What is housekeeping?

[Neil Enslin]

Housekeeping means a place for everything and everything in its place all the time.

It is important and desirable because:

1. It cuts down the time spent looking for goods, articles and tools.
2. Space is saved when everything is stacked away tidily.
3. Injuries are avoided when gangways and working areas are kept clear of superfluous materials.
4. Fire hazards are reduced if combustible materials are kept in proper receptacles.

[Neels Nortje]

100% correct Neil!

Another advantage if good housekeeping principles are adhered to on construction sites is improved productivity. A study has shown that by appointing dedicated cleaners to ensure stair cases are free form rubble and all unused material and equipment is stores away will improve the site's productivity.

The return in investment (cost of employing cleaning staff vs improved production) is normally tenfold.

Good housekeeping does pay!

[Neil Enslin]

Here are some more thoughts on why housekeeping is important:

Poor housekeeping can be a cause of accidents such as:

1. Tripping,
2. being hit by falling objects,
3. slipping,
4. striking against,

Management responsibilty:

Management must ensure that an acceptable standard of housekeeping is maintained. Housekeeping standards would include issues like:

• Store materials and equipment properly,
• Remove scrap, waste and debris at appropriate intervals
• Provide training and information.

Employees responsibility:

• Take reasonable care of himself and others,
• Obey lawful instruction,
• Report substandard situations and incidents,
• Do not interfere or misuse safety equipment,

Reasons and benefits of good housekeeping:

Reasons for housekeeping at workplace:

1. Can eliminate some workplace hazards and help get a job done safely and properly,
2. Poor housekeeping can frequently contribute to accidents by hiding hazards that cause injuries,
3. If the sight of debris, clutter and spills is accepted as normal, then other more serious health and safety hazards may be taken for granted,

Housekeeping is not just cleanliness, it includes:

1. Keeping work area neat and properly,
2. Maintaining halls and floors free of slip and trip hazards,and
3. removing of waste material and other fire hazards from work areas.

It also requires paying attention to important details such as:

• the layout of workplace,
• aisle marking,
• the adequacy of storage facilities, and
• Maintenance.

Good housekeeping is also a basic part of accident and fire presentation. Effective housekeeping on going operation, it is not hit and miss to clean up done occasionally. Periodic "panic "clean ups are costly and ineffective in reducing accidents.

Benefits of good housekeeping practices:

• Reduced handling to ease the flow of material,
• Fewer tripping and slipping accidents,
• Decreased fire hazards,
• Lower worker exposures to hazardous substances,
• Better control of tools and material,
• More efficient equipment cleanup and maintenance,
• Better hygienic conditions leading to improved health,
• more effective use of space,
• Reduced property damage by improving preventive maintenance,
• improved morale.

Good housekeeping programme:

1. Establish a material flow plan,
2. Employee training,
3. Assign responsibilities,
4. Inspection.

Any thoughts out there? Please interact with us, we need you too!!!

Regards

[Geoff Truter]

Hi, Guys,
I respect your comments regarding Management Responsibility.
However, if top management does not enforce discipline and shows a "no care" attitude, your whole housekeeping efforts fall flat.
Not to mention non compliance of the OHSAct.
Any thoughts out there?
Kind regards, Geoff.

[Neil Enslin]

Geoff,

Thank you for comment, you 100% correct, that is why it's important that top management must commitment themselves to your housekeeping policies and procedures but setting the example and ensuring that employees are trained and informed of best housekeeping practices before one starts to enforce your policies and procedures.

[charl]

INVOLVEMENT INVOLVEMENT COMMITMENT COMMITMENT!!!!!!!!

I agree that is the basic rule and " BUY IN "

Regards

Charl