REPETITIVETASK,TASK
DESIGN,ANDRISK
ASSESSMENT
Chapter IV
Introduction
Definitions and key concepts
The dictum that "practice makes perfect" can be traced to the 1550s. It was seen in the
Diary and Autobiography of JohnAdams. Over the years, the dictum evolved into "perfect
practice makes perfect." However, several studies show that accomplishing work in a
repetitive task would both affect the mental and physical health of the workers.
Repetitive tasks can lead to boredom, which may cause job dissatisfaction and eventually
spawn mistakes and errors. The productivity of the staff is the backbone of the success of
any organization and industry, especially the hospitality and tourism industry, which
delivers services and goods.
Objectives
At the end of the chapter, the students will be able to:
01 02 03
recognize the different explain the importance describe and discuss
of the task, its design, risk assessment and
requirements of and the care and risk management plans
repetitive task working maintenance of for hospitality facilities
facilities for human
conditions; comfort; and
Contents
The genesis of ergonomics as a philosophical concept of work-related physical
symptoms was first introduced in 1857 by Wojciech Jastrzębowski, a Polish
biologist whose interest was to improve the professional performance of
gamekeepers
and woodsmen. Gamekeepers are persons involved in breeding and taking care of
animals and birds in private estates. His attachment to these workers can be traced
to his marriage to the heir of a vast estate known as the Szczepkowo- Giewarty
village. The estate can be likened to a resort or a nature-preserved facility in the
modern times.
The surge of injuries in the workplace interested numerous scientists to further
study the body while working. Ergonomics has evolved from a philosophical
concept to a scientific discipline that focuses on the human body and its
movements in relation to its environment as it interacts in work and everyday life.
The basic concept is to provide
methods, processes, and designs to promote the healthy well-being of humans and
to maximize the overall potentials of the workspace, equipment, and furniture.
There are two major concerns in promoting a safe and healthy workplace-the psychological and
physical aspects. These are brought about by repetitive work and the working environment.
Psychological and Physical
Psychosocial
The psychological aspect is primarily This aspect deals with the environment that
concerned with boredom when work is can be the source hazards. It can be from
repetitive. The mind usually will wander off falls, slips and trips, exposure to extreme
and this is a formula for mistakes and errors. sound, and height of work surfaces. All of
These shortcomings can translate into these can put a strain on a worker's body.
injuries and poor quality of work or product. The common physical hazards are
The psychosocial hazards in the workplace summarized into five main categories
are violence, sexual harassment, and stress.
These hazards can be addressed through
sound organizational management and a
well-planned working environment.
Types of Physical Aspects
Biological hazards are the existence of substances that can pose a threat to the
health and well-being of humans and other living organisms. These may include
viruses, bacteria, toxins from biological sources, spores, fungi, pathogenic
microorganisms, and bioactive substances in the environment or carried by hosts
such as insects, animals, plants, and even humans.
Chemical hazards are substances that are synthetic in nature that can be harmful
to man and the environment. These can cause immediate harm or may manifest over
a period of time. These hazards may have physical impacts, such as irritation of the
skin, respiratory system problems, blindness, and internal problems.
Physical hazards manifest in the environment where the workforce is exposed to
extreme sound, heights, pressure, and even radiation
Safety hazards are present in unsafe working areas such as uneven floors,
damaged carpets, and chipped tiles that may cause people to trip and fall.
Ergonomic hazards are the results of factors that affect the musculoskeletal
systems due to inefficient designs of workspaces, the manner of handling and
operating equipment and furniture, and incorrect posture.
Importance of Risk Assessment
The Importance of Risk Assessment in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry Risk assessment is a methodical,
well-planned, and systematic process in establishing the identification of hazards and evaluating their
interrelationship with the risk within the workplace. It is also important to identify the kinds of risks that can
occur in the workplace.
1. Accidents are unplanned and unexpected events that may result in damage to property or equipment or even
loss of life.
2. Hazards are potential incidents that may cause harm.
3. Risks are the existence of negative incidents that result from hazards.
Risk assessment is a management tool to effectively and efficiently minimize and manage risk.
Risk assessment should be able to:
identify and evaluate health and safety issues in the workplace;
identify and evaluate sustainable and effective measures to avert accidents and hazards; and
ensure that controls are known and implemented.
Hazards and risks in the workplace may be difficult to eliminate; however, they can be reduced to a
minimum.
1. Evaluate and Plan the Workspace - A well-designed facility is the output of a multi-
discipline team from the professionals who built the environment such as architects, interior
designers, engineers, and contractors, to the owners, facility operators, and the staff. A functional,
utilitarian, aesthetically designed, and appropriately located facility or space can minimize the
incidents of hazards and risks.
2. Development of a Safety Plan to Control Hazards - A sound safety plan will ensure the
worker's satisfaction and trust in the company.
