Here are some ways that effective design influences health, safety, and productivity:
To design a lab supporting both safety and productivity, a design team must begin by defining specifications, such as how individuals will use the lab (including what materials and processes will be utilized), how many individuals will be operating there, their roles, and how much room is required. This guarantees that everything incorporated in the design serves a purpose in sustaining lab users' productivity. As a result, employees will have the necessary equipment and materials to carry out their assignments.
Formal lab design can't eliminate hazards. Many mishaps are induced by human mistakes or bad luck, but improper design increases the possibility of harmful incidents. In addition to placing people at risk of injury, these incidents lower productivity and delay the researchers' capacity to work. Hazards in a lab can vary from fires and falls to eye damage, hurting lab users, and shutting down or hindering work. A lab devised for safety makes these mishaps less likely. For example, when users have sufficient workspaces and aisles between them, they don't bump into each other; sprinkler systems put out fires before they spread; and chemical spills and other risks are contained quickly, efficiently, and with minimal damage when proper warning systems and cleaning materials are functional.
A well-designed lab layout delivers appropriate storage, tools, and workspaces. For instance, simple cabinets may be acceptable for electronics, but chemicals usually require more complicated storage spaces. Providing the appropriate accommodations makes you less likely to waste lab space. In addition, lab users can bypass storing supplies in locations that block exits or generate other hazardous conditions. For instance, potentially dangerous materials and supplies should be stored and utilized in lab zones away from traffic flow and ventilation sources that generate disruptive airflows. Proper lab configuration also ensures the ergonomics of the workspace are sufficient for workflow. This means your lab is developed to provide everyone with generous space to work and permits researchers to do their job efficiently and in the correct order.
When developing a lab, it is essential to include critical safety features, like biosafety cabinets, fire protection, fire detection systems, emergency showers, and eye wash stations. When users understand that these features are readily available, they can concentrate on completing their research with a more significant measure of protection concerning their health and safety and therefore be more effective. In addition, labs need easy-to-access, well-marked exits so that researchers can escape quickly and safely in case of a crisis or mishap.
To further improve safety, designers should incorporate ventilation systems based on users' actions. For example, all labs should have ventilation systems to govern the temperature and keep the area comfortable. Research indicates that optimal workplace temperatures can boost productivity, no matter the work setting. In addition, when dangerous materials are used, ventilation systems should be more progressive. For example, they may demand features like chemical fume hoods to prevent potential exposure and capture pollutants in laboratory air.
