FIRE SAFET Y:

GENER AL HOUSEKEEPING
R ISK M AN AGEMENT
M A DE TO ME A SURE
F:010
INTRODUC TION
The need for good housekeeping standards
cannot be over stated. Good housekeeping
will contribute positively to improve fire
safety as well as to the general health
and safety standards of the business.
Good housekeeping standards include
simple matters such as the removal
of rubbish, but also encompass more
fundamental aspects e.g. the general
organisation of the premises and methods
of monitoring. This ensures that established
procedures are being carried out.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Management Action
A good housekeeping policy should
be initiated by senior management so
that the policy is seen as having due
authority. Effective communication of
its requirements is necessary, entailing
delegation of responsibilities to line
managers and supervisors with channels
for feedback and review of procedures.
1.1 An assessment of existing arrangements
should be made to determine whether
current procedures are satisfactory
and that the necessary equipment
and facilities are available.
1.2 Areas where action is needed can
then be identified and appropriate
procedures established.
2. Layout
Overcrowding or congestion can
be a major impediment to proper
housekeeping, limiting access and
preventing thorough cleaning.
3. Equipment
The absence of suitable cleaning
equipment makes the task difficult
and is a disincentive for employees
to carry out their duties.

2.1 Layout of the premises should allow 3.1 Proper equipment should be
a logical, smooth flow of work. provided, ranging from brooms
and vacuum cleaners to specialised
2.2 Storage and production areas should
motorised equipment, appropriate
wherever possible be segregated.
to the waste being handled.
2.3 Free access to escape routes and
fire-fighting equipment should
be maintained at all times.

2.4 The use of suitable non-combustible

partitioning, barriers or floor markings
can be highly effective in defining
segregated areas or around potentially
hazardous plant such as heating
appliances or battery chargers.
4. Materials Handling and Storage
The provision of suitable handling and
storage systems will maximise storage
space and reduce congestion in working
areas, and can increase productivity by
ensuring materials are readily to hand.
Unsuitable methods of material
handling can result in personal injury
and present fire hazards by, spillage of
flammable liquids from open containers
or conveyance by inappropriate means.
4.1 Racks, shelving or bins are preferred
methods of general goods storage.
4.2 Conveyor belt or roller systems
should be considered as an
alternative to manual handling.
4.3 Special storage facilities should
be provided for hazardous
materials and packaging.
4.4 Proprietary safety containers
and dispensers should be used
for highly flammable liquids.
4.5 Maximum permitted storage heights
should not be exceeded where
sprinkler systems are installed.
5. Waste Control
Rubbish and waste can provide ready
fuel for fire and its proper handling and
disposal is an important and integral
part of the housekeeping process.
5.1 Depending on the nature of the business,
waste should be removed regularly
(normally at least daily), and placed
in receptacles. Non combustible metal
lidded bins or externally sited metal
skips would normally be suitable.
5.2 Collected waste awaiting removal
should be stored where it is not at risk of
accidental or malicious ignition, or where
it presents a threat to the property.
5.3 The provision of continuous
removal or extraction systems
should be considered where large
amounts of waste are produced.
5.4 Combustible waste should be
segregated from non-combustible
waste. In particular, flammable liquids,
chemicals or other hazardous materials
may require special consideration.
5.5 Waste burning introduces additional
hazards and should not normally
be done unless proper incineration
facilities are provided.
5.6 There should be written procedures
for dealing with spillages of hazardous
materials and appropriate training given.
5.7 Specialist contractors may need to
be employed to provide waste storage
facilities and removal services.
6. Smoking
Smoking is a leading cause of fires, and
an appropriate degree of control needs
to be exercised. The hazards of illicit
smoking need to be recognised and
controls should therefore be carefully
related to the severity of the risk.

6.1 A total ban on smoking should apply

where flammable or combustible
materials are stored or used.

In less hazardous areas it may be

appropriate to designate smoking
areas or rooms, or impose a ban
during specified periods of the day,
especially prior to the end of working.

6.2 Wherever smoking is permitted suitable

receptacles should be provided for the
safe disposal of smoking materials.

6.3 Appropriate signage should

be displayed, clearly denoting
the controls in place.
7. External Areas
Combustible materials in the open
present fire hazards and good
housekeeping in external areas is equally
important as inside the premises.
7.1 Goods stored outside should be kept
well clear of buildings and the site
boundary, and from major items of
plant, flammable liquids, pressurised
gases and hazardous chemicals.
7.2 Heavy vegetation close to
buildings or installations will
often need to be controlled:
Care should be taken when using
chemical weed killers to avoid the use
of those that present an enhanced
fire risk, i.e. chlorate compounds.
Proper arrangements should
be made for the removal and
safe disposal of waste.
Burning should not be carried out.
8. Inspections
Monitoring of housekeeping by
Management enables standards to
be maintained and demonstrates
commitment to the policy.
8.1 Periodic housekeeping and safety
inspections should be conducted by
line managers or supervisors using a
pre-prepared check list, tailored to suit
the particular premises and activities.
8.2 The check list should be audited
by senior management.
8.3 A close-down check should be made
at the end of each working day for
smouldering smoking materials,
electrical equipment unnecessarily
left on, site and building security.
9. Training
For a housekeeping programme to
succeed it must be fully understood and
supported by the workforce. Briefing
and training therefore need to be given
to current employees and included in
induction training of new recruits.
V E R S I O N : J une 2 0 12

Wigham House IBEX HOUSE Century House Colman House CROYDOn Westmead House
Wakering Road 42-47 Minories North Station Road King Street 28 Dingwall Road Farnborough
Barking, Essex London Colchester, Essex Maidstone, Kent Croydon, Surrey Hampshire
IG11 8PJ EC3N 1DY CO1 1RE ME15 1DN CR0 2NH GU14 7LP