The document discusses the importance of good housekeeping practices in the workplace. It notes that slips, trips and falls are the number one cause of preventable workplace injuries. The 5S system is introduced as a method for organizing and standardizing housekeeping routines to promote safety. Examples of housekeeping hazards from poor organization, spills and clutter are provided. Checklists and best practices are outlined to establish regular housekeeping procedures.

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Everything in Its Place!
March 2012
Sort
Set in Order
Shine
Standardize
Sustain

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 Good Housekeeping is the foundation for
accident prevention.
 A neat, clean and orderly workplace is a
safe workplace.
The benefits of keeping a tidy workplace
far exceed the small additional effort
required.
A place for Everything and Everything
in Its Place!
Everything in Its Place!

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Results of Poor Housekeeping
 Throughout the nation, over 1 million people suffer from
injuries caused by slips, trips, and falls each year.
 15% of time-loss injuries are a result of falls.
 60% of these falls are from slips and trips.
 Causes of slips:
 Wet or oily surfaces
 Spills
 Loose rugs or mats
 Causes of Trips:
 Poor lighting
 Clutter in the way
 Obstructed view
 Wrinkled carpeting

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Injuries from Slips, Trips, and Falls
 Strains/Sprains
 Torn ligaments
 Broken bones
 Back or spine injury
 Death

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The 5-S System
One system that has been used by many
industries to improve their Housekeeping
and Efficiency is the 5-S system.
Sort (Seiri)
Remove
unneeded
items.
Set in Order
(Seiton)
Arrange
Shine
(Seiso)
Clean
Standardize
(Seiketsu)
Method
Sustain
(Shitsuke)
Maintain

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Sort (Seiri)
Remove
unneeded
items.
Sort (Seiri): Remove all items from the workplace that are not
needed for current production. If it has been sitting and not used
for a year it probably needs to be put in storage.
The 5-S System

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Set in Order
(Seiton)
Arrange
Set in order (Seiton): Arrange needed items so that they are
easy to find and put away. Some factories and shops go as far
as painting a spot for the trash can. May seem silly, but if the
trash can is in the right place no one trips over it. Items used
often are placed closer to the employee. Whether it is a stapler
or hammer, keep the tools you use often within easy reach.
The 5-S System

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Shine
(Seiso)
Clean
Shine (Seiso): Make sure everything is clean, functioning and
ready to go. Nothing is more frustrating and time consuming
than working with a piece of equipment that is not properly
maintained.
The 5-S System

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The 5-S System
Standardize
(Seiketsu)
Method
Standardize (Seiketsu): This is the method you use to maintain
the first three S’s. Just like your silverware at home is always in
the same drawer; decide a place to store routinely used items and
keep them there. This saves time when looking for the tape
measure or scissors.

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The 5-S System
Sustain
(Shitsuke)
Maintain
Sustain (Shitsuke): Make a habit of properly maintaining correct
procedures. The hardest step for most people, now that everything is
organized, is maintaining it every day. Put things back when you are
done. If you can’t do that at least put things back in place before you
leave each day.

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Accident Prevention
 Slips, trips, and falls are the number one preventable
accident in the workplace.
 Good Housekeeping is the basis for preventing slips,
trips, and falls:
 Cleaning up spills immediately
 Marking wet areas
 Mopping or sweeping debris from floor
 Removing obstacles from walkways and keeping them
free of clutter
 Securing mats and rugs to floor to lay flat on the floor
 Covering/taping down cables across walkways
 Keeping work areas well lit
 Putting away tools

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Free PowerPoint Safety Training provided by All About OSHA – www.allaboutosha.com
Ask yourself:
 Do you keep your work area clean?
 Is your work area safe for others to enter?
 Do you regularly dispose of trash or debris?
 Do you put tools and equipment away when you are done?
 Do you put those tools and equipment away correctly?
Workplace Housekeeping
Company Name

