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At RIU Hotels & Resorts, we distinguish ourselves not only by the quality of our services and our hotels in spectacular destinations, but also by our culinary variety and our attentive staff. But there is something else that makes us unique: our firm commitment to the safety and well-being of both our clients and our employees. A cornerstone of this commitment is our incredible Occupational Health and Safety service, whose mission is to ensure that all the workers in the chain enjoy a safe and healthy working environment. This department is divided into territorial divisions and within these divisions there are two areas: the Technical area and the Health Monitoring area.
From left to right: Felio Martorell, doctor and head of the Health Surveillance area, Conchi Ginard, nurse from the Health Surveillance area in Palma and Jesús Moyano, doctor from the Health Surveillance area in Andalusia and Madrid.
Today we would like to introduce you to the Health Monitoring area and the great people who make it up. Read on to find out more about them!
The health of the workers is the health of a company
In the hotel world, our team faces a wide variety of occupational hazards on a daily basis: from falls and cuts to ergonomic and occupational health problems. The most common, as Dr. Jesús Moyano, a doctor on the Health Monitoring team, explains, are musculoskeletal disorders. These result from everyday, routine actions such as handling heavy loads, awkward postures, and so on. Even so, psychological and social problems also play a more significant role.
And how can we prevent and avoid these risks? Our colleague Dr. Felio Martorell gives us a clear answer: “In risk prevention, a good design phase is necessary to eliminate any risks at their source. This is followed by a risk assessment and a follow-up phase of preventive and/or corrective measures. It is also important to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures applied so that they can be improved on an ongoing basis.”
Preventing these risks is not only key to protecting our employees, but also to ensuring top quality service for our guests. A safe and healthy work environment not only makes our workers happier and more productive, but also enhances the guest experience.
Health at work is crucial for several reasons. The part of the Occupational Health and Safety department that ensures all our workers are in the best possible health is also responsible for ensuring the physical and mental well-being that we require as employees. They are in charge of carrying out medical examinations, health check-ups, vaccination campaigns, first aid training… and much more. “Our department is important because we have to be aware that the health of the workers is what ensures they give 100%. We all know that without health there is nothing”, explains Conchi Ginard, a nurse on the Health Monitoring team.
It is clear that no one wants to go to work and leave stressed or sick. A healthy worker is a happy worker. It’s all good business. A healthy working environment creates a positive atmosphere, where employees feel valued, improving morale and encouraging teamwork.
What is most important for a department like this to function properly?
Every company has its own way of operating and running its departments, that much is clear. There is no magic formula, but there are certain things that need to be in place for this kind of department to function as well as possible. For example, the support and commitment of senior management is essential. RIU management values and prioritises health and safety at work, allocating the necessary resources and promoting a culture of prevention throughout the organisation: “The most important thing is to get the involvement and collaboration of all those responsible: from directors, to hotel management and heads of department… so that they form the chain that conveys the knowledge of preventive culture to the entire workforce” Felio Martorell.
Providing ongoing education and training is vital. We have to keep up to date with safety regulations, best practices and how to act in different emergency situations. But of course, a department as important as this one cannot afford to communicate poorly: “In our team there is effective communication. We love the fact that everyone listens to us, because we have a lot to contribute.” Conchi Ginard.
We could not be prouder of the great Health Monitoring team we have at RIU. Their work is key to maintaining a safe and healthy environment, which leads to a better quality of service and greater satisfaction for both employees and guests. We would like to thank them for their outstanding commitment to safety and well-being at work, they are an example to follow and reflect the values of excellence and social responsibility that characterise us!
Conchi Ginard, nurse on the Health Monitoring team: “This work teaches you that every single person is important, together they make our company excellent in all aspects”
