Housekeeping for Health & Safety

WHY HOUSEKEEPING MATTERS

Good housekeeping is a critical part of maintaining a safe and efficient workplace. It involves keeping work areas clean, organised, and free from hazard throughout the day.

Poor housekeeping is a common cause of workplace incidents, particularly slips, trips, and falls. Maintaining a tidy site helps reduce these risks and supports safer day-today operations.

Housekeeping is not a one-off task, it is a continuous process that should be maintained at all times on site.

RESPONSIBILITY ON SITE

Housekeeping applies to everyone, regardless of the role. All workers are expected to maintain clean and safe work areas as part of their daily activities.

A well-maintained site improves safety, productivity, and overall working conditions.

Remember: A tidy site takes minutes to maintain, but untidy site takes hours to fix.

HOUSEKEEPING DO’S

• Remove scrap and waste materials and place them in the correct bins or skips
• Return tools, equipment, and materials to their proper location after use
• Dispose of food waste and packaging correctly
• Maintain shared facilities in a clean and usable condition
• Address and report hazards as they are identified

HOUSEKEEPING DONT’S

• Do not allow leads or cables to run across walkways
• Do not allow rubbish or food waste to accumulate
• Do not ignore spills – clean them up or report if required

MANAGING HOUSEKEEPING RISKS

Effective housekeeping helps control common workplace hazards. Workers should remain aware of:

• Trip hazards from tools, materials, or cables
• Slippery surfaces cause by spills or waste
• Obstructions in walkways and access areas

Taking immediate action to remove or control these hazards reduces the risk of injury.

QUICK QUIZ

1. What types of incidents are commonly cause by poor housekeeping?
2. Who is responsible for maintaining housekeeping on site?
3. What should you do if you notice a spill or trip hazard?
4. Why is housekeeping considered an ongoing process?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Good housekeeping is essential for workplace health and safety.
• Poor housekeeping leads to slips, trips, falls, and preventable injuries.
• Housekeeping is everyone’s responsibility on site.
• Keeping work areas clean reduces hazards and improves efficiency.
• Small actions throughout the day prevent larger safety risks.