Dear Jagan,
Housekeeping is keeping the place clean, hygienic, tidy, orderly, productive, comfortable and of course safe. In short we in safety say housekeeping is “a place for every thing and every thing in its place.” This includes waste.
In accident prevention housekeeping plays a major role. In hospitality industry more importance is given to hygiene.
Effective housekeeping can eliminate most workplace hazards and help get a job done safely and efficiently. Poor housekeeping can frequently contribute to accidents by hiding hazards that cause injuries. If the sight of paper, debris, clutter and spills is accepted as normal, then other more serious health and safety hazards may be taken for granted.
Housekeeping is not just cleanliness. It includes keeping work areas neat and orderly; maintaining free of slip and trip hazards; and timely removing of all waste materials and other fire hazards from work areas. It also requires paying attention to important details such as the layout of the whole workplace, aisle marking, the adequacy of storage facilities, providing appropriate signs, and proper maintenance. Good housekeeping is a basic part of accident and fire prevention.
Effective housekeeping is an ongoing operation: it is not a hit-and-miss cleanup done occasionally. Periodic "panic" cleanups are costly and ineffective in reducing accidents.
What is the purpose of workplace housekeeping?
The very purpose of housekeeping to make the place safe, healthy and productive.
What are some benefits of good housekeeping practices?
Effective housekeeping results in:
• reduced handling to ease the flow of materials
• fewer tripping and slipping accidents in clutter-free and spill-free work areas
• decreased fire hazards
• lower worker exposures to hazardous substances (e.g. dusts, vapours)
• 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).
Poor housekeeping can be a cause of accidents, such as:
• tripping over loose objects on floors, stairs and platforms
• being hit by falling objects
• slipping on greasy, wet or dirty surfaces
• striking against projecting, poorly stacked items or misplaced material
• cutting, puncturing, or tearing the skin of hands or other parts of the body on projecting nails, wire or steel strapping.
To avoid hazards, a workplace must "maintain" order throughout a workday. Although this effort requires a great deal of management and planning, the benefits are many.
5 S is just a system developed by Japanese for managing good housekeeping.
There are even ppts on 5S in this forum.
If more details required please feel free to express – I may be able to help.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai