Hotel workers in biohazard gear to protest Wyndham hotel with MGH facility

Workers say not enough has been fixed at hotel after high-profile campaign

BOSTON, MA—Hotel staff of the Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill Hotel will protest tonight in a continued effort to rid the hotel of health hazards. They will be joined by 400 supporters. MGH maintains an 8-bed sleep study in the hotel.

Workers will wear disposable suits that prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens. These are an example of the kinds of supplies that should be given to workers to handle potentially infectious materials such as blood, vomit, feces, and needles.

OSHA opened an inspection of the hotel in May 2015. This week workers submitted further evidence to the agency supporting their allegations of hazardous working conditions related to bloody materials, needles, and other medical waste. Workers also allege lacking information about the waste they clean and dispose of from the MGH sleep study inside the hotel.

In July, the hotel hired a temporary agency to clean hotel rooms. Workers said they are concerned temporary staff are not given enough training and that the hotel is going in the wrong direction.

WHAT: Wyndham hotel employees to demonstrate in hazmat suits to illustrate hotel’s continued failure to keep workers safe

WHEN: Wednesday, September 9, 5:30pm

WHERE: Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill hotel, 5 Blossom St, Corner of Cambridge St and Blossom St. Across from MGH.

WHO: 500 people picketing and chanting including hotel workers in uniform, union members in t-shirts, and nurses in scrubs

VISUALS: hotel workers in biohazard gear including blood-spill gown, face covering, and blue gloves

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Hospitals have different protocols—or none at all—when it comes to discharging patients to hotels. But the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s bloodborne pathogens standard applies to all.

The Wyndham Beacon Hill hotel uses its proximity to Massachusetts General Hospital as a marketing tool. The hotel website includes a hospitals page featuring a blonde model in a white coat with a stethoscope around her neck. The hotel offers a link to each of the city’s hospitals, discounted rates for patient families, and access to a shuttle bus.