Fundamentals of Housekeeping
An uncluttered workplace is fundamental to any safety program. In
addition to cleanliness, industrial housekeeping must include other
factors, such as orderliness and proper arrangement of materials. It is
important to know the benefits of good housekeeping.
WHY GOOD HOUSEKEEPING?
Sloppy working conditions can lead to a lack of pride in your work. We should not
overlook slippery floors, obstacles in aisles, tools on the floors, floors and
platforms that are not in proper condition, or other housekeeping hazards.
• In addition to encouraging poor attitudes, bad industrial housekeeping can
lead to: Slips from slick or wet floors, platforms, and other walking and
working surfaces.
• Trips from objects or materials that are left in walkways and work areas .
• Falls from holes in walking and working surfaces, uneven flooring,
uncovered pits or drains, and boxes and pallets that are used instead of
adequate platforms .
• Collisions caused by poorly stored materials, overhanging or protruding
objects, haphazard spotting of pallets, and use of aisles for storing materials
and equipment.
Poor industrial housekeeping creates hazards for all employees in the immediate
area.
Good industrial housekeeping:.
• Eliminates accident and fire causes
• Saves energy by eliminating the need to work
"around" congested areas and "deadwood" stored in
the work area
• Provides the best use of space
• Keeps inventory of materials to a minimum
• Helps control property damage
• Guarantees a good workplace appearance
• Encourages better working habits
• Reflects an image of a well-run operation
• Reduces the amount of cleanup and janitorial work ORDER
Housekeeping is more than just sweeping the floor and
wiping dust off machines and equipment. Cleanliness is only
a part of housekeeping. The most critical and most
overlooked part of housekeeping is ORDER.
A work area is in order when there are no unnecessary objects in
the area and when all necessary items are in their proper places. NO means
NONE--NOT ANY--NOT EVEN ONE!
Do you keep supplies in the area because "they'll be needed one of these days?"
If there is one item in an area that is unnecessary or not in its proper place, then
you do not have order.
Order is maintained, not achieved. You cannot put an area in order and then
forget about it. A daily conscious effort by everyone working in the area is
necessary to maintain order. Order also must be obtained throughout the day. If
you wait until the end of the day and then place everything in order, what good did
it do you during the day?
Dis-order wastes time, energy and materials.
ESTABLISHING A HOUSEKEEPING PROGRAM A good housekeeping
program must include:
• careful planning,
• a clean-up schedule or policy,
• effective inspection, and
• continuous supervision and enforcement of housekeeping rules.
Inspect your area for unnecessary tools, equipment, parts, materials and supplies;
items that are not needed should be sent to the storage room or used for salvage.
Reorganize the storage area in your workplace. Establish one or more storage
areas for holding finished products and daily supplies; storage areas should not
obstruct aisles and work areas.
Create a daily clean-up policy and program. Periodically review the housekeeping
rules, clean-up policies and procedures. HOUSEKEEPING RULES
• Walking and working surfaces should be clean, dry and unobstructed.
• Aisleways and exits should be clearly marked and unobstructed.
• Approved trash receptacles should be provided to assure proper waste
disposal.
• Splash guards and oil pans should be available for machinery as needed.
• Work area floors should be kept free of pallets, parts, equipment, extension
cords and hoses.
• Floors, platforms and stairways should be kept in good repair.
• Adequate platforms should be provided; never use additional platforms or
boxes and pallets as substitutes.
• Walls and ceilings should be free of hangings and temporary wiring.
• Materials should be stacked in a stable manner; limit height as necessary to
maintain stability.
• Overhanging or protruding storage should be eliminated.
• Storage areas in and around buildings should be free of refuse and debris.
• Stock should be stored in a manner that will not obstruct sprinklers (18-inch
clearance for ordinary combustibles, 36-inch clearance for flammable
liquids). Combustible materials should never be stored on radiators, steam
coils, ovens or other heat sources; in transformer vaults; or around electrical
switch gear.
• Production equipment should be arranged to prevent overcrowding.
• Storage areas should be placed in a convenient location to encourage their
use.
• Adequate lighting, both natural and artificial, should be provided to assure
good visibility for work activities and to reveal dirt, obstructions and poor
housekeeping conditions.
• Leaks from hoses, pipelines and valves should be repaired immediately.
• Racks, shelves and lockers should be maintained for tools, personal
protective equipment and personal items.
• Lunch facilities, locker rooms and toilet areas should be clean, orderly and
sanitary.
Order results in a greater and safer workplace
