Accessibility and safety upgrades in older buildings can introduce new hazards that impact occupant usability. Here’s how proactive best practices go beyond code compliance to help reduce liabilities and enhance tenant trust.
Proactive accessibility compliance audits
Accessibility audits identify noncompliant elements in older buildings. Audit reports detail required work based on accessibility and safety regulations. The report improves upgrade strategies with an accurate scope of work, allowing building owners to prioritize upgrades, including
- Dimensions for all paths of travel
- Doorway widths
- Maneuvering clearances
- Seating layouts
- Signage placements
- Visual contrast in signage
- Universal signage to improve understanding
- Tactile indicators for hazards such as stairs
Beyond compliance: Tenant feedback identifies user challenges not addressed in the audit. For example, poorly planned railing placement can increase the risk of collisions, while slippery ramp materials make it difficult to maneuver wheelchairs up inclines.
Minimizing disruptions
Exterior accessibility upgrades cause major disruptions that increase safety risks, including
- New obstacles for mobility equipment
- Blocked pathways due to equipment
- Temporary entrance removal, limiting access
- Uneven ground
- Blocking wayfinding or hazard warning signage
- Increased noise, presenting dangers for the hearing impaired
- Limited accessible parking
- Temporary removal of handrails
Beyond compliance: Phased upgrades create temporary disruptions for limited periods. A proactive approach provides independent movement for tenants using shorter, clearer routes as each phase is completed. Prominent signage indicating new routes, warning of new hazards, and drawing attention to access points also enhances site safety.
Work in phases to ensure accessibility compliance
Progressive access improves usability, allowing tenants to benefit from updates sooner. Prioritization maximizes project optics and addresses the highest risk areas to reduce liabilities. Addressing the highest traffic areas and most critical elements first, improves code compliance and occupant usability, such as:
- Removing barriers at primary access points
- Installing compliant domes and tactile warning systems for high-traffic pathways and access points
- Upgrading railings for existing ramps and entrances
- Installing universal signage
Beyond compliance: Ongoing communication informs tenants of scheduled upgrades and why certain accessibility changes were prioritized. Creating alternative paths during the renovation improves accessibility, maintains usability, and increases tenant safety throughout the upgrade process. Each phase improves accessibility in the highest traffic areas, so tenants experience increasing ease of access phase by phase.
Prioritize safety
Temporary alterations impact building access and traffic flow, presenting unique safety hazards during the restoration process. Safety best practices address changing hazards in real time to reduce risks for workers and building occupants.
Beyond compliance: An onsite safety coordinator conducts ongoing site inspections and makes daily adjustments that reduce injuries and minimize disruptions. At WellDone Inc., our Safety Coordinator continuously analyzes changing risks throughout the project and recommends improvements for job site safety.
Non-compliance presents substantial legal and financial risks when undergoing upgrades in older buildings. Accessibility audits, work prioritization, and phased improvements help speed up the process while reducing tenant disruptions. Finally, a proactive, safety-first approach improves communication, maintains accessibility, and helps build tenant trust.
WellDone’s safety-first approach identifies, assesses, and controls risks to keep your job site safe. We promote hazard-free workplaces for our people to build and continuously improve a health- and safety-oriented culture.
For more information about our organization, reach out to our team at WellDone Inc.