Your Car Park & Public Areas Safety Issues

This post is part of the “Focus on Health and Safety Audit Questions” series. A series which focuses on questions asked by our health and safety consultants when conducting a health and safety audit.

Tests

1. Check that Car Park/Public Areas signage is clear, and easily visible.

2. Check floor surfaces are even and not a tripping hazard.

Test 1

Check that Car Park/Public Areas signage is clear, and easily visible.

Reason for This Test

Signage must be adequate to assist the public.

Possible Answers

Red: Signage unclear and/or obstructed
Amber: Some minor issues identified with signage
Green: All signage adequate and easy to follow

Common Issues

• Missing signage
• Damaged signage

Fail Rate

23% of businesses failed this question based on our sample data.

Test 2

Check floor surfaces are even and not a tripping hazard.

Reason for This Test

Floor surfaces in good condition and where appropriate auto valet operation is well managed and not creating additional risks (such as slip hazards).

Possible Answers

Red: Area inspected and some major hazards identified
Amber: Area inspected and some minor issues identified
Green: Area inspected and free from hazards

Common Issues

• Raised lips on flooring
• Damage to flooring
• Changes in floor levels

Fail Rate

45% of businesses failed this question based on our sample data.

The floor in a workplace must be suitable for the type of work activity taking place on it.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 link to external website (Regulation 12) require floors to be suitable, in good condition and free from obstructions. People should be able to move around safely.

Where a floor is likely to be subject to frequent contamination, people should still be able to walk on it without the risk of slipping. See Assessing the slip resistance of flooring, which also describes the relevant British and European standards. – HSE (Flooring)