OSHA Compliance for Vacation Rental Managers

Michelle Williams
8/18/2025

As a professional property manager, adhering to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards is critical for ensuring the health and safety of your employees and guests. If you are providing housekeeping, maintenance, and inspection services, and if you are managing a physical office, you are obligated to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards. Under OSHA’s General Duty Clause, this means identifying potential risks and putting preventive measures in place for the safety of your employees and contractors, whether in a rental property or in the office setting.

Benefits of Compliance

From a legal perspective, following OSHA regulations helps you avoid hefty fines and penalties that can arise from noncompliance. From an operations perspective, providing a safe work environment minimizes potential disruptions caused by workplace accidents and the associated downtime, maintaining operational efficiency. A safe workplace can also boost employee morale and aid in retaining skilled staff. Furthermore, demonstrating a commitment to employee safety enhances the company’s reputation among stakeholders, including guests, employees, homeowners, and your community.

Common Industry Violations

According to recent OSHA data, the most frequently cited violations for traveler accommodations were regarding the Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) and the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030).

The Hazard Communication Standard is a critical regulation designed to ensure that information about the identities and risks of chemicals used in workplaces is properly communicated to both employers and employees. Insufficient employee training about hazards, inadequate labeling of chemical containers, and failure to maintain safety data sheets (SDS) are all serious violations that can lead to accidents and injuries as well as decreased employee morale and trust.

According to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), a well-rounded hazard communication program typically includes the following five key components:

1. Chemical Inventory and Assessment: A detailed list of every hazardous chemical in the workplace is required. This inventory serves as a reference point for developing other components of the hazard communication program, such as training and emergency response.
2. Labeling and Warning Signs: All containers of hazardous chemicals must be labeled with the identity of the chemical and appropriate hazard warnings. Labels must remain intact and legible. Warning signs and placards might also be necessary for areas where hazardous chemicals are stored or used.
3. Safety Data Sheets (SDSs): An SDS must be available for each hazardous chemical in the workplace. These sheets provide detailed information about the chemical, including its hazards, handling, storage, and emergency measures. The SDSs must be accessible to all employees at all times in their work area.
4. Written Hazard Communication Plan: This is a formal document that outlines how the company intends to implement hazard communication standards. It includes details on labeling, SDSs, employee training, and the methods used for informing employees of the hazards associated with non-routine tasks or chemicals in unlabeled pipes.
5. Employee Training: All workers who might be exposed to hazardous chemicals must be trained on the hazard communication program and the safe handling of chemicals. Training should cover the interpretation of label and SDS information and the protective measures for preventing or responding to exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Given the nature of their work, your operations teams may encounter situations where they are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), among others. These infectious microorganisms present serious health risks and can be transmitted through contact with infected human blood and other potentially infectious body fluids. Therefore, protecting your staff from these pathogens is paramount.

There are numerous ways in which workers might accidentally be exposed to biohazards. For instance, housekeeping staff might encounter bloodborne pathogens when cleaning rooms where an accident, injury, or illness occurred. This includes cleaning up blood or bodily fluids from surfaces, linens, or bathrooms. They may also accidentally come into contact with used needles or other sharp objects improperly disposed of by guests. Staff responsible for laundry operations may handle linens or clothing stained with blood or bodily fluids, posing a risk of exposure. Any staff member, guest, or even homeowner may be at risk if they spend time in an environment previously contaminated by guest injuries or illness that has not been properly cleaned and sanitized.

To mitigate these risks, vacation rental operations should implement rigorous OSHA-compliant safety protocols, including using personal protective equipment (PPE), adhering to proper disposal methods for sharps and other biohazardous waste, conducting thorough training on handling potentially infectious materials, and ensuring that all staff are aware of the procedures for dealing with exposure incidents.

Navigating the OSHA Landscape

The Hazard Communication Standard and the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard represent just a sampling of the OSHA standards applicable to the vacation rental industry. Understanding and complying with the full range of OSHA regulations can be daunting yet crucial to ensuring both safety and legal compliance.

Reviewing OSHA’s website, which contains a wealth of information, is a good starting place. It can be a complex landscape to navigate, however, especially for busy business owners. Fortunately, there are resources available to you that will help you get the necessary guidance and support needed to ensure your business not only meets but exceeds all applicable safety standards.

A major benefit that OSHA provides is its On-Site Consultation Program, which offers small businesses no-cost, confidential consultations that help identify and address hazards and establish or improve safety and health programs. These services are generally provided by consultants from state agencies or local universities.

Bryce Rucker serves as the deputy director of cooperative programs for the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH), where he delivers OSHA compliance education to businesses throughout the state. In his recent presentation on OSHA guidelines at the 2024 VRMA International Conference in Phoenix, he stressed the importance of on-site consultations and working with your local resources to maintain compliance and keep up with regulatory changes. According to Rucker, “The consultants are specialists in navigating the OSHA laws and regulations and can provide information that is specific to what the requirements are for property managers and property management companies. The consultation services can also include sampling for things such as mold or noise, just to name a few, at no cost as well.”

The OSHA Consultation Program is designed to help you evaluate your current systems and recommend steps to come into compliance if needed. The consultants can also provide training and education for you and your employees. Regarding the process, Rucker said, “When a consultation visit is performed, after the visit a written report of findings is provided to the property manager or individual that requested the consultation. All consultation visits and reports are completely confidential and are not publicly available; they are also not shared or accessible to any regulatory agencies including OSHA.” 

Based on the consultant’s findings, they will provide specific recommendations tailored to your business operations to help you eliminate or reduce hazards. An important point to note is that on-site consultation services are separate from enforcement and the goal is to help businesses improve workplace safety voluntarily, without fear of penalties or citations. OSHA does not impose fines or issue citations during these visits, as long as you agree to correct any identified serious hazards within a reasonable timeframe.

Working with an OSHA consultant is a proactive approach to improving workplace safety and health, especially for those in the property management field where workers may be exposed to a wide variety of risks. After your initial visit, establishing a routine for regular updates or check-ins with your OSHA contacts and keeping them informed about what measures you are implementing at your properties can build trust and transparency.

Adhering to OSHA’s safety standards not only protects your employees but also maintains the integrity and reputation of your vacation rental business as a safe and responsible entity. It underscores the company’s commitment to the health and safety of its employees, guests, and homeowners. What’s more, following OSHA regulations helps you avoid legal issues, including fines and penalties that can arise from noncompliance.

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