Safety Tip of the Week – Housekeeping (2)

Effective housekeeping can eliminate some workplace hazards and help get a job done safely and properly. Poor housekeeping frequently contributes to accidents by hiding hazards that cause injuries.

Effective housekeeping is an ongoing operation. It is not a hit-and-miss cleanup done occasionally. Periodic “panic” cleanups are costly and ineffective in reducing accidents.

Workplace housekeeping:

Poor housekeeping can be a cause of accidents such as:

• Tripping over loose objects on floors, stairs and platforms;

• Being hit by falling objects;

• Slipping on greasy, wet, or dirty surfaces;

• Striking against projecting, poorly stacked items or misplaced material; and

• Cutting, puncturing, or tearing the skin of hands or other parts of the body on projecting nails, wire, or steel strapping. 

To avoid these hazards, a workplace must maintain order throughout a workday. Although this effort requires a great deal of management and planning, the benefits are many.

Good housekeeping habits:

• Remembering it is part of your daily job duties;

• Developing a routine cleaning schedule;

• Reporting overcrowding or unsafe conditions;

• Clearly marking physical hazards or areas of concern; and

• Cleaning as you go.

Safe housekeeping requires that each one of us be constantly on the lookout for hazards and take the necessary action to eliminate or control them.

A place for everything…everything in its place!!