Good housekeeping skills are essential for personal safety. Texas State University employees are responsible for reducing potential hazards and keeping their work areas safe and clutter-free. Good housekeeping guidelines include keeping aisles and stairways free from clutter, cleaning spills, minimizing combustibles in workplace and storage areas, and keeping all exits free from obstructions.

Maintain clear and unobstructed access to emergency equipment, such as fire extinguishers, pull stations, eye wash units, showers, etc.

For more specific information on housekeeping, refer to the section in this manual that corresponds to your workplace (i.e., Laboratory Safety, Office Safety, etc)

Many office accidents are caused by poor housekeeping practices. By keeping the office floor both neat and clean, you can eliminate most slipping, tripping, and falling hazards.

Other good housekeeping practices include the following:

• Ensure that office lighting is adequate and available. Replace burned out light bulbs, and have additional lighting installed, as necessary.
• Ensure that electrical cords and phone cords do not cross walkways or otherwise pose a tripping hazard. If you cannot move a cord, have a new outlet installed or secure the cord to the floor with cord covering strips. Do not tape cords down or run them underneath carpet.
• Report or repair tripping hazards such as defective tiles, boards, or carpet immediately.
• Clean spills and pick up fallen debris immediately. Even a loose pencil or paper clip could cause a serious falling injury.
• Keep office equipment, facilities, and machines in good condition.
• Store items in an approved storage space. Take care to not stack boxes too high or too tight. Ensure that boxes are clearly labeled with their contents.