Coworking Spaces Health & Safety Tips // 10 Things to Look Out For

In this article we share with you some of the healthy and safety tips that you should prioritize or even be on the look out for in a coworking space.

Whether you are looking to join a coworking office space or even designing an entirely new work environment, health and safety should be your number one priority

Coworking spaces often attract a high number of workers who are constantly changing or even bringing in additional people that aren’t necessarily affiliated with the space. 

With that in mind, here are some essential health and personal safety tips that coworking spaces prioritize and ultimately boost employee health and satisfaction also if you are looking to join a coworking space, here are some health tips that you should also look out for

Prioritize cleaning and clearing spaces

If there is anything COVID 19 has taught is how important hygiene is in all aspects of life. Coworking spaces now are prioritizing hygiene, especially in key areas where coworkers frequent. 

Coworking spaces keep all areas where employees commonly stand or walk perfectly clear, remove any loose wires and cables or misplaced items, and remind the workers to keep any doors and drawers closed, and their workspaces neat to avoid cases of tripping or even falling.

A clean space is a happy space and we prioritize this across all our spaces.

Similarly, cleanliness is an essential aspect of any workplace, especially a coworking space where a larger number of people might come and go. 

With that in mind, coworking spaces ensure they hire a professional staff who cleans the spaces regularly, while also providing items like soap, hand sanitizers, or tech-friendly wipes. 

Apart from making your workplace beautiful and sustainable, cleanliness will also ensure the optimal health of your workers.

Look out for Specific Health and Safety Rules

Most coworking spaces prepare a detailed set of rules that include specific guidelines and tips on how renters or permanent employees can approach health and safety in the space is the first and arguably most important step to take. 

Apart from detailing the safety aspects of the coworking space itself, these guidelines should also include specified, actionable tips anyone using the space must utilize to ensure health and safety.

The safety tips include providing proof that the coworking space meets necessary standards, identifying and controlling any potential risks, specifying where the emergency exits and firefighting equipment is located, or providing additional information in text form or even short courses on how to handle potential accidents and emergencies in the workplace.

Keep a Well-stocked first-aid Kit in plain sight

If you have a large office, place several kits throughout the area and make sure someone on staff is trained in first aid.

The spaces like Nairobi Garage are also fitted with First Aid kits, that are packed with pain killers or bandage gauzes in case of small accidents in the workplace. In some cases, our coworking spaces are also located close to hospitals or health facilities.

Coworking Spaces prioritize movement & ergonomics

Back and arm pain are among the most common office-related complaints, along with a number of other musculoskeletal disorders.

Ergonomic chairs at Nairobi Garage Spring Valley. These seats help reduce the potential physical strain on workers especially those who work till late.

In order to prevent long-term injuries in your coworking spaces provide ergonomic office furniture such as height-adjustable desks and ergonomic chairs that will help reduce the potential physical strain on your workers.

Coworking spaces are also promoting exercise and a healthy lifestyle. For instance, one is encouraged to take frequent breaks and walks around the space.

In spaces like Nairobi Garage, we once in a while extend yoga sessions in an appropriate area of the workplace. Recently we started a fitness club at Nairobi Garage Karen space, where members team up for Football Matches and After Work Runs around the Watermark Business Park.

Partner with Health Organisations and Facilities

Our coworking space has also partnered with different health facilities to plan health check-ups for members or even invite the institutions over for health talks. For instance, currently, we have partnered with Aga Khan hospital for a blood drive scheduled all across the month across all our locations.

Apart from adhering to the law-mandated guidelines, consider including these health and personal safety tips when designing a coworking space, in order to provide a healthy, secure, and accessible workplace where everyone can develop and thrive.

Include Health Professionals in Your Coworking Space

Many industries require health or medical professionals to be on-site to ensure optimal safety for workers, but even if your particular field doesn’t make it mandatory, it may be worth considering.

Having a health professional regularly present in your coworking space can be a wise choice when it comes to the safety of your members.

Imagine the peace of mind knowing that one of your managers or members are accredited to perform first aid tasks as well as potentially life-saving procedures.

It may not always be possible, but it’s well worth considering if you are able to introduce a health professional to your coworking space team.

Declutter

With so many people coming and going, a coworking space can fill with clutter all too easily. Clutter items such as boxes, bags, shoes and other objects – whether work-related or not – can become a hazard.

Although we have mentioned the importance of prioritizing a clean and tidy workspace above, decluttering deserves a special mention.

When managing a coworking space, it’s one thing to notice a cable sticking out from under a desk, but a worker’s bag left poking out into a walkway can pose just as much of a trip hazard.

From a personal level, not only does decluttering make for a safer environment for all, it also inspires a greater level of productivity, as external clutter does tend to clutter the mind, too! Keeping workspaces clear also promotes organization, leading to even more efficiency.

Training staff on First Aid Basics

Most coworking spaces also have trained their staff in the first aid basics who already have certification. This is quite important in an event of small accidents at the workplace. 

It is also important to also involve your staff in planning for their safety, and make sure the office is accessible and prepared for fires, power outages and other unexpected events.

Create an emergency action plan

While looking for a Coworking Space ensure that the space has clearly outlined emergency exits, and they frequently practice fire drills, co-ordinate safe meeting places, and create a system to account for employees’ whereabouts.

This is because most coworking spaces occupy huge spaces in buildings and in case of anything the evacuation of your employees will be seamless

Office plants can also be a plus

Ever wondered why most coworking spaces are fitted with plants well, an immediate effect that office plants can have on employee well-being is the reduction of sick days taken.

Apart from the anesthetic beauty they give the space, Plants also have a number of health benefits, hence why our spaces are fitted with different types of office plants

Plants naturally filter toxins from the rooms that they grow in and help freshen up the place. If your office has poor ventilation, then your team may be at risk of developing the  “sick building syndrome” and believe us when we say – it is a real thing! Symptoms include headaches, nausea, difficulty concentrating, and even flu-like symptoms.  Although plants alone cannot fix all of the problems associated with this office phenomenon, they can help relieve the burden just a little bit.

Try sprucing up your workplace with Peace Lilies, Devil’s Ivy, and Spider Plants, all common office plants that are known air purifiers and will help everyone in the office breathe a little easier.

In conclusion apart from adhering to the law-mandated guidelines, consider including these health and personal safety tips when designing a coworking space, and also look out for this health tips in a coworking space before signing your lease in order to ensure that your employees access a healthy, secure, and accessible workplace where everyone can develop and thrive.