Labor & Industries (L&I), Washington State

Core Rules

 

Housekeeping, Draining and Storage WAC 296-800-220

For printing

 

Your Responsibility:

To provide your employees with a clean, dry, pest-free workplace
 

You must:

Housekeeping
Keep your workplace clean	WAC 296-800-22005
Sweep and clean your workplace to minimize dust	WAC 296-800-22010
Keep your workplace free of obstacles that interfere with cleaning	WAC 296-800-22015
Control pests in your workplace	WAC 296-800-22020
Make sure floors are maintained in a safe condition	WAC 296-800-22022
Drainage
Keep your workroom floors dry, when practical	WAC 296-800-22025
Provide proper drainage	WAC 296-800-22030
Storage Areas
Store things safely	WAC 296-800-22035
Control vegetation in your storage areas	WAC 296-800-22040

 

Housekeeping

WAC 296-800-22005

Keep your workplace clean

You must:

• Keep all areas of your workplace, passageways, storage rooms, and service rooms in a clean, orderly and sanitary condition to the extent the nature of the work allows.

WAC 296-800-22010

Sweep and clean your workplace to minimize dust

You must:

• Sweep and clean your workplace in a way that minimizes dust in the air as much as possible.
• When practical, clean after hours so that your employees are not exposed to dust in the air on the job.

WAC 296-800-22015

Keep your workplace free of obstacles that interfere with cleaning

You must:

• Keep your workplace clear of obstructions such as nails, splinters, loose boards and unnecessary holes and openings to make cleaning easier and more effective.

WAC 296-800-22020

Control pests in your workplace

You must:

• Make sure each building in your workplace is constructed, equipped and maintained so it restricts pests from entering or living in it. Pests include animals such as:
• - Rodents (rats, mice, and squirrels).
• - Birds (starlings, pigeons, and swallows).
• - Insects (bees, wasps, and mosquitoes).
• Take steps to effectively control pests in your workplace, if they are detected.
• - Carry out a continuing and effective control program in the areas of your workplace where pests have been detected.

Note: By handling dead or live pests including their waste products, attached parasites and other contaminated materials, your employees may be exposed to certain health risks. These risks include, but are not limited to: Hanta virus, rabies, lyme disease and psittacosis. Contact your local L&I office (see Resource Section of this book) or the public health department for more information about health risks and proper pest handling and disposal techniques.  “Workplace” includes storage areas.

 

WAC 296-800-22022

Make sure floors are maintained in a safe condition

You must:

• Make sure floors are kept free of debris. This includes:
  • - Buildings
  • - Platforms
  • - Walkways and driveways
  • - Storage yards
  • - Docks
• Use a nonslip coating on all polished floors.

Drainage

WAC 296-800-22025

Keep your workroom floors dry, when practical

You must:

• Do the following to help keep your employees dry if wet processes are used in your work area:
• - Maintain drainage away from the work area;
•   AND
• - Provide false floors, platforms, or other dry places where employees can stand, where practical;
•   OR
• - Provide appropriate waterproof footgear.

WAC 296-800-22030

Provide proper drainage

You must:

• Provide all areas where employees work, such as yards, basements, or garages, with adequate drainage.

Storage Areas

WAC 296-800-22035

Store things safely

You must:

• Store materials so they do not create a hazard.
• Keep workplace storage areas free from accumulation of materials that could create hazards from tripping, fire, or explosion.
• Secure stored items such as bundles, containers, and bags to prevent them from falling, sliding, or collapsing by doing one or more of the following:
• - Stacking
• - Racking
• - Blocking
• - Interlocking
• - Otherwise securing them
• Make sure stored items are limited in height so that they are stable and secure to prevent sliding or collapse.

WAC 296-800-22040

Control vegetation in your storage areas

You must:

• Control vegetation in your storage areas when necessary to create a safe working environment.