In the workplace, housekeeping is the act of cleaning and arranging supplies and inventories in order to improve space's usefulness. It assists organizations in creating a safe working environment, which may result in significant advantages like reduced occupational injuries and increased productivity.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), 2.3 million women and men die each year as a result of work-related accidents or diseases, which equates to almost 6000 deaths daily. Every year, there are roughly 340 million workplace accidents and 160 million casualties of work-related diseases in the world. Slips, trips, and falls accounted for 27 percent of the 888,220 nonfatal work accidents that resulted in days absent from work in 2019. In 2019, 229,410 injuries caused by contact with items and equipment were serious enough to need time off work.
Good housekeeping can aid in the management or eradication of workplace risks. Incidents are usually caused by poor workplace housekeeping habits. Overlooking spills, litters and clutters can lead to more significant threats being overlooked.
Importance of good housekeeping
· Reduces injuries
· Increases productivity
· Reduces fire hazards
· Improves morale
· Easily identify missing items
· Removes harmful materials
· Exposes potential hazards
· Creates an effective use of space
· Establishes better control of tools and materials
Incidents and injuries of poor housekeeping
Slip, trip, and fall hazards: Slip, trip, and fall hazards are one of the most prevalent types of hazards caused by poor housekeeping. Workers are certain to trip over products, materials, tools, and equipment that are not appropriately stored. When water, moisture, oils, grease, and other substances are left on the floor in work areas, they create slippery surfaces. A fall hazard is also inevitable when employees climb improvised platforms to reach objects kept at high heights. Falls can also occur when height alterations in work areas are not appropriately indicated or barred. Employees are at a high danger of straining or spraining themselves when this happens.
Fire Incidents: Fire may start when greasy rags are left in an area where hot work are being done, or when flammable dust are accumulated in an area. Poor electrical wirings can also result to electrical fires.
Chemical spills: A spilled substance can cause an allergic response.
Electrocution: Unmaintained equipment or electricity sources, like damaged or cracked insulation and wire connections, can cause electrical shock.
Cuts and Bruises: There are many different sorts of objects that might inflict cuts and bruises in the workplace. There are several events and materials that might cause injury whether you work on a construction site, warehouse, or manufacturing facility. Sharp items may be found all throughout the workplace, even if you are unaware of the danger they offer. Accidental injuries can be avoided by keeping the work space clean and always putting sharp objects away when done with them.
Components of Good Housekeeping
Cleaning
Decluttering hallways and floors areas to avoid tripping and slipping hazards
Workplace organization
Elimination of waste products and fire causing materials from work spaces
Good storage plan
Good fixtures and lightings
Conclusion
Good housekeeping begins with both employers and employees imbibing and incorporating housekeeping plan to an organization’s structure. The provision of a safe environment is tied to the employer as is likewise the duty of the employee to adhere to occupational safety rules in order to ensure his/her safety. This can in the long run prevent most cases and incidents of morbidities and mortalities recorded in the workplace.
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