single page toolbox on importance of having a clean job site

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# SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS (cont.) ## CONSTRUCTION AREAS AT HIGH RISK FOR SLIP, TRIP, AND FALL ACCIDENTS (cont.) • Material storage: All materials should be stored away from walkways, not block doors or exits. Be sure that items are not impeding the flow of people. Ensure that things are not stacked so high that they become hazardous. OSHA has requirements for particular types of materials and how they will be stored. ## HOW CAN SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS BE PREVENTED? • Maintain Good Housekeeping - Keep Walking and Working Areas Clear of Debris: Don't leave trip hazards in the work area. Keep your work area clear of debris on the ground, gravel, loose materials, and anything else that could cause someone to step wrong. Debris can be hazardous if it includes nails or other sharp objects. You may need to allocate time for cleaning up messy walking areas throughout the day. Outdoor surfaces should be kept clean and dry. They may be treated with sand, salt, and anti-skid adhesive when necessary. Indoor surfaces should be secured with non-slip floor mats that allow people to clean their shoes. Heavily treaded construction work boots and shoes can track in nails and other potential hazards. • Identify and Take Precautions for Wet and Slippery Conditions: During certain seasons, construction sites can be especially hazardous due to ice, snow, and other wet weather conditions. Clear walkways regularly-at least once every 12 hours during snowfall or icy conditions and periodically in dryer months if water is allowed to collect. Keep walkways and other surfaces as free of slippery materials like mud and precipitation as possible, and implement a "wet floor" signage policy where wet areas are restricted from access until made non-hazardous. • Use the Right Footwear: Using proper footwear is one of the most effective ways of preventing slips, trips, and falls onsite. Regarding work boots, stick to ones with slip-resistant soles, as these offer the best traction on smooth or…

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# Maintaining Work Areas: Housekeeping # Housekeeping ● Keep walkways, aisles, and stairs clear of materials, equipment, and other hazards. - Cover or secure (or suspend overhead on construction sites) cables, cords, wires, and hoses away from walkways and other paths of travel. - Make sure rugs or mats are flat and not bunched up. Pathway is clearly marked and free of obstructions. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 10

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# Maintaining Work Areas: Housekeeping # Floor/Work Surface Care ■ Keep floors clean and free of water, mud, grease, debris, etc., and damage. ■ Clean spills immediately. Mop or sweep up any debris. - Repair any damages immediately, or replace if necessary. ◉ Cone or block off area until surface is completely dry or repaired before allowing people to walk through the area. CAUTION WET FLOOR Note: When mopping, avoid spreading the spillage and thus increasing the area of contamination. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 12

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WORK SAFE KENTUCKY Free safety resources provided by KEMI HOME SAFETY RESOURCES SAFETY TRAINING SAFETY BLOG ABOUT KEMI CONTACT US O # Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls ## Print a Sign-In Sheet | Spanish Version • According to the U.S. Department of Labor, slips, trips, and falls are the most common occupational accidents. • Many falls can be prevented with general safety precautions. • The two main causes of slips, trips, and falls are environmental conditions and human factors. CAUTION A FLOOR - • A slip occurs when there is too little traction, or friction, between the shoe and walking surface. • A trip occurs when a person's foot contacts an object in the way or drops to a lower level unexpectedly, causing the person to be thrown off-balance. • A fall occurs when a person is too far off-balance. ## The main causes of slips include: • Spills of liquids and other debris, such as mud, water, grease, oil, sawdust, powders, etc. • Highly-polished or freshly-waxed floors. • Transitioning from one surface another, such as walking from a carpeted surface to a smooth surface like tile. • Sloped walking surfaces. • Loose floor tiles, loose or unanchored floor mats, and loose floor covers. • Wet, muddy, or inappropriate footwear. • Environmental factors, such as rain, snow, and frost. • Mounting and dismounting equipment improperly. • Climbing ladders with wet, muddy, or greasy shoes. • Mark swinging doors with "in" and "out" signage. ## The main causes of trips include: • Uncovered cables, wires, or extension cords. • Cluttered walkways. - Open cabinets and desk drawers. • Changes in elevation, such as unmarked steps. • Damaged or nonuniform steps and ladders. Other conditions and factors that may contribute to slips, trips, and falls include: • Poor lighting. • Use of bulky equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE). • Improper material handling techniques. • Loud noise or distractions. • Medication or drug and alcohol effects. …

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# HOUSEKEEPING Last Review: 08/01/2025 Date Posted: 05/13/2025 # Housekeeping Maintaining a clean and tidy work area is a crucial practice on construction sites. Every individual working on the job site plays an essential role in ensuring good housekeeping. It refers to a workplace that is free from hazards and is organized and clutter-free. Good housekeeping is an integral part of daily work activities and plays a vital role in ensuring a safe working environment. All employees at all levels are responsible for maintaining good housekeeping standards, and it is an ongoing process that everyone must contribute to. ## HAZARDS OF POOR HOUSEKEEPING According to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), poor housekeeping is a leading cause of workplace accidents and injuries. A construction site with poor housekeeping can pose several hazards and risks to workers. When tools and materials are left lying around, it can create tripping hazards that can cause slips, trips, and falls. Clutter and debris can also obstruct walkways, causing workers to bump into objects, resulting in cuts, bruises, and other injuries. Good job site housekeeping is not just about cleanliness; it is a fundamental element for job site accident and fire prevention. It requires attention to detail, such as job site layout, internal job site travel routes, identification of potential hazards, and ensuring adequate storage areas and waste disposal areas. Poor housekeeping be a cause of accidents, such as: the can • Tripping over loose objects on floors, stairs, and platforms. - Being struck by falling objects. - Slipping on wet, oily, or dirty surfaces. - Striking against projecting, poorly stacked items, or misplaced materials. - Cutting, puncturing, or tearing the skin of hands or other parts of the body on projecting nails, wire, or steel strapping. ## HAZARD PREVENTION To avoid workplace hazards, maintain good housekeeping practices throughout the workday. Regular…

