Labour Day, celebrated on May 1, honours the achievements of workers worldwide and highlights the challenges they face in their workplaces.

Many employers are criticised for not doing enough to improve their employees’ lives, but the Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Center, Kigali, has been recognised, on different occasions, for providing a healthy and safe work environment for their staff.

ALSO READ: Radisson Blu nominated for World Travel Award 2023

As we mark Labour Day, The New Times’ Jade Natacha Iriza spoke to Nicole Muramira, the company’s Human Resource Manager, to learn more about their approach and share insights for other employers to consider.

Excerpts:

Tell us about some of the policies and procedures regarding safety and health at work that make Radisson Blu stand out.

Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre, Kigali, has put in place different measures to ensure the health, safety and welfare at the workplace for employees and all persons who frequently visit our premises.

For instance, our establishment has a clinic with trained nurses to deal with First Aid cases before helping our staff/clients to reach hospitals/clinics. All our outlets are equipped with First Aid kits which are monitored by nurses, and every department has at least two trained first aiders who use automated external defibrillators for the staff/clients in need.

Additionally, all our staff have medical insurance and they’re provided with monthly contributions to Rwanda Social Security Board, RSSB.

We have a trained team in firefighting and other threats. We also have on our premises safety and security signs in different areas and assembly points in case of fire, and all our staff are trained in evacuation procedures.

We have safety and security standards operating procedures in place, with a department in charge of safety and security in our establishment and a crisis management committee.

Periodically (three times a year), our staff food handlers are diagnosed to check their health status in the protection of their colleagues and guests against infectious illness. With the risk of injury or harm from contamination, our staff are equipped with suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and instructions for their use are exposed in all our public areas and noticeboards.

Radisson Blu Hotel and KCC is also implementing the Occupational Health and Safety Management System, and the staff were trained against the ISO 45001:2018 (OH&SMS). We are currently putting in place the Occupational Health and Safety Management System Policy and Procedures for the establishment to be certified.

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How do you ensure that employees are equipped with the knowledge and resources to maintain a safe and healthy work environment?

All our staff are trained equally, especially in areas of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), like Covid-19 pandemic awareness and prevention.

Also, through the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol, a global commitment to cleanliness and hygiene in partnership with SGS, a company that provides the benchmark in security; we have conducted a comprehensive review of our existing health and safety processes and developed the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol in partnership with SGS.

The 20-step hotel safety protocol and a 10-step protocol for meetings and events include measures such as implementing physical distancing measures throughout the hotel, increasing cleaning and disinfection frequency, improving air circulation processes, installing protective screens at the front desk, and providing hand sanitisers and glove stations near the front entrance and public areas.

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Especially in a crisis such as the Covid-19 pandemic, or issues related to mental health and well-being, what additional measures do Radisson Blu put in place to ensure the safety and health of employees at work?

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we had temperature checks at staff and guest entrances to detect high temperatures, which can be a symptom of Covid-19.

Any guest and/or staff who tested positive for Covid-19 would be reported, and protective and preventive procedures would kick in.

The staff with Covid-19 would stay at home and respect self-isolation for at least 15 days before taking a control test. While a guest would be provided with a room for self-isolation and evacuated when necessary.

Additionally, we consistently encourage and promote the mental health and well-being of our employees through health education and counselling provided by our health professionals.

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What steps does Radisson Blu take to address and mitigate workplace hazards, and how are these hazards identified and reported?

We make sure our employees are all aware of the previously stated protocols. However, in case of a hazard, the food safety compliance coordinator, or others in charge of following up with identified hazards, reporting to management, and ensuring corrective measures are applied as soon as possible.

Your parting note...

Most importantly, above other necessities, employees are fairly remunerated, on agreed time, and offered other assistance at different levels, to be able to care for their own health and observe their privacy when necessary.

The Management of Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali wishes a Happy Labour Day to all its staff members. Their hard work and dedication are honoured. The management is committed to providing the staff with a safe, healthier, and enjoyable work environment.

Happy Labour Day!