01 Feb Housekeeping Is Safe-Keeping At Work

Housekeeping Is Safe-Keeping at Work

Good housekeeping is more than making the workplace look neat and organized. It is an important part of accident prevention, fire prevention, productivity, and maintaining a professional work environment. A clean jobsite also demonstrates respect for the people who work there.

Poor housekeeping can create hazards that may result in injuries, property damage, lost productivity, and regulatory violations. Many of these hazards are easily prevented when everyone takes responsibility for keeping their work area clean.

Consequences of Poor Housekeeping

Poor housekeeping can contribute to:

• Slips, trips, and falls caused by tools, debris, cords, hoses, spills, and improperly stored materials.
• Struck-by injuries from objects left in unsafe locations or materials that are improperly stacked.
• Cuts and punctures from protruding nails, sharp objects, and improperly discarded materials.
• Use of the wrong tool because the proper tool cannot be readily located.
• Fires caused by the accumulation or improper storage and disposal of combustible or flammable materials.
• Blocked walkways, stairs, exits, fire extinguishers, electrical panels, and emergency equipment.
• Damage to tools, equipment, materials, and finished work.
• Lost productivity from searching for tools and materials or working around unnecessary clutter.
• A poor impression of the company’s overall safety practices and professionalism.

Good Housekeeping Practices

Housekeeping is everyone’s responsibility and should be performed continuously throughout the workday, not simply at the end of the shift.

• Clean up after yourself and dispose of trash, scrap, and debris in designated containers.
• Keep work areas, aisles, walkways, stairs, landings, entrances, and exits clear.
• Return tools and equipment to their proper storage locations after use.
• Route cords, hoses, and leads away from walking surfaces whenever practical.
• Clean up spills promptly. If a hazard cannot be immediately corrected, protect the area and notify your supervisor.
• Remove protruding nails from scrap lumber or bend them over to prevent puncture injuries.
• Stack and store materials securely so they cannot tip, roll, slide, or collapse.
• Properly store and dispose of combustible and flammable materials.
• Do not allow waste or combustible materials to accumulate.
• Maintain unobstructed access to fire extinguishers, electrical panels, emergency equipment, and exits.
• Establish regular cleanup periods when necessary to prevent debris from accumulating.

Don’t Walk Past a Hazard

If you see a housekeeping hazard, take appropriate action. A cord across a walkway, a small spill, a loose piece of scrap, or an improperly stored tool may seem insignificant until someone is injured.

If you can safely correct the condition, correct it immediately. If you cannot, protect the area when necessary and report the condition to your supervisor so it can be addressed.

Before Leaving Your Work Area

Take a quick look around before leaving:

• Have trash and scrap materials been removed?
• Are tools and equipment properly stored?
• Are walkways, stairs, and exits clear?
• Are cords and hoses safely routed?
• Have spills and slippery conditions been corrected?
• Are materials stacked securely?
• Is emergency and fire-protection equipment accessible?

Do not leave a hazard for the next employee or shift to discover.

Remember

An uncluttered workplace shows respect for everyone who works there. Clean as you work, correct housekeeping hazards when you see them, and leave your work area safer than you found it.