Drainage should be present where “wet processes are used.”Įmployers should select adequate flooring (e.g., cement, ceramic tile or another material), as different types of flooring hold up better under certain conditions, said Fred Norton, technical director of ergonomics and manufacturing technology for Risk Control Services, Liberty Mutual Insurance in Walnut Creek, CA. OSHA’s Walking-Working Surfaces Standard (1910.22(a)) states that all workplaces should be “kept clean and orderly and in a sanitary condition.” The rule includes passageways, storerooms and service rooms. Slips, trips and falls were the second leading cause of nonfatal occupational injuries or illnesses involving days away from work in 2013, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition, housekeeping should have management’s commitment so workers realize its importance. Experts agree that all workplace safety programs should incorporate housekeeping, and every worker should play a part. The practice extends from traditional offices to industrial workplaces, including factories, warehouses and manufacturing plants that present special challenges such as hazardous materials, combustible dust and other flammables. It also can help an employer avoid potential fines for non-compliance. It can help prevent injuries and improve productivity and morale, as well as make a good first impression on visitors, according to Cari Gray, safety consultant for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
Housekeeping is crucial to safe workplaces. To some people, the word “housekeeping” calls to mind cleaning floors and surfaces, removing dust, and organizing clutter.īut in a work setting, it means much more. Housekeeping should be an ongoing process, not a one-time practice. Housekeeping can help prevent injuries and improve productivity.Įvery worker should play a role in housekeeping, even if that means keeping his or her own workspace clean.
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