Generally, office spaces should be conducive to productive and efficient work. They must be clean to promote the health of employees and for their comfort as well. Employers must diligently maintain office spaces for the safety of workers, clients, and the surrounding communities. In the long run, poorly maintained offices can lead to more serious problems for the management.
Employees are responsible for working for the growth and success of the company. On the other hand, employers need to ensure the safety of their employees while in the workplace. This includes maintaining the office so that it is not detrimental to the health of the personnel.
Can Employers Be Held Liable for Poorly Maintained Workplaces?
Poorly maintained offices can result in accidents and health problems. Once they do, the employer can be held liable for the employee’s injuries or illnesses caused by the poor maintenance of the office.
Office maintenance is more than just ensuring that the office looks good and inviting. It also means ensuring that every aspect of the office is safe for the employees and visitors.
A classic example where employers are liable for an accident is slip and fall accidents in poorly maintained offices. Slips and falls are often due to the negligence of the owner of the property. They can lead to serious bodily injuries, resulting in a personal injury or a workers’ compensation claim. If proven that the accident is due to a lack of care on the property, then the victim can get damages for his injuries and medical expenses.
While some argue that insurance can pay off the damages, life has been affected. For some, the effects can be temporary; but for others, they can be lifelong.
Common Problems That Result from Poor Office Building Maintenance
Poorly maintained offices can lead to a wide range of problems. Here are just some of them.
· Poorly Maintained Carpets Can Have Negative Health Impacts
Carpets trap a wide range of pollutants, such as cockroach allergens, pet dander, dust mites, dirt, mold spores, and food particles. These pollutants can mix with the indoor air if left uncleaned and unmaintained.
Poorly cleaned carpets pose respiratory health risks and can aggravate the symptoms of allergies and asthma. This is why deep carpet cleaning by professionals is a must to keep the carpets free from dirt and allergens.
The same is true with curtains. Fabric curtains can also trap allergens, mold spores, and dust mites, which can lead to respiratory allergies. They must get washed and replaced regularly so they do not adversely affect indoor air quality.
· Air Conditioners Can Affect Indoor Air Quality
The office HVAC is vital in keeping it comfortable for everyone, whatever the season is. To keep them working properly and efficiently, HVAC systems must be regularly maintained. A poorly maintained HVAC will become inefficient and can result in higher electricity bills.
Dirty air filters and ducts can cause respiratory problems, such as allergies, colds, and asthma symptoms. With regular and proper maintenance, these health risks can be lowered and even prevented.
· Slips and Falls Can Lead to Serious Injuries
Slips and falls may sound simple. However, falls actually are one of the top leading causes of accidental death. In 2020, there were around 211,000 seriously injured from a fall at work, which required them to take days off to recover. In the same year, 805 workers died due to falls.
What many people think is that a fall has to occur from a considerable height to be fatal. However, 136 workers died from slipping and falling on the same floor level in 2020. Slips and falls do not just occur in construction sites, manufacturing plants, and big warehouses. They can occur in poorly maintained offices and can just be as fatal and dangerous.
Of course, slips and falls are avoidable. It is important to keep floors free from clutter and must be kept dry always. Furniture, cabinets, chairs, and tables must be arranged properly to provide a clear walking path. It is also essential that pathways are well illuminated to help reduce the risks of slips and falls.
Problems with flooring, such as chipped, broken, and missing floor tiles need immediate addressing to avoid accidents.
· Poor Lighting Can Lead to Accidents
As interior designers would say, lighting can affect the mood of any space. The same is true with offices. The correct choice of lighting can help employees become more energetic and efficient at work. However, lighting is more than setting up the right mood and ambiance.
Lighting is essential for the health and safety of everyone in the office. Poor lighting can lead to fatigue, eyestrain, and headaches. But of course, it can also lead to mistakes and accidents.
When lighting is insufficient, an employee can easily misjudge an object’s size, shape, position, or speed. This miscalculation can lead to mishaps and even serious injuries.
When there are problems with lighting, calling in a reliable handyman service is a must. Another way to ensure that the office receives sufficient light is to keep glass windows clean. Clean glass windows maximize the penetration of sunlight. This makes the office space warmer, brighter, and more inviting. The right amount of light is essential to keep the workplace safer.
Importance of Office Maintenance
The benefits of regular office maintenance cannot be stressed enough. When the office is neat, clean, and tidy, the workers will feel valued. Employees that feel important are more motivated to work.
A clean office also says much about the company. It shows how the management cares for its people and gives the company an organized and well-managed image. In addition, a well-maintained and clean office will seem more trustworthy compared to a shabby and dirty one.
A well-maintained office is also safer for everyone in the vicinity. When the environment is safe, employees can focus more on their work and be more productive.
Let Prestige Property Offices Keep Your Office Clean and Safe
Prestige Property Offices offers a wide range of housekeeping and maintenance services so business owners and managers can focus on running their businesses. Call us at 714-224-0301 and let us discuss how we can help keep your office healthy and safe for your employees. You can also email us at info@prestigepropertyservices.com.
