CHLA Lodging News May/June 2020

www.calodging.com May/June 2020 13 Embrace the Blitz “YOU’RE PLAYING THE PREVENT DEFENSE when you really need to Blitz!” This risk management advice came from a great leader during a challenging time for the company I worked for at the time. In football, the Prevent Defense is a defensive formation of last resort, run to prevent the opposing team from scoring with time running out. Using this tactic, most of the defense falls back into passive coverage. A Blitz on the other hand, is an aggressive, potentially high-reward play where most defenders drive forward, towards the opponent. Today, out of necessity, the hospitality industry is playing the Prevent Defense. Let’s talk about pivoting to the Blitz; because, at some point, in the very near future, hotels and resorts will re-open. In order to successfully manage this transition, right now is the time to plan, prepare and get out in front of that day. Here’s what to expect: Actions to Protect Employees Creating a healthy, safe environment for hotel staff in the midst of an epidemic is priority #1. Today, hotel operators are working to source suppliers of personal protective equipment [PPE]. Hotels will struggle to re-open or ramp-up operations without adequate supplies of vinyl or nitrile gloves, eye and face protection, N95, surgical or cloth face coverings and hand sanitizer, to name a few. Ongoing supply chain interruptions and inventory shortages continue to challenge governments and business, worldwide. When the economy re-opens, we can expect another huge run on suppliers for all of this critical equipment. Now, more than ever, hoteliers need to further strengthen their relationships with and continue to engage their critical vendors and suppliers to prepare for that day. A key habit of successful organizations is the involvement of employees in the planning of the work that affects them. Hotel leaders need to lean heavily into this concept for two reasons. First, it’s the right thing to do. But, in order to reassure concerned, apprehensive employees that it’s safe for them to return to work, we need to first understand their fears, challenges & suggestion—and then act on those right away. Additionally, employee involvement in workplace planning for safety from infectious disease, could soon be required by state law. In recent years, California’s Department of Industrial Relations [DIR] and Cal/ OSHA have created new industry safety orders that are more employee- centric. A recent example of this is California’s new Musculoskeletal Injury Standard (or “MIPP”) for hotel housekeepers. continues   TO VIEW PETRA RISK SOLUTION’S RE-OPENING CHECKLIST, PLEASE CLICK HERE . By Matthew Karp, CLSD, CFI-I, Senior Loss Control Manager, Petra Risk Solutions