Discussion Leaders Guide
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1-Housekeeping
Today’s discussion will be about housekeeping. Some people think
it’s a waste time. But if you spend five minutes picking up junk and
litter, you might prevent a slip, trip or fall or a fatal explosion or fire.
You could prevent an injury that keeps someone off work for weeks
or even months. Five minutes to save months off work or a death is a
good investment. Because the next time, it could be you who gets
hurt.
In recent years over 400,000 reported injuries was the result of poor
housekeeping causing slips and falls, and 35 percent of all lost
workdays were caused by injuries due to slips and falls. A cluttered
workspace can also be a firetrap. Poor housekeeping creates more
places for fires to start and provide fuel for fires to feed on. In fact,
many industrial fires are the direct result of accumulations of oil
soaked, and paint saturated clothing and rags.
2-Imperial Sugar
Fire
On Feb 17, 2008 at 7:15pm a series of sugar dust explosions at the
Imperial Sugar manufacturing facility in Port Wentworth, Georgia,
resulted in 14 worker fatalities. Eight workers died at the scene and
six others eventually died of their injuries. The Imperial Sugar
manufacturing facility housed a refinery that converts raw cane sugar
into granulated sugar. A system of belt conveyors and bucket
elevators transported granulated sugar from the refinery to three 105foot tall sugar storage silos. During its travels dust was emitted and
the sugar was spilled.
3-Imperial Sugar
Fire
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB)
determined inadequate housekeeping practices resulted in significant
accumulations of combustible granulated and powdered sugar and
combustible sugar dust on the floors and elevated surfaces throughout
the packing buildings. Failure to understand the hazard and control
sugar dust accumulations in the work areas by properly maintaining
equipment and performing routine housekeeping led to the massive
secondary explosions and fires that claimed the lives of the 14
workers and injured dozens. Had the company trained the workers on
the hazards of combustible sugar dust and adopted an effective dust
control program, the secondary dust explosions that devastated the
facility would likely not have occurred.
This information came from U.S. CHEMICAL SAFETY AND
HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD INVESTIGATION
REPORT Report No. 2008-05-I-GA September 2009
This company was fined $8,777,500. The third highest fine given by
OSHA.
Discussion Leaders Guide
4-Walkways
Make sure extension cords, lines, welding leads, hoses and etc. are
coiled or rolled up when not in use. All cords running into or through
walk areas must be taped down or inserted through rubber protectors
to prevent them from becoming tripping hazards.
5-Floors
Clear scrap and debris from walkways, passageways, stairs, and
around floor openings immediately. Aisles must be kept clear at all
times. Walkways should be kept free of holes, ruts, and obstructions.
Clean up spills of grease, oil, and other liquids at once. If a quick
wipe up is not possible, cover them with absorbent material until they
can be cleaned up. Garbage cans should be utilized and emptied
regularly.
6-Good
housekeeping
Housekeeping in the workplace helps keep you safe from falls, fires,
and many other hazards. It isn’t just up to the cleaning and
maintenance crew. If the sight of paper or debris on floors, clutter
and spills are accepted as normal, then other more serious health and
safety hazards may also be taken for granted.
7-How does your
workplace stack
up
Stored materials should be safely stacked, correctly labeled and in
proper order. Unused materials should be disposed of or stored
safely, rather than being allowed to accumulate in out-of-the-way
places. Hazardous materials should be kept in clearly and correctly
labeled authorized containers, away from sources of ignition and
other hazards.
8-Tools
Are machines and tools kept clean and properly maintained? Are
workstations and surfaces left clean?
Tool housekeeping racks and holders should be provided for all hand
tools, jigs, cutters, blades and other parts. Tools frequently used at a
bench or machine should be placed on racks. Wheeled racks are
often very helpful. Tools should be cleaned and put away after use
and work stations should be left clean at the end of each shift. If and
when you find someone’s tools or equipment around, move them out
of the way. Put them somewhere safe and visible. Equipment and
other surfaces should be checked regularly for jagged edges, rough
surfaces, nails and hooks – all of which could cause cuts, puncture
wounds or eye injuries
9- Fire
Another hazard associated with poor housekeeping is fire. Excess
trash, debris, and oily rags can be fire starters. Overcrowding and
Discussion Leaders Guide
Extinguishers
improper storage of materials can block fire extinguishers and
sprinkler heads, not to mention exits doors.
10-Exits
Exits should be clearly marked and unobstructed for easy access.
