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Lodging Operations...
Lodging Operations...
INTRODUCTION:
The introduction is to give a detailed understanding regarding all aspects of cleaning public
areas, facilities and equipment as it relates to general cleaning. The elements of competency will
describe how to undertake cleaning activities relating to specific types of cleaning.
One of the basic requirements that a customer of a hospitality business has is that an organisation is
clean and tidy. It must:
PUBLIC AREAS- A public space is any area within a hospitality organisation that is readily available for
all customers to enjoy.
Lobby - Restaurants
Bars - Outlet shops.
Public areas include: Elevators, Public toilets, Corridors, Gardens, Swimming pools, Gymnasiums, Play
areas, and Car park.
FACILITIES- are aspects of products and services within these public areas. It can include:
Furniture commonly refers to items in the room that are movable including tables, chairs
and sundecks.
Fixtures refer to items that are attached including heaters, air-conditioners and lights.
Fittings refer to taps, pipes and electrical aspects of a public space.
EQUIPMENT- is defined as the items within the public area that are used, there by customers or staff.
Examples of equipment can used by staff include: buffet areas and kitchen equipment.
Examples of leisure equipment used by customers include:
Generally, commercial or industrial equipment is better because it is: STURDIER, LARGER CAPACITY, and
FITTED W/ LARGER ELECTRIC MOTORS.
Mops
The most common types of brooms and brushes are: Carpet brush, Scrubbing brush, Sink brush, Silk
brush, Toilet brush, Wall brush, Soft broom, Hand brush
Where staffs are required to work outside in the elements, PPE can include:
Garbage receptacles
Nearly all cleaning tasks will require you to gather and dispose of debris, rubbish and waste. The
‘receptacle’ may be:
Toiletries
There are items that need to be replenished in public area rest rooms and include:
Towels
Replacement items
Before using any item of cleaning equipment it must be standard practice to check to make sure the
item is:
In a clean condition - Ready to use with all necessary attachments -Safe to use.
Refer to manufacturer’s instructions
Importance of checks
Equipment does not have any jagged parts, edges that can cause injury
Damage to equipment has not affected its operational safety
Check and clean the exterior of cleaning equipment
Ensure equipment points in contact with surfaces clean
Free of leaks, smells or loose attachments
Items to be used need to sufficient in number
Items must be appropriate for task
Make sure all necessary attachments for equipment are taken with you
Used strictly in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
Ensure electrical cord is safe to use
Ensure battery-operated equipment is fully charged
Common sense must be used when scheduling and performing cleaning tasks. Two things to think about
are:
Timing
Site availability
Consider:
Whilst it is good to clean when areas are closed, in hotels this is not always the case. Also there will
be times when cleaning must be done while people are in the area
Cleaning duties can disrupt the work of other staff and the operation of the business:
Observing ‘Do Not Disturb’ signs on guest rooms if you are cleaning them
Keeping noise to a minimum when moving around
Conversing quietly with other staff and guests. Only converse with patrons when they
initiate the discussion
Keeping trolleys and cleaning equipment out of high traffic areas
Identify hazards
Before an area can be cleaned it must be assessed and prepared and cleared of any items and hazards.
What is a hazard?
What type of hazards exists?
How can you identify them?
Types of hazards
Never take chances if you think you may harm or injure yourself, another person or property
Never start a cleaning job if you are concerned for your personal safety
immediately stop any cleaning job where you believe a danger exists
Have all the necessary equipment and materials
Move items that pose a hazard, that might get damaged during the cleaning process
Move items ensuring they don’t become hazards such as tripping hazards, obstructions in
their own right somewhere else
Ensure the security of any items that have been moved. Keep them in-sight, keep them
behind locked doors, put them out of temptation’s way
Replace items that have been moved when the job has been completed
Lock doors where necessary to maintain security
Turn off alarms when entering an alarmed area
They warn people of danger– reducing the risk of injury due to slipping
They help keep people away from the work area– which allows us to work unimpeded and
keeps their feet off surfaces that need to dry
They are evidence that the establishment has discharged its duty of care obligation to
others.
The following points should be followed with reference to barricades and safety signs:
‘Slippery When Wet’ signs must be used when mopping or working with a slippery surface –
there must be sufficient of these signs to provide suitable and adequate warning to anyone
who may enter the cleaning area from any direction. They must be sufficient to be ‘readily
visible’
‘Cleaning in Progress’ signs- During cleaning, ‘Cleaning in Progress’ signs should be posted as
a warning to patrons and staff in the same way that Slippery When Wet signs are posted
Use of physical barriers- Physical barriers and physical restraints (purpose-built safety
barriers) may be used to restrict access to a site
Locked doors to deny access- Locked doors are another practical way of denying access to
areas and rooms
Other workplace signage- Your workplace may have other signage that they require you to
erect when cleaning is being done – often the signs that are available will depend on the
company from whom they were bought.
All cleaning equipment should be used correctly, and only used for the purpose for which it was
intended.
