Housekeeping

Why is Housekeeping Important? Job Efficiency Business Image Legal Requirement Safer Environment

Job Efficiency Easier to find tools, equipment, and supplies Save time not having to maneuver around clutter Saves money by minimizing investment in tools, equipment, and supplies Avoids counter-productive injuries

Business Image You will be more likely to invite visitors into your workplace Visitors will have a more positive opinion of your product if it is produced in a clutter-free environment (more likely to buy it!) Good housekeeping says “you care”

Legal Requirements OSHA’s regulation with respect to housekeeping reads: “All places of employment shall be kept clean to the extent that the nature of the work allows.”

Safer Environment Effective housekeeping creates a safer environment and can help minimize hazards such as: Tripping and Falling Hazards Contact Hazards Puncture and Splinter Hazards Electrical Hazards Fire Hazards Chemical Hazards Egress Hazards

Understanding Housekeeping Hazards and How to Prevent Them

Tripping and Falling Hazards Anything on the floor that does not belong there and conflicts with a clutter-free environment i.e., tools, equipment, supplies, water and grease

How to Control Tripping and Falling Hazards Putting things away Keep floors and steps clean and in good repair Adequate lighting Adequate trash receptacles Wet floor signs Other warning signs (e.g. uneven floors)

Contact Hazards Objects that can hit you or that you can bump into i.e., open drawers, protruding sharp tools

How to Control Contact Hazards Put things away Close drawers and cabinets Cover sharp tools Provide sharps containers for disposable sharp items Post appropriate warning signs

Puncture and Splinter Hazards Sharp edged or pointed tools that are left out i.e., Box Cutter, screwdriver Splinters that can develop on any surface or on a variety of tools i.e., Wood hammer handle, metal splinters

How to Control Puncture and Splinter Hazards Put things away Cover pointed items Cover or remove splinters

Cords left near heat or water Electrical Hazards Overloaded circuits Cords left near heat or water Exposed live electrical that could cause fire or shock Extension cords that become tripping hazards

How to Control Electrical Hazards Only use extension cords on a temporary basis and keep away from walkways Enclose permanent wiring in conduit All live electrical conductors must be totally enclosed Rely on a qualified electrician

Fire Hazards Combustible debris or improperly stored flammable liquids It is important to remember that it is the vapor that burns, not the solid or liquid Examples of hazards include oily rags, gasoline, acetylene, or any other substance capable of burning

How to Control Fire Hazards Properly store flammables and combustibles (e.g. oxygen and acetylene) Properly dispose of flammable and combustible waste (e.g. oily rags go in to a metal container with lid) Smoke only in designated areas and properly dispose of smoking materials

Chemical Hazards Open, improperly stored chemical containers Unintentional mixing of incompatible chemicals Ex. pouring water into acid instead of acid into water

How to Control Chemical Hazards Keep chemicals capped and properly stored Label all chemicals Do not block eyewash stations Rely on MSDS sheets for storage and labeling requirements and other safety information

Egress Hazards Blocked access to emergency exits and fire protection equipment i.e., blocked pull stations, fire extinguishers, telephones, and bulletin boards Doors that open inward to work area instead of outward

How to Control Egress Hazards Fire exits must remain unlocked during business hours Do not block access to fire exits, pull stations, fire extinguishers, telephones, or bulletin boards Outside sidewalks leading from fire exits must remain free of ice and snow

Summary Housekeeping is an important business strategy that improves image, efficiency, and safety It requires daily, ongoing effort Everyone’s responsibility A place for everything and everything in its place