# Housekeeping keeps people safe

URL: https://hardhatbinder.com/en/toolbox-talks/housekeeping
Last updated: 2026-10-23

Most trips, falls, and cuts on our jobs don't come from big hazards. They come from scrap, cords, and junk left where people walk. Keeping the site clean this week is part of the work, not extra work.

## Key points

1. Keep walkways, stairs, and exits clear at all times. If you set something down in a path, move it before you walk away.
2. Pick up scrap lumber, cutoffs, and debris as you go. Don't let piles build up around your work area.
3. Pull or bend over nails sticking out of boards before you stack or toss them.
4. Run cords and hoses along walls or overhead when you can, not across walkways.
5. Put trash, oily rags, and flammable waste in the right containers, and empty them before they overflow.
6. Clean up spills, mud, and water right away so nobody slips.
7. Before breaks and at the end of the shift, take five minutes to clean your area and put tools away.

## Talk it over

- Where on this site do you see trash or materials piling up the most?
- Have you tripped or almost tripped on something here? What was it?
- What would make it easier for us to clean as we go, like more bins or a set cleanup time?

> **Remember:** A clean site is a safe site: if you see it, pick it up.

## Official sources

- [29 CFR 1926.25](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.25) — Housekeeping

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Source: HardHat Binder, operated by Leadspire LLC. Templates to be reviewed by a competent person before use; not legal advice; not affiliated with OSHA.