Like hospitals, mental health facilities have very specific specifications when it comes to construction and building requirements. In this post, we are going to look into the requirements of mental health facilities and how building and construction experts comply to meet these needs.
Important Considerations When Building A Mental Health Facility
One of the most important considerations when building a mental health facility is the building requirements. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has published a set of guidelines and standards for building designs and construction for mental health facilities. These guidelines and standards are very specific, and the requirements for building designs and construction can be overwhelming for small businesses. However, there are some standards that are easier to meet, such as knowing the ADA requirements.
In mental health facilities, a lot of care is provided on an outpatient basis. This means that patients don’t need to be admitted to the facility before starting their treatment. This also means that the facilities don’t need the same level of care and attention that a hospital requires. The building requirements for mental health facilities are much less stringent than those for hospitals.
Building requirements are pretty much the same as for any other buildings. They need to be strong enough to support the building materials and the occupants, and they need to be designed in a way that prevents accidents and health hazards for the occupants. One of the main considerations when building a mental health facility is the construction methods that need to be used. There are two main methods of construction used in mental health facilities.
The two main methods that are used for building mental health facilities: poured concrete and steel. Poured concrete is used for buildings that don’t need to be earthquake-resistant, and steel is used for buildings that need to be earthquake-resistant. The two methods have their pros and cons, and it’s important to understand them so that you can make the best choice for your facility and your budget.
Tips And Safety Ways When Working on Construction
In all year round, there are many accidents in many construction sites in the world especially in those building that is too tall and take years to finish. With spartan composite’s help, we can minimize the incidents because of the safety precaution and the quality materials that they sell. There are many kinds of incidents that are being reported when it comes to construction like, falling from scaffolding, getting hit by crane mats and debris when transporting to the upper levels of the building. Sometimes, it is not the faulty machines that are at fault, there are times that the materials that are bought are not as sturdy as they should be.
Construction safety has taken on a new dimension since early 2020. Because even if you work outside a good part of the time, it is important to follow the guidelines regarding corona. At the end of March, the national government and the construction and engineering sector presented the protocol ‘Continuing to work safely together. The purpose of this is to ensure that the work does not come to a standstill. It is a guideline for employers and employees on how to continue working safely, indoors and outdoors.
The most important rules of conduct in the protocol are: go to the construction site independently, work in small permanent teams at fixed locations, keep a distance of 1.5 meters, also during consultations and breaks in construction shed. If you work in someone’s home or company, make sure that those present do not enter the room where construction work is being carried out and that no one is present who has a cold or is sick. The protocol is supported by: Aedes, AFNL-NOA, Bouwend Nederland, CNV, FNV Bouwen en Wonen, FNV Metaal, NEPROM, MaintenanceNL, Techniek Nederland and Woonbond.
Small contraction expected
Despite all the corona measures, the construction sector is functioning well. ING expects construction to shrink by 2 percent this year and by 5 percent next year. This means that the vast majority of projects continue as usual and that safety on construction sites is as important as ever. Construction sites are risky work environments. A lot is happening simultaneously with machines, tools, and materials that lead to many safety risks.
Fatal Accidents
The number of fatal accidents at work fell by two last year compared to the year before. In 2019, 69 people died in work-related accidents, in 2018 there were 71. Every drop is good news, but the majority of fatal accidents at work still occur in construction. The number of work-related accidents has risen from 4,368 in 2018 to 4,474 in the past year. The Social Affairs and Employment Inspectorate (SZW) therefore continues to focus on prevention.
Lots of injuries from falling
Most construction accidents are caused by the risks: ‘contact with a moving object’, ‘fall’, ‘fall from a height’ (including from a ladder, scaffolding or stationary vehicle) and ‘contact with moving parts of a machine ‘. Safety is not only about complying with laws and regulations (such as ARBO and Building Decree), it is also about behavior. The tips below from the ARBO center trainer can help employers to positively influence behavior.
Tips to avoid incidents on the construction site:
Tip 1: use clear safety rules
Clarity prevents damage and accidents. The legal safety requirements for the construction site must be known to all those present. Pay regular attention to this so that the rules are top of mind for everyone again. Do additional rules apply? Make sure everyone knows that too. Many accidents are caused by a lack of clarity about rules. Working in construction means working in a disciplined way. Provide a safe construction site with a good risk inventory. Record this in the RI&E (Risk Inventory & Evaluation).
Tip 2: prepare well
Risks can arise when work is performed purely on routine, experience and intuition. A true professional always ensures good preparation. The Working Conditions Act obliges everyone who works on location to be aware of the safety risks. The more emergency response officers there are on a construction site, the better. They can make all the difference in the event of an accident.
Tip 3: wear personal protective equipment
Wearing personal protective equipment is a must. Invest in good head protection, hearing protection, eye protection, hand protection, fall protection and/or other relevant personal protective equipment to avoid physical and mental health problems.
Tip 4: clear communication through gestures
Noise on the construction site is the rule rather than the exception. It is crucial to be able to warn those present and bystanders in good time when work with an increased risk is about to take place, or when a dangerous situation has been identified. This cannot always be done verbally. Therefore, ensure clear communication through gestures.
Tip 5: make sure you get enough rest
Most accidents are caused by human actions and human errors. Not fit and not equipped to perform risky work is asking for problems. So always make sure you get enough rest. This is your own responsibility, but that does not alter the fact that others can contribute to this. If you don’t feel rested, discuss this. Ignoring fatigue is one of the least sensible things you can do.