Providing your staff, associates, and visitors with a safe environment is a responsibility that no business owners can afford to neglect. From slip-and-fall hazards that go unaddressed, to faulty safety equipment, there are plenty of safety issues that can be addressed through good building layout and design. Discounting the importance of building design could end up putting you and your workers at greater risk than you might realize.
Lighting and Illumination
There are many hazards associated with poor illumination. Dimly-lit areas that lack sufficient lighting are often a major contributing factor to many workplace accidents. Inadequate illumination can also lead to an increased risk of vandalism, break-ins, and even violent crimes like assault. Quality lighting supplies like exterior flood lamps and interior fixtures that are motion-activated are important elements of a quality building design.
Slip-and-Fall Hazards
Slip-and-fall accidents are a leading cause of workplace injury. Design oversights like areas that are too exposed to the elements, or high-traffic surfaces that may lose traction when wet can easily lead to potentially serious injuries. Protection from the elements, the presence of safety rails, and other safety equipment options that can help to minimize the risk of slip-and-fall accidents are all important aspects when it comes to ensuring safe commercial building design.
Faulty Safety Equipment
Even the best safety equipment may be of little practical benefit in the event that it begins to malfunction or suffers a mechanical breakdown. Faulty safety equipment also means that occupants may be deprived of early warning in the event of a fire, carbon monoxide buildup, or other urgent issues. In terms of overall building design, the importance of quality safety systems and equipment cannot be stressed enough.
Mold and Mildew Infestations
A mold problem can often be a more serious safety hazard than many building and business owners might expect. While most mold or mildew infestations may do little more than produce an unpleasant odor, some strains of mold are actually quite toxic. Poor building design that results in excessive water intrusion, leaks, or high levels of ambient moisture can become a major problem.
Ensuring a safe and secure work environment is a matter of the utmost importance. Commercial structures and buildings that have been designed with the safety of their occupants in mind can minimize or outright eliminate many of the most common safety hazards and risks. Ensuring that your employees and associates are able to enjoy a safe workplace is a matter that you would do well to address.