Adapting to Post-Pandemic Work – Integrating Health and Safety Design into Your Workspace
As we take greater strides to move on from the pandemic and return to a sense of normalcy, it is important to be aware of the impact health and safety design can have on your workspace. While working from home (WFH) is becoming increasingly common, most workplaces are requiring employees to come back into the office. If you are looking to create a safe environment for your staff to thrive and feel comfortable, consider applying the following design principles.
If you are searching for the office fitouts Brisbane business owners rely on for tasteful and functional design, give us a call on 1300 368 461, access our online contact form, or request a quote.
Top Health and Safety Design Tips
Touchless Technology
Technology has become an invaluable part of modern business, with all industries relying on technology to varying degrees. As technology becomes more advanced, we are seeing more devices that can be activated and used without touching them.
Whether it is voice activation or motion sensors, these devices help to create sanitised environments as they are free from hands and the potential germs they spread. Consider adding automated doors and voice-activated devices into your workplace to create a safer and more streamlined working environment.
Improved Ventilation
An under looked aspect of health and safety design is the airflow in the workplace, as improved air circulation greatly reduces the spread of germs. When designing or renovating your office, consider implementing upgraded HVAC systems to create better indoor air quality for your staff and clients.
Air purification systems and high-efficiency air filters are also recommended to keep fresh, uncontaminated air flowing through your space. Along with the safety benefits, high-quality ventilation systems also assist with keeping your office warm and cool throughout the year, reducing the reliance on costly appliances like air conditioners.
Flexible Furniture
The pandemic taught us that we all need to be able to adapt at a moment’s notice, and this is especially true for business. A great way to foster this mantra of flexibility is to install adaptable furniture, which is customisable to suit the changing needs of the workplace and its employees.
Whether it is standing desks or adjustable chairs, this customisable furniture promotes flexibility while also allowing your staff to create a comfortable space that works for them. Consider implementing hot-desking to allow staff to work anywhere in the office as required, which also helps with social distancing.
Hand Sanitiser Stations
Living through the pandemic showcased the importance of having regular access to hand sanitiser to prevent ourselves and others from spreading potentially harmful bacteria. This commitment to cleanliness should be a key part of your workplace’s health and safety design, with hand sanitising stations placed throughout communal areas.
Whether it is by entrances, the office printer, or in a meeting room, these stations are a helpful way to remind your staff and guests of the importance of maintaining a sanitised environment. Encourage your employees to bring their own hand sanitiser from home as well.
Workplace Layout
Gone are the days of offices where employees are cramped into cubicles that line the floor like boxes in a warehouse. Workers now expect desks that are open and spacious, which is understandable as a more comfortable workstation promotes better productivity.
However, it is still important to consider some elements of separation when designing the layout of the workplace. Employee workstations should be separated to some degree to promote social distancing, while space should be created in-between work areas to allow staff to safely move throughout the office without bumping into furniture and disrupting other workers.
Integrate Technology
While plenty of businesses were using applications like Slack to communicate before the pandemic took place, the reliance on these messaging services has skyrocketed since then. With some employees still choosing to WFH, these apps allow your staff to stay in contact without the need to have more people in the office just for a brief meeting.
Health and safety design should be built around avoiding unnecessary face-to-face contact, and building designated video conference rooms is a great way to encourage communication with remote employees while reducing the risk of spreading contaminants.
Looking to Implement Health and Safety Design?
At Future Fitouts, we provide high-end office design and fitout solutions to help bring your desired workplace to life. We cater to every industry, providing designs that promote productivity while also focusing on employee health and safety. Reach out through our online contact form or give us a call on 1300 368 461 to learn more, or request a quote to get started.