The construction (health, safety and welfare) regulations require that sites be maintained in good order.
Poor housekeeping is a common, but easily preventable, cause of accidents.
- There should be a place for everything, and everything should be in its place.
- Do not rely on others to clean up- they won’t.
- Put tools away when not in use, as well as reducing a trip hazard it will keep them safe.
- If working with oils or lubricants then have some means of cleaning up any spillages at hand.
- Suspend power/ light cables where possible. Where not possible avoid trailing them across walkways.
- Remove all nails from dismantled/ unused timber- if not possible then hammer flat.
- Stack both stores and waste neatly- insure that walkways and escape routes are not obstructed.
- Clean up waste as it is created: small waste can be bagged, larger waste stacked and then skipped as soon as is practicable.
- Use racks when storing lengths of pipe or timber. Where pallets are used then do not stack too high.
- If working at a height then loose objects must not be left on walkways, platforms, etc., where they could fall and injure persons below.
- Beware muddy sights- these will greatly increase risk of slips. Keep footwear as clean as reasonably practicable; insure loose mud is removed prior to climbing ladders, etc.
- Try and allocate a set period each day to general housekeeping (possibly at the end of the day).
