If you like to go into the wilderness, you probably know the unspoken rule of camping:
Leave the site better than you found it.
Once you gather your belongings, pack up your tent, and head back home, the area should look as pristine as it did before you showed up.
No mess. No litter. No sign that you were there at all, ideally.
It’s considerate. It means everyone else can enjoy the site just as much as you did. And it just takes a few extra minutes.
When you’re at work, you should follow a similar rule:
Leave the jobsite as safe as you found it.
A few quick housekeeping tasks can really improve the sites condition. It ensures that the next people who show up won’t have a mess to clean up. But more importantly, it leaves the area just as safe as it was when you started working and helps reduce the risk of injury.
The specific housekeeping tasks will vary depending on the job you’re doing and the work environment. But here are some basic steps that apply in most cases.
Basic Jobsite Housekeeping Tasks
- Gather and dispose of debris (including empty boxes, packaging, and scraps)
- Pick up every tool and put it in its designated place
- Sweep the walking surfaces
- Make sure there are no obstructions in walkways, near stairs, and or by doorways
- Pick up any spare nails or screws on the workstation or work surface
- Unplug and put away any extension cords
- Wipe up any spilled substances
- Close all containers (especially chemical containers) and make sure they’re secure
Leave the Jobsite Hazard-Free
It only takes a few minutes to complete these housekeeping tasks and keep your coworkers safe.
So before leaving your post, make time to put away the tools, screw the cap back on any open container, and give the space a quick sweep.
It might not seem like much, but it will go a long way to eliminating spills, slips, and other common hazards.