Good Housekeeping

Session Outline

You will be able to:

• Recognize the importance of good housekeeping
• Understand housekeeping responsibilities
• Develop good housekeeping habits
• Identify and eliminate housekeeping hazards
• Help prevent workplace fires and accidents

What You Need to Know

• Benefits of good housekeeping
• Costs of poor housekeeping
• Housekeeping responsibilities
• Good housekeeping habits
• Common housekeeping hazards
• How to eliminate housekeeping hazards and prevent accidents

Benefits of Good Housekeeping

• Eliminates accident and fire hazards
• Maintains safe, healthy work conditions
• Saves time, money, materials, space, and effort
• Improves productivity and quality
• Boosts morale
• Reflects a well-run organization

Costs of Poor Housekeeping

• Slips, trips, and falls
• Fires
• Chemical and machine accidents
• Injuries from electrical problems
• Collisions and falling objects
• Health problems

Good Housekeeping Habits

• Make time for housekeeping
• Evaluate your workspace
• Remove hazards before starting work
• Turn equipment off after using it
• Clean up as you go
• Never ignore a safety hazard

Daily Housekeeping Checklist

• Floors
• Aisles
• Workstation
• Equipment
• Storage
• Waste Disposal

Injuries from Slips, Trips, and Falls

• Strains and sprains
• Torn ligaments
• Broken bones
• Back or spine injury
• Death

Prevent Slips

• Clean up spills
• Repair leaks
• Pick up objects
• Sweep up debris
• Wear slip-resistant shoes

Prevent Trips

• Clean up straps and bands
• Put away electrical cords and air hoses
• Don’t stack items in walkways
• Keep drawers closed
• Be careful when you carry objects
• Put away tools

Prevent Falls

• Be careful on stairs
• Use ladders safely
• Replace fall protection chains or barriers
• Use fall arrest equipment when required

Fire Prevention

• Store flammable and combustible liquids in proper containers
• Keep reactive chemicals separated
• Prevent the accumulation of combustibles
• Keep combustibles away from electrical equipment and hot machinery

Exits and Fire Equipment

• Keep evacuation routes clear
• Don't block emergency exits
• Make sure fire extinguishers are accessible
• Ensure that electrical panels can be opened

Chemical Safety

• Make sure containers are properly labeled
• Inspect containers for signs of damage
• Wear required PPE
• Follow safe storage and handling procedures
• Clean up spills

Machine Safety

• Keep the area around machines clear
• Inspect machines before use
• Make sure all guards are operating
• Follow lockout/tagout procedures
• Clean machines and put away tools

Electrical Safety

• Keep heaters and furnaces clear
• Inspect electrical cords before use
• Don't overload outlets or circuits
• Keep combustibles away from electrical equipment
• Keep electrical equipment clean

Prevent Cuts, Bumps, and Scrapes

• Don't leave objects sticking out
• Pad head hazards
• Clean up broken glass immediately
• Properly store blades and sharp tools
• Properly discard old blades
• Keep utility knives sheathed or retracted

Use the Right Equipment for Housekeeping Tasks

• PPE
• Brooms, vacuums, mops, sponges
• Cleaning rags
• Cleaning compounds

Lift and Carry Safely

• Check your route of travel
• Get a good grip
• Lift with your legs, not your back
• Make sure you can see over the object you're carrying
• Watch where you're going

Key Points to Remember

• Good housekeeping helps prevent workplace fires and accidents
• Keeping the workplace neat, clean, and safe is everyone's responsibility
• Keep alert to housekeeping hazards
• Eliminate or report hazards you identify anywhere in the facility

Question(s)