In the workplace, housekeeping is more than simple floor cleaning, dust removal, and organizing clutter. Housekeeping is crucial to having a safe work environment, helping prevent injuries, improve productivity and morale, and making a positive impression on visitors. This practice goes beyond the traditional office rooms to industrial workplaces, like warehouses and factories, where good housekeeping is more of a challenge with hazardous and flammable materials. Experts say that all workplace safety programs should include housekeeping and that all employees play a part. Here are some tips on good housekeeping:

1. Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls
   • Keep floors clean and dry
   • Make sure drainage is present where “wet processes” occur
   • Report and clean up spills and leaks
   • Keep aisles and exits clear
   • Consider using mirrors and caution signs for blind spots
2. Eliminate Fire Hazards
   • Keep only necessary amounts of combustible materials in your area
   • Store quick burning, flammable materials in designated areas
   • Avoid contaminating clothes with flammable liquids
   • Hazards in electrical areas should be reported and fixed
3. Control Dust
   • Never use just a shop vac or dry sweep dust
   • Use wet methods or a high efficiency vacuum
4. Avoid Tracking Material
   • Work-area mats should be kept clean and maintained to avoid spreading hazardous materials
   • Seperate cleaning protocols might be needed for different areas to avoid cross-contamination
   • If working with toxic materials, do not wear the same clothes home
5. Prevent Falling Objects
   • Use a toe board, toe rail, or net
   • Stack boxes and other materials straight up
   • Keep heavy objects on the lowest shelf
6. Clear Clutter
   • Keep aisles, stairways, emergency exits, electrical panels, and doors free of clutter
   • Purge untidy areas and empty trash receptacles
7. Store Items Properly
   • Store unused materials and equipment out of the way of workers
   • Avoid using workspace for storage
   • Put everything back where it belongs after use
8. Use and Inspect Personal Protective Equipment and Tools
   • Wear basic PPE when performing house cleaning
   • Regularly inspect, clean, and fix tools
   • Remove any damaged tools from the work area
9. Determine Frequency
   • All workers should inspect, and clean their workspace and remove unused materials
   • Companies should have a mixture between deep cleaning and frequent, light cleaning (i.e. sweeping and cleaning up spills)
10. Create Written Rules
    • Written protocol should specify which cleaners, tools and methods should be used
    • Written protocols make the workplace more efficient so that people are aware of and know the proper procedures
11. Think Long-Term
    • Maintain a regular walkthrough inspection schedule
    • Keep records, report hazards and train employees to help sustain housekeeping

Want more tips? Click here to read more about 11 Tips for Effective Workplace Housekeeping.