Winter in Atlantic Canada brings with it many unique challenges, from early sunsets to increasingly frequent ice storms. As a business owner, it is crucial to prioritize the safety of your employees and customers during this season.
One effective way to enhance safety is by upgrading your lighting systems both outdoors and indoors, and by having a backup power source ready to take over as soon as the power goes out. Read on for ideas on how to make that happen.
Why this is important
Winter safety should be a top priority for businesses. The combination of slippery surfaces, reduced visibility, and unpredictable weather conditions can pose significant risks to employees and customers. Slips and falls due to ice or snow accumulation can lead to serious injuries, and businesses may be held liable for any resulting medical expenses. Darker ambient conditions can make it harder for people to see slipping or tripping hazards, and poor lighting can also increase the risk of theft or of property damage, often during snow removal.
By taking proactive measures to address these concerns, you demonstrate your commitment to customers’ and staff’s well-being while safeguarding your business from potential liabilities. Investing in outdoor and indoor lighting upgrades is an effective strategy to mitigate these risks and ensure a safe environment for all.
Outdoor Lighting During Winter
Outdoor lighting upgrades should focus on providing ample illumination around walkways, entrances, and parking areas. This will help reduce the risk of slips and falls due to ice or snow accumulation. Additionally, make sure you have adequate lighting around any hazardous areas such as stairs or ramps. Indoors, consider installing motion-sensor lights to ensure that hallways and stairwells are well-lit at all times. Lastly, make sure that all bulbs are replaced regularly to maintain optimal light levels throughout the winter months.
You can also consider installing LED lights along pathways, parking areas, and building perimeters. LED lights use up to 90% less energy and generate less heat, resulting in a more energy-efficient solution. Additionally, LED lights produce a higher quality of light, offering superior visibility and reducing the risk of accidents or criminal activities. Compared to sodium halide fixtures, LED lights have a longer lifespan and require less maintenance. This makes them an ideal choice for businesses looking to reduce their lighting costs over time while improving safety and security.
Many older types of lamps take a long time to warm up and produce their full light output, but LEDs produce light almost instantly – this means they work great when paired with motion sensors for even more power savings. LEDs are also unaffected by even the coldest temperatures, unlike fluorescent lamps for example, which struggle to reach their full brightness.
This is also an ideal time of year to ensure your outdoor lighting is properly maintained. Inspect your lights for any signs of damage or malfunction, replace burnt-out bulbs promptly and clean fixtures to remove dirt and debris that can hinder their performance.
Lighting Indoor Spaces During Winter
During the winter, staff often arrive and leave their workplace in the dark. Insufficient lighting levels can lead to decreased productivity, eye strain, and potential accidents.
LED lighting upgrades offer several benefits that address these concerns while saving energy and reducing costs. LED lights emit a brighter and more focused light, improving visibility and reducing shadows within indoor spaces. This creates a safer environment for employees and customers, minimizing the risk of accidents and promoting overall well-being. Furthermore, LED lights have a longer lifespan, reducing maintenance and replacement costs.
LEDs are also highly energy-efficient, consuming significantly less electricity compared to traditional lighting options. By switching to LED lighting, businesses can reduce their energy consumption and contribute to a greener and more sustainable future. Occupancy sensors can yield even more power savings and eliminate the need to turn off lights in unoccupied rooms.
When upgrading your lighting setup, consider the placement and intensity of your fixtures. Strategically position lights to eliminate dark spots and shadows, especially in areas where tasks requiring precision are performed. Additionally, use adjustable lighting options to accommodate varying needs throughout the day. This flexibility allows employees to personalize their lighting preferences and maintain optimal focus and comfort.
Emergency and Exit Lighting Systems
Emergency and exit lighting systems are vital components of any commercial property, especially during the winter season. Power outages and emergencies can occur unexpectedly, compromising the safety of employees and customers.
Perform routine inspections of emergency and exit lighting systems to identify any issues or signs of wear – you don’t want to find out that your emergency lighting has problems in the middle of an emergency. Test the battery backup to ensure it provides sufficient power during outages. Replace any malfunctioning bulbs or damaged fixtures promptly.
Ensuring Business Continuity with a Backup Generator
Power outages can occur at any time, and they can have a severe impact on your business operations, especially during the winter season when indoor temperatures will drop by several degrees per hour. Having a backup generator is an excellent way to ensure business continuity, prevent financial losses, and maintain a safe environment for employees and customers.
Propane, natural gas, and diesel generators are all energy sources commonly used for backup power. Propane and natural gas generators are ideal for residential and commercial applications as they are relatively clean-burning, efficient, and easy to use. They are also generally more affordable than diesel generators. On the other hand, diesel generators offer greater efficiency and typically require less maintenance than propane or natural gas models. They are also quieter and more durable but tend to be more expensive upfront. Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on your budget, available space, and desired features.
Either way, you will want to ensure your generator has enough capacity to keep running your mission-critical systems – whether that be lighting, mechanical equipment, computers and electronics, or HVAC. Our technicians can assess your workplace and provide a free estimate that accounts for your specific requirements.
Winter Safety Checklist for Commercial Properties
To summarize the recommendations discussed in this guide, here is a winter safety checklist for commercial properties:
- Inspect and repair outdoor lighting fixtures to ensure optimal performance.
- Upgrade outdoor lighting with energy-efficient LED lights to enhance safety and security.
- Upgrade indoor lighting to LED lights for improved visibility, productivity, and energy savings.
- Strategically position lighting fixtures to enhance light levels and eliminate shadows.
- Add occupancy sensors where they would be beneficial.
- Test and repair emergency and exit lighting systems to ensure functionality during power outages.
- Assess your backup power setup and consider installing a generator if required.
Hiring Professionals for Lighting and Generator Installation
It will come as no surprise that we recommend ourselves to do these services, but you don’t have to take our word for it – you can read our customer reviews on Google. J&D Electric has been in business for 49 years, so we know a thing or two about doing the job right and making sure our customers are happy. If you’d like to know how we can help you, contact us anytime and one of our technicians will visit you to provide you with a free estimate.