3. Regular Inspection and Maintenance of Workplace - The areas that need to be inspected
are the spaces that have equipment, tools, furniture, and fixtures. Maintenance in hospitality
facilities goes beyond aesthetics. It is an important process that ensures and assures that the
clients, guests, staff, and workers are safe and secure.
There are four main programs in the maintenance
of facilities
Routine Maintenance - These are activities that focus on the general care of the facilities, the building, the site, and
the auxiliary facilities. This may occur daily or weekly depending on the condition of the environment and the volume of
users. This is a task done with minimal skills required.
Preventive Maintenance - This is a maintenance activity that is done on a regular interval with functioning
equipment, fixtures, and furniture with an end goal of deterring failure that will affect the operation of the facilities. The
basis of the maintenance is sometimes prescribed in the manual of operations of equipment in intervals. This is similar
to the usage of motor vehicles, e.g., the first 5,000-kilometer check-up, the next 10,000 kilometers for change oil.
Scheduled Maintenance - This type of task is provided with specific dates and deadlines assigned to a unit or an
individual. This can be a recurring activity at a regular interval which may include inspections, regular service,
adjustments, or even a planned shutdown of a part or parcel of the facility.
Emergency Maintenance - This is a reactive activity to address the failure or breakdown of equipment orthe
prevention of use of a space or facility that may result in a threat to lives, property, and its For example, a leak in the
plumbing system may cause damage to a unit, an entire floor, or the whole facility.
Training the Workforce - The diversity of the workforce in the hospitality a tourism industry is apparent in providing
full service to clients are workforce should be able to understand their respective roles, obligations, responsibilities as
well as that of the others. Understanding and awareness of the different aspects of the operations allow sustainability
in the operation. The training develops their skills, knowledge, and efficiency in the task and translates into a b brand in
the industry
Re-tooling the Workforce - The fast pace of development is a primary consideration and in re-tooling the
workforce. This activity promotes motivation and improves their skills, knowledge, and competence.
Documentation of Incidents - Reporting and documenting incidents help identify areas of potential problems that
need to be addressed. Documentation of incidents should be a protocol and indispensable in the industry. The data can
provide sufficient insight to address the safety and security of the environment and create a high quality of service to
the clients and guests.
Records Maintenance - It is critical for the safety of the workforce and guests to create a system of records for the
maintenance of the facilities in general and machines, equipment, fixtures, and furniture in particular. Keeping track of
events through a maintenance logbook can minimize accidents and failure
of equipment.
General Task for Hospitality
and Tourism Facilities
There is a range of activities in the hospitality and tourism industry. The tasks
involved in the operation of a hospitality facility would vary in terms of the job
description. These may be more apparent in some of their duties and
responsibilities, while the rest may be encountered intermittently. The
following list provides an overview of the hazards
and risks involved in the day-to-day operation of these facilities.
1. Manual Handling - The areas involved in several manual movements are in
the restaurant and kitchen, housekeeping, laundry, and engineering and
maintenance There are several activities that include manual labor in the
hotel among which are vacuuming, cleaning of rooms, making of beds,
maneuvering trolleys of clean and soiled linens, and carrying boxes and trays.
It is important that personnel are trained with the proper ways and
postures in carrying out these manual activities
2. Movements and Maneuvers - There are several motions involved in delivering goods and services in the hospitality and
tourism industry: These movements and maneuvering cause a lot of stress in the muscles, and these strains can be a source
of trips, ships, and falls. These accidents are often seen in slippery kitchen floors
and areas where there are uneven elevations or tears in the floor coverings
[Link] Machinery and Equipment - Machinery and equipment to be operated have at least one or several moving parts.
The movement of the parts creates sufÏcient motion that may cause injury to people. The bulk of the machinery and
equipment are in the kitchen, laundry area, and storage rooms. in engineering and maintenance are the mechanical
equipment that can cause strains, sprains, cuts, and fractures.
4. Exposure to Hazardous Substances and Dangerous Goods- The most common source of this kind of hazard are chemical
cleaning agents. These substances are from cleaning agents such as detergents, cleaning paste and fluids, and air
fresheners, Other sources are materials used in refurbishing the spaces and furniture such as
paints, adhesives, soldering and welding rods, and other substances used in construction. These substances can be inhaled,
ingested, or absorbed through contact by the workers and staff. Place signages on the chemicals and rooms and equip the
staff with personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, goggles, and the
right clothing and footwear
5. Electrical Risks - The equipment and machines used in the hospitality industry are mostly powered by [Link] most
common source of electrical i from electrical cords that are damaged and frayed. Overload of outlets and v leaks can also be
sources of electrical risk. From these, electric shocks may occur Proper precautionary measures should be used in checking
electrical systems. The use of correct work clothes and PPE when handling both mechanical and equipment should be a
protocol in the industry.
