Housekeeping is a very important part of your job. Not only does it improve the overall appearance of the work area, but it shows that employees take pride in their work. The best way that to keep a work place clean is to pick up after yourself. Don't leave it for the next shift or another craft to worry about.

If housekeeping habits are poor, more often than not, the result leads to employee injuries, illnesses, citations by OSHA (or another regulatory agency), and even difficulty in securing future work. How can such a "minor" issue have such serious consequences?

Good Housekeeping practices can:
> Reduce trip and fall hazards.
> Increased production. You won't have to waste time looking for a misplaced tool. You will always know where your tools are when you put them where they belong after you use them.
> Reduce a potential fire hazard by removing unneeded combustibles from the work area.

Here are some work habits to keep in order to maintain a clean and safe work area:

> Plan the job. Make a list of the needed tools/materials. This will help to minimize unnecessary clutter around your work area.
> Develop a routine for cleaning up at the end of the shift or periodically during the shift.
> Do not allow employees to eat, drink or smoke in the work area, not only because of litter problems, but also because of hygiene concerns.
> Keep all aisles clear of obstructions.
> Remove or bend all protruding nails or other sharp objects.
> Keep all emergency equipment readily available for use. Emergency equipment includes fire extinguishers, SCBA's, blankets, first aid supplies, emergency eyewash stations, stairways, fixed ladders, etc.
> Sweep up broken glass and discard in designated containers as soon as the breakage occurs.
> Always store materials, equipment and tools in there designated storage areas.
> Never store any materials, tools or equipment in stairwells or beneath stairways.
> Remove all scrap, metal, and trash at the end of each shift.
> Ensure that all secondary containers under your control are labeled. If you observe any containers that are not labeled, notify your manager or supervisor.

Here are some results of poor housekeeping practices:

> Injuries, when employees trip, fall, strike or are struck by out-of-place objects. This is one of the most common type of accident in all workplaces.
> Injuries from using improper tools because the correct tool can't be found;
> Lowered production because of the time spent maneuvering over and around someone else's mess, and time spent looking for proper tools and materials;
> Time spent investigating and reporting accidents that could have been avoided;
> Fires due to improper storage and disposal of flammable or combustible materials and wastes;
> Substandard quality of finished products because of production schedule delays, damaged or defective finishes, ill-equipped employees, etc.;
> Lack of future work due to a reputation for poor quality;
> "Wall-to-wall" OSHA inspections due to the "first impression" of the compliance officer.

"It's all in the details."

The details do count and if we take a few minutes to pay attention to all the potential hazards around us we can prevent serious injuries from happening to ourselves and other employees. It is a matter of respect. If housekeeping practices are maintained to a high standard it shows that you respect the health and safety of the workers around you.

OSHA Requirments for: Walking and Working Surfaces (29 CFR 1910.22)

OSHA Requirements for: Accident Prevention Signs and Tags (29 CFR 1910.145)

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