16 Apr Housekeeping on Construction Sites

Housekeeping on Construction Sites

Good housekeeping is an essential part of construction safety. Throughout a project, scrap materials, packaging, tools, cords, hoses, and other debris can quickly accumulate and create hazards. Maintaining an orderly jobsite helps prevent injuries, improve productivity, protect materials and equipment, and keep access routes clear.

Housekeeping is everyone’s responsibility and should be maintained continuously throughout the workday.

General Housekeeping Rules

• Keep scrap lumber containing protruding nails separate from other debris until the nails have been removed or bent over.
• Remove waste and debris from work areas regularly. Do not allow materials to accumulate.
• Place waste in designated containers or collection areas for proper disposal.
• Keep aisles, passageways, stairs, landings, entrances, exits, and walkways clear of tools, materials, cords, hoses, and debris.
• Store materials only in designated areas and stack them securely to prevent shifting, rolling, tipping, or collapse.
• Provide trash containers where needed and empty them regularly.
• Return tools and equipment to their proper storage locations when they are no longer being used.
• Route extension cords, welding leads, and air hoses away from walkways whenever practical. Where crossing a travel path is unavoidable, protect them against damage and minimize the trip hazard.
• Keep access to fire extinguishers, electrical panels, emergency equipment, and exits unobstructed.
• Clean up oil, water, mud, grease, and other slippery substances promptly.
• Maintain adequate lighting so employees can recognize housekeeping and walking-surface hazards.
• Secure loose materials that could be blown, displaced, or fall from elevated work areas.
• Never throw debris from an elevated level unless an approved method, such as an enclosed chute, is provided and the area below is properly controlled.

Why Good Housekeeping Matters

Effective housekeeping can help prevent:

• Cuts, punctures, and splinters from scrap materials.
• Slips, trips, and falls.
• Struck-by injuries from falling or improperly stored materials.
• Fires caused by accumulated combustible waste.
• Blocked emergency exits and access routes.
• Damage to tools, equipment, and materials.
• Delays caused by employees having to work around clutter or search for equipment.

Good housekeeping also improves the movement of employees, equipment, and materials throughout the jobsite.

Clean as You Go

Do not wait until the end of the shift or until debris has accumulated before cleaning the work area. Clean as you go. When you complete a task, remove unnecessary materials, dispose of waste, and return tools to their proper locations.

If you discover a housekeeping hazard that cannot be immediately corrected, protect the area when necessary and report the condition to your supervisor.

Remember

A clean construction site is a safer construction site. Keep work areas and access routes clear, remove debris regularly, store materials securely, and correct housekeeping hazards before they cause an injury.