With the Spring now approaching and the weather warming up we provide advice on assessing window and balcony safety.
Whilst it is appreciated that during the warmer months guests will want to aid ventilation and access balconies it is important to ensure that this is achieved without compromising safety.
It is imperative that as a business you make a precautionary judgement as to the safety of windows and balconies. This is a health and safety obligation and should be facilitated through the completion of a risk assessment.
If windows and balconies are designed in the same way through out a building then a general assessment may be sufficient identifying potential hazards such as persons or objects falling, evaluating the likelihood of this happening and detailing how controls help reduce it further.
If, however, building design / age means that window styles vary specific assessments may be required for specific areas.
It can be extremely costly to eliminate the hazard associated with windows and balconies and would require securing openings and major investment in air conditioning equipment. This is generally an unreasonable investment to expect to have to make. A risk assessment, however, with sensible and proportionate controls is not.
It just takes one incident such as the fatal ‘planking’ accident in Queensland, Australia this week to bring the eyes of the media onto your business even if the building integrity is sound and management procedures are in place.
Factors to consider when evaluating risk associated with windows and balconies:- (the list is not exhaustive)
Action recommended
Complete or review separate risk assessments on the use of windows and (where applicable) balconies