Heavy, luxurious beds are taking their toll on housekeepers

Spare a thought for your housekeeper: this just in from Reuters.

Those heavenly beds in luxury hotels may give people a great night’s sleep. But how would it feel to lift the 100-pound (45-kg) mattresses and change the sheets 16 times a day? Housekeepers at the Los Angeles Airport Hilton have scored a big win as they struggle with back and knee injuries exacerbated by making heavier beds with upscale linens, comforters and cushions that can weigh up to 16 pounds (7 kg) per bed, occupational safety activists said on Thursday. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health fined the privately owned hotel $14,425 for violating repetitive motion injury standards and other hazards.

Apparently pushing carts loaded with toiletries and towels over deep-pile carpets also takes its toll. Aside from suggesting stretching exercises, the article doesn’t really go into any detail on what measures the hotel needs to take.    Lighter beds?   Less ‘rooms per day’ to complete?   What would you do if you ran the hotel?