Health, Musculoskeletal Illnesses

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