If you are an office worker, you will likely drive to work each day. Millions of people make a morning commute to their office before settling down at their desks to begin dealing with routine emails and tasks, along with preparing for meetings and undertaking project work. Little thought may be given to parking your car in the on-site car park as you prepare to start your working day. However, employers and health and safety staff will give greater consideration to this area of the premises. It needs to be maintained regularly to ensure that it is fit for purpose and does not pose a risk to vehicles, the workforce, or the general public. In this article, some key advice will be given to office managers, safety staff, and other relevant personnel who need to take steps to keep the office car park in perfect condition.
Risk assess the area
Firstly, it is of paramount importance to risk assess the car park area. Most often, this can be started by a simple visual inspection of the surface and taking notes or pictures of any areas of concern. For example, there may be a pothole that is of sufficient depth that could damage a car wheel or cause a trip hazard (especially in the darker winter months at the start and end of the working day). You can use a risk assessment template to undertake this. In addition to the surface, consider the lighting of the area and any security considerations. A well-lit car park can help to deter would-be car thieves and vandals, as can installing CCTV cameras for added security. Test the lighting and cameras as part of the risk assessment process to determine if any maintenance is required or lighting needs to be replaced.
Consider remedial actions to improve the surfaces
If, as part of your risk assessment, you find that the condition of the car park surface is no longer adequate, you will need to consider remedial measures to address this. Remember that you may be liable for damage that is caused to staff vehicles due to large potholes and may also be subject to claims from staff if they are injured because of tripping over an uneven surface that has not been adequately monitored and repaired. You can find a range of pothole repair kits online that are both affordable and can permanently treat smaller potholes in one visit. Compare the products that are offered by specialists in this field of car park maintenance and find a solution that is right for your needs.
Repeat the monitoring process
Finally, it is important to recognize that car park maintenance is an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. Put simply, potholes will reappear in time, even if they are adequately repaired, especially after changes in weather conditions over months and years. In addition, lighting and security systems will need to be maintained or even upgraded as technologies progress. Ideally, you will want to incorporate a regular system of inspection and maintenance on this site as part of your wider health and safety plans. Remember that early detection of issues in this area can save both time and money, so a regular monitoring schedule should be considered essential.
