Housekeeping and Hygiene

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Good housekeeping is of primary importance in maintaining a safe workplace.  Many injuries occur because people trip, stumble, or fall over objects in the way of their travel path.

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Leave your workplace how you would like to find it, neat and tidy.

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Good Housekeeping can be maintained by,

 

• Removing waste material and debris to a disposal area and reusable material to a storage area as often as necessary to prevent a hazardous condition arising and, in any event, at least once daily

• Removing or protecting any protruding hazards that may endanger a worker

• Using a gear rack in your workplace

• Cleaning up spills immediately; Oil and grease create slipping hazards

• Keeping walkways, doors, and access to equipment clear

• Keeping cords and hoses coiled up and neatly placed in a safe area when not in use

• Not throwing tools or materials from one level to another

• Dispose of waste materials

• Keep work areas and storage facilities clean, neat and orderly

• Keep all aisles, stairways, passageways, exits and access ways free from obstructions at all times

• Do not place supplies on top of lockers, hampers, boxes or other movable containers at a height where they are not visible from the floor

• When piling material for storage, make sure the base is firm and level

• When storing materials suspended from racks or hooks, secure them from falling and route walkways a safe distance from the surface beneath

• When storing materials overhead, provide adequate toe boards to keep objects from rolling over the edge

• Tools, equipment, machinery and work areas are to be maintained in a clean and safe manner

• Return tools and equipment to proper storage areas when not in use

• Layout extension cords, air hoses, water hoses, ladders, pipes, tools, etc. in such a way as to minimize tripping hazards or obstructions to traffic

• Nail points, end of loop or tie wires, etc. must not be left exposed when packing and unpacking boxes, crates, barrels, etc.

• Nails are to be removed as soon as lumber is disassembled

• Store sharp or pointed articles to keep co-workers from coming into contact with the sharp edges or points

• Dispose of all packing materials properly to reduce the chance of fires

• Empty waste baskets daily into approved waste containers

• Circuit breaker boxes and fuse boxes, should be kept closed at all times

• Flammables and combustible materials, coats, rags and cleaning supplies should not be stored in mechanical rooms or near electrical boxes

• Keep electrical equipment properly maintained and free of grease or dirt

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Hygiene

 

Proper hygiene is crucial to protecting oneself from diseases.  Good hygiene can be maintained by,

 

• Ensuring that you wash hands before eating

• Keep work clothes separate from street clothes

• Shake out all work clothes before storing

• Ensuring that you have enough clean changes of clothes

• Keeping lunch and restrooms clean, particularly counters and tables

 

Cleanliness promotes safety, which means that fewer accidents are likely to happen. 

It also helps in the prevention of fires.