Don’t use an ordinary vacuum cleaner to soak or clear away liquid– you must use one that is
classified as a wet vacuum cleaner
As soon as a fault has been identified it must be reported– not only is this a genuine safety
concern, but it may also impact on the effectiveness of the item and render it less than
totally efficient
The right equipment should only be used on the surface it was designed to clean , in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions – avoid trying to ‘make do’ with what
you’ve got: if you need a special item to clean a certain item/area then you should obtain
what is needed and not ‘force’ what you have got to do the job
Follow manufacturer’s instructions
Employer responsibilities
Working in a way that ensures personal safety, and the safety of others
Using safety equipment strictly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
Using all personal protective equipment and clothing
Following all occupational health and safety regulations
Reporting accidents, injuries or illness
Reporting any equipment in need of repair
Employee responsibilities
Manual handling activities are the main cause of injuries in the workplace including:
Get a risk assessment done on any job you believe poses a threat or hazard– involves your
Health and Safety representatives and Committee. (where applicable)
Push cleaning trolleys and cleaning equipment; don’t pull them
Always stock items in their designated place on the trolley- it is best to position heavy items
on the bottom to prevent the trolley from overturning. If you are not sure where things go –
ask!
Never lift anything on your own that weighs over 16 kg– this is a recommendation from OHS
authorities. There is no maximum weight restrictions as the current approach to workplace
safety is to assess every lifting need on an individual basis and use the most appropriate
technique depending on the type of load, how far it has to be moved, the size of the load
etc. Chemicals can be delivered in drums of 25 litres and 20 kgs
Be prepared to ask for help when needed– this may be a request for help such as to do a
‘team lift’ or a request for information. You must also be prepared to provide help when
required.
Whenever you are required to deal with chemicals employers are under a legal obligation to provide you
with:
Employers are also required to ensure that all chemicals used in the workplace are
accompanied by a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) covering issues including:
Product classification
Storage requirements
Transportation regulations
Safe handling procedures
First aid
Dilute properly
Where the employer has specific, written directions that relate to selection, preparation and
application of chemicals these must be followed.
Job Instructions
Checklists
Job Safety Analysis
Work Instructions
Water
Soap
Polishes
Abrasives
Detergents
Solvents
Disinfectants
Deodorisers
Cleaning chemicals have been developed to address specific cleaning tasks. These ‘specialty’ products
have been developed for:
As businesses seek to reduce their pollution levels, carbon footprints and overall energy usage,
there has been growing concern about the use of chemicals.
There are a number of different surfaces that need to be cleaned in public areas. Common surfaces
to be cleaned within a hospitality organisation include, but not limited to:
Garbage must be transported safely to the appropriate garbage location, usually a dump master.
Near the dump master there may be a number of recycling stations– paper, plastics, cans
Protective clothing should be worn
Disposal of garbage
Disposal of chemicals
All equipment and PPE must be cleaned before being stored. This is to enable it to be ready for
immediate use and to reduce the chance of being affected by chemicals. Standard PPE checks include:
All cleaning equipment will have an allocated storage area. Equipment must be returned to this area
after use. Cleaning equipment cannot be left ‘just anywhere’ after it has been used because:
It may be stolen
It may be a hazard in terms of an obstruction or a tripping hazard
Others may need to use it and they will go to where it should be
A property can have several small storerooms throughout the property. Normally this is one
per department or one per floor
Larger electrically-powered equipment may be stored in another location due to size
These storage areas should all be back-of-house locations and fitted with locks to prevent
unauthorised access to equipment
Make sure the store is locked when you leave it
Store chemicals after use
Gardens
Swimming pools
Conclusion of Introduction
Leather is a popular soft and durable material that is commonly used in furniture. Leather covered
furniture is normally used in chairs and booths in restaurants as it:
Preventative maintenance
Vacuum cleaner
Bucket
Soft cloth for cleaning
Soft bristled toothbrushes
Soft cloth for buffing or polishing
Due to the nature of leather, more often that not, strong chemicals are not used.
Water
Moisturizing soap
Rubbing alcohol
Products recommended by a manufacturer
*Leather Protection Cream - is a leather conditioner is used to protect leather that repels stains and
protects the surface from wear and tear. It feeds, protects and re-instates the smell into old and new
leather items.
Cleaning leather
Immediate cleaning
Regular cleaning
Wiping of leather furniture at the end of a shift, or two or three times a week with a soft rag.
Leather should be dusted or wiped with clean rags two to three times a week. This will help
prevent dust and dirt build up, especially in the crevices.
Don't rub down on your furniture too hard as you may accidentally scratch the surface.
