Good housekeeping isn't just tidiness. It means keeping work areas neat and orderly, keeping floors and walkways free of slip and trip hazards, and removing waste and other fire hazards.
Housekeeping habits
- Keep order throughout the workday, not just at the end of it.
- Keep floors, stairs and walkways free of loose objects and other trip hazards.
- Clean up spilled oil and other liquids at once.
- Remove waste such as paper and cardboard from work areas.
- Don't let stored materials block aisles, stairs, exits or fire equipment.
- Stack materials on a firm foundation so they can't shift.
Fire extinguisher classes
| Class | Fires involving |
|---|---|
| A | Ordinary combustibles: paper, wood, cloth, rubber, plastics |
| B | Flammable liquids and gases, oil, paints, lacquer |
| C | Energized (live) electrical equipment, such as motors, appliances and power tools |
| D | Combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, sodium and potassium |
| K | Cooking oils and fats in cooking appliances |
Extinguishers are marked with the classes they're meant for (for example, ABC). To use one, remember PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.
Only fight a fire if you've been trained, you have the right type of extinguisher and you're confident you can do it safely. Otherwise, pull the fire alarm, get out and call the fire department.
Key takeaways
- Housekeeping prevents slips, trips and fires.
- Don't let materials block exits, stairs or fire equipment.
- Match the extinguisher class to the fire; use PASS.
- If in doubt, get out and call for help.