1. Cleanliness is Next to Safetiness
By Jen Meeks
We can all agree that we work in a very special environment. How many other
places can you clean windows while watching shark rays and sea turtles? Or be on a
conference call and see penguins rolling down the hallway? It is this unique environment
that drew all of us to work here. That being said, many of the things that make this place
unique, also bring with them their own unique risks.
Our work environment has enough potential hazards – sharks, venomous animals,
low-hanging pipes, heights, heavy equipment, hot things, sharp things, wet floors – we
don’t need to add to the list with poor housekeeping. Now, I don’t mean housekeeping
from a Task Force standpoint. That team is fantastic. I’m referring mostly to the back-
of-house areas.
Tools, pipes, boxes, cylinders, and other objects lying on the ground near heavy
traffic areas are a major slip and trip hazard. Don’t think slips, trips and falls are a major
concern? Think again. According to OSHA, “slips, trips, and falls account for just over
one-third of all recordable general industry injuries. They cause 15% of all accidental
deaths in the workplace, and are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities.”
Round objects, like sections of PVC pipe, are some of the worse.
We must remember that our back-of-house areas are still public areas. It is
imperative that we maintain a safe environment for our guests. Remember, they’re not
wearing approved work-related footwear or used to walking on wet cement floors. Look
around. Is this where you’d want your frail little old grandma shuffling around? What
about a pregnant woman?
Besides being unsafe, poor housekeeping just looks downright sloppy. My office
is a work station, equipment storage, and tool room all in one. Despite that, I have to
remember that my office is actually part of the BTS tour. Guests don’t walk in here, but
it’s important that it looks professional.
Just as most of us clean our own homes when we have guests coming over, we
should keep our workplace clean for our guests. Good housekeeping prevents accidents,
looks professional, and is required for our upcoming AZA accreditation. In fact, Jeff
Bucchi will be doing audits of all back-of-house areas in preparation for this. And since
he’ll probably start with my office first, I’d better get going.
We’ve got a great safety record, folks. You made us #1 the fourth year in a row!
Safetiness = Awesomeness. Let’s not have any slip-ups.