Common Misconceptions About §1910.22 Housekeeping in Aerospace

Housekeeping under OSHA §1910.22 demands clean, orderly, and sanitary workplaces—from assembly floors to storerooms. In aerospace, where a stray bolt can trigger FOD (foreign object debris) incidents costing millions or risking lives, getting this right is non-negotiable. Yet, entrenched myths undermine compliance and safety. Drawing from years auditing aerospace facilities, we've spotted these misconceptions repeatedly.

Misconception 1: Housekeeping Means Just Sweeping Floors

This narrow view misses the mark. §1910.22(a) covers all walking-working surfaces, requiring them free of hazards like spills, debris, protruding nails, or clutter. In aerospace, it's about preventing FOD that infiltrates engines or avionics.

Consider a composite parts fab shop I consulted: overlooked cable ties on the floor led to a tripped technician and delayed certification. True housekeeping eliminates all potential projectiles or trip points, per FAA Advisory Circular 150/5210-24 on FOD prevention.

Misconception 2: It's Solely Janitorial Staff's Job

Wrong. OSHA ties responsibility to employers, but execution demands everyone—from welders to QA inspectors. We often see "end-of-shift cleanup" policies fail because workers treat spaces as personal tool benches.

Audit tip: Implement 5S methodology (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain), proven in AS9100-certified shops to embed ownership. Research from the National Aerospace FOD Prevention Association shows shared accountability slashes incidents by up to 70%.

Misconception 3: Cleanrooms Handle All Housekeeping Needs

Cleanrooms follow ISO 14644 for particulate control, but §1910.22 applies facility-wide. Tool cribs, break areas, and hangars breed overlooked hazards like loose rags or hydraulic fluid leaks.

In one Boeing supplier visit, hangar clutter caused a propeller strike risk during engine swaps. Balance cleanroom rigor with general area sweeps—use shadow boards for tools and daily FOD walks, as recommended by SAE ARP 5143.

Misconception 4: Checklists Equal Compliance

Filling forms isn't housekeeping; it's a paperwork trap. OSHA citations spike when surfaces look tidy but harbor hidden risks, like static buildup in composites or contaminated PPE storage.

• Conduct unannounced audits.
• Train on FOD table inspections (e.g., no loose items post-shift).
• Track via digital JHA tools for real metrics.

Available data from OSHA archives reveals 15% of §1910.22 violations in manufacturing stem from superficial checks—individual sites vary, but proactive cultures outperform.

Misconception 5: Housekeeping Slows Production

Short-term friction, long-term accelerator. Clutter delays setups and invites rework; organized spaces boost throughput. A study by the Aerospace Industries Association links strong housekeeping to 20-30% fewer delays.

We've helped mid-sized fabricators cut setup times by organizing with pegboards and labeled bins. It's not optional—it's the foundation for zero-defect assembly.

Debunk these myths by weaving housekeeping into training and audits. Reference OSHA's full §1910.22 text and FAA FOD resources for deeper dives. Your facility's safety hinges on it.