Workplace Safety Starts with Housekeeping: 4 Must-Do Practices

Creating a safe office workplace is essential because safety measures help prevent accidents, boost productivity, and make a professional environment that reflects well on your team and business. While transforming an organisation’s safety culture is often challenging, practical housekeeping techniques are a proven way to minimise hazards and promote well-being.

Here are four basic practices to create a safe and productive working environment for everyone in your office.

1. Create a Cleaning Schedule

Make sure that all floors and surfaces are cleaned on a regular basis, and any spills are sorted immediately. Signage should be included to notify people of wet floors. Failure to do so could lead to slips and trips, and potential legal action should someone become injured. Establishing a good cleaning schedule helps maintain consistent standards throughout your workplace.

This should include daily tasks such as mopping high-traffic areas, weekly deep cleaning of workstations, and monthly maintenance of equipment and storage areas. Assign specific responsibilities to team members and make sure cleaning supplies are readily available at all times. Document your cleaning activities to show due diligence and compliance with health and safety regulations.

2. Keep Fire Hazards to a Minimum

Dedicate roles to employees or get a professional to conduct fire safety risk assessments regularly. Keep flammable materials and ignition sources apart, install smoke and fire alarms, clearly detail fire exits, and train employees on fire safety procedures.

UK government data shows that fire and rescue services attended 600,185 incidents in 2024, representing a 1.2% increase from the previous year and highlighting the ongoing fire risks in workplaces across England. Make sure combustible materials like paper, cardboard, and cleaning solvents are stored in designated areas away from heat sources. Regular maintenance of electrical equipment prevents potential ignition sources, whilst clear evacuation routes must remain unobstructed at all times.

3. Ensure Lighting is Adequate

Lighting in the workplace, whether in a shop or on a construction site, could lead to injuries due to workers or customers being unable to see hazards or walkways. Make sure all lights work and are free from dust, and you should not allow people to enter the space until the issue is resolved. Try to maximise daylight where possible. Poor visibility contributes to workplace accidents, making adequate illumination a fundamental housekeeping responsibility.

Regular inspection and cleaning of light fixtures guarantees optimal brightness levels, whilst prompt replacement of faulty bulbs prevents dangerous shadows and blind spots. Also, consider installing emergency lighting systems in critical areas and guarantee backup power sources are maintained and tested regularly.

4. Prevent Objects from Falling

Avoid placing any heavy objects in areas where they could fall and cause a hazard or injury. Try not to stack things close to walkways and away from the edges of shelves. Adjust the walkways of your premises if needed. PPE may also be required, and the correct stacking procedures should be in place.

The Health and Safety Executive’s latest 2023/24 statistics show that slips, trips and falls account for 31% of all non-fatal workplace injuries, highlighting the critical importance of proper object placement and storage protocols. Implement weight limits for shelving units, use appropriate securing methods for tall stacks, and guarantee regular inspection of storage areas. Train staff on proper lifting techniques and provide mechanical aids where necessary to prevent both falling objects and manual handling injuries.

Effective workplace housekeeping needs consistent effort and commitment from all team members. When implementing these fundamental practices, organisations can reduce accident risks whilst creating a safer, more productive working environment for everyone.