An effective housekeeping program plans for proper storage and efficient movement of materials from point of entry to exit. It includes a material flow plan to help reduce unnecessary handling and injury risk. Plus, a good plan should ensure that work areas are not used for storage, and that tools and materials are accessed as needed and returned after use.
Poor Housekeeping
As part of developing and implementing an effective housekeeping program, it can be helpful to first consider some of the potential ramifications of poor housekeeping. These include:
- Increased cases of employee injury
- Decreased organizational efficiency
- Loss of vital supplies and stock
- Impeding emergency exits and emergency equipment
- Concealment of hazards which would normally be visible
- Maximization of severity/consequence of accidents
- Decreased corporate revenue
- Decreased overall employee morale
- Decreased overall employee work efforts
- Exposure to hazardous substances form poor storage and ineffective labeling of hazardous chemicals
Effective Housekeeping
This can lead to:
- Reduced risk of employee injury
- Increased organizational efficiency
- Healthier workers, higher worker morale, and increased productivity
- Increased corporate revenue
- Reduced risk of building fire hazards
- Reduced risk of customer injury
- Reduced risk of subcontractor injury
Good housekeeping means that a workplace is kept in an organized and uncluttered condition, that minimizes or eliminates hazards as much as possible. Some elements to include are:
- Keeping all electrical systems professionally updated and compliant with local and national electrical codes
- Ensuring that walking/working surfaces are kept in good repair and free of slip, trip, and fall hazards
- Maintaining tools and equipment in good working order and storing them in a safe manner when not in use
- Keeping aisles and stairways free of clutter
- Making sure storage spaces are clean
- Disposing trash frequently
- Having all fire protection and electronic-based safety systems professionally inspected within the correct timeframes/intervals
- Keeping all points of operation appropriately guarded
- Ensuring all emergency cut-off switches are in working order
- Making sure all exits/means of egress are kept unimpeded
- Keeping all fire protection systems clear and in a safe area to help reduce risk of damage
Good housekeeping is everyone's responsibility. Keeping work areas clean and clear helps reduce hazards, prevent accidents, and protect employees and visitors.
Source:
Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR). Housekeeping: Maintaining a Safe/Clean Workplace. https://www.ocwr.gov/publications/fast-facts/housekeeping-maintaining-a-safe-clean-workplace/. Accessed November 6, 2026.