For industrial facility landscaping, landscape maintenance is about more than appearance. It is directly tied to industrial property safety.
Safety should be at the top of any list for commercial landscaping for industrial facilities. This includes making everyone feel safe. That includes employees, customers, visitors and anyone else who steps foot on your site.
Identifying landscape safety hazards can also reduce your costs. It can save you OSHA fines and liability claims that can result if someone gets hurt on your site. These are expenses no property manager needs.
In this article, we’ll talk about the direct link between commercial grounds maintenance and the safety of your industrial site.
As a property manager, your plate is full. That’s why the last thing you need is to worry about added safety risks that industrial landscape maintenance could have solved.
General maintenance and regular upkeep support a safe property. But your professional commercial landscape provider should also identify landscape safety hazards beyond that. Overgrown vegetation, damaged walkways, poor drainage, inadequate visibility, neglected parking lots, and seasonal weather conditions can all contribute to outdoor safety risks.
Landscaping tasks like proper mowing, pruning, vegetation control, drainage, and snow removal keep pedestrian and vehicle areas visible, accessible, and hazard-free.
Of course, every property is unique, so it's imperative to work with a landscape provider who closely assesses your site and any needs that may arise.
Consistent inspections and maintenance can help identify hazards before they become accidents.
The consequences of failing to maintain a safe property can be substantial. You might face fines and serious liability for landscaping issues that become dangerous.
Here are some ways the right commercial landscaping in Chicagoland can make your property safer and, in turn, reduce liability, prevent accidents, and maintain compliance.
Without proper care, trees and shrubs can get in the way as people navigate your property. For instance, large overgrown shrubs and long or drooping tree branches can reduce visibility or become tripping hazards.
Proper, regular pruning can keep branches from growing out of control and creating hazards.
Commercial landscaping in Greater Chicago should always include snow and ice management to amplify safety.
As a property manager, you want to keep your parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, walkways, and steps free of ice and snow to ensure slip-free surfaces. Locking in a snow and ice maintenance partner before the season strikes is a great way to stay prepared, so your business doesn’t have to be put on hold during extreme storms.
Water needs somewhere to go, and with Chicagoland’s unpredictable weather, sudden storms are always a possibility. Drainage or runoff issues can create safety hazards.
Extra water can damage buildings on your property and freeze on walkways, driveways, and hardscapes, creating slippery surfaces and freeze-thaw cycles that can lead to cracks. Too much water can also create mold problems or high moisture levels that lead to other issues, like mosquitoes.
Water management solutions can make your commercial property more secure – whether they come in the form of proper grading or detention pond maintenance and repair.
What landscaping hazards should industrial property managers look for?
Overgrown vegetation, low branches, damaged pavement, standing water, exposed roots, uneven surfaces, poor drainage, debris, and obstructed lighting or signage.
How does commercial landscape maintenance reduce liability?
A consistent maintenance program helps identify and correct hazards before they cause injuries. Documented inspections and corrective actions can also demonstrate that reasonable preventative measures are being taken.
What are common outdoor safety risks at industrial facilities?
Slip-and-fall hazards, potholes, uneven sidewalks, poor visibility, standing water, ice and snow, overgrown vegetation, debris, and inadequate lighting around walkways and loading areas.
Why is landscape maintenance important for industrial properties?
Industrial sites have heavy vehicle traffic, employees moving throughout the property, and frequent deliveries. Well-maintained landscapes help create safer travel paths while keeping the facility professional and operational.
How can property managers make commercial properties safer year-round?
Establish a seasonal inspection and maintenance program covering turf, trees, drainage, sidewalks, parking areas, lighting visibility, storm cleanup, and winter conditions.
What outdoor hazards increase slip, trip, and fall risks?
Wet or poorly drained areas, algae, leaves, debris, uneven pavement, exposed roots, deteriorated curbs, potholes, and ice are among the most common.
How often should industrial properties inspect their landscaping for safety issues?
At minimum, conduct routine inspections weekly during active maintenance seasons, with additional inspections after severe weather, heavy rain, high winds, or snow and ice events. Monitor high-traffic areas even more frequently.
Commercial landscaping for industrial facilities plays a major role in site safety and security. That’s why it’s so important to choose wisely when looking for a commercial landscape contractor in Chicago.
Left unattended, plants can grow over signage and security cameras, making it hard for visitors to navigate your landscape. Tall, overgrown shrubs can even become places for intruders to hide, and unstable tree branches can fall, injuring property, vehicles, or people. Ice and water issues can cause flooding and slip-and-fall incidents. These are just some of the ways in which landscape safety hazards can ultimately cause you major trouble.
By regularly trimming your turf, trees, and shrubs; tidying your site; picking up trash; managing drainage and irrigation; keeping snow and ice clear; and improving areas that need it, professional landscape crews become a key part of your safety team.
The key is active engagement and communication from your landscape team. Regular inspections are the key to a safer property.
If thinking safety first becomes overwhelming and confusing, let KD Landscape help. We’d be happy to review your concerns and suggest ways to enhance landscape safety on your industrial property, meeting your needs and budget.
Want to learn more about how KD Landscape can help you amplify your Greater Chicago commercial property’s safety and security? Get started today with a free quote. We’ll review your options together so you can feel confident and choose the right option.