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This article originally appeared in the January/February Issue of the California Special Districts magazine.

By @Enriqueta (Henri) Castro, Chief Risk Officer, SDRMA

January is the perfect time of year to take a fresh look at your workplace and make organization a priority. A clean, orderly workplace doesn’t just look better, it directly supports a safer, more efficient operation. Cleaning and organizing is a major step in reducing potential hazards, and good housekeeping remains one of the simplest, most effective controls for preventing workplace injuries. Poor housekeeping is a leading and preventable cause of incidents such as slips, trips and falls, blocked exits, improperly stored materials, and even workplace fires.

Beyond reducing risk, housekeeping also influences how your agency looks, feels, and functions daily. An orderly workspace can boost morale and create a sense of pride and professionalism. When employees see that their environment is cared for, they are more likely to take care of it themselves.

Just as important is the message sent by leadership. Management’s attitude toward safety and housekeeping sets the tone for the entire agency. When supervisors and managers model good practices, whether it’s keeping walkways clear, maintaining equipment, or encouraging regular cleanup routines, it reinforces the idea that safety is a shared responsibility and a core value, not an afterthought.

Ensuring a safe and efficient workplace involves much more than simply complying with regulatory requirements. It requires establishing consistent routines that protect employees from injury, safeguard property, and keep operations running smoothly. By making housekeeping a year-round priority, agencies can build safer, more resilient workplaces where everyone can perform their best.

Office Environments

Housekeeping is essential for maintaining a safe workplace, and every employee plays a role in keeping the space clean and hazard-free. Key factors include:

• Keeping walkways clear by removing boxes and other trip hazards
• Route cables away from walking areas while ensuring emergency exits remain unobstructed.
• Store office supplies in designated areas and avoid stacking materials too high.
• Keep break areas clean, addressing spills promptly to prevent slips.

If your agency allows space heaters, use them safely by keeping them away from combustibles and ensuring they are equipped with an automatic shutoff.

Industrial & Maintenance Areas

Maintaining good housekeeping in industrial and maintenance environments is essential for preventing injuries and minimizing fire and slip/trip hazards.

1. Keep walkways, ramps, stairways, and areas around ladders free of tools, trash, debris, materials, and equipment.
2. Place used oily or flammable rags in fire-resistant containers with self-closing lids to reduce fire risks.
3. Establish regular cleanup times for each area to maintain consistent cleanliness, and schedule monthly or quarterly inventory checks to identify unnecessary items that take up valuable space, especially those that are flammable, hazardous, or combustible.
4. Encourage a “return and replace” culture where employees consistently put items back in their proper places to avoid clutter buildup.
5. After identifying surplus or outdated items, create a plan for prompt removal through donation, recycling, or proper disposal according to applicable regulations.

Hazardous materials are a necessity for most districts. Ensure they are not creating additional hazards by:

• Storing hazardous materials only in their designated areas when not in use. These storage areas should be away from high-traffic zones, stairs, and emergency exit routes, and far from incompatible substances (refer to the Safety Data Sheets for guidance)
• Keeping chemical products in appropriate, well-labeled containers with secure lids, and routinely checking for leaks, rust, bulging, crystal formation, or other deterioration.
• Avoiding the accumulation of expired or unused hazardous materials.
• Ensuring spill kits are fully stocked and readily accessible to trained employees.

Housekeeping is an ongoing commitment, not a one-time task. By following these best practices continuously, your agency’s leadership helps create a safer environment where hazards are reduced and accidents can be prevented. Good housekeeping practices set the foundation for a culture of safety.