Construction sites are notoriously hazardous environments, bringing a variety of risks like falling objects, electrical dangers, and hazardous liquids. These threats can lead to severe injuries, bringing down the reputation of companies. To mitigate these risks and ensure long-lasting performance, employing the best possible materials is crucial from warehouses, construction offices and sites. This article focuses on the role of shelving in enhancing safety on construction sites, and specific materials that can be used to enhance safety.
Keep on reading to find out more.
Why shelving matters in the construction industry
Shelving is important for a variety of reasons, from preventing falls, protecting workers and containing spills. It can also have efficiency benefits like improved organisation, time saving and improved management, which will help tasks to be completed as quickly as possible. This is crucial for fast paced construction site working environments.
Professional shelving can work as ‘the bones of the operation’ to help keep goods securely stored, in the most effective way possible, increasing warehouse space. To ensure shelving remains safe in a workspace, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has guidelines for shelving safety that include:
- Racking Improvements: It’s recommended that racking is inspected by a SEMA approved racking inspector (SARI) at least once a year.
- Racking has to be used in a way that is highly visible, protected, and never climbed on or overloaded.
- Chemicals should be stored according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and the minimum quantity of hazardous substances should be kept in shelving environments. A spill kit should be kept nearby where they are stored.
While shelving is essential in large-scale operations, its importance extends to the office environment as well. Stainless steel is a prime choice for construction offices due to its durability and hygienic properties. It can be applied to many different applications like:
- Desks and workstations
- Kitchen and breakroom areas
- Door handles
There are various types of austenitic stainless steel too, that have different grades:
- 304 grade offers good overall corrosion protection (grade 1.4301).
- 304L. The ‘L’ stands for low carbon, which helps to ensure seamless welds and reduce harbouring bacteria or other contaminants.
- 316 has very similar hygienic properties as 304 but thanks to it’s 2% Molybdenum is more resistant to corrosion.
How stainless steel leads to a more hygienic construction office space
There are a variety of reasons as to why stainless steel equipment is a better option for all industries, not just for the construction industry. Some of these include:
- Resist Corrosion: Stainless steel enjoys a smooth, non-porous surface that inhibits bacterial growth and makes it incredibly easy to keep clean. This can include harsh cleaning chemicals used in the food processing and cleanroom / pharmaceutical sectors. The corrosion resistance is thanks to its chromium content that forms an invisible layer of chromium rich oxide. This acts as a barrier between the iron and oxygen, preventing it from corroding. This will save businesses money because less will be invested on resources like cleaning materials. The office equipment will look more presentable for longer too, saving time before clients visit the office space.
- Durability: Stainless steel is a very durable material, reducing the risk of dents and can stand the test of time in rigorous and demanding environments. This allows for the material to continue to maintain its hygienic properties over time. This will help with exposure to moisture, chemicals, and different cleaning agents without deterioration, making it a perfect option for food processing and pharmaceutical / cleanroom environments.
Overall, we hope this blog article has bought some insight into how shelving can bring safety and productivity to your organisation, as well as the best materials you can choose.
