The Importance of a Clean Shop
Cleanliness goes a long way in a shop environment. It doesn't take long for clutter to build up or things to get dirty when you're grinding, cutting, welding, and chipping material all day. Especially in the moment, you set stuff down or move things out of your way without thinking of what it could be blocking or getting in the way of. From helping keep things organized, allowing work to be completed faster, being a safer environment, and just boosting overall morale.
When in a shop, knowing where everything is at plays a big part in getting work done efficiently. If a tool isn't put back where someone got it from, then when someone else needs it, that person has to track them down to locate this tool. Usually when that happens it's like playing “Where's Waldo” except “Waldo” is wearing the same clothes as everyone else and he doesn't have any glasses on, AND someone decided to change the character, so you’re not even looking for Waldo anymore but you still gotta keep searching. There have been times where tools get covered up by junk and it takes ten plus minutes to find it. That time adds up, so keeping your shop picked up and your tools organized is vital.
A clean shop also just makes it safer for everyone, if there is material all over the floor it becomes a tripping hazard. Have you ever seen that Final Destination scene where the giant log comes through that guy's windshield? Yeah, we don't want that to happen. But with tripping on a piece of material and falling on something we shouldn't, like a saw or grinder, it very possibly could happen. Same with just leaving dust and metal particles all over the floor, it builds up and can become a breathing risk if you inhale too much of those particles.
One of the most important things a clean shop space can provide is good morale. The start of your day can sometimes chart the course for how the rest of your day is going to go. Coming into a workspace that is cluttered and dirty just dampens the mood, but to come into a place that's clean makes everyone much happier. It's like waking up in the morning, and your parents have already started making breakfast, and you can smell the bacon from your bed, it feels the same way when coming into a clean work environment. You just know it's gonna be a good day.
All-in-all, the most important part of keeping your shop clean is for evacuation. If you have a fire or some sort of emergency, where is the nearest exit of the building to get out of in a hurry and are you able to make it there safely? You don't want to be jumping over material and tools, while fleeing from imminent death. If someone gets injured, will you be able to get to them int time? You have to be able to get them out of the building or be able to get to the medical supplies without a challenge. All of these things are important to being successful in whatever you're doing. It boosts the energy of everyone in the workspace, increases efficiency, increases the morale, and just makes the area safer. So, keep your workspace clean. It only benefits you and those you work with.
