Housekeeping Source: http://www.healthandsafety.co.uk/shop/ Housekeeping involves keeping the construction site safe for workers and others, and covers such things as keeping work areas neat and tidy, removing waste, and laying out the site, storage and maintenance areas for accident/fire prevention. Introduction → scope Introduction → concern Good Housekeeping is the foundation of accident prevention A neat, clean and orderly workplace is a safe workplace The benefits of keeping a tidy workplace far exceed the small additional effort that is required Introduction → practice Maintain the proper storage of materials Keep floors and access ways clear Proper disposal of waste Fire prevention Maintain a clean work site Benefits of Housekeeping to Construction Minimize risk of accidents Lowers Insurance Costs Promotes a healthier and safer workplace Efficient working conditions Increased Productivity Increased Worker Pride Increased Productivity & Quality Increased Productivity Saving Time Benefits Accidents and Injuries can be prevented through adequate planning, implementing and monitoring of housekeeping practices. Saving time = Saving money & On Time Delivery Typical Hazards of Poor Housekeeping Poor Housekeeping could c aus e slips, trips, and falls. Throughout the nation, over 1 million people suffer from injuries caused by slips, trips, and falls each year 15% of lost time injuries are a result of falls 60% of these falls are from slips and trips Causes of slips: – Wet or oily surfaces – Spills – Loose rugs or mats Causes of Trips: – Poor lighting – Clutter in the way – Obstructed view – Loose/ ruffled carpeting Injuries from Slips, Trips, and Falls Stains/ Sprains Torn ligaments Broken bones Back or spine injuries Death Typical Hazards of Poor Housekeeping Slips, Trips, and Falls are the #1 leading cause of injury Slips, Trips, and Falls represent 20% of all claims 2006-2010 fiscal years there were 9,876 cases Total incurred costs of these claims: Statistics on Injuries or Fatalities $41,543,173 + Note: Not all these injuries were caused mainly because of poor housekeeping; good housekeeping, however, could help avoid a great many of them! Source: www.dhrm.state.va.us/workerscomp/pptdownloads/STF.ppt Examples → Housekeeping Accidents A worker slipped on a wet surface and fell 26 feet to his death on to a pile of scrap metal. A worker was attempting to pick up some nails he had dropped and fell 25 feet to his death. A worker was walking backwards directing a front-end loader when he tripped over scrap metal on the ground and was run over by the front-end loader A worker was operating a forklift in a housekeeping operation to move a metal bucket from one area to another. The bucket fell off of the forklift falling 35 feet below, killing one worker and injuring another. The bucket was unstable on the forklift. Source: Information extracted from OSHA construction worker fatality data (1990-2007) 1926.25 – Housekeeping (a) There should be no materials with protruding nails or any other debris around work areas, passageways, or stairs. (b) Combustible debris must be removed regularly. (c) Containers for waste, trash, oily rags, and other refuse must be provided. In addition, containers for garbage and other oily, flammable, or dangerous waste must have covers. All must be emptied frequently. OSHA Regulations → 1926.25 1926.250 – General Requirements for Storage (c) Housekeeping. Storage areas must be kept free from materials that can be a hazard (tripping, fire, explosion, harboring pests) OSHA Regulations → 1926.250 1926.1127 – Cadmium (j) Housekeeping. (1) All surfaces shall be maintained free of accumulations of cadmium. (2) HEPA-filtered vacuum equipment or an equally effective filtration system shall be used for vacuuming. (3) All cadmium contaminated goods shall be bagged and tagged for disposal. OSHA Regulations → 1926.1127 The employer shall also provide, at no cost to employees who perform housekeeping operations in an area which contains ACM or PACM, an asbestos awareness training course, which shall at a minimum contain the following elements: health effects of asbestos, locations of ACM and PACM in the building/facility, recognition of ACM and PACM damage and deterioration, requirements in this standard relating to housekeeping, and proper response to fiber release episodes, to all employees who perform housekeeping work in areas where ACM and/or PACM is present. Each such employee shall be so trained at least once a year. OSHA Regulations → 29 CFR 1910.1001 OSHA Regulations → Housekeeping & Asbestos Housekeepers and custodians should never sand or dry buff asbestos containing floor tiles, and only wet stripping methods should be used during stripping operations. If abrasion pads are required they should be low abrasion pads, and should be used at speeds below 300 RPM. Best Practices → Good Housekeeping Procedures Have a set time for housekeeping Make a safety checklist (use daily) Clean as work is performed Remove hazards before starting work Inspect and clean all PPE before use Use the right equipment: brooms, vacuums, mops, compounds, gloves, eyewear, work shoes, and masks Put away tools not in use in their proper storage areas. Best Practices → Fire Prevention Store flammable and combustible liquids in approved flammable liquid containers Keep reactive chemicals separated Keep combustibles away from electrical equipment and machinery Clearly mark exits in case of emergency Are protruding nails from scrap lumber, and other debris kept clear from work areas, passageways and stairs, in and around buildings and other structures? Are combustible scrap and debris, and surplus material being removed at regular intervals during the course of construction? Are containers being provided for the collection and separation of waste and trash? Do the containers for the hazardous wastes (oily rags and flammables) have lids? Are all loose or light material that is stored on roofs or on open floors secured? Are stairways, passageways, ladders, scaffold and gangways free of material, supplies and obstructions ? Best Practices : → Housekeeping Checklist Housekeeping Grade Scale: 1-10 10. Exceptional Everything in proper place Displays pride of job Indicates top notch performance – Workers should also keep their equipment orderly because it can also create safety hazards 8-9. Pretty Good Almost no stray items Small amounts of trash Minimal slip/trip hazards Most issues can be remedied Housekeeping Grade Scale: 1-10 6-7. Good A few items noted Trash accumulating in some areas Increase in slip/trip hazards Most issues can be remedied Housekeeping Grade Scale: 1-10 4-5. Fair Many deficiencies Trash accumulating and encroaching on areas Abundant slip/trip hazards Will take much effort to clean up Housekeeping Grade Scale: 1-10 3-2. Poor Significant issues Too much trash to be able to work properly Significant fire risks Needs immediate attention Housekeeping Grade Scale: 1-10 1. Totally Unacceptable Significant impact on Safety/Health of workers Unable to work Production must stop and resume only when concurrence of all stakeholders Potential contractual remedies Housekeeping Grade Scale: 1-10 GOOD vs. BAD See the Difference? Housekeeping Grade Scale: 1-10 Slips, trips, and falls can be easily prevented with good housekeeping A neat and clean workplace is a safe workplace Be aware of potential housekeeping hazards by cleaning as work progresses Identify and eliminate hazards before starting to work Good Housekeeping Benefits Everyone! Housekeeping Things to Remember Think Safety Work Safely