Vacuum the furniture once a week using the vacuum's soft brush attachment
Dip the cotton swab into rubbing alcohol and rub over the ink stain
Dry the area with a blow dryer
If you still see the stain after drying, apply a thick coat of non-gel, non-oily cuticle remover
Leave this on overnight and wipe off with a damp cloth
Mix one part crème of tartar with one part lemon juice to form a paste
Rub this paste on the stain, leaving in place for 10 minutes; repeat this step
Remove with a damp sponge or a damp sponge and moisturizing soap
Benefits of fabric
Fabric upholstery is used on a large amount of furniture items in hotels as it allows for:
Vacuum cleaner
Bucket
Cloths for cleaning and washing away detergent
Drying machines
Wet furniture signs
The cleaning materials used to clean fabric are quite simple and standard:
When preparing the work area for cleaning fabric upholstery, considerations include:
Place a ‘wet or caution’ sign in a suitable location to ensure customers don’t sit on the
furniture whilst it is wet
Remove any items such as newspapers and magazines
Vacuum the furniture and cushions
Cleaning fabric
General cleaning
General cleaning
Deep cleaning
Deep cleaning your upholstered furniture can be done for a number of reasons:
Considerations
Once the cleaning has taken place, whether through the process of a regular or deep clean, it is
important that the furniture has:
Time to dry
Does not attract any dirt or dust during the drying process
Steps
Types of glass
Glass is used in many hotels as it is very effective in improving the aesthetics of an area and giving
the appearance of more space. Glass is commonly found in:
The cleaning materials used to clean glass surfaces are quite simple and standard:
When preparing to clean, it is vital that the area in which you are going to clean is free from any
obstacles that may either get in your way or may get covered in cleaning products or water.
Remove any items off a glass surface, if you are dealing with a coffee table
Remove any furniture away from windows and unplug any items (electrical cords for lamps)
that may get in the way of your walking or ladder areas
Remove items from underneath a mirror
Cleaning a window
Scrubbing
Scrapping
Cleaning a mirror
Use a glass cleaning product or combination of white or distilled vinegar and warm water
Find newspaper to use as your cleaning cloth
Crumple the newspaper into usable sizes
Clean the mirror first to remove any heavy dirt or marks
Use plain water to do the pre-cleaning
Use a cloth with a tight weave, which is more soft and non-abrasive
Dip the newspaper into the vinegar water solution after pre-cleaning is finished
Rub the newspaper in slow circles across the mirror
Cover the entire surface of the mirror
Go over the wet areas with a dry portion of newspaper
This will leave the mirror dry and keep drip marks from drying onto the surface
Take all items off the coffee table including flowers, ashtrays, magazines and newspapers
Wipe the table with a clean dry cloth to remove any dry substances
Spray a glass cleaner or water on the top of the table
Scrub the table with a cloth to remove any hard to get stains
Clean and dry the table with a dry cloth or newspaper
Considerations
Surfaces
All furniture including fridges, tables, cupboards, ledges, bookshelves and desks
Lights and lamps
Decorations and flower vases
Public bathrooms including vanities, toilets and public showers
Rubbish bins
Fixtures refer to items that are attached including heaters, air-conditioners and lights
Fittings
Window sills
Walls – check for cobwebs and marks
Lamps – base, shade and cord
Telephone – main unit and hand receiver
Seat furniture – don’t forget to remove cushions and check sides, legs, back and underneath
All furniture – top, sides, legs, and underneath each item
Dusting
Polishing
The main purpose of polishing is to clean the item and leave a shiny, reflecting finish. When
polishing an item, make sure to:
Spray the cleaning agent onto the cloth - not onto the surface to be cleaned
Buff the surface after cleaning to remove any streaks
Vacuum floors
All carpeted areas should be vacuumed and many non-carpeted areas including wooden floors,
tiled bathroom area and linoleum floors may also require vacuuming
Vacuuming tips:
Try to vacuum the room starting at the furthest corner from the door and work back toward
the exit
Ensure you vacuum around and under all furniture
Particular attention should be placed on the corners of the room, including the skirting
boards
bend your knees when cleaning under items
Try to avoid ‘bending over’ the machine
Bathroom bench
Basins
Taps
Mirror
Cupboards
Amenities
Soap containers
1. Clean and dry shelves
2. Scrub hand basin, rinse, then dry and polish with clean cloth – check plughole
3. Polish fittings and taps
4. Clean and dry wall tiles
5. Clean, dry and polish bench top
6. Clean and polish mirror
7. Check under vanity for cleanliness
8. Replenish stock – soap, tissues, facial items, shower caps
9. Replenish towels – cloth or paper
10. Conduct final check
Cleaning bins
Tying the bin liner around the rubbish or emptying the bin directly into your waste bag on
the trolley. Remove larger and non-dangerous by hand to facilitate this process where
applicable
Spraying bin with appropriate multi-purpose cleaner, inside and out
Cleaning with the appropriate cloth
Fitting a new bin liner
Steps
There are many public areas in a hotel that contain wet areas. These are floor areas that can be
classified as areas that either:
The types of surfaces that are usually wet or require water to clean them include:
Mops
Brooms and brushes
Cloths and sponges
Buckets
Carpet shampoo machines
Polishers
Scrubbing machines
Floor machines
Preparing work area
When preparing to clean a floor using a wet method is to ensure the floor area to be
cleaned is free from any furniture or other objects
This may involve stacking tables and chairs to a side, or placing chairs on a table so the floor
area is clear
Normally this type of cleaning is done at night when there are less customers in the public
areas such as the lobby or when specific outlets are closed, such as the pool area,
gymnasium and restaurants
Mopping
1. Remove everything that may be on the floor such as mats, trash cans, and small pieces of
furniture
2. Sweep the floor to remove dirt, hair, dust, and other debris
3. Dissolve detergent into warm water using the manufacturer's instructions for the correct
water to detergent ratio
4. Pour the solution over the entire floor so that the solution can fill into the grout lines
5. Allow the solution to remain on the floor for 15 to 20 minutes
6. Scrub the grout with a small medium-bristled brush
7. Rinse the floor with a mop dampened with clean water
8. Mix a second batch of detergent and water
9. Mop the entire floor with the fresh solution
10. Rinse the mop with clean water and mop a second time over the floor to rinse it
11. Use a squeegee to push residual moisture to one area of the floor before absorbing it with
dry towels
At the completion of cleaning it is important to ensure the public area is left in a clean and
tidy state
More importantly, the surfaces must be dry or safe for customers to use
If it absolutely essential that customers must use an area which contains a wet surface,
adequate warning signs and barriers should be put into place
Once the follow is dry, all equipment and furniture should be returned to their original
location and all ‘wet floor’ caution signs removed
Steps
Quick process
Effective method
Relies on a machine to do the hard work of dirt removal, rather than the exertion of manual
labour.
