Monday, August 23, 2021 Good Housekeeping Maintaining a safe and healthy workplace is always important. But with COVID-19 still an ongoing issue, it’s all the more reason to ensure your workspaces are clean and hazard-free Newsletters Alberta Local 56 Alberta Local 63 Alberta Local 301 BC Local 68 BC Local 501 BC Transportation Manitoba Local 152 Manitoba Local 306 Ontario Construction Ontario Emergency Services Ontario Healthcare Saskatchewan Local 151 Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS) has a good checklist on their site (wsps.ca) to help employers and workers with good housekeeping. 10 Tips to Keep Your Workplace in Tip-Top Shape Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize! – This is especially important to prevent COVID-19 and other illnesses. Make sure all areas of your workplace are clean and sanitized at all times, especially communal spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms, and eating areas. Materials storage – Keep oily rags in metal containers to avoid fire hazards. Ensure boxes, drums, and piles are located on a firm foundation and properly stacked. Bundle hoses and cables when they’re not in use. Hazardous material disposal – Another one to keep at top of mind during the ongoing pandemic. Make sure all PPE such as masks, gloves, and respirators are safely disposed of. Hazard reporting and fixing – Follow proper protocol when reporting hazards. When hazards are reported (such as burnt-out lightbulbs and uneven boards), they should also be promptly fixed. Review legal policy updates – Keep up to date with all legal requirements, such as Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), which was updated in 2015. Although WHMIS is federally regulated, requirements may change from province to province. Clean the spill – Spills should be dealt with as soon as they happen, and ensure you wear proper PPE when dealing with it. Minimize fire hazards – Workplaces should be free of accumulated combustible materials and waste. All workplaces should also have a fire safety and evacuation plan. Keep exits and entrances clear – Keep exits and entrances clear in case of emergency, and do not pile materials around these places or around fire extinguishers. Stacking and storing – Minimize hazards by implementing an efficient stacking and storing system. Keep floors clean – Slips, trips, and falls are more likely to occur on floors that are cluttered, dirty, or uneven. Talk to your talk to your supervisor, steward, or representative if you have any health and safety concerns with your workplace. Source: thesafetymag.com You might be interested in Why We Work Safely 5 Jun 2026 Standing Your Ground, and Staying Steady on the Job 4 Jun 2026 CLAC Partners with Alberta Government to Advance Skilled Trades Training and Accelerate Certification 4 Jun 2026 Strathcona Mechanical Workers Ratify New Agreement Providing Wage, Scheduling Improvements 3 Jun 2026