Introduction

The Occupational Health and Safety aims to eliminate or reduce the risks associa
ted with working conditions or their consequences. In general terms, one might s
ay that the Occupational Health and Safety in the Hospitality sector, requires f
or its proper implementation, a work both human and material. During the working
day, the practitioner is exposed to a number of factors, mechanical, physical,
biological, psychological, etc., Which sometimes comes to influence their health
and safety and may trigger in: • • Accident work. Occupational disease.
It is therefore important to ascertain the risk factors and how to prevent, espe
cially considering that many of the jobs, depending on the time of year are poss
ible.
Job description
The technician responsible for maintenance services is the professional qualifie
d Key Features include: • • General Maintenance. Conservation facilities. and re
pair of machinery and
•
Locating and correcting deficiencies.
Rules
The Law 31/1995 on the Prevention of Occupational Risks warranties and liabiliti
es set required for an adequate health protection of workers. In its Article 6 p
rovides that "regulations will be set and realize that the more technical aspect
s of preventive measures, with the full protection of the worker."
The applicable law is: • Royal Decree 485/1997 of 14 April on minimum requiremen
ts concerning health and safety signs at work. Royal Decree 486/1997 of 14 April
concerning the health and safety regulations in the workplace.
•
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•
Royal Decree 487/1997 of 14 April on cargo handling. Royal Decree 773/1997 of 30
May on use of personal protective equipment. Royal Decree 374/2001 of April 6,
the protection of health and safety of workers from risks related to chemical ag
ents at work.
•
•
Also very important is Royal Decree 614/2001 of 8 June on minimum requirements f
or protecting the safety and health of workers against electrical hazards. All t
his legislation is available at our website: www.ceoe-tenerife.com.
Risk Factors
Within the collection of jobs in the tourism sector, the maintenance technician
is the one that may involve more risk of an accident, being in constant contact,
among others, tools, either hand or power, working at heights, electrical appli
ances , etc., all of which means that, if appropriate measures are taken, the op
erator may suffer some kind of accident. The most frequent risks that can happen
, in the performance of its functions, the maintenance technician are: • Falls,
both at the same level as at different levels to work at heights. Blows, fractur
es. Cortes. Burns.
• • •
• Electrocution.
Precautionary measures to take
Before performing any task, you must analyze the risks that may arise during imp
lementation. It is appropriate to complete a safety sheet, at least for jobs tha
t involve more risk.
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Hand Tools As a general rule, should be used the right tool for each job, never
used utensils, tools or machines that have not been made for action to be develo
ped (eg, use a knife as a screwdriver, pliers and hammer , etc.). The tools are
inspected before each work to be done
A
sure they are provided with insulating handles (when necessary), that are not ch
ipped, that are clean, not slippery, and so on. Piercing and cutting tools must
be kept properly sharpened, never carried in pockets or loose in the tool box, m
ust be kept in their cases or special accommodations. Upon completion of the wor
k, all the equipment used is kept in place for this purpose: crates, boxes or lu
ggage compartments, cabinets, wall panels or tool room. In each case, the tools
should be stored properly ordered and with the tip or the edge protected.
Special instructions for the use of hammers: The handle of the hammer must be of
hardwood, resilient and elastic, never will be painted or varnished, ergonomics
should allow a good adaptation to the hand.€The larger the size of the hammer h
ead, the thickness of the handle should be higher. Before using a hammer to be s
ure it is in perfect condition and that the head and handle are firmly embedded.
It is important to select the size and type of hammer appropriate: • • • The ba
ll: suitable for work in metals (a). Of rock: suitable for carpentry work (b). E
ars or nails: special woodworking requiring start nailing and nails (c). Pot: sp
ecial for different masonry and the like (d).
•
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When working with a hammer defective risks: • • • To escape the hammer head to s
trike. The occurrence of hand injuries from beatings. Eyes from flying fragments
and other body parts.
Special instructions for the use of screwdrivers: Selecting a screwdriver for a
particular type of work, choose the appropriate size and with the proper bit for
the screw head (slot, cross, star, etc.).. The free hand is placed so that it i
s never below the screwdriver. Otherwise, you run the risk of injury if the tool
slipping.
Working at height. It is compulsory to use seat belts for all work at height whe
re they might fall, for example, carried out on platforms, scaffolds, roofs etc.
All material deposited in the working platform is placed inside boxes or simila
r, minimizing the risk of his fall. Scaffolds and work platforms. Work platforms
shall be constructed of solid materials and their structure and resistance will
be provided to the loads to be endured. Floors and hallways of the platforms wi
ll slip, shall be kept free of obstacles and be fitted with a drainage system fo
r disposal of products slippery. Portable ladders. Ladders, always offer the nec
essary guarantees of solidity, stability and security. Not be painted or varnish
ed, except with transparent varnish. The rails are one piece, the steps will be
assembled and fitted with some mechanism in your foot slip. It is strictly forbi
dden to splice two ladders, if not have devices specially prepared for this. Mac
hinery. The machine repair operations shall be provided with the engines off. To
avoid inadvertent launching of the failed machine will lock the device operatio
n. The maintenance or repair work is not finished until all the defenses and gua
rds are properly placed.
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Protection against electrical hazards before using an appliance or electrical in
stallation, make sure your state does not alter or modify the security devices.
In humid environments, we must exercise caution, avoiding its use if: wires or o
ther electrical equipment go through puddles or wet areas. When we are in direct
contact with water, for example we have wet hands. In the event of a breakdown,
the first thing we do is cut the power. Then act to take all proper precautions
, while avoiding possible interim repair cables damaged by tape or something sim
ilar, then end up not repaired.
Workwear and Protective Equipment
In the company which requires the wearing of uniform, it must be comfortable and
appropriate for the weather.
With regard to Personal Protective Equipment, also known as PID, is given to the
employee to make use of it when it has not been possible to adopt some other co
llective action. The employer must provide their workers with protective equipme
nt and ensure the specific use of them. Protective equipment in the workplace is
primarily aimed at preventing falls from a height, cuts and electrical hazards.
Any maintenance technician must be provided with: • • Gloves. Safety harness, r
ope tie and cushion fall for work at height. Slip shoes that hold the foot well.
Mats, benches and platforms insulators. Insulated tools.
• • •
All Personal Protective Equipment must be CE marked and have the correct instruc
tions for use contained in the appropriate language, and keep in good working co
ndition, regularly checking their effectiveness.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
CEOE - Tenerife econorm Resource Center
C / Rambla General Franco, 147. Tulip Bldg 38 001 Santa Cruz de Tenerife Tel: 92
2 247 302 Fax: 922 293 341
Canarian Institute of Occupational Safety
Avenida de Anaga, 7. 2 38 001 Santa Cruz de Tenerife Tel: 922 597 897 Fax: 922 5
97 955
Foundation for the Prevention of Occupational Risks
C / Guzmán el Bueno, 133 Britannia Building, 9 º E 28003 Madrid Tel: 915 357 506
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health at Work
Torrelaguna, 73 28027 Madrid Tel: 914 037 000 Fax: 914 030 050
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