3 Types of Poor Housekeeping Hazards Toolbox Talk
In this toolbox talk, learn about the common hazards caused by poor housekeeping on a construction site.
Poor Housekeeping Hazards Safety Talk
Housekeeping is not just for the home. Keeping a clean and tidy workplace is also important to promote safety and improve productivity.
To avoid unnecessary injuries or delays, all employees should practice good housekeeping at work. Everyone must do their part in keeping their work areas clean and clear of clutter.
This housekeeping hazards toolbox talk will cover common hazards caused by poor housekeeping on construction sites and provide tips for avoiding them.
Three types of hazards caused by poor housekeeping
The safety of employees is a main focus of every workplace. Any steps that can be taken to avoid unsafe conditions which can lead to injuries should be established as standard workday procedures.
Housekeeping has a big impact on keeping workplaces safe. Poor housekeeping exposes workers to several types of hazards, including:
1. Strain and sprain hazards
One of the most important housekeeping rules that all workers must follow is to keep items up and off the floor. Leaving tools, materials, and equipment out of place can lead to trips and falls.
If heavy items aren't stored properly in the workspace, it can also result in employees injuring themselves from trying to lift or move the heavy object out of the way. Poor housekeeping puts employees at greater risk of injuring themselves with a strain or sprain.
Don't cut corners when it comes to putting away tools and equipment. Items you use on the jobsite should always be picked up and put where they belong for the safety of all employees.
2. Laceration hazards
In the workplace in construction, there are many different types of objects that can cause lacerations. Whether you work on the jobsite, in a warehouse, or in a manufacturing setting, there are likely many objects around you that can cause laceration injuries.
Any and all sharp tools, sharp-edged material, or jagged material can cause harm, even through gloves or clothing. It is important to always be aware of your surroundings and always practice good housekeeping to avoid cuts.
Sharp objects can be found all over the workplace. Keeping the work area clean and always putting away sharp objects properly when finished using them will help to avoid accidental injuries.
3. Slip, trip, and fall hazards
Poor housekeeping in the work area can pose different types of slip, trip, and fall hazards due to spills. When there is poor housekeeping and spills are not cleaned up promptly, slips, trips, and falls become a big risk.
Employees can slip in a spill and fall, injuring themselves— sometimes severely. Any areas that become contaminated with moisture, water, grease, oil, or any other liquid should be immediately and fully cleared to avoid any injuries.
How To avoid unnecessary housekeeping injuries
With consistent effort, injuries sustained due to poor housekeeping can be avoided. Risks are significantly reduced if employees take responsibility for their surroundings and exercise caution.
Each employee should take charge of their own workspace, pay attention to the three main types of hazards, and complete necessary cleaning tasks to avoid them. Good housekeeping is not only for the safety of yourself but for the fellow coworkers as well.
Examples of poor housekeeping
Employees that are not practicing good housekeeping techniques on the jobsite are only setting up themselves for disaster. Having an unclean workspace is a safety risk and will not give the employee the opportunity to be as productive as they could be.
Workspace cleanliness is important for everyone on the jobsite. Some examples of poor housekeeping in the workplace are:
Construction site housekeeping tips
If you want to make sure that your workplace is staying as tidy as possible and you want to avoid injury, there are some steps that you can follow.
Posting this information in a high visibility area will help to keep all employees accountable. To keep the workplace tidy, clean, and free of harm to the best of your ability, follow these rules:
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