3 Types of Poor Housekeeping Hazards Toolbox Talk

Poor Housekeeping Hazards Safety Talk

Housekeeping is not just for the home. Keeping a tidy and clean workplace is also very important to ensure the safety of all the employees. To avoid unnecessary injuries from happening, it is ideal to practice good housekeeping at work.

The difference that a clean workspace can make in the amount of productivity that there is, is astonishing. All employees should do their part in keeping their areas clean and tidy. Not leaving it to the hired housekeeping employee alone.

Three Types of Hazards Caused by Poor Housekeeping

The safety of employees should be a main focus of the workplace. Whatever can be done to avoid unsafe conditions which can lead to injuries should be put into place. 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 things that all workers should do is keep items up and off the floor. Leaving things out can result in someone tripping over things that didn’t need to be in the way. If heavy items are left in the way, it can also result in employees injuring themselves from trying to lift or move the heavy object out of the way. When this occurs, employees are at great risk of injuring themselves with a strain or sprain.

Corners should not be cut to just move an item over or out of your way for a moment. When this is done, there are greater risks for injuries happening. Items that do not belong on the floor should always be picked up and put where they belong, for the safety of all employees.

2. Laceration Hazards

In the workplace, there are many different types of objects that can cause lacerations. Whether you work in a construction site, warehouse, or manufacturing setting there are many instances and objects around you that can cause injury. It is important to always be aware of your surroundings and always clean up your items to avoid cuts.

Sharp objects can be found all over the workplace, even if you don’t realize the risk that it poses at first. Keeping the work area clean and always putting away sharp objects when finished with them will help to avoid accidental injuries. Any and all sharp tools, sharp-edged material, jagged material, or any other can cause harm through gloves or clothing.

3. Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards

Depending on the area that you are working in can pose different types of hazards for spills. When there is poor housekeeping and spills are not cleared promptly, slips, trips, and falls become a big risk. This goes for items that are left out and not properly put away too.

Employees can slip in a spill, trip over a box, and fall injuring themselves. Any areas that become contaminated with moisture, water, grease, oil, or any other liquid should be promptly cleaned to avoid any injuries. Any shift in flooring levels should also be properly marked to avoid falls.

How to Avoid Unnecessary Housekeeping Injuries

Injuries endured due to poor housekeeping can be 100% avoided. These types of problems do not need to happen if the employees will be responsible for their surroundings and take the right amount of caution that is needed. Each employee should take charge of their own workspace, pay attention to the three main types of hazards, and do the necessary cleaning to avoid them. It is not only for the safety of yourself but for the fellow coworkers as well.

Examples of Poor Housekeeping

A workplace that is not practicing good housekeeping techniques is only setting up themselves for disaster. Having an unclean workspace is not going to give the employee the opportunity to be as productive as they could be. The cleanliness of your work is important for everyone who is involved. Some examples of poor housekeeping in the workplace are:

1. Dirty Counters and Floors

2. Spills and Leaks Not Being Cleaned

3. No Organization

4. Dirty Bathrooms

5. Tools Left Out

6. Not Having Proper Signs Visible

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 these rules to where all employees can be reminded of the needed task to keep the workplace safe at all times will help to keep everyone accountable. To keep the workplace tidy, clean, and free of harm to the best of your ability, follow these rules:

1. Make sure all floors are dry and clear of clutter. This is going to avoid someone from slipping or tripping at work. There should always be a clear pathway for walking to avoid any risks of injuries. This is also a good practice to keep in case an emergency occurs and everyone needs to exit the building.

2. Stairways and hallways should always be clear or cutter to avoid someone tripping over them. They should also be sweet and mopped regularly and mopped to ensure they are clean. Doing regular inspections of these areas is ideal to make sure they are always safe for the employees.

3. If your work area contains any type of toxic chemicals or liquids, they should be properly marked. This is going to avoid any accidental spills of mistakes being made.

4. Good housekeeping is not always about making sure you clean up your mess, but also about making sure all guidelines and rules are in place at all times. Fire extinguishers, emergency exits visible, first aid kits, and other similar items should always be put in their designated areas. All employees should be aware of where they are located and exactly how to get to them in case they are needed.

5. Bathrooms should be kept clean and tidy. All trash cans and waste should be taken out regularly to keep things as sanitary as possible. All floors should be swept and mopped regularly to avoid problems. Wet floors need to be marked with signs to avoid someone slipping and falling.

6. If the area you are working in involves any live electrical wires, it should be properly marked and displayed. The proper precautions should be taken to avoid electrocution. Access to any electrical panels should never be blocked and always have a clear path making them accessible.