1. Housekeeping

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

3. 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

4. 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”

5. 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.”

6. 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

7. Understanding Housekeeping Hazards and How to Prevent Them

8. 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

9. 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)

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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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