Housekeeping is the management of the household which involves cleaning and orderly arrangement of items. Housekeeping is not a one time activity rather it is an ongoing operation.

A proper housekeeping will greatly reduce hazards in homes and workplaces, it is an effective fire safety method. A poor housekeeping will lead to frequent occurrence of incidences and injuries to people.

Hazard Associated With Poor Housekeeping

• Tripping over loose object on floors, stairs, and platforms.
• Being hit by falling objects.
• Slipping on greasy, wet or dirty surface.
• Striking against projecting, poorly stacked items or misplaced materials.
• Cutting, puncturing, or tearing the skin of hands or other parts of the body on projecting nails, wire or steel strapping.
• Fire hazards.

Benefits of Good Housekeeping Practices

• Fewer tripping and slipping incidents in clutter-free and spill-free work areas.
• Decreased fire hazards.
• Lower worker exposures to hazardous products.
• Better control of tools and materials, including inventory and supplies.
• More efficient equipment cleanup and maintenance.
• Better hygienic conditions leading to improved health.
• More effective use of space.
• Reduced property damage by improving preventive maintenance.
• Less janitorial work.
• Improved morale.
• Improved productivity (tools and materials will be easy to find).

Planning For A Good Housekeeping

A good housekeeping program identifies and assigns responsibilities for the following:

• Day-to-day cleaning.
• Waste disposal.
• Removal of unused materials.
• Inspection to ensure clean up is complete.

Housekeeping Best Practices

• Never attempt to pick up dirts or broken bottles with barehands, wear gloves or sweep up the pieces.
• Make use of disinfectants while cleaning.
• Keep walk ways/ exit path free from obstruction.
• Clean every wet surfaces properly to avoid slipping.
• Put all materials and equipment in a proper place to avoid falling off.

Cleaning Tools and Equipment Used During Housekeeping

The items used during cleaning include the following:

• Gloves.
• Towel.
• Mop.
• Mop bucket.
• Spray bottle.
• Broom and dust pan.
• Sponge.
• Scrub brush.
• Vacuum cleaner.
• Toilet brush.

Reference

https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/house.html#:~:text=Effective%20housekeeping%20can%20help%20control%20or%20eliminate%20workplace%20hazards.&text=Housekeeping%20is%20not%20just%20cleanliness,fire%20hazards%20from%20work%20areas. Accessed on November 25, 2020