One of the key ways to protect you from falls, fires, and a ton of other hazards is by maintaining good housekeeping in the workplace. Housekeeping is everybody’s responsibility- not just the cleaning crew.
Take a look around your workplace:
- Are the floors clean and free of any spills, trash, and clutter?
- Are leaks and spills cleaned up right away or do employees walk right past them?
- Are traffic areas clear of any obstacles such as boxes, electrical cords, water hoses, etc.?
- Are the exits and stairs clearly marked?
- Are the garbage cans constantly overflowing or are they emptied regularly?
- Is the workplace organized with tools and equipment clearly labeled, and stored in designated spaces – or is everything thrown in a pile?
- Are raw materials and containers clearly and correctly labeled? Are they stored in the right place?
- Are the stairways and doorways kept clear?
- Is there adequate lighting around the workplace?
- Are oily rags disposed of in the proper container?
- Are flammable materials stored away from possible ignition sources?
- Are hazardous materials kept in designated locations in their properly marked containers? Is the MSDS readily available?
- Are the employees cleaning up their workstations?
- Are defective chairs and tables taken out of service immediately?
- Are drawers and doors closed immediately to prevent accidents?
- Are lunch areas, break rooms, restrooms, and locker rooms kept clean?
These are just a few of the things you should be looking out for. It’s up to you and your coworkers to ensure that you have a clean and safe place to work everyday. Good housekeeping not only keeps the work site looking good, it keeps you safe from injury.
Until Next Time – Safety First!