Discussion Leaders Guide
SLIDE / DESCRIPTION1-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 105-foot 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.
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 Extinguishers / Another hazard associated with poor housekeeping is fire. Excess trash, debris, and oily rags can be fire starters. Overcrowding and 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 / Hallways leading to exits should be unobstructed. If there is a fire, clutter can prevent a quick and safe exit.
12-Exits / 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.
13-Hallways / 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.
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.
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.
22- Checklist / Checklist available on the website.
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.