With public areas closed for small periods of time, or not at all, in many hotel outlets, cleaning
methods that are quick, effective and simple will always be a preferred option
Select equipment
Machine
Most pressure cleaning machines will come with interchangeable spray tips that serve two purposes:
Film removers– used for removing layers of dirt and grim using a light pressure clean. This
includes the cleaning of cars, paths, roads (main driveway) and outdoor areas
Degreasers- used for removing heavy greaser and industrial cleaning.
When preparing work area using pressure cleaning the main thing to consider is what you
are going to clean
Care needs to be taken when pressure cleaning around windows, flowers and garden
vegetation, vents, eaves or light fixtures
Check for any holes, dents and scratches on the frame of the window that can allow water
to come inside a window or property
Close doors and turn off electronic automatic doors
Place any safety equipment on including closed shoes, waterproof clothing and safety
glasses
Connect the machine to a water source
Attach the nozzle or tip and ensure it is correctly attached
Start the machine
Test the power of the pressure washer
Start spraying few feet away from any object
Slowly bring your wand to 3-4 feet distance from the surface you want to clean
Move your wand side-to-side a couple of times and check if the surface is clean
If additional cleaning is needed, move your wand gradually closer to the surface
Start to clean using a side to side motion
Keep the nozzle low and start closer to the body and then move the cleaning action further
away until you find the right blend of pressure to clean and accuracy
When washing walls start from the bottom and move up
If you are to clean windows, clean from the side
Do not apply a direct ‘face-on’ contact. Check to ensure that water is not leaking inside
When cleaning the ground, start at lower areas and work your up
You may need to scrub areas that a pressure cleaner cannot remove stains
Let the cleaning solution do its work for 20 minutes. This allows for the detergent to start
dissolving the dirt, but do not let it sit too long so that it dries out
When ready to rinse start at the top and work towards the bottom until entire area is
detergent free
At the completion of cleaning it is important to ensure the public area is left in a clean and
tidy state
More importantly, the surfaces must be dry or safe for customers to use
If it absolutely essential that customers must use an area which contains a wet surface,
adequate warning signs and barriers should be put into place
Once the follow is dry, all equipment and furniture should be returned to their original
location and all ‘wet floor’ caution signs removed
Steps
Please ensure all pieces of equipment has been cleaned out of all detergents, residual dirt
and other waste products, then placed back in a suitable location for further use
Place all chemicals and other substances used in a storage area out of reach of children
As the title suggest high level cleaning is cleaning of items which are ‘at a high level’ above
the ground
High level cleaning is more difficult that other types of cleaning identified to date and in
most cases requires the use of specialised staff to perform these cleaning duties
Types of high level cleaning
Select equipment
Ladders
Safety ropes
Extension poles
High pressure cleaning equipment
Cranes – this normally requires specialised staff to operate
The most important aspect is ensuring that equipment used to raise you to a certain height
is safe, grounded and placed on a secure and level ground
You need to prepare any equipment and cleaning materials in a manner that allows for each
access when you are ‘at height’
This may require the use of a cleaning tool belt containing adequate cloths and cleaning
agents
You may also need to rope off the area so that customers and staff do not wander into the
space and either come in contact with ladders or have items fall on them
When cleaning at height, it is natural that any dirty items will fall down. Think about the furniture
directly under where cleaning will take place and make necessary arrangements including:
Use of specialists
In most cases high level cleaning will be conducted through the use of professionals.