6. Extreme Environmental Conditions - The temperature of the workspace may result in heat stress, heatstroke, and even
hypothermia. Heat stress does not only occur when people are working under the sun. This is also prevalent in working areas
such as the kitchen, laundry, and the boiler room. Heat stress can cause excessive sweating that may lead to heatstroke.
Temperature rises and results in confusion and loss of consciousness. This becomes alarming if the person falls and suffers
a concussion. When someone is suffering from heat stress, immediately transfer the person out of the heat and move under
a shaded area or into an air-conditioned room. The person should lie down with his/her legs and feet slightly elevated. It is
important to remove heavy clothing. Allow the person to drink cool water and other non-alcoholic or non- caffeinated drinks.
A cold sponge bath can also relieve the person suffering from heat stress. Hypothermia may occur in temperate countries
and workspaces with uncontrolled temperature. Hypothermia can also cause loss of consciousness and is preceded by
shivering, slurred speech, and shallow, slow breathing to address hypothermia, it is important to apply heating pads or hot
water bottles wrapped in cloth to the head, neck, chest, or groin. The temperature of the
warming pads and bottles should check because they can burn the skin
7. Exposure to Loud Noises - People working in the hospitality and tourism industry involved in entertainment suchas
nightclubs and bars are exposed to hazardous levels of sound which is referred to as noise. These conditions are also
apparent to the workers and staff involved with working with equipment that creates high decibels of sounds like vacuum
cleaners and machines in the boiler room. The constant and prolonged exposure to high levels of noise may cause
permanent hearing damage.
8. Cash Handling - Commerce over the past decades has promoted the use of credit cards and checking accounts for
cashless transactions. With the advent of new applications, it has become more accessible to the public. However, using
cash cannot be totally removed in business transactions including the hospitality and tourism industry. The staff are prone
to robbery and mugging. Ideally, banks can get the cash in the facilities but
sometimes this would not be possible. In handling cash, it is important to vary the time and the route when depositing or
withdrawing money from the bank. Being discreet in handling and counting large amounts of cash avoids attraction from
robbers. Security alarms and cameras deter robbery. It is also important to hire responsible and trustworthy people
9. Crashes and Collisions - These are vehicular accidents that may be caused by crashes and collisions. This becomes
apparent in transporting goods and guests from airports to their accommodations and other points of destinations A driver
without sufficient rest is one of the major causes of human error that causes accidents Overloading of passengers and
vehicles that are not roadworthy are also factors in vehicular mishaps
10. Work Violence, Sexual Harassment, and Stress - Work violence and forms of harassment is an unfortunate reality in most
if not all industries. This event becomes more apparent in the service sectors such as the hospitality and tourism industry.
The negative repercussions of these include psychological injuries that may cause breakdowns
and, at a certain point, physical injuries. The stress in this industry is compounded because of the number of people involved
and the diversity among them which sometimes causes conflicts. Defensible space is a design theory explicated by Oscar
Newman in 1976 to address the escalating crime rate in high-rise housing projects. Over the years, there were several
theorists and designers who worked on this theory which includes the guidelines on Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design (CPTED). The same concepts can be applied in interior spaces of facilities which include the
hospitality and tourism industry.
The design of spaces may not completely eradicate problems in workplace violence and sexual harassment but
may reduce these incidents by considering the following design considerations:
Locations of Sitting Areas, Lounges, Locker Rooms, Changing Areas, and Washrooms The entrances should be
distinctly visible and well-lighted. The seating areas both inside and outside the facilities must encourage
natural surveillance and provide clear sight of lines in multiple directions.
Line of Vision - The security officers and concierge staff should have an unobstructed line of vision from their
workstations. The channels of communication within and among the staff must be known both by procedure and
must be physically unhampered.
Decrease of Dead Ends and Entrapment Areas Loading and unloading areas should be well-lighted. Service
areas should be lockable and properly monitored by security ofÏcers’ Public phones and ATMs should be located
in areas of high trafÏc, far from dead ends and entrapment areas.
Signage Way finding and proper signage must be posted in the lounges, locker rooms and changing areas, and
washroom. Doors with viewer glass can be considered in the design of these spaces. Main doors are sometimes
eliminated in the design of these spaces to avoid completely enclosing the rooms. Toilet cubicles should not
reach the floors.
Lighting and Surveillance in the Parking Area Studies show a high probability of crimes in parking areas.
Parking areas both on the surface, above floors, and basement areas should be adequately lighted, have a clear
sight of vision, and free from areas of entrapment and dead ends.
Access to Fire Exits and the Rooftop - Fire exits should never be used as an alternative access way aside
for emergency reasons. The rooftop should not be accessible to the public if it is being used as a service area for
mechanical equipment.
Utilization of Security Sensors and Surveillance Equipment - The use of formal electrical and
mechanical surveillance equipment for areas with limited trafÏc and minimum vision access should be
considered