Spring Cleaning Tips For A Safer Workplace
Spring is a time of renewal and rejuvenation. It is also the time of year that many of us begin our Spring cleaning regimen. While Spring cleaning is most often associated with residential spaces, we can institute this practice at work to help ensure a cleaner and safer workplace.
Safety hazards can be found in virtually any workplace, be it a retail store, office building, manufacturing plant, or warehouse. As the owner or manager of such a facility, mitigating these safety hazards is a high priority. After all, the costs associated with workplace injuries are substantial.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers pay an estimated $1 billion per week for direct worker’s compensation costs alone. Those direct costs include workers’ compensation payments, medical expenses, and costs for legal services. Then there are the indirect costs which include training new staff, accident investigation, implementing corrective measures, loss of productivity, repairs, lower employee morale, and absenteeism.
So, How Do You Mitigate Workplace Hazards?
As the owner or manager of a facility or workplace, there are several things that you can do to mitigate workplace hazards and thereby reduce the risk of workplace injuries. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Remove Clutter
A disorganized workplace is an unsafe workplace. If your workplace is littered with boxes, bags, paper, or unused equipment, you are setting yourself up for failure. Removing litter and debris is a no-brainer when it comes to workplace safety as these items can cause slip-and-fall accidents that are easily avoided. Removing and storing unused equipment, returned goods, and other unnecessary obstacles makes for a safer workplace as well.
Mitigate Fire Hazards
Clutter and debris are not only a major cause of slip and fall injuries, they are also potential fire hazards. Make sure that these items are cleared from your workplace and properly stored. Make fire exits easily accessible and ensure that fire systems are in good working order. A clutter-free workplace is much easier to evacuate in the event of a fire.
Store Things Properly
Proper storage of cleaning and other chemicals is imperative to the health and safety of your employees as is the proper storage of equipment and tools within your facility. Even boxes stored within your facility should be properly placed. Keep heavy items near waist level to avoid the need for bending or stooping. Where boxes are stacked, be sure that they are secured to prevent them from falling on someone.
Consider Hiring A Commercial Cleaning Company
Even if you only use them every Spring, a professional cleaning company can get your facility in tip-top shape quickly and efficiently. They can provide you with a yearly deep cleaning that helps reduce hazards throughout your facility and makes for a much healthier workplace. Quality commercial cleaning companies have the equipment and know-how to manage cleaning tasks that may be beyond your scope. For instance, they can more easily address high-ceiling spaces like warehouses and manufacturing plants. They can deep clean your carpets and floors to reduce slip and fall hazards and protect your floors.
Create A Cleaning Schedule
If you are not going to use a commercial cleaning company on a regular basis, you should consider creating a cleaning schedule. This way all the time and money that you invest in a Spring deep clean will not go to waste. Scheduling daily and weekly cleaning tasks will help to keep your workplace organized and clutter-free. This makes for a healthier and safer environment for you and your staff.
Spring is a great time to get your facility organized and safe. It is also a good time to set a precedent for cleanliness for the rest of the year. If you do not have the time or resources to get your facility in shape this Spring, or you just do not know where to start, contacting a reputable commercial cleaning company should be your first step.
