GENERAL DYNAMICS

Telecom Saudi Arabia

DATE : 09 OCTOBER 2005

SUBJECT : 6th WEEKLY TOOLBOX MEETING (GOOD HOUSEKEEPING PRACTICES)

Objective :
To remind employees of the importance of keeping their work areas clean and orderly and to focus their
attention on the types of accidents that can be caused by POOR HOUSEKEEPING PRACTICES.

1. Why is housekeeping so important?

A. Cite types of accidents that frequently result from inadequate housekeeping;
1. Tripping over loose objects on floors, stairs and platforms.
2. Slipping on wet, greasy or dirty floors and or working areas.
3. Bumping against projecting or misplaced materials.
4. Puncturing or scratching hands or other parts of the body on protruding nails, hooks or rods.
5. Injuries from falling objects.

B.The bigger the plant, the more serious the problem can be;
1. Employees tend to take housekeeping for granted and may slack off from time to time.
2. Housekeeping is the one area of accident prevention in which all employees must share the
responsibility.

II.Where to concentrate your housekeeping efforts;

1. Work areas: Avoid unnecessary clutter
2. Machine & Equipment: Avoid crowding; provide racks or containers for tools, jigs and fixtures.
3. Storage Facilities: Follow appropriate storage procedures.
4. Employee Facilities: Keep personal belongings in lockers, and washrooms should be clean regularly.

III. Results of Good Housekeeping:

1. It reduces operating costs, once a housekeeping system has been established, less time and effort
required to keep the work area clean.
2. It increases production; delays and interference from excess materials, loose tools, etc. are avoided.
3. It improves production control; materials and parts do not get lost or mixed up.
4. It conserves materials and parts; unused materials are easily and quickly removed to the proper place.
5. It saves production time; there is no need to search for tools, parts, etc.
6. It lowers accident rates; clear and open area permit faster traffic with fewer collisions and a reduction of
object hazards results in fewer injuries.
7. It reduces fire hazards; fire results from or is spread by poor housekeeping conditions.

IV. Good Housekeeping Tips:

1. Give your immediate work area a good cleaning at the end of each day, collect rubbish/trash and put
tools away.
2. Dispose of combustible rubbish in fire resistant receptacles.
3. Don’t block valves, hose stations and or fire extinguishers at all times.
4. Keep only a minimum supply of lubricants in the work area.
5. Keep solvents, thinner, paints, etc. in approved safety containers.
6. Follow the clean out schedules for electric motors, switch enclosures, contactors, etc.
7. Limit flammable liquids, cement, paint, etc. to only one days supply at the working area.
8. Before and finally leaving the work site, make sure that all rubbish materials are removed and dump in a
proper dumping area, don’t leave the work site without the proper good housekeeping practices and or
application.