Steps
Please ensure all pieces of equipment has been cleaned out of all detergents, residual dirt
and other waste products, then placed back in a suitable location for further use
Place all chemicals and other substances used in a storage area out of reach of children
The dictionary definition is "The principal manservant of a household." This definition remains
true even when the butler is employed in a hotel.
When the guest checks in and has occupied his suite, then this becomes his household. The
butler caring for him becomes the "manager" of the suite (household) and in effect an employee of the
guest.
In a hotel the butler's main function is to take care of guest requests, bookings, reservations,
problems, complaints, supervise and co-ordinate every service that the guest receives in suite and to
ensure guest satisfaction by paying attention to the smallest detail from arrival to departure.
Why have a Butler Department?
Modern hotels have become very departmentalized. Yet clearly as a guest in a hotel there are
many instances when the services provided by one department cross over into another
department, or when the actions of a department could be improved by information or
assistance received from another department. Sadly this does not happen often in the modern
hotel.
The butler is a multi-skilled professional trained to assist all departments within the hotel. He or
she is not tied to any one department but has only one goal in mind: guest satisfaction. It is only
with butler service that a truly seamless service can be achieved, since the butler is trained to
pass and act on information received from the guest or other departments concerned with
guest satisfaction.
With an effective reporting procedure in place the butler becomes the eyes and ears of senior
management, thus ensuring that management can monitor guest satisfaction throughout the
stay. Therefore, any problems can be resolved immediately whilst guest is in the hotel.
SERVICE
HIGHEST STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE by providing the most competent and personalized service
QUALITY
QUALITIES OF A BUTLER
FRONT OFFICE
HOUSEKEEPING DEPARTMENT
FOOD & BEVERAGE
BILLING & COLLECTIONS
EXPRESS SERVICE DEPARTMENT
MEMBER RELATIONS OFFICE
SPORTS & GROUNDS
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
CONCESSION & OTHER DEPARTMENTS
TELEPHONE SERVICE
LAUNDER LINEN AND GUESTS’ CLOTHES Note: The hotel can have total
control of all costs and quality of the
Advantages of having an on premise laundry (OPL)
finished product and monitor
Hotel can select the quality of all linens accordingly. Having an in-house dry
Hotel has total control over the quality of laundering cleaning and laundry service for
Increased revenue from providing guest service guests and staff uniforms and soft
Hotel can monitor all costs. furnishings will assist in offsetting
some of the costs of operating an OPL
Disadvantages of an on premises laundry (OPL)
Large initial capital outlay for all laundry equipment Note: The large space required may be
Ongoing maintenance costs possibly otherwise utilised for revenue
Ongoing costs for chemicals and all laundry supplies producing. The space may have been used for
Large capital outlay for all linen items additional guest rooms or a restaurant. It is
Ongoing linen replacement costs much more beneficial if a laundry feasibility
Large space required away from guest facilities. study is done prior to construction of a new
hotel so that it may be a specially designed
and purpose built facility away from guest
areas, therefore minimising noise and
vibration from the washing machines.
Note: there will be staff needed in the
hotel to monitor laundry collections and
Advantages of using an offsite laundry
deliveries. All linen that is delivered must
No capital expenditure required for equipment and linen be counted and checked against the
All operating costs borne by the laundry operator delivery docket in order to control costs
Regular scheduled collection and delivery times and shortages. Stained and torn linen will
Hotel can monitor all fixed costs per item. need to be monitored so that charges are
not incurred for these.
Disadvantages of using an offsite laundry
Hotel may not be able to influence the quality of linens used or the quality of the laundering.
Hotel will need to manage deliveries and shortages so that stock levels are maintained.
Linen turnaround times may vary due to laundry breakdowns or transport issues
Sorting table
Polymark machine
Trollies for sorting
Spotting board
Dry cleaning machine
Various types of presses
Shirt folding machine
Hanging rails.
Guest laundry docket – this is placed in the room and used by the guest. Can be in duplicate
or triplicate depending on the hotel’s accounting procedures
Summary sheet – this is used within the laundry and is used for summarizing all guest
laundry with the charges. It is used for posting to the guest account at the end of the day.
Sort linen 1
Linen is usually sorted before washing as this makes it easier. It is sorted into:
Sort Linen 2
Linen items are usually counted after washing during the ironing and folding process. >>> If hotel owned
linens go off site they must be counted when soiled and when returned clean to monitor shortages and
charges.
Note: if guest items are found to be damaged, the guest must be advised first so that the hotel does not
receive a compensation claim for alleged damage.
Assess and spot stains as required
Note: Revenue from guest laundry will help offset the cost of running the laundry. It will
never be a profit centre for this reason as in an on premise laundry.
Process internal records 2
This photo shows clean folded linen in linen trollies correctly lined with clean fabric liners. These
are being stored until needed on the floors.
Alcohol
Many hospitality venues serve alcohol in their various food and beverage outlets
It is part of most cultures that alcohol is served, with or without meals
Whilst for the most parts customers are able to enjoy themselves and drink in a responsible
manner, this is not always the case.
Duty of care
The primary responsibility a business has is to ensure the health and safety of those who either:
Frequent an establishment or
Are impacted due to its existence.
Managers and staff have a duty of care to make sure that all people are safe from harm when:
On the premises
When they leave
Customers
Owners
Managers
Staff
General Public
What is it?
How do you do it?
Increase to reputation
Reduces fines and liability
Allows a business to remain operational
Increased business and profits as people feel comfortable visiting your establishment
Less likely to have damage to the premises due to breakages, spillage, vomit.
Reduced costs to repair broken items
Create disorder and ruin the ambience of a venue
Reduces staff costs as less staff are required to handle drunk patrons
Reduced liability and insurance
Reduced legal claims
Benefits to staff:
Benefits to customers:
Alcohol- is a substance that has become an everyday part of society. However what it is and how it
affects the body is often not discussed. The intoxicating ingredient in alcoholic beverages is known as
ethyl alcohol or pure alcohol. This ingredient is contained in all alcoholic drinks. However the level of
concentration differs between drinks.
- In order to make measurement as uniform as possible, the agreed convention for standardizing
drinks is ‘grams of pure alcohol’.
Alcohol by volume
Different drinks will also have some different strength. This is referred to as ‘alcohol by volume’.
Examples include:
Beer: normally 3 – 5 %
Wine: normally 12 – 14%
Spirits: normally 37 – 43%
Standard drink
A “standard” drink will always contain a given amount of pure alcohol, regardless of whether it is beer,
wine or spirits.
A standard drink is commonly defined as a beverage that contains 10 grams of pure alcohol
This may vary between 8 and 14 grams in different countries
Some countries do not identify a ‘standard drink’.
30 mls of sprits
285 mls of full strength beer
100 mls of wine
- In reality, most alcoholic drinks are not served as a neat ‘standard drink’
- The size of the glass and pouring size may mean a drink contains more than 1 standard drink or
10 grams of alcohol.
For example:
A 330ml bottle of beer (5% ABV) may contain 13.2 grams of alcohol / 1.3 standard
drinks
A 200ml glass of wine (12% ABV) may contain 19.2 grams of alcohol / 1.9 standard
drinks
A 568ml (pint) of beer (4% ABV) may contain 18.2 grams of alcohol / 1.8 standard
drinks.
Determining ‘standard drink’
A formula for working out how many grams of alcohol / standard drinks in a beverage is:
Effects of alcohol
Many people enjoy visiting hospitality organisations as it provides a chance for people to relax, unwind
and enjoy themselves through the provision of good food, beverage and entertainment.
Therefore as a staff member within the hospitality industry, it is important that you ensure customers:
Alcohol, when consumed it is normally swallowed and goes into the stomach
The stomach breaks down food and drink before passing it to the small intestine
It is then absorbed into the bloodstream
The less food eaten, the quicker it is absorbed
The bloodstream then carries the alcohol to the brain
This process takes about 5 minutes
It starts to affect the function of the brain including:
o Judgement - Inhibitions
As more alcohol is absorbed, it continues to travel to other parts of the body affecting other
functions including:
o Balance - Co-ordination
It is this effect that starts to make us appear to be drunk
Alcohol affects people differently
Speed of drinking
Strength of drink - the blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
Person’s sex - women are more affected than men
Person’s weight - a small person is more affected than a big person
Amount of food eaten - a person who has empty stomach is more affected than a person
who has eaten a big meal
Tolerance to alcohol - a person who drinks rarely will appear more affected than a person
who drinks regularly
Monitoring intoxication
Intoxication
What is intoxication?
Different countries will prohibit the sale or supply or alcohol to someone who appears to be intoxicated
or drunk.
Signs of intoxication
Loss of coordination
Being clumsy
Eyes seem unfocused or glassy
Bumping into furniture and other people
Staggering
Falling down or tripping over things
Inability to walk in a straight line
Inability to do basic tasks like lifting a glass
Knocking things over.
Change in speech
Coordination
Alcohol Smell
Unsteady
Slurred Speech
Eyes Glazed
Offering assistance
When it is determined that a person is intoxicated, it is wise for staff to provide assistance
where applicable
Just because someone is intoxicated does not mean they need to leave the premises
It is important to remember that each situation must be handled in a professional and
discrete manner
Staff members must always be aware of the environment and alert to the consumption of
alcohol by groups or individual customers within the establishment.
Offering assistance
Individual situation
Level of intoxication
Types of assistance
Talk to the customer or their friend – this helps determine not only the level of intoxication,
but how they will respond to suggestions that may be suitable
Briefly explain your responsibilities – you may wish to outline the house policy that applies,
directly to the customer or a friend of theirs. Try to get the person on your side by
explaining that whilst you would like the customer to stay on the premises, they must abide
by the rules of the establishment
Promoting non-alcoholic drinks – most venues will have a range of soft drinks, juices or
cocktails which can be a suitable alternative to alcohol
Offer food– whether through providing a menu or offering complimentary or low costs
snacks such as nuts and chips
Offering low-alcoholic beverages – some beverages such as beer come in a low alcoholic
format which can be promoted. Alternatively half measures may be suggested when serving
spirits
Offer water – water is free of charge in most facilities. You may suggest a customer having a
glass of water between alcoholic drinks or for a specific period of time
Slowing down service – try to delay the service of drinks to a person, however this should
not be obvious as it may frustrate the customer
Advise other staff – as to the amount of drinks the person has had or any concerns which
you may have
It must be remembered, that the health and safety of staff, other customers and the intoxicated
person themselves is the primary objective when handling instances involving intoxication. As customers
become more intoxicated, the more difficult it may be to handle the situation yourself.