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Free PowerPoint Safety Training provided by All About OSHA – www.allaboutosha.com
Keep your work area clean:
 Keep aisles and passageways clear.
 Never store anything in or around doorways or stairways.
 Always close drawers and cabinet doors when not in use.
 Never run loose cords or hoses across walkways.
 Follow company procedures on trash disposal.
Workplace Housekeeping
Company Name

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Free PowerPoint Safety Training provided by All About OSHA – www.allaboutosha.com
Take care of your tools:
 Never disable or remove tool guards.
 Always put your tools away when not in use.
 Never store tools in a way that can cause damage while stored.
 Use your tools only as they are intended to be used.
 Follow company rules on tool storage and maintenance.
Workplace Housekeeping
Company Name

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Free PowerPoint Safety Training provided by All About OSHA – www.allaboutosha.com
Hazards and Routine Tasks:
 Never forget about hazards or become inattentive.
 Never work around hazards – fix them or report them.
 Never work around hazards just to get the job done
quicker.
Workplace Housekeeping
Company Name

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Fire Prevention/Housekeeping
 Store flammable and combustible liquid in approved
flammable liquid containers.
 Keep reactive chemicals separated.
 Keep combustibles away from electrical equipment
and machinery.
 Clearly mark exits in case of emergency.
 Clearly mark all containers to identify contents.

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Housekeeping Procedures
 Noncombustible scrap metal and debris shall be
removed from work areas, passageways, stairs
and from around buildings.
 Combustible materials must be removed at
regular intervals without hazard to those
removing hazardous material.
 Protruding nails shall be removed from lumber
before stacking.
 Waste shall be collected in containers before
disposal. Separate containers with lids shall be
used for hazardous waste.

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Housekeeping Procedures (cont’d)
 Store tools and materials neatly and out of the way in
storage bins or lockers.
 Ensure that materials stored at overhead levels are
secured.
 Never throw waste or materials from a building or
structure.
 Where falling debris can potentially occur, guard the
area and use signage requiring workers to wear hard
hats.
 Control muddy areas by placing fill to decrease the
risk of slipping accidents.

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Example Plan for
Good Housekeeping
 Set aside time for housekeeping on a daily basis.
 Evaluate your workspace and remove potential
hazards before starting work.
 Clean up as you go.
 Inspect and clean PPE before each use.
 Use the right equipment for housekeeping tasks:
 Brooms, vacuums, mops, cleaning compounds
 Eye protection, gloves, proper shoes, dust masks

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Housekeeping Checklist
 Are protruding nails from scrap lumber and other debris
kept clear from work areas, passageways, and stairs in and
around buildings or other structures?
 Are combustible scrap and debris being removed at regular
intervals during the course of construction?
 Are containers being provided for the collection and
separation of waste and trash?
 Do the containers for the hazardous wastes (oily rags and
flammables) have lids?

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21
Safe Housekeeping Tips
 Ensure appropriate safe, clear access.
 Organize storage of materials.
 Collect and dispose of rubbish & unused items.
 Keep maintenance and repair records.
 Secure the shed or chemicals/equipment .
 Display safety signage/information (i.e.: SOPS).
 Regularly inspect your work areas.

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Things to Remember
 Many slips, trips, and falls can be easily prevented
with good housekeeping.
 A neat and clean workplace is a safe workplace.
 Be aware of potential housekeeping hazards by
cleaning as you go.
 Identify and eliminate hazards before you start work.
Good Housekeeping Benefits Everyone!

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Apply Now!
Think of one thing you can
do in your workplace to
improve Housekeeping.
And DO it! Today!
Decide where to put it(____) and put
it there! Everything in its place!

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Contact Information
C. G. Lawrence, III, MS, CSP, REM, ARM-P
Chief Loss Control & Safety Officer
(404) 657-4457
Charles.Lawrence@doas.ga.gov
Ted Low, Jr., CSP, ARM-P
Chief Loss Control & Safety Officer
(404) 463-6309
Ted.Low@doas.ga.gov
Questions?