Muscle strains, sprains, and tears are among the most common injuries for hotel/motel housekeepers on the job. These musculoskeletal injuries may result in temporary or permanent disability. To help prevent these injuries, Cal/OSHA established the Hotel Housekeeping Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention regulation in 2018.
A key part of this regulation is that you now must have a Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention Program (MIPP). The MIPP can be part of your Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) or a stand-alone program.
What your employees need to know about the MIPP
You are required to include your employees and their union rep in the development of the MIPP. The law also requires an annual worksite evaluation. Employees and union reps must be involved in the worksite evaluation as well.
When an injury occurs, an investigation must follow. Input is required from the injured worker, the injured worker’s immediate supervisor, and the union. Ask the injured worker to tell you what happened and if any workplace controls or tools could have helped prevent the injury.
What your employees need to do to help with the MIPP
Your employees know the job better than anyone else, so encourage them to speak up about what they experience each day. Ask them to help you create and maintain your MIPP by:
- Identifying injury risks they see or encounter
- Suggesting solutions to those risks
- Participating in an annual review of the MIPP
