TEST ANSWERS: HOUSEKEEPING AT WORK

1 B S O Plus SAFE TY T OP IC 2 015 INDUSTRIAL EDUCATIONAL CO-OPERATIVE 1489 London Road, Sarnia, ON N7S1P6 Ph. 519-383-1222 Fax 519-383-1305 TEST answers : HOUSEKEEPING AT WORK The BSO Plus Safety Topic is a review designed from the BSO Plus agenda. This safety topic is your way to stay current on the safety information over the 3 years, so please ensure you submit this completed test to your employer for record retention. 1. Good HOUSEKEEPING on job sites can help eliminate slip, trip, and fall hazards. a) True b) False RATIONALE: Effective HOUSEKEEPING habits can help create clutter-free and spill-free work areas.

2 This can help reduce the number of slip, trip, and fall incidents in a workplace. 2. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, who is responsible for HOUSEKEEPING ? a) Workers b) Supervisors c) Employers d) All of the above RATIONALE: Certain regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act describe the proper maintenance of floor conditions and aisle ways, lighting, machinery, equipment, and materials storage. Since maintaining a clean and safe workspace is a legal obligation under the Act, all workplace parties are subject to Ministry of Labour fines if they fail to ensure HOUSEKEEPING practices are properly followed.

3 3. It is acceptable to allow waste materials and spills to accumulate in work areas as long as you plan to clean it up at the end of the day. a) True b) False RATIONALE: The area within and surrounding a work site can be very hazardous to workers if debris is allowed to build up. Waste and spills should be cleaned up throughout the day to help reduce the risks to workers. Equipment and tools should also be placed, stacked, or stored so as not to cause injury to workers. B S O Plus SAFE TY T OP IC 2 015 INDUSTRIAL EDUCATIONAL CO-OPERATIVE 1489 London Road, Sarnia, ON N7S1P6 Ph. 519-383-1222 Fax 519-383-1305 4.

4 Which of the following actions will help minimize HOUSEKEEPING hazards? a) Clean up after yourself throughout the day b) Store tools and materials in a clean and organized manner c) Only clean up at the end of a task d) (a) & (b) only RATIONALE: HOUSEKEEPING is an ongoing task that needs to be done continuously throughout the day, not just at the day s end. Poor HOUSEKEEPING frequently contributes to accidents by hiding hazards that cause injuries. Cleaning and organizing must be done regularly to prevent workplace hazards. Everyone is responsible for maintaining a clean work space. 5. If you come across a HOUSEKEEPING issue that you are unable to correct, you should: a) Cover the problem with some plywood b) Report the problem to your supervisor c) Avoid the area d) Leave the problem for somebody else to fix RATIONALE: Everyone has responsibility for health and safety in the workplace.

5 If you encounter a HOUSEKEEPING issue that you are unable to correct you cordon off the area if possible and immediately report your concerns to your supervisor.