| a |
General Housekeeping Policy
I. PURPOSE
To establish the requirement and responsibilities for routine
housekeeping to ensure that work areas are maintained in a clean manner
and present an acceptable appearance.
II. POLICY
The university strives to provide a safe and healthy
environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Good housekeeping is a major
factor in minimizing occupational injuries and
illnesses. The guidelines outlined in this document represent acceptable housekeeping practices for the
university. All employees are encouraged to take personal initiative in following the
procedures outlined in
this document and to continually contribute to a safe, clean and orderly
environment.
III. SCOPE
This policy applies to all personnel and facilities of the
university.
IV. REFERENCES
A. OSHA Standard, 29 CFR 1910.22 General Requirements
B. OSHA Standard, 29 CFR 1910.141 General Environmental Controls
C. OSHA Standard, 29 CFR 1926.25 Housekeeping
V. PROCEDURE
A. GENERAL
All personnel will work towards maintaining their respective workplaces
in a clean and orderly manner.
Housekeeping encompasses all activities related to the cleanliness of
university facilities, materials, and equipment and the elimination of
nonessential materials and hazardous conditions. The following general
housekeeping practices must be applied to all areas within the
university and all areas where employees perform maintenance,
construction, or other activities:
1. Garbage, scrap, debris and other trash materials are to be properly
disposed of in designated containers and shall be removed on frequent
and regular intervals. Containers used for garbage and other
oily, flammable or hazardous wastes shall be equipped with
covers.
2. Material and equipment will be stored only in appropriate storage
locations.
3. Floors should be maintained clean and as dry as reasonably
practicable. Liquid spills are to be cleaned up immediately.
4. Equipment is to be kept clean and in good working condition.
5. Individual work areas are to be kept clean to insure that work
activities may proceed in an orderly and efficient manner.
6. Tools, supplies, parts, and equipment will not be used in a manner
that would be hazardous or adversely affect the work quality. Control
should be used to insure that the work area is maintained in an
acceptable manner.
7. Trenches, pits, or sumps are to be covered or barricaded at all
times.
8. Welding splatter and slag should be contained with the use of high
temperature protective screens or shields. Welding splatter or slag
should be cleaned up before leaving the work site for an extended
period of time. The entire work site will be cleaned at the end of the
work shift.
9. Compressed air shall not exceed 30 psi when used for cleaning
purposes. Eye protection is required during these cleaning operations.
The use of compressed air for cleaning an employee's body or clothing
is discouraged.
10. Shelved items must be placed in an orderly manner and arranged so
that the items cannot easily fall while nearby items are being
retrieved.
11. Items will not be placed in front of shelves so that employees
must climb or reach over the items stored in front of the shelves to
retrieve items.
12. Storage of unnecessary combustibles such as cardboard boxes is
discouraged.
13. Items stored shall remain 18" below the plane of the sprinkler
heads, or 24" below the ceiling in areas without automatic
sprinkler systems.
14. Every floor, working place, and passageway shall be kept
free from protruding nails, splinters, loose boards, and unnecessary
holes and openings.
B. INSPECTIONS
Work areas will be inspected for deficiencies in
cleanliness and good physical appearance. Inspections should be
performed at a frequency that will ensure the desired level of
cleanliness and appearance are maintained.
Supervisors should monitor these areas to
insure that housekeeping is acceptable.
In shared storage areas, shops, or offices, supervisors of the various
employees should work closely together to insure that housekeeping is
maintained in an acceptable manner.
Supervisors should develop an inspection checklist that is tailored to
the individual shop or departmental area. All deficiencies noted
during the inspection should be documented in sufficient detail to
allow the use of the checklist as a cleanup guide. (See Housekeeping
Checklist).
Maintenance deficiencies that pertain to the university facilities
should be submitted on a work order to the Physical Plant (extension
2431).
During inspections, any safety related deficiencies that constitute
hazardous conditions should be given priority attention. Hazardous
conditions that constitute imminent danger shall be immediately
reported to the departmental supervisor and to the Office of Safety
and Fire Protection (extensions 2457 or 2481).
Inspection guidelines:
1. Housekeeping is being maintained as an integral part of every work
operation.
2. Receptacles are available for waste and debris.
3. Cleaning and removal of waste, debris, and dust is being performed
regularly.
4. A sufficient number of waste receptacles are available to make
their use convenient.
5. Stairways, aisles, corridors, and passageways are free from loose
material and debris and are not used for storage.
6. Tools, cords, and other materials are not strewn about where they
may cause tripping or other safety hazards.
7. Locker rooms, wash rooms, toilets, drinking fountains, and other
similar facilities are being constantly maintained in a sanitary
condition.
8. Deficiencies in physical appearance (such as a need for painting
and other appearance related maintenance items) should be noted during
the inspections.
9. Deficiencies in the area of corrective maintenance such as leaking
valves or fittings, excessive motor vibrations, etc., should be noted
during the inspections.
C. RESPONSIBILITIES
1. The Office of Safety and Fire Protection shall:
a. Insure that the requirements of this standard practice remain
current with the applicable regulatory directives.
2. Supervisors shall:
a. Insure that elements of this policy are being
followed by conducting inspections, reviews, spot-checks, and other
warranted follow-up action.
b. Plan for the necessary funding to insure good housekeeping
standards are maintained.
c. Conduct or arrange for inspections in their area of
responsibility.
d. Insure that each work area under their supervision is maintained
at an acceptable level of appearance and cleanliness.
e. Initiate corrective action for deficient items noted during
inspections.
3. Personnel shall:
a. Follow the requirements of this housekeeping policy.
Safety Office personnel are available to conduct departmental or
individual training relative to any of the listed safety topics upon
request. Please contact the safety
office with your request or with any questions regarding information
on the Safety Web Page.
|