We take a closer look at safety in landscape design, discovering its importance and how it helps the profession of landscape design be what it is today. Landscape Architecture is much more than a drawing board with creative ideas. It encompasses many aspects of proper planning and design with implementation of those plans wrapped up with proper follow through to ensure the customer is completely satisfied with the finished product and service. Often overlooked in the name of profits is safety, and while it outwardly appears that this is an area a Project Manager can easily skimp on, the inward reality is this is not so. Let’s look at a scenario that is commonplace, that being shoring. What should be of utmost importance when undertaking a job that requires workers to be in a trench is preventing the soil from shifting and moving in thereby trapping the worker(s). When proper hydraulic shoring jacks are used, worker safety is a priority and the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the job is sure to improve thereby ending with a finished product and service that at least meets if not exceeds the customer’s expectations and your company profits as well.
Safety In Landscape Design
Safety should never be ignored no matter how small or big the project is. If you are performing the simple task of planting your garden or are the Supervisor of a major project overseeing the complete renewal of the grounds of your local university, adherence to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s guidelines for potential hazards and solutions will only help your experience as you work to improve the landscape of your garden or the project at the university. Most of us have the experience of working with, or for, someone who did not adhere to the OSHA regulations and paid a consequence for this neglect. Not only can the individual suffer physical consequences, the company and individual can be financially damaged. No sane thinking person wants to put themselves in this position. Careful thought and consideration all through a project no matter how big or small will pay handsomely in peace of mind for all involved. To those whom are not familiar, landscape architecture helps save millions of dollars and creates an environment for generations to come to enjoy and lead healthier lifestyles. Perhaps the company landscape at the office building is dull and lacks the ergonomic features and benefits that encourage the employees and managers onsite to be at their best while at work. Landscape Architecture can be utilized and implemented at a variety of locations ranging, certainly not limited to, hospitals, college campuses, business parks, apartment and condominium complexes, government sites, and don’t forget interior designs! All will benefit from an improved environment filled with color and imagination which will improve the overall culture no matter the location.
Safety in Landscape Design
By placing safety as the priority no matter how big or small the project is, be it a simple weekend in the yard at the family domicile to a large project at a hospital, everyone will be delighted with the end result and the subsequent features and benefits brought not only to the individuals who work or live on site but also the neighbors and community at large. —————————————————————————————————————————- Author’s Bio Wendy Dessler Title: Super-Connector at OutreachMama Wendy is a super-connector with OutreachMama and Youth Noise NJ who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. She frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing and focuses her efforts on developing customized blogger outreach plans depending on the industry and competition. You can contact her on Twitter. Recommended Reading:
- Becoming an Urban Planner: A Guide to Careers in Planning and Urban Design by Michael Bayer
- Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design With Nature by Douglas Farrs
- eBooks by Landscape Architects Network
Featured image: By Steveen Manon from New York, United States. Cropped and slightly edited by Daniel Case prior to upload – Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
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