Healthy Commercial Construction Designs

Healthy Commercial Construction Designs

Healthy Commercial Construction Designs

Healthy Commercial Construction DesignsWhen it comes to the interior commercial construction work that you do for your clients, the key concerns that you are likely to have are related to cost, aesthetics, and speed. On paper, that makes a lot of sense. Any of your construction customers can need their spaces on a tight schedule. Of course, they want to make sure that the work is done according to their expectations and at a price tag that they can afford. Things are beginning to change, however, and there is growing interest in another trend healthy commercial construction designs. 

This could come as a bit of a surprise at first, but even the CDC has taken note of the fact that good architecture can be associated with improved physical health in a number of ways. So what can you do to make your interior construction work safer? Our Sacramento general contractors share their beliefs below. 

Choosing Wise Materials

Although there are several different steps you can take to contribute to a healthier design, one of the key starting points is to choose materials, particularly finishes that do not contain toxic chemicals. Some of the famous culprits here are VOCs, formaldehyde, and some plastics. While these can affect each person differently on the basis of their sensitivities, they are common contributors to sick building syndrome. Left unchecked, this may lead to headaches, nausea, and general discomfort. Federal guidelines are in place to limit the use of some of these materials. However, in order to reduce all this concern, try using as many natural-based materials as you can in interior design. Our commercial builders say this includes ceramic, stone, and porcelain.

Creation of Biophilic Designs

Biophilic may not be a word that many interior construction workers are familiar with but it basically implies any design or construction options designed to create a deeper connection between occupants and nature. There are quite a few ways that the owner of the property can do this.  Our Sacramento construction general contractors explain that this can involve a range of choices, from simple elements such as lighting shelves and sunrooms to furniture and accessories that are evocative of nature. Many indoor construction jobs implement elements such as wood, stone, and plants to add nature to the inside whenever possible.

Acoustics and Vibration

You’re familiar with the idea of noise pollution? If you live in a busy area, it’s worth adding to your design considerations. High background noise can naturally be associated with a lack of concentration as well as a rise in tension at the workplace. As a result, part of the safe design aims to achieve precise thresholds for both decibel and reverberation numbers. There are a few approaches that you can use to try to minimize unwanted noise. In general, our Sacramento ground-up construction experts want to minimize the number of hard surfaces you have and if possible, switch to a carpet over hard floors. Especially modern carpets can absorb almost five times as much sound as hard floors.

Smart Preparation of Floor

Compared to the other things we’ve discussed in this list, this is a little more subjective and esoteric. However, a significant part of a healthy design particularly in a residential environment is ensuring that every space you build has a certain degree of privacy. As a result, interior design teams can ensure that their floor plans provide plenty of room for people to have their own personal space. This can mean acceptable barriers between different rooms in a house. In an office environment, this might mean larger meeting rooms and better space between desks.

Antimicrobial Surface/Technology

Current events mean that everyone is a little more worried about the spread of germs than ever before. Maid For Muddy Paws, a commercial cleaning service Woodlands, TX, has been acquiring more and more clients seeking disinfecting services. Indeed, long before the current pandemic, interior design and design experts are aware of the position of often-touched surfaces. However, one way you can help in this field is by carefully selecting your materials. Some surfaces are porous by nature. They can save money or fit a particular design sensitivity. However, these properties also mean that they are more likely to catch bacteria/allergens on these surfaces. This makes disinfection more difficult.

As a consequence, you will want to add ceramics and porcelain to these often-touched surfaces. It’s inherently difficult for things like bacteria, mites, and mold to survive on. In addition, you can use simple household cleaners without harming the finish. Customers who want convenience would appreciate this choice.

Air Filtration is the secret to interior construction

Again, COVID-19 problems are forcing building professionals to re-evaluate air filtration in a new life. Expect a higher premium to provide room for proper HVAC systems in any part of the space. Good air sealing is also necessary for an effective filtration system. This means that you want to take a close look at the doors and windows that you use. Then, ensure that they are the best match for the building and the local environment.

Healthy space design is a term that has become increasingly popular over the last few years, with more and more research emerging. Originally, it began in the residential sector, but we’re beginning to see commercial interior construction with this sensitivity as well. As a result, any company providing indoor contracting needs to think about new materials and practices that will help to build a safe, visually attractive and possibly eco-friendly space.

