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Farm Safety Association, Inc.
:
The
following script can be used to deliver a 15-minute training
session to employees.
POINTS
TO EMPHASIZE
- Floors
and other areas.
- Aisles
and stairways.
- Spill
control.
- Equipment
and machinery maintenance.
- Storage.
- Fire
prevention.
- Waste
disposal.
- Maintain
light fixtures.
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Effective
house keeping can eliminate some workplace hazards and help
get a job done easily and properly.
A good housekeeping program plans and manages the orderly
storage and movement of materials from point of entry to exit.
It includes a material flow plan to ensure minimal handling.
Worker training is an essential part of any good housekeeping
program. They should be reporting any unusual conditions or
hazards as well as obeying posted warning signs.
The final addition to any housekeeping program is inspection.
It is the only way to check for deficiencies in the program
so that changes can be made.
Floors and
other areas
Clean up spills such as oil on floors immediately. Floors
should be free of debris and accumulations of dust. Areas
that cannot be cleaned continuously, such as entranceways,
should have anti-slip flooring.
Replace any worn, ripped or damaged flooring that poses a
tripping hazard. Repair all trap doors and railings. Any equipment
or tools not in use should be removed from the work area.
Guard floor openings. Trap doors, cages or railings around
hay chutes will prevent anyone from accidentally falling into
them.
Cut down and remove weeds and brush from around buildings.
They can hide tripping hazards.
Maintain
light fixtures
All buildings and yards should be adequately lighted. Dirty
light fixtures reduce essential light levels. Light fixtures
in storage areas containing combustible materials should be
protected against breaking (i.e. explosion proof fixtures).
Maintain lighting evenly, since shadows mixed with light spots
inside animal handling facilities will increase the animal's
fear and tension.
Aisles and stairways
Aisles and stairways should be clearly marked and kept clear
of objects that can cause trips and falls.
Aisles should be wide enough to accommodate people and vehicles
comfortably and safely. Warning signs and mirrors can improve
sight lines at blind corners. Properly arranged aisles encourage
people to use them so that they do not take "shortcuts" or
"bottleneck" storage. Stairways and aisles also require adequate
lighting.
Spill
control
The best way to control spills is to stop them before they
happen. Regularly cleaning and maintaining machines and equipment
is one way to do this. Another is to use drip pans and guards
where possible spills might occur. When spills do occur, it
is important to follow cleanup procedures as indicated on
the Material Safety Data Sheet.
Spills must be cleaned up immediately. Absorbent material
is useful for wiping up greasy, oily or other liquid spills.
Used absorbents must be disposed of properly and safely.
Tools
and equipment
Keeping tools neat and orderly can be very important to everyone's
safety, whether in the tool room, on the rack, in the yard,
or on the bench.
Returning tools promptly after use reduces the chance of them
being misplaced or lost. Workers should regularly inspect,
clean and repair all tools and take any damaged or worn tools
out of service.
Maintenance
A good maintenance program provides for the inspection, maintenance,
upkeep and repair of tools, equipment, machines and processes.
Maintenance involves keeping buildings, equipment and machinery
in safe efficient working order and in good repair. This includes
maintaining sanitary facilities and regularly painting and
cleaning walls, maintaining windows, damaged doors, defective
plumbing and broken floor surfaces.
Waste disposal
The regular collection, grading and sorting of scrap contributes
to good housekeeping practices. Allowing materials to build
up on the floor wastes time and energy since additional time
is required for cleaning it up.
Placing scrap containers near where the waste is produce encourages
orderly waste disposal and makes collection easier. All waste
receptacles should be clearly labeled (e.g., recyclable glass,
plastic, metal, toxic and flammable etc.) All waste containers
should be emptied regularly.
Storage
Stored materials should allow at least one meter (or about
3 feet) of clear space under sprinkler heads. Stacking cartons
and drums on a firm foundation and cross tying them, where
necessary reduces the chance of their movement. Stored materials
should not obstruct aisles, stairs, exits, fire equipment,
emergency eyewash fountains, emergency showers, or first aid
stations.
All storage areas should be clearly marked
Fire
prevention
Flammable, combustible, toxic and other hazardous materials
should be stored in approved containers in designated areas
that are appropriate for the different hazards that they pose.
All combustible and flammable material must be present only
in the quantities needed for the job and kept in safety cans
during use. Oily or greasy rags should be placed in a metal
container and disposed of regularly.
Are there any questions?
Finally, let's take a moment to review some of the Do's and
Don'ts of housekeeping
DO:
- Keep
floors clean and clear of waste.
-
Keep workplaces adequately lighted.
- Keep
light fixtures clean.
- Inspect
and clean machinery and tools regularly.
- Clean
up spills immediately.
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DONT:
- Use
aisles and stairways as storage areas.
- Allow
materials to build up on floors.
- Block
emergency exits, fire equipment or first aid stations
with stored materials.
- Store
compressed gases near heat sources.
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Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 10/2003
The information and recommendations contained in this publication
are believed to be reliable and representative of contemporary
expert opinion on the subject material. The Farm Safety Association
Inc. does not guarantee absolute accuracy or sufficiency of
subject material, nor can it accept responsibility for health
and safety recommendations that may have been omitted due
to particular and exceptional conditions and circumstances.
Copyright © 2002
Copyright
© 2002 Farm Safety Association Inc.
22-340 Woodlawn Road West, Guelph, Ontario N1H 7K6 (519) 823-5600.
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