by Larry Waters sowsustainability.com

Technology and society have both advanced at a breakneck pace in recent years, with little sign of slowing down any time soon. While the benefits to company profits and individual convenience speak for themselves, these advancements also lend themselves to improving safety, security, and accessibility in commercial spaces as well as in the home. Here, The American Civil Defense Association shares some important strategies to implement to keep your team safe.

Prioritizing Safety

Regardless of the context, safety should be prioritized above comfort or profits. Whether you’re securing a factory or an apartment building, everyone deserves and is entitled to a place where they can go about their business without being harmed. It’s the responsibility of the owner or property manager to use the most effective resources and technologies currently available to secure their workforce or clientele.

Many safety methods seem obvious now but are the result of centuries of innovation through trial and error. Basic considerations such as signs denoting hazards, railings protecting people from dangerous falls, and level floors to prevent rolled ankles and accidental trips are simple and obvious ways to make any space free of potentially damaging complications.

A building is only truly safe if it’s safe for everyone. Making your area safe and accessible for people with disabilities may require additional effort on your part, but this type of inclusion is often enforced by law unless doing so is not considered a reasonable accommodation for a particular industry. Staircases should have elevators for alternative access whenever possible, alarms should have both audio and visual components, and hallways and aisles should have sufficient clearance for mobility aids to pass through.

Stepping Up Lighting and Security

If your space has a parking lot or an outdoor area that gets used at night, you’ll need to invest in sufficient outdoor lighting. Choose materials for parking lot lighting that are attractive while remaining durable and reliable. Well-lit areas prevent accidents and deter crime, making the area safer for the public.

Security cameras are another good deterrent, as their presence alone often discourages would-be thieves and troublemakers. Cameras uploading to a cloud service will record evidence that’s far more difficult to tamper with than those with on-site storage; a disgruntled employee can destroy a hard drive much faster and more easily than they could hack into a cloud account. And many of these cameras are easy to troubleshoot using online resources, so you don’t have to rely on a maintenance team when there are technical problems.

Adhering to Laws and Helping the Public

Whether you’re securing an apartment building or a workplace, these safety and security options will attract the people you need. Tenants are far more likely to apply to live in a space that’s well protected and devoid of hazards. Potential employees may change their minds if an on-site interview reveals a dangerous working environment. Showing compassion and concern for the well-being of others has financial benefits beyond being morally correct.

Even ignoring these benefits, safety precautions, security considerations, and accessibility when reasonable are often necessary to adhere to local, state, and federal laws. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s guidelines for workplace safety are often life and death matters which should not be taken lightly, as failure to adhere to them can result in fines, criminal charges, injury, and death.

If you are an investor looking for a new property to flip and rent, look for properties that are accessible and can easily be updated with the appropriate safety measures. It is a bonus if the property already has good lighting and clear walkways but look at the home for its potential security updates, too.

Prioritize Safety

Above profits, comfort, or social perception, safety should be everyone’s top priority, especially when designing a space that will be accessed by others. Maintaining a secure, well-lit, and accommodating space will ensure that your residents or workforce stick with you while you avoid any ethical or legal trouble.

If you are looking for more helpful resources on safety, visit The American Civil Defense Association!

Photo Credit: Jacob Rosen via Unsplash