As a staff member, it is not a requirement for you to place yourself in harm’s way if you feel you
cannot handle the situation.
There must be an easy to use communication system to be able to notify appropriate internal people.
Systems can include:
Pagers
Signals – verbal or hand
Button
Phone call
Refer matters to external sources
Police– in the event of any activity that is breaking the law or likely to increase the risk of harm
to all patrons and staff
Fire– if there appears to be a likelihood of fire
Ambulance– in the event a person requires medical assistance
Special button
Posters with contact numbers
Speed dials
Other methods that are suitable
The manager plays a pivotal role in ensuring the venue is safe for all staff and patrons to enjoy.
They have control over:
Their decisions and actions guide the atmosphere of a venue. In essence the atmosphere is the general
mood or feeling of a place.
It influences the:
By promoting, encouraging and controlling the drinking behaviour, it will certainly help reduce
the risks associated with intoxication.
Removing or changing any one of these factors will alter the drinking behaviour.
There are a number of factors that influence drinking behaviour and the change and degree of problems
associated with intoxication.
1. Positive
Positive factors
Negative factors
Once the risks have been addressed and action taken to create the right atmosphere, this
does not guarantee problems will not arise
It is vital that not only managers, but all staff constantly assess and monitor the situation as
the shift unfolds
Apply procedures
Every organisation that serves alcohol should have established policies and procedures that are
in place to help promote the responsible service and consumption of alcohol.
House policy
One of the most powerful ways of reducing the risks of a breach of your duty of care or local laws and
regulations is to have a house policy that is:
Visible
Understood by staff and customers
Always applied
They contain the laws and rules of a specific organisation
It creates a framework for how an organisation will promote the safe supply and
consumption of alcohol
They are often written by and unique to a venue
Signage
Most laws will require or encourage premises to have suitable signage placed in locations that can be:
Seen by customers
Referred by staff
Escalation Plan
By having a plan which is understood by all staff members before an incident takes place, there is a clear
path of
pre-determined:
Responsibilities
Courses of action
Drink spiking
This is where alcohol or other substances is added to drinks without the drinker’s knowledge or consent.
Strategies to avoid drink spiking:
Binge drinking
Binge drinking is a very harmful practice of drinking too much in a short period of time or in
one-off episodes.
What can you do to reduce ‘binge drinking’?
Other issues
What other current issues exist that are related to the consumption of alcohol?
What causes them?
What risks are associated with these issues?
How can you control or eliminate these risks?
When handling intoxicated persons, there are a number of approaches that can be taken,
depending on the individual situation and severity of the problem.
The following T-A-K-E -C-A-R-E steps can help resolve matters involving intoxicated patrons.
Tell early- If staffs are aware of early signs of intoxication, they are able to help provide
assistance to a customer which enables them to still enjoy their experience. Some of these
types of assistance were identified in Section 1.1.
Avoid put-downs- You must be respectful in your approach with people. Do not judge them
or talk down to them.
Keep calm- Whilst it is not uncommon for intoxicated persons to talk in a rude manner to
you, remember you are just doing your job and try not to take the comments personally. Try
to use a calm and controlled voice. You don’t want to use loud or threatening words or
tones which can further escalate the problem.
Ever courteous- Regardless of the way that you may be treated by a specific customer, you
must respect the customer and be professional and polite. Don’t be confrontational and
demeaning about the person. Your role is to explain why you are taking a certain approach.
Normally this involves identifying how a person may be breaking the law.
Clarify refusal- You need to explain why a person may be refused a beverage, entry into the
premises or the right to remain on the premises. Be practical in your explanation and stick
to the facts. Don’t get emotional or personal about the intoxicated patron. You may merely
state that at this time, the law requires them to follow a certain action. You may want to
remind the person they are welcome back when they abide by the law.
Alternatives- If handled in a prompt manner, a staff member will be able to provide and
explain a range of alternatives including switching to soft drinks or eating a meal, which will
allow the customer to remain on the premises. At least you have placed some responsibility
back in the customer’s hands in relations to their actions.
Report- Ensure other people are aware of what is happening. For legal reasons you may be
required to keep a written record of events as they happen and the approach taken.
Echo- You may wish to notify a friend of the intoxicated person why certain actions are
taking place. They may be in a more controlled state and understand the situation more
clearly. They can also become an ally when dealing with the intoxicated person. If the
customer is a regular, you may wish to explain your actions and the reasons behind it when
they next return and in a clearer frame of mind to avoid a re-occurrence.
