Safety is one of your employees’ greatest concerns.Many employees have to work around platforms, machinery, rooftops, mezzanines, and equipment at height on a daily basis. Without safe access to these elevated areas, routine work can present serious risks. Facility managers, safety coordinators, and business owners are learning how to improve worker safety with OSHA-compliant aluminum access stairs.
Whether you’re in manufacturing, warehousing, processing, or another industry with a commercial rooftop, aluminum access stairs can help employees work more safely and efficiently. But what makes a stair system OSHA-compliant? And how do they improve safety for your workers? Read on to learn more.
Why Worker Access Safety Should Matter to You
Employees need safe access to elevated work areas throughout most industrial and commercial facilities. Service teams may have to access equipment or rooftop machinery on a daily basis.
Without proper access systems installed, your employees are likely using ladders or improvised methods of climbing to and from these areas. Any time an employee must climb a ladder with tools in their hands or walk on makeshift platforms, there is a risk of slips, trips, and falls.
Falls are one of the most common causes of injury in industrial and commercial workplaces. Not only can these accidents cause serious injury to your employees, but they can lead to lost productivity, OSHA violations, and liability.
Ideally, you can create a safer environment when you install a system of OSHA-compliant aluminum access stairs throughout your facility to help reduce these risks.
Features of OSHA-Compliant Aluminum Access Stairs
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has put several regulations into place to help protect your employees. These regulations include specifications for walking-working surfaces, elevated access systems, and employee fall protection.
When looking at how to improve worker safety with OSHA-compliant aluminum access stairs, it helps to understand what makes these stairs compliant.
OSHA-compliant aluminum access stairs will typically include:
- Slip-resistant stairs
- Proper rise and run
- Handrails and guardrails
- Stable platforms
- Weight capacities
- Safe landings
- Strong structural support
All of these features work together to keep your employees safe when accessing elevated work areas.
Keep in mind that OSHA regulations are there for your employees’ safety. They also protect your business from unnecessary liability and violations. Providing a safe work environment for your employees includes installing OSHA-compliant access and fall protection systems.
Benefits of Aluminum Access Solutions
Aluminum access stairs and platforms have become one of the most popular options for industrial applications. There are numerous benefits to using aluminum over other materials.
First, aluminum doesn’t rust or corrode. Many facilities have high moisture levels or even chemical exposure. Others may have high humidity, frequent washdowns, or outdoor exposure. Aluminum can handle these elements making it perfect for indoor and outdoor applications.
Aluminum is also lightweight but very strong. It is easier to install than some materials, and modifications can be made in the future if your facility layout changes.
Unlike some other materials, aluminum is extremely durable and can stand up to the daily wear and tear of industrial environments. And since aluminum access stairs don’t require frequent maintenance, your facility saves time and money.
Accessibility in High-Traffic Areas
Many industrial facilities are constantly busy. There is always foot traffic from employees, equipment, and forklifts moving throughout the facility.
When employees need to access equipment or work areas at height, safe stair access is necessary to keep your employees and your facility organized. Without proper access installed, employees will continue to use ladders or improvised methods to reach their destination.
Installing aluminum access stairs helps employees easily navigate your facility while reducing trips and falls. Sturdy handrails, wide stair treads, and slip-resistant surfaces allow your employees to gain balance and reduce fatigue.
Equipment and Maintenance Access
Maintenance departments rely on safe access to equipment to do their jobs. Equipment repairs, preventative maintenance, and inspections all require safe access to these areas.
By installing OSHA-compliant aluminum access stairs, you make it easier and safer for your maintenance departments to access equipment. Employees can safely retrieve tools or carry equipment when using a stair system instead of climbing in or around machinery.
Equipment accessibility also allows your maintenance departments to perform their jobs more efficiently. Proper access will reduce the amount of strain that your employees experience. Your maintenance departments will have an easier time reaching those hard to access areas.
Additionally, safe access will help reduce damage to your equipment. If your employees aren’t climbing all over your machinery to perform maintenance, there is less risk of them bumping into it or pulling down piping.
How Aluminum Access Platforms Can Benefit You Long-Term
Installing OSHA-compliant aluminum access stairs can benefit you well beyond just following regulations. Safety improvements can help you reduce the number of employee injuries. Fewer injuries can also reduce your workers’ compensation premiums.
Providing a safe work environment for your employees can also help boost employee morale. When employees feel like you value their safety, they tend to be happier and more productive knowing you care about them.
Another long-term benefit of aluminum access platforms is that they’re durable and require little maintenance. You won’t have to spend money taking your access platforms out of service for yearly repairs.
Many facility managers view aluminum access stairs as an investment in their employees and their bottom line.
Different Types of Access Platforms for Every Facility
No two industrial facilities are exactly alike. If your facility needs access to a rooftop, you may need aluminum access stairs. Other facilities might need access platforms around large machinery, mezzanines, or conveyor systems.
OSHA-compliant aluminum access stair systems can be custom designed to fit your facilities needs. Height requirements, space limitations, traffic patterns, environmental conditions, and equipment layout are all taken into consideration when designing your custom access system.
Partner with the REDD Team to design and install your custom aluminum access system. By working with a knowledgeable team, you can ensure your new access system is engineered correctly and will safely meet your business’s needs.
Employee safety should be every employers’ top priority. Part of keeping your employees safe is providing safe access to elevated work areas. Learn how to improve worker safety with OSHA-compliant aluminum access stairs.
REDD Team has been creating aluminum access platforms and stair systems for decades. Give us a call at (800) 648-3696 or contact us online to start improving the safety of your facility today.