At first, the word “maintenance” is reminiscent of cleaning floors and surfaces, removing dust, and organizing clutter. But in a work environment, that means a lot more. Maintaining a work environment is key to safety. It can help prevent injuries and improve productivity, as well as leave a good first impression on visitors.
Prevent falls
Regularly clean the floors, repair broken parquets, and do not leave things in the aisle.
Eliminate possible causes of fire
Remove unnecessary flammable materials that accumulate in the work area. Flammable waste should be stored in covered metal containers and disposed of daily in a designated place.
Dust control
Vacuuming is the preferred cleaning method. Sweeping and washing with water are other options. For inaccessible or unsafe surfaces, blowing with compressed air or steam is permitted.
Prevent objects from falling
Place heavy objects on lower shelves and keep equipment away from the edges of tables and desks. Also, do not stack items in areas where workers walk, including walkways.
Do not clutter the premises
Clean aisles, stairwells, emergency exits, electrical panels, and doors from clutter and clean dirty areas. Empty the trash cans before they fill up.
Store materials properly
Unused materials and equipment should be kept out of the way of workers. Avoid using workspaces to store materials.
Inspect your protective equipment and tools regularly
Check, clean and repair tools regularly. Remove any damaged tools from the work area.
Determine the cleaning frequency
All workers should be involved in maintenance, especially in keeping their work areas tidy, reporting safety hazards and cleaning up clutter, and the like.
Make written rules
Experts agree that maintenance rules should be written. That way they are formal.
Think long term
Maintenance should be more than a one-off initiative – it should continue through monitoring and auditing.
Maintaining workspaces is not always easy, and no they should not be taken lightly. For additional information, contact Atalian’s team of cleaning experts, and make sure to check out the complete range of services HERE.