Handling complaints
There will always be complaints that will be brought to the attention of staff and
management
When alcohol is involved, the number and types of complaints may vary
Some may be logical whilst others unreasonable and resulting from the requests of people
who are intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol
It is important not to remain professional and treat every complaint with respect
Remember, when people are angry, they often throw insults.
Do not take insults personally or retaliate, you have to remain professional
Dealing with complaints requires you to have patience and to keep others around you calm
Handling potential problem situations
Whether due to celebration or party, single sex groups often start drinking to excess,
encourage a culture of drinking games and fast consumption
Due to the nature of large groups, their actions and noise level may impact on other
customers as well
Domestic argument
Games or Sports
Whilst is it unreasonable to ask every patron who is showing even the smallest sign of intoxication
to leave, it is essential that a person will be asked to leave who:
Final warning - The first step may be to give someone a final warning explaining their actions
may lead to them being asked to leave
Notifying friends – you may wish to notify a friend of the intoxicated person what is happening.
Intoxicated people are more likely to listen to their own friends than those of authority
Identify transportation – you may wish to arrange a taxi for the person or identify suitable
transportation, whether it is with one of their friends. Whilst it is not always a legal requirement,
you do not want an intoxicated person in a situation where they are roaming the streets or
trying to drive themselves home. Not only does this cause potential risk to the community, but
may have legal ramifications on the organisation
Arrange assistance – before a person is being asked to leave you may wish to call upon others to
either assist, monitor or actually undertake the process
Explain why the person is being asked to leave – be professional and explain to the person why
they must leave the premises. Normally notifying them that they are breaking the law is enough
information.
Explain transportation options – you may wish to notify the person how they will be getting
home, once they have left the premises
Follow the person to the door – ensure the person has collected all their belongings. Do not
touch the person as this may provoke them further and try to keep the process as discreet as
possible
Ensure the person is safely off the premises – hopefully this is in transportation or they have a
friend who can ensure the person gets home safely.
Ensure they are looked after
There will be times, when a more direct and forceful action is required
The appropriate authorities must undertake this action, whether by police or security
Element 3: Comply with legislation
Performance Criteria for this Element are:
Assess situations
Deal with intoxicated persons appropriately
Deal with underage drinkers
Comply with legislative requirements
Comply with Legislation- As a manager or a server in an establishment that serves alcohol it is your
responsibility that it is done in a manner that:
Legal considerations
There are a number of actions to ensure a safe and legal operation including:
Tips to remember
Underage drinkers
It is human nature for people who are under the legal age of drinking in a specific country to
want to consume alcohol due to:
Every country will have a designated age in which people are allowed to legally drink alcohol
This is set because the consumption of alcohol by minors is very dangerous
They lack the experience of drinking alcohol
They may not be mature enough to handle themselves in a drinking capacity
Brain does not fully develop until the age of 24 in males and 22 in females
Therefore the effects of alcohol impacts brain development to a greater extent
Their internal organs haven’t fully developed, therefore the effects of alcohol are greater
Minors are more likely to binge drink, which is a major health risk
Minors are most likely to become dependent on alcohol and become heavy drinkers later in
life
Types of laws
The law will also state conditions in which alcohol can be served in relation to minors
Each country will have their own laws in relation to the sale and consumption of alcohol in
relation to minors
Some venues may allow a minor to have an alcoholic drink if they are having a meal or with
a spouse, parent or guardian
Food containing alcohol may be consumed if below a certain percentage of the entire meal
Minors may not be allowed into areas where their primary product sold is alcohol including
bars and night clubs
Strategies to prevent underage drinking
Many establishments may have staff located at the door to ensure minors are not granted
access
If there are no allocated staff, it should be the responsibility of staff to observe new arrivals
This check is also helpful in identifying intoxicated persons entering the venue
Requesting identification
Whilst each country will have their own forms of approved identification, these may include:
Checking identification
Observe drinkers
In many establishments, minors are allowed into a wide variety of food and beverage
outlets that serve both food and beverage
Staff should observe people who are drinking alcohol
In some cases, adults may have purchased these drinks on their behalf
Complying with laws
All businesses that serve food and beverage will have a series of laws in which they must comply.
Licensing law is the set of legal rules governing the sale of alcohol in a given jurisdiction.
Types of laws
License to sell
Most countries that have restrictions on who can buy alcohol, will also have restrictions on
who can do the selling
In order to sell alcohol, you may have to obtain a permit or license
The license may simply permit you to sell alcohol in general or may have stipulations
Stipulations include:
Training of staff
Documentation of systems
In order to prove that you are complying with the laws, it is good practice to keep records to show what
systems you have in place including:
Recording Incidents
It can be used as a learning tool and can assist in communication between staff and
management
It provides an accurate record for police, company or insurance purposes
It can help prevent similar incidents from happening again
Date
Time
What happened
Who was involved
How it was dealt with
Whether police were called
Witness information