Housekeeping is an important element of every safety and health program. When materials, tools and equipment all have a place for orderly storage and are returned to the proper place after use, they are easier to find and easier to in-spect for damage and wear.
The following housekeeping safety procedures apply:
l Keep work areas and storage facilities clean, neat and orderly.
l Keep all aisles, stairways, passageways, exits and access ways to buildings free from obstructions at all times. Re-move all grease and water spills from traffic areas immediately.
l It is everyone’s responsibility to pick up and clean up.
l Do not place supplies on top of lockers, hampers, boxes or other moveable containers at a height where they are not visible from the floor.
l When piling materials for storage, make sure the base is firm and level. Cross tie each layer. Keep piles level and do not stack piles too high. Keep aisles clear and maintain adequate space to work in them.
l When storing materials suspended from racks or hooks, secure them from falling and route walkways a safe dis-tance from the surface beneath.
l When storing materials overhead on balconies or mezzanines, provide adequate toeboards to keep objects from rolling over the edge.
l Do not let materials and supplies that are no longer needed accumulate. If it is not needed, get rid of it!
l Tools, equipment, machinery and work areas are to be maintained in a clean and safe manner. Defects and unsafe conditions must be reported to your supervisor.
l Return tools and equipment to their proper place when not in use.
l Lay out extension cords, air hoses, water hoses, ladders, pipes, tools, etc., in such a way as to minimize tripping hazards or obstructions to traffic.
l Clean up spills immediately to avoid hazards. In the event the removal cannot be done immediately, the area must be appropriately guarded, signed or roped off.
l Nail points, ends of loop or tie wires, etc., must not be left exposed when packing and unpacking boxes, crates, barrels, etc. Nails are to be removed as soon as lumber is disassembled.
l Store sharp or pointed articles to keep co-workers from coming in contact with the sharp edges or points.
l Dispose of all packing materials properly to reduce the chance of fires.
l Empty wastebaskets daily into approved containers.
l Put oily and greasy rags in a metal container for that purpose and dispose of properly and frequently.
l Maintain adequate lighting in obscure areas for the protection of both employees and the public. Keep landscaping well manicured to minimize hiding places.
l Employees are not to handle food, tobacco, etc., with residue from any lead-based product (such as leaded gaso-line) on their hands. Consumption of food and beverages is prohibited in areas where hazardous substances are stored or used.
l Employees whose hands are cut or scratched are not to handle any lead-based products.
l All switches or drives on machinery must be shut down and locked out before cleaning, greasing, oiling, or mak-ing adjustments or repairs.
l Circuit breaker boxes and fuse boxes should be kept closed at all times. It is a requirement to maintain a minimum clearance of 36 inches in front of them.
l Flammables (kerosene, gasoline) and combustible materials (coats, rags, cleaning supplies) should not be stored in mechanical rooms or around electrical boxes.
l Extension cords should not be run across aisles or through oil or water. Inspect cords for kinks, worn insulation and exposed strands of wire before use.
l When fuses blow continually, it is an indication of an overload or short. Report this condition to your safety coor-dinator immediately.
l Keep electrical equipment properly maintained and free of grease and dirt.
l To prevent static sparks, keep drive belts dressed. Also check belts for proper tension to prevent overloading mo-tors.
l Maintain fire inspections and other fire prevention measures.
(Note: The following program is an example of a written program and based on the referenced standard. The standard does not require a written program, but as a best practice, it has been put into writing in this manual. Please modify or delete content to these policies as deemed necessary. Please reference the standard for all requirements that may be ap-plicable to your company.)
Hygiene and Decontamination Procedures (Ref. 29 CFR 1910.1030 and 1910.120)
Safe Work Practices
General Hygiene Practices
l Regularly wash hands, face, neck and other exposed skin surfaces with soap and water after using the toilet; prior to preparing food and eating or drinking, applying cosmetics, using medications, or smoking; after chemical use and dirty work; and at the end of the workday.
l Use shower facilities after exposure to chemicals or as needed.
l Dispose of clothes in proper laundry containers.
l Floodwaters may be contaminated with sewage and decaying animal and human remains. Wear appropriate PPE when contact cannot be avoided.
l Disinfection of skin, clothing, tools and equipment, and work surfaces after contamination is critical in disease prevention.
l Seek immediate medical attention if a wound becomes red, swells or oozes pus.
Hand Decontamination
l Use soap and clean water whenever it is available. A waterless alcohol-based hand cleaner may be used when soap and water are not immediately available; however, employees must wash their hands with soap and water as soon as possible.
l Rinse completely; dry with a clean disposable towel or air dry.
Clothing, Tool and Equipment Decontamination
l Use soap and clean water when available.
l If only contaminated water is available, mix 1⁄4cup bleach per gallon of water. Immerse objects in solution for 10 minutes; for clothing, gently agitate periodically.
l Transfer objects to hand wash solution for 10 minutes; for clothing, gently agitate periodically.
l Allow clothes and tools/equipment to thoroughly air dry before reuse.
Clothing, tools and equipment that cannot be decontaminated in the field or on which bleach, chemicals or water cannot be used (such as electrical or battery operated equipment) must be containerized/bagged on site and labeled as contaminated. The manufacturer of the clothing, tools or equipment may need to be contacted to discuss appropriate cleaning procedures.
Severe Surface Decontamination
l For decontaminating the most seriously affected surfaces.
l Mix 11⁄2cups of bleach per gallon of water.
l Douse surfaces with heavy contamination and allow to sit for three minutes.
l Wipe the contamination from the surface with a paper towel and douse the surface again, but use the hand wash solution.
l Wipe off residual contamination with a paper towel.
Clothing, tools and equipment that have internal cavities or components that cannot be completely decontaminated in the field or on which bleach, chemicals or water cannot be used (such as electrical or battery operated equipment) must be containerized/bagged on site and labeled as contaminated. The manufacturer of the clothing, tools or equip-ment may need to be contacted to discuss appropriate cleaning procedures.
Important Considerations
l Use gloves and eye protection.
l Prepare bleach solutions daily and allow to stand for at least 30 minutes before use.
l Label containers “Bleach-disinfected water, DO NOT DRINK.”
l CAUTION: Do not mix bleach with ammonia products.
(Note: The following program is an example of a written program and based on standard. The standard does not re-quire a written program, but as a best practice, it has been put into writing in this manual. Please modify or delete con-tent to these policies as deemed necessary. Please reference the standard for all requirements that may be applicable to your company.)