Feature: Mental Health and Wellbeing Awareness
Enhancing Lift Safety and Wellbeing: A Guide for Building Owners and Contractors
In this edition of Flat-Living magazine, the focus is on Mental Health & Wellbeing. As owners of lift equipment that requires regular maintenance from a Lift Contractor, there is a duty to provide a safe and secure environment for operatives as well as users/passengers.
- Accessibility and Safety:
Ensuring that lifts are well-maintained, clean, and safe can help alleviate anxiety for equipment users. Regular inspections and maintenance routines should be in place to ensure reliability of service. Prompt attendance to any call outs/entrapments that arise are essential.
- Design and Comfort:
Designing lifts with user comfort in mind can contribute to a more positive experience. This includes factors such as adequate lighting, ventilation, and spaciousness to reduce feelings of claustrophobia. Upgrading lifts to comply with EN 81-70 to improve accessibility requirements can endorse inclusivity.
- Clear Communication:
Providing clear instructions on how to use the lift and what to do in case of emergencies can help users feel more confident and in control. This includes clear signage, audio announcements, and accessible information for users with disabilities. Additionally, good communication from your maintenance provider is key to instil confidence that any issues are being addressed in a timely manner.
- Empathy and Support:
Training staff to be empathetic and supportive towards users who may be experiencing anxiety or stress is essential during lift issues. Having knowledgeable and compassionate staff available to assist users can make a significant difference in their experience.
For those who service and install the lift equipment areas to consider include:
- Work Environment:
The nature of the job in the lift industry often involves working in confined spaces, at heights, and sometimes under high pressure to meet deadlines. Providing a safe and supportive work environment is essential for maintaining good mental health among employees. Advancements in lift regulations and legislation means older lift installations, particularly those predating the Health and Safety at Work Act, may require additional safety measures to be put in place.
Before H&S improvement works
After H&S improvement works
- Physical Demands:
The physical demands of the job, including lifting heavy equipment and working in tight spaces, can contribute to both physical and mental strain. Employers should undertake site specific risk assessments and provide the relevant control measures to reduce this.
- Supportive Leadership:
Leadership plays a crucial role in promoting mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. Managers should be trained to recognise signs of distress in their team members and provide support and resources as needed.
- Regular Check-Ins:
Regular check-ins with employees can help managers stay informed about their team members’ mental health and wellbeing. These check-ins can be informal conversations or more structured meetings, depending on the preferences of the employees and the culture of the organisation.
What can you do to improve the wellbeing of building users?
Ensuring all the above considerations are in place with the lifts at your property and the company that maintains them comes with added responsibility.
Ardent Lift Consultancy can aid by undertaking lift condition surveys and make recommendations to improve safety of lift equipment for users, and to create a safer, healthier more supportive work environment for lift contractors working within your building.
As independent lift consultants, ARDENT Lift Consultancy recognise the importance of offering unbiased and accurate advice to our clients. This has developed mutual respect between our team of lift consultants and those we work with. Whether working with architects looking to build practicality into their vision, or a property manager with time constraints seeking immediate solutions, we totally understand individual client requirements and provide timely, well considered and accurate advice.
