Housekeeping is safe-keeping
If your housekeeping habits are poor, the result may be team injuries- or even death. How can such a "minor" issue have such serious consequences?
Here are some results of poor housekeeping practices:
- Injuries, when you trip, fall, strike or are stuck by out-of-place objects;
- Injuries from using improper tools because the correct tool can't be found;
- Wasted time 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;
General housekeeping rules to remember are:
- Clean up after yourself. Pick up your trash and debris and dispose of it properly, or place it where it will not pose a hazard to others
- Keep your work area clean throughout the time you are in the shop. This will minimize the amount of time needed to clean a "larger mess" at the end of the day.
- Dispose of combustibles and flammables properly. If improperly discarded, they will increase the potential for a fire.
- Remove protruding nails and other sharp objects or hammer them flat to prevent someone from stepping on them or snagging themselves.
- Stack materials and supplies orderly and secure them so they won't fall on someone.