Final Inner Construction Reflections

Costs (financial and time costs for onboarding) mean that choosing any single piece of safe interior wall construction on the market is not feasible for most companies. It would be best if you could find a way to decide what’s going to be the most lucrative for your company. This means making use of project management tools before you completely commit. 

Reduce Injuries on a Construction Site

Reduce Injuries on a Construction Site

How to Reduce Injuries on a Construction Site

Reduce Injuries on a Construction SiteAccording to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 1 among 5 workplace injuries is a construction worker. This shows us how hazardous commercial construction sites are. However, the industry’s ability to adapt has also made it easier for companies to identify the underlying causes of injuries. In turn, this has helped find ways to tackle those issues and reduce the rates of injury on site. Today on our blog, our Sacramento construction general contractors will be covering how to reduce injuries on a construction site.

Hold safety meetings regularly.

These meetings should be held every day, especially if your commercial construction workers are undertaking high-risk work.  Our friends over at McQuillan Brothers, emergency plumber Minneapolis, regularly implement safety meetings into their weekly schedules. These meetings highlight the importance of safety. Additionally, they remind the employees of the dangers identified during risk assessments while reminding them to stay focused. Addressing relevant issues that apply to the job-specific site information ensures that employees know the exposure points.

Conduct a Real Risk Assessment

Before a project begins, a commercial construction site should be inspected for any potential or unusual hazards. These inspections will allow you to develop a proper safety plan that takes into account these potential hazards. Alternatively, you can also have a job hazard analysis carried out on the site. This has proven itself as a savior, both for working capital savings and human lives. 

Additionally, for each potential hazard observed, a corresponding list of preventive measures should be compiled then implemented. A risk assessment document should then be provided for all workers during a safety meeting. The brief will highlight the right education, information, and training required to stop injuries from occurring on site.

Stop Falls Before They Occur

Falls are among the leading cause of injuries in the construction sector. They are also the leading cause of death in the industry. They make up about 33% of all construction injuries. Installing fall protection systems can go a long way in preventing a large number of construction fatalities from occurring. These protection systems include screens, guardrails, canopy structures, toe boards, scaffolding, and nets. For scaffolding, it is important to ensure that it is constructed well and installed properly to hold the intended weight. Scaffolding should also be inspected regularly by a qualified Sacramento commercial builder. Other protection methods include a lanyard or a safety harness.

Maintain Equipment and Conduct Checks Regularly

The machinery used in most construction sites today requires a lot of down-time responsibility, including inspecting the equipment regularly and maintaining it. More than 75% of struck-by injuries result from heavy machinery like cranes or trucks. Thoroughly and regularly conducting maintenance checks on this equipment will increase your ability to stop malfunctions. This is huge, as these malfunctions may cause serious injuries.

Use Protective Gear and Clothing

Workers should, at all times, wear the recommended safety equipment for their jobs. This may include goggles, a hard hat, gloves, high-visibility clothing, a protective suit, or steel-toed shoes. During the summer heat, outdoor commercial renovation Sacramento workers require nape protectors, wide-brim hard hats, and long-sleeve-lightweight shirts. These will help protect them from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Ensure the workspace remains clean

Keeping the worksite clean and free of debris will reduce the chances of a commercial builder sustaining injuries and preventing worksite accidents such as falls, trips, and slips. Employees are encouraged to put away their construction materials and tools when done with the job. Walkways should also remain free from debris at all times. This will help avert any accidents that include falls and slips.

Exercise caution with vehicles

Many commercial construction site accidents usually involve vehicles. Workers should practice parking, backing, and defensive driving. Commercial construction companies in Sacramento can organize periodic refresher courses to sharpen construction equipment and vehicle operators/drivers’ skills.

Use the Equipment in the Right Manner

Using construction equipment or tools for something they are not designed for may interfere with the manufacturer’s inbuilt safety features.  Misusing equipment may also cause damage to the equipment, which may cause injuries to employees. 

Furthermore, any equipment used in construction sites should meet OSHA standards.

Develop a safety culture

Repeating safety information and warnings every day will help your workers but only to some extent. At the end of the day, working as a team to willfully approach safety will prevent construction fatalities. When your workers make an effort to conduct their own safety protocols and risk assessments, they will help prevent injuries by awareness and active discussion.

Headwaters Construction Inc. hopes that you consider all the useful information on injury prevention discussed above and implemented it on your construction site. If you have any inquiries about the services we provide or would like to learn more about our company’s services, please contact us today.