FACTS

Risks Associated with Housekeeping

1. Repetitive Strain Injuries (Rsis). The heavy physical workload means a high risk of back injuries.

2. Exposure to Chemicals. Avoid misconduct with chemicals.

• Regular training and updated procedures.
• Ensure the correct labelling of chemicals.
• Have a clear protocol for accidents.

3. Slip, trip, and fall hazards. Workers can trip over items such as tools, materials, machines, and equipment that are not stacked and stored in their proper place. Slips can occur when substances, like water, oil and grease are left on the floor and haven’t been cleaned up.

4. Damaged Electrics. It’s best practice to perform regular checks, such as every week, to ensure all electricals are in working order. To do so safely, however, you’ll need to be correctly trained.

STATS

1. According to the US Department of Labor, 15% of all accidental worker deaths are attributable to slips, trips, or falls, many of which are linked to poor workplace housekeeping.
2. Six housekeeping good practices to help prevent workplace slips, trips and falls include reporting and cleaning up spills and leaks; keeping aisles and exits clear of debris; installing mirrors and warning signs in blind spot areas; replacing worn, ripped or damaged flooring; installing anti-slip flooring in areas that can’t always be cleaned; and using drip pans and guards in places where spills may occur. (CCOHS)
3. Nine signs of poor housekeeping are cluttered and poorly arranged work areas; dangerous storage of materials; dirty, dusty floors and work surfaces; hanging on to items that are no longer needed or having too many of the same items; blocked or cluttered aisles and exits; tools and equipment that are not returned to proper storage; broken containers and damaged materials; overflowing waste bins and containers; and spills and leaks. (Workplace Safety and Prevention Services)
4. One major aspect of workplace housekeeping is maintenance. If burned-out light bulbs aren’t replaced or if damaged or uneven flooring isn’t fixed, people can easily suffer injuries.
5. Incidents resulting in injury or death that stem from poor housekeeping include these four examples: tripping or falling over objects; fires caused by the ignition of unsafe buildups of combustible dusts; slips on wet, slick, or greasy floors; and being struck by objects that have fallen after being improperly stored.
6. Five housekeeping responsibilities that all workers should share include cleaning up during the shift; day-to-day cleanup; waste disposal; removal of unused materials; and inspections to ensure that cleanup is completed. (Commonwealth of Virginia Workers’ Compensation Services)