Take a look around your workplace. What do you see? A clean organized space, or an area that needs some attention? Keeping your facility clean and organized helps improve safety, as well as productivity. Not to mention the boost in morale, and increased compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations a clean facility can bring.
Spills, leaks, and clutter can happen anywhere. Not only do they create a messy work area, but they also create a safety hazard. To avoid potential injuries, good housekeeping procedures should be put in place.
Slips, trips, and falls are the number one cause of accidents in industrial facilities, accounting for nearly 20 percent of all workplace injuries. A major source of accident-causing hazards is leaks and spills of liquids such as oil, lubricants, coolants, cutting fluids, battery acid, solvents, chemicals, and fuel. While spills can and do occur anywhere, the majority happen near equipment, in high traffic areas, or anywhere these substances are stored and transferred.
Slippery floors can be a violation of OSHA’s clean, dry floor standard. Absorbent socks, mats, pillows, and drip pans will contain spills and leaks at or near their source, keeping floors clean and dry, and minimizing the risk of slips and falls.
Clutter is not only unsightly, it can also present a hazard to workers. Cardboard, shrink wrap, broken wooden pallets, and banding materials are all common forms of clutter left on floors and loading docks. These materials should not be left to pile up. Instead, throw them away as soon as they’re no longer needed. Placing waste receptacles and recycle bins near trouble spots will serve as a reminder to clean up the mess and help encourage quick disposal.
Making time in production schedules is an important part of effective housekeeping procedures. By creating a specific time each day for cleaning, workers will be more likely to keep your facility, neat, clean, and safe.
Good housekeeping practices are crucial in maintaining a clean, safe work environment. We have a full line of products to help you keep your facility looking great while reducing the potential for injuries. If you have questions about which product will work for you, our Technical Support reps can help. Give them a call at 800-631-1246, or email moc.ytefasnrehtron@troppushcet. They’ll give you the information you need to make the right choice for your facility.
Source: EHS Today