Toolbox Talk - Good House Keeping

1. HOUSEKEEPING is important in order to protect people and materials.
2. Combustible materials left lying around are a FIRE HAZARD.
3. Other materials left in the way can present a trip hazard. Round section materials are particularly hazardous.
4. Carelessly or untidily stacked materials can topple over causing damage and injury.
5. A tidy site is likely to be a safe site and vice-versa. The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states that we must have a safe place of work.
6. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING means:
1 Keeping rubbish and loose objects clear of floor and walkway areas.
2 Disposing of all such rubbish into skips or designated areas.
3 Stacking / storing all materials safely.
4 Keeping all tools and equipment in their proper places except when actually in use.
7. ACCESS WAYS are escape routes. A safe place of work at all times includes a safe means of access and egress to all places where work is done. Do not leave materials / tools / benches etc in gangways / corridors where they might impede others escape or present a trip hazard. It may be yourself or your best mate who needs to get out in a hurry.
8. Dismantled wood must always have all the nails removed or made safe by hammering the nails flat.
9. If all rubbish is regularly collected and placed in a skip, in the event of a fire the danger is confined and more easily dealt with.
10. Take immediate steps to have damaged tools or equipment repaired and place them somewhere safe. If items are not repairable or returnable they are classified as rubbish and the above applies.
11. When work is finished, place overalls and other PPE away in lockers if provided or other safe places. Do not leave belongings lying around.
12. If you see anything lying around on floors, stairways or in passages, which could cause personnel to trip and fall, pick it up and place it in a safe place – DO NOT WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO MOVE IT.
13. If you notice rubbish piling up which you cannot remove, bring it to the attention of your supervisor or the Principal Contractor.
14. If when working at height you notice loose objects on boards or walkways, place them somewhere where they cannot be dislodged. This will avoid the risk of them falling and casing injury.
REMEMBER – A TIDY SITE IS A SAFE SITE - IF YOU SEE SOMETHING WRONG AND CANNOT SORT REPORT IT