Performing good housekeeping practices are important for removing workplace hazards that can cause injuries and avoid costly lawsuits. Ineffective housekeeping can result in accidents that occur because of the fact that it’s more difficult to see potential hazards.
This typically happens when there are debris, clutter, and spills in the building on a regular basis. When these types of hazards become normal, people no longer notice them.
Effective housekeeping will help you decrease mistakes, hazards, and defects by as much as %50. Taking care of your workplace will help you ensure that your employees and customers are safe. It also makes your workforce more productive since their tools and equipment will always be easily accessible.
One of the biggest misconceptions about good housekeeping is that it is only about cleanliness. This isn’t true. Housekeeping is about making sure that you remove hazards that increase the chances of someone slipping and falling. It is crucial for preventing workplace injuries. Moreover, it helps you prevent fires and other disasters.
Good housekeeping requires that you focus on the layout of your workplace, aisle markings, storage facilities, and other important details. It is not a one-time event — it is an ongoing operation. Don’t wait until the hazards pile up before you decide to clean up.
Ineffective housekeeping could result in accidents like:
- Slipping and falling on wet or dirty floors.
- Tripping on debris or other objects left on the floor.
- Injuries from falling objects.
- Being cut by projecting nails or other sharp items.
- Running into poorly-stacked objects or misplaced items.
Housekeeping makes it easier to run your business and keep individuals safe. It can also help you avoid being on the wrong end of a lawsuit as a result of negligence. Other benefits include:
- Better morale.
- More hygienic conditions.
- More space to store equipment.
- Less exposure to hazardous substances.
- A decrease in fire hazards.
- Fewer accidents.
- Less property damage.
Good housekeeping is not the only step you must take to ensure a safe environment for your employees. However, that’s not the end. The next step is to make sure you have adequate inspections. You must make sure that you have covered every area in your housekeeping to make sure that there are no accidents.
Many companies ensure the quality of their housekeeping by keeping documentation that helps them keep track of the various duties being performed by the staff. You might consider creating a guide and checklists that will make it easier to stay on top of your general maintenance.
Housekeeping is an important aspect of maintaining your building. If you stay on top of your maintenance duties, you will decrease the number of accidents and create a more productive workplace.