Car Parks

There have been a number serious incidents in shopping centre car parks and some large associated claims. here are a few risk management suggestions:

• Over time, the lighting in basement car parks can deteriorate to a point that is below Australian Standards requirements. It should be noted that Australian Standards are the minimum requirement and given that the risks in shopping centre car parks are higher than average, lighting levels should be somewhat higher than the minimum requirement.  Older car parks should have a lighting audit conducted and make appropriate improvements. Simple actions such as painting walls and/or ceilings can make a big improvement. Particularly attention should be paid to pedestrian crossings and entrance transition areas where the minimum requirements are significantly higher.
• The recent drought has resulted in a lot of car park landscaping dying off. This has opened up new “short cuts” through car parks with the stumps of dead shrubs creating additional trip hazards. Shrubs should be replanted and in the interim garden beds should be cleared of any dead vegetation and stumps or roots.
• Recent rains will see rapid regrowth of trees and shrubs and they should be inspected and trimmed regularly to ensure they do not obstruct the vision of motorists or pedestrian paths. Arborists should be engaged to regularly inspect larger trees to ensure they do not present a risk. These larger trees can cause significant root damage to car park surfaces. These areas should be highlighted or barricades until repairs or removal can occur.
• There have been a number of recent incidents involving light poles collapsing in car parks. This has been caused by corrosion around the base of the pole, particularly where the pole is located in a garden bed. The base of light poles should be inspected regularly and repaired as required.
• There have been a number of recent incidents and subsequent claims at shopping centres involving slips and falls on waste items in car parks. Cleaners should be instructed to regularly inspect and clean these areas. particularly the areas between wheel stops and footpaths where mechanised sweepers cannot access. A very thorough inspection and clean is required every morning as glass bottles, takeaway wrappers etc are commonly evident from after hours activities.
• Inspect and tighten all the bolts on expansion joint covers.
• Use hazard tape to highlight any potential impact points such as trolley bays and light poles.

You can find more useful information and risk management checklists here

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