OSHA 1910 Subpart I Appendix B: Conducting PPE Hazard Assessments in Hotels

Hotels buzz with activity—housekeepers dodging spills, maintenance crews wrestling leaky pipes, kitchen staff juggling hot pans. But amid this controlled chaos, OSHA's 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I Appendix B provides non-mandatory guidelines for PPE hazard assessments. It's the roadmap to ensuring your team isn't just safe, but strategically protected. Ignore it, and you're gambling with compliance fines starting at $16,131 per violation (as of 2024 adjustments).

What Appendix B Demands: The Core Framework

Appendix B isn't a rigid rule—it's practical guidance under 1910.132(d), requiring employers to assess workplaces for PPE needs and document it. We start with a walkthrough: identify hazards like impact from falling objects in storage areas, chemical splashes in laundry rooms, or compression injuries from heavy luggage carts.

• Survey the scene: Inspect every department—front desk to rooftop HVAC.
• Hazard categories: Impact/penetration (tools), chemicals (cleaners), heat/cold (kitchens, freezers), dust (construction renos), ergonomic strains (lifted beds).
• Select PPE: Match to risks—cut-resistant gloves for bellhops, non-slip shoes for poolside staff.
• Verify and document: Train workers, retrain as needed, and certify in writing with signature and date.

This isn't busywork. In one California hotel chain I consulted for, a simple assessment swapped generic gloves for nitrile ones, slashing chemical dermatitis cases by 40% in six months.

Hotel-Specific Hazards and PPE Plays

Housekeeping hits the front lines with corrosive cleaners like bleach or ammonia. Appendix B pushes for splash goggles and chemical-resistant gloves—think neoprene over latex for bleach resistance. I've seen teams overlook this, leading to red, irritated eyes that sideline staff during peak season.

Maintenance shops? Power tools scream for ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses and hearing protection. Electrical work in damp basements demands insulated gloves per ASTM F2676. Kitchens require cut-resistant sleeves (Level A5 fabric) for slicing veggies—non-negotiable when knives fly faster than room service orders.

Don't forget soft spots: Front-of-house slips on polished lobbies call for ASTM F2913 non-slip footwear. Laundry's steamy heat? Heat-resistant aprons. And for event setups, hard hats if you're stacking chairs overhead.

Step-by-Step: Your Hotel PPE Assessment Checklist

1. Assemble the team: Supervisors, workers, safety lead. Walk the property department-by-department.
2. Log hazards: Use a form noting location, hazard type, exposure frequency. Pro tip: Snap photos for the record.
3. PPE selection: Reference OSHA tables in Appendix B—e.g., dielectric gloves for live electrical parts.
4. Training rollout: Fit-testing, care instructions. Retrain on changes like new floor wax.
5. Certify it: "I certify this assessment completed on [date] by [name]." Post it visibly.

Reassess annually or post-incident. OSHA inspections love seeing this paperwork—it's your shield.

Common Pitfalls and Pro Tips for Hotel Compliance

Hotels often uniform-ize PPE, issuing one-size-fits-all shoes that slip on wet tiles. Tailor it: Size charts matter. Another trap? Forgetting seasonal shifts—winter salt on sidewalks amps up slip risks.

Balance is key: Over-spec PPE drains budgets (gloves run $5–20/pair), under-spec invites injuries. Based on BLS data, hospitality slips/falls cost $1.5B yearly in workers' comp. Our assessments? They pay for themselves in avoided claims.

For deeper dives, grab OSHA's free PPE Assessment Worksheet or check ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 for selection guides. Your hotel's safety record—and guest reviews—will thank you.

Stay sharp out there. Compliance isn't optional; it's your operational edge.