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# Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls (cont.) ## Trips (cont.) - poor lighting - clutter in your way - wrinkled carpeting - uncovered cables - bottom drawers not being closed - uneven (steps, thresholds) walking surfaces ## How to prevent falls due to slips and trips? Both slips and trips result from unintended or unexpected change in the contact between the feet and the ground or walking surface. This fact shows that good housekeeping, quality of walking surfaces (flooring), selection of proper footwear, and appropriate pace of walking are critical for preventing fall incidents. ## Housekeeping Good housekeeping is the first and the most important (fundamental) level of preventing falls due to slips and trips. It includes: - cleaning all spills immediately - marking spills and wet areas - mopping or sweeping debris from floors removing obstacles from walkways and always keeping walkways free of clutter - securing (tacking, taping, etc.) mats, rugs and carpets that do not lay flat - always closing file cabinet or storage drawers - covering cables that cross walkways - keeping working areas and walkways well lit - replacing used light bulbs and faulty switches Without good housekeeping practices, any other preventive measures such as installation of sophisticated flooring, specialty footwear or training on techniques of walking and safe falling will never be fully effective. For more information about effective housekeeping, visit the OSH Answers document on Workplace Housekeeping - Basic Guide. Flooring Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls CCOHS

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CPWR TOOLBOX THE CENTER FOR CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH AND TRAINING TALK # Housekeeping Housekeeping refers to making sure materials are in good condition and keeping the areas we work in and walk in clean, orderly, sanitary, and dry. Bad housekeeping is dangerous at any time. It can lead to production delays, property damage, and higher costs. ## Sharon's Story Sharon, a carpenter, was doing framing for a custom-sized space on the second story of a house. A lot of wood pieces, scraps, and sawdust had accumulated around the sawhorses, power tools, cords, and piles of materials. When leaving for the day, she tripped over some of the items on the floor and fell down the stairwell, injuring her neck. - What could have been done to prevent this incident? - Does your worksite have a lot of lumber, debris, or flammable materials lying around? - How often are materials organized and placed where they belong? ## Remember This - Keep floors dry, clean, and clear of waste. - Keep workplaces well-lighted. - Keep hoses, power cords, and welding leads out of heavily travelled walkways or areas. - Keep materials away from openings, roof edges, excavations, and trenches. - Keep all work areas, walkways, and stairs in and around buildings or other structures clear. - Don't allow materials or garbage to build up. Remove unused materials. - Don't block emergency exits, fire equipment, or first aid stations. ➤ Don't store chemicals and gases near heat sources or electrical equipment. - Place, stack, or store materials and equipment where they will not cause injury to workers. - Provide separate, covered containers for collecting different wastes, such as trash, oily rags, dry rags, and flammable or hazardous materials (acids, harsh or harmful dusts, etc.). How can we stay safe today? What will we do at the worksite to promote housekeeping? 1. 2. OSHA Regulation: 1926.25 ©2017, CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training. All rights reserved. CPWR …

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# SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS Date Posted: 01/30/2024 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nearly one-third of reportable injuries and 40% of fatalities in construction result from slips, trips, and falls nationally. These injuries result in 50% more days away from work than other injuries. Slips, trips, and falls are among the top three causes of work-related injury. A worker doesn't have to fall from a high level to suffer fatal injuries; 136 workers were killed in falls on the same level in 2020. However, each of these describes a slightly different kind of incident: • Slips happen when traction's lost between the bottom of your shoe and whatever you're stepping on. This can be caused by uneven terrains like wet ground, ice, or mud; wet or greasy surfaces; poor footwear; and other issues. In addition, slips are more likely to occur when a worker hurries or runs, wears the wrong footwear or ignores where they're walking. • A trip is when someone catches their foot against an object or uneven terrain, causing them to trip and fall. Poor lighting misplaced tools, debris like gravel or nails, and improper safety gear also cause tripping hazards. A fall is a much more severe injury where someone lands too hard on their feet, torso, or head and is knocked over. NOTE: CARRYING, PUSHING, OR PULLING ITEMS THAT ARE HEAVY OR AWKWARD CAN ALSO MAKE SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS MORE LIKELY. THESE ACTIONS CAN AFFECT THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN BALANCE AND THE AMOUNT OF TRACTION NEEDED WHERE THE FEET MEET THE GROUND. ## COMMON CAUSES OF SLIP, TRIP, AND FALL ACCIDENTS - Slick spots or oily spots on walking surfaces • Clutter - Debris • Unsafe stairs or ladders • Improperly secured ladders or scaffolding parts • Improperly sloped walking surfaces • Loose or unsecured flooring • Ramps without skid or slip-resistant surfaces - Accessing/Egressing vehicles and equipment - Loose surfaces such as gravel or crushed rock • Weather-related hazards • Uncovered or unse…

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# Other Conditions Increasing the Risk of Slips And Trips - Conditions and situations that make it difficult to see potential hazards or that distract your attention can contribute toward a slip or trip. Can you see the worker on the stairs? - poor lighting ◉ glare ■ shadows • bulky or awkward personal protective equipment (PPE) . excessive noise, temperature Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 17