Clearly marking aisles and spaces reserved for storage will solve a lot
of problems in the workplace.
11-Exits
12-Exits
13-Hallways
Hallways leading to exits should be unobstructed. If there is a fire,
clutter can prevent a quick and safe exit.
The handling, storage, and placing of materials at work directly
impacts the safety of you and your coworkers. Careful consideration
must be given to the volume of materials to be handled, the space
needed for these materials and the methods of handling.
Nobody said housekeeping safety is fun, but it's part of the job and if
you let it accumulate then you've got to get out the machete and that
is a chore. Teamwork is the key to a clean work area and
housekeeping-safety. Everyone must do his part and realize that
housekeeping is a shared responsibility. Remember that good
housekeeping reduces accidents, improves morale and increases
efficiency. Most people appreciate a clean and orderly work place
where they can accomplish their tasks without interference or
interruption.
The picture on the left should be cleaned to look like the hallway on
the right.
14-Electrical
Rooms
Maintain sufficient access and working space around all electrical
equipment allowing for ready and safe operations. Many times the
electrical rooms become the main storage room.
15-Lunchrooms
Lunchroom and washroom floors should be kept clean and dry.
Appointing a monitor to report safety hazards or other problems as
soon as they arise could be helpful.
16-Offices
Chairs and stools should always be pushed in under desk and kept in
good repair. Drawers and cabinet doors should be kept closed to
prevent both tipping and tripping accidents.
Discussion Leaders Guide
17-Offices
Clutter on the job is not only dangerous, it is counter-productive.
Quality on the job is hard to maintain when the workspace is crowded
and messy. Housekeeping clutter can grow like vines, but it can only
grow where it's allowed to grow. When last week's clutter is still in
our midst to be stumbled over or pushed aside, the system has broken
down. A clean work place should be a common concern for all, but it
must be established as such. Identifying common concerns help
promote cooperation.
Have you ever seen the sign your Mother doesn’t work here so clean
up after yourself. Does your office look like this?
18-Construction
Site
Housekeeping may not be your favorite job, but a messy workplace is
where injuries occur.
Picture a construction site. Construction sites can be busy and hectic
with many workers and multiple contractors carrying on different yet
simultaneous operations. What would happen if these groups never
cleaned up after themselves? Trash and debris would pile up to
become one large hazardous obstacle course. Imagine how difficult it
would be to maneuver around such a site. How would you dodge the
falling materials thrown or accidentally pushed over the sides of the
building? How you would find your tools and supplies if they were
covered by debris from other workers? A construction site with poor
housekeeping is not productive nor is it a safe working environment.
19-Good
Housekeeping
Good housekeeping can make every task safer. Attention to general
cleanliness, storage and housekeeping can prevent numerous
accidents. Specific housekeeping requirements and good
housekeeping efforts are a part of the company fire prevention and
accident prevention program. All Employees share the responsibility
for maintaining good housekeeping practice and following the
established housekeeping procedures.
20-Good
Housekeeping a
Way of Life
Here are some ways to help make “good housekeeping” a way of life:
1. Make sure all employees understand that housekeeping is part of
their daily job duties.
2. Plan the job. Make sure there is adequate space for tools, raw
materials, and finished products.
3. Make it easy to keep trash and debris off the floors by providing
adequate trash bins.
4. Develop a routine cleaning schedule.
5. Encourage employees to report overcrowding or unsafe conditions.
6. Conduct frequent inspections of work areas.
Discussion Leaders Guide
7. Do not allow employees to eat, drink or smoke in the work area.
8. Don’t use boxes or barrels as chairs, doorstops, step stools or
ladders.
9. Clearly mark physical hazards or areas of concern. Color code first
aid, fire extinguisher and exit locations. Also mark aisle ways,
electrical panels and machine hazards.
10. Properly maintain the equipment. Proper lubrication and cleaning
of machines lessen the chance for breakdown or fluid leaks, etc.
21-General
housekeeping
rules
•
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. Institute a routine cleaning schedule.
• Keep your work area clean throughout the day. 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
will not
topple.
Checklist available on the website.
22- Checklist
23-Summary
It is everyone’s job to contribute to keeping things orderly, clean, in
good repair – and safe!
24-Conclusion
An uncluttered workplace shows respect for those who work there.
Help keep it that way! Good housekeeping may be the last thing on
your mind, but don’t ignore the fact that it prevents injuries.