The homebuilding project in the photo is a mess. But who's supposed to clean it up?

Waste accumulates fast on site--scrap lumber, broken bricks, packaging, pieces of drywall, garbage from coffee breaks and lunches. Construction rubbish tends to be irregular in shape, hard to handle, and full of sharp objects.

Too often site upkeep is not considered part of the job. In defining responsibilities, contractors seldom discuss housekeeping details. As a result, each trade expects the other to clean up.

Tender documents should spell out housekeeping responsibilities. Contracts should specify, for instance, who is to provide disposal bins and arrange disposal. Putting garbage in containers is not enough. The containers must be emptied. Access and storage areas should also be planned out and designated.

Bad housekeeping is dangerous at any time. It can be directly linked to one out of four injuries in construction. It leads to increased risks, production delays, property damage, and higher costs. In winter it poses a fire hazard when work areas are closed in and gas heaters are running.

This paper appears in the eLCOSH website with the permission of the author and/or copyright holder and may not be reproduced without their consent. eLCOSH is an information clearinghouse. eLCOSH and its sponsors are not responsible for the accuracy of information provided on this web site, nor for its use or misuse.