Housekeeping and material storage practices are important for workplace safety and efficiency. Proper housekeeping involves keeping work areas clean, clear of debris, and organized. It is regulated by OSHA standards. Benefits of good housekeeping include fewer injuries from slips, trips and falls as well as increased productivity. Material storage must be done safely according to regulations to prevent hazards from unstable or poorly stored items. The document provides examples of good housekeeping practices such as regular inspections and cleanup as well as a 5S checklist for organizing and standardizing work areas.

1. Housekeeping and
Material Storage in the
Workplace
DAVID BEAVERS
GATEWAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

2. What is housekeeping?
•Merriam-Webster defines housekeeping as “the care and
management of property and the provision of equipment
and services; the routine tasks that must be done in
order for a system to function or to function efficiently.”
•Housekeeping requirements fall under 29 CFR 1910.22.
•It is applicable to all places of employment, work sites,
and the home.
•Essentially, housekeeping can be easily explained as
keeping a worksite clean!

3. Housekeeping Regulations
1910.22(a) Housekeeping - (1) All places of employment, passageways, storerooms, and service rooms shall be
kept clean and orderly and in a sanitary condition. (2) The floor of every workroom shall be maintained in a clean
and, so far as possible, a dry condition. Where wet processes are used, drainage shall be maintained, and false
floors, platforms, mats, or other dry standing places should be provided where practicable.
1910.22(b) Aisles and passageways – (1) Where mechanical handling equipment is used, sufficient safe clearances
shall be allowed for aisles, at loading docks, through doorways and wherever turns or passage must be made.
Aisles and passageways shall be kept clear and in good repairs, with no obstruction across or in aisles that could
create a hazard. (2) Permanent aisles and passageways shall be appropriately marked.
1910.22(c) Covers and Guardrails – Covers and/or guardrails shall be provided to protect personnel from the
hazards of open pits, tanks, vats, ditches, etc.
1910.22(d) Floor Loading Protection – (1) In every building or other structure, or part thereof, used for
mercantile, business, industrial, or storage purposes, the loads approved by the building official shall be marked
on plates of approved design which shall be supplied and securely affixed by the owner of the building, or his duly
authorized agent, in a conspicuous place in each space to which they relate. Such plates shall not be removed or
defaced but, if lost, removed, or defaced, shall be replaced by the owner or his agent. (2) It shall be unlawful to
place, or cause, or permit to be placed, on any floor or roof of a building or other structure a load greater than
that for which such floor or roof is approved by the building official.

4. What is material storage?
•Material storage goes hand-in-hand with
housekeeping, and falls underneath 29 CFR
1910.176, “Material Handling and Storage”.
•Material storage is the proper and safe
storage of materials. This can apply to a
wide variety of things, such as products,
equipment, tools, lumber, and so on.
•1910.176(b) covers secure storage and
requires that “Storage of material shall not
create a hazard. Bags, containers, bundles,
etc., stored in tiers shall be stacked, blocked,
interlocked and limited in height so that
they are stable and secure against sliding or
collapse.”

5. Poor Housekeeping and Material Storage

6. Potential and Real Costs of Poor
Housekeeping and Material Storage
Workers Compensation Payouts due to injuries caused by slips, trips, and falls
Higher insurance premiums
Poor employee health
Lost production time due to employees being away from work
Costs to retrain employees in proper guidelines
Slower production rates caused by employees having to be assigned modified/restricted duties
Falling objects causing damage to equipment, materials, or injuring employees due to unsafe
storage
Higher material losses in events such as fires

7. Benefits of Practicing Proper
Housekeeping and Material Storage
Health and Safety Benefits
•Clean walking and working surfaces results in
fewer slip, trip, and fall injuries.
•Aisle ways clear of clutter result in easier access
to emergency exits and equipment.
•Properly stored material eradicates the hazard of
tipping over and striking employees or
equipment.
•Identifying and cleaning up spills can alleviate
potential disastrous accidents from happening.
•Clean work areas promote safe work practices.
Production and Financial Benefits
•Cleaner work areas ensure employees are able to
complete their work safely and efficiently.
•Less time is spent cleaning up overall, meaning
more time and focus is spent on completing
work.
•Less accidents due to slips trips and falls equal
less worker’s compensation losses and higher
production output from employees.
•Properly stored and marked materials reduce the
time spent to find specific equipment or tools,
and hastens inventory audits.
•The quicker a job is completed equates to higher
profit margins.

8. Good Housekeeping Practices
Some good housekeeping practices to consider are as
follows:
1. Clean up spills and clutter as soon as they appear, or
provide a designated walkway to avoid them until
they can be remediated.
2. Store materials safely and clear of aisles and exits or
entryways as to not create a hazard to employees.
3. Inspect the worksite or facility before each shift and
clean up any debris, loose materials, or tools which
are not necessary to the job being performed.
4. Perform a secondary inspection after each shift and
ensure all tools and equipment used are put away in
their designated area and debris is removed from the
worksite.
5. Keep flammable materials in approved, marked
containers

9. BEFORE AFTER

10. BEFORE AFTER

11. Inspection Sheet
5S of Housekeeping and Material Storage:
•SORT
•SET IN ORDER
•SHINE
•STANDARDIZE
•SUSTAIN
5S Inspection Checklist
Inspection Area
Department
Date
Inspection Completed By:
1S Sort Y / N Remarks
Only necessary items are in immediate work area
____
Trash is removed from work area and in correct bin
____
No items are left unattended
____
All tools, materials, and chemicals are properly
organized ____
2S Set In Order
Items are arranged in a tidy manner
____
Layout follows logical material flow pattern
____
Area layout is organized using ergonomic principals
____
Visual guides are easy to understand & follow (e.g.
floor marks) ____
3S Shine
Materials and equipment are free of contaminants
____
Tools, machinery and equipment are in good
condition ____
The work area is generally clean
____
4S Standardize
Standard labels and all items are in their specified
location ____
Records are updated, accurate and completely
labelled ____
Materials are organized
____
Materials are able to be retrieved quickly
____
5S Sustain
Employees adhere to company policy
____
No accident/incident reported due to negligence
____
Corrective / Preventive actions address previous
inspection ____
Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: ____________________________

12. References
OSHA 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.22, “Walking-Working Surfaces – General
Requirements”
OSHA 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.176, “Materials Handling and Storage – Handling
Materials – General”
OSHA Shipyard Employment eTool – Good Housekeeping
Miriam-Webster’s Dictionary, 2014 Edition
Aboitiz Power Company Before/After Pictures used with permission