Health And Safety In Australian Apartment Buildings

If you own or manage an apartment building in Australia, the health and safety of your residents should be your primary concern.

Indeed, you could face criminal proceedings for a range of offences, including negligence, if it is found that you did not take proper measures to protect them against the risks posed by fire or health issues. 

In Australia, there are strict laws and guidelines around how landlords and body corporates should make apartment buildings safe. As they are subject to legislature change at any time, you should contact an expert lawyer to determine your full obligations and responsibilities.

However, here is a simple guide to help you understand some of the key aspects of health and safety in Australian apartment buildings that you will need to address.

1. Fire Safety 

Ensuring fire safety should be a massive priority for any owner of an apartment building.

Again, a lawyer or your local council will be able to advise of the finer points, but it is important for your building to comply with state and federal fire regulations.

For instance, all apartments must have working smoke alarms installed in each bedroom in compliance with Australian Standards. They should also be tested on a regular basis to ensure they are functioning at optimal levels. 

In addition, every floor should have easily accessible fire exits with clearly visible signage and extinguishers readily available for use in an emergency.

At the same time, you must make sure the apartment building has emergency evacuation plans, which should be placed in a high-traffic, common area, such as near the lifts or in the middle of a hallway.

2. Prevention of hazards in common areas 

In addition to their homes, you will need to make sure that common areas within the apartment building, such as lobbies, gyms, and rooftop gardens, are safe for all residents.

It is the responsibility of the body corporate or the individual landlord to keep these spaces well-maintained. This should be done by ensuring that walkways are clear, the corridors and entryways are well-lit, and the railings on rooftops or balconies are firmly secure.

Additionally, you should look for uneven flooring and make provisions for cleaning up spills that could cause someone to slip or trip or be hazardous to their health if they otherwise come into contact with or ingest them.

A good way to do this is to have spill kits made in Australia onsite. They can help you to contain, manage and clean up various types of spills, for instance, industrial detergents and bleaches, petrol, solvents, pesticides and oils that could all cause issues.

3. Security Measures 

Everyone deserves to be safe in their own home from intruders. As the person or body in charge of overseeing the apartment building or corporate housing, you have a moral and legal obligation to ensure your residents are well protected.

One of the best ways to do this is to install secure entry systems such as keycards, keypads, or intercoms to reduce and prevent unauthorised access from non-residents into the building.

Additionally, putting in CCTV cameras in common areas is another good way to monitor activity and deter crime, while employing security personnel, particularly in larger complexes, can be an effective measure, too.

4. Safety of lifts and stairs

Most apartment buildings have stairs and lifts that residents use regularly throughout the day. Therefore, you will need to monitor them regularly to ensure they are in good working order.

Lifts should be regularly serviced and maintained to prevent malfunctions that could result in residents getting stuck in them.

Additionally, stairwells must always be kept free from clutter and well-lit to avoid the risk of trips or falls. It is a good idea to have handrails installed for older people or children to provide them with assistance when going up or down them.

5. Spotting and managing potential health issues

Lastly, as well as ensuring their safety within the Australian apartment building you manage, it is important to facilitate the good health of your residents, too. If they are poorly maintained, indoor living environments can be breeding grounds for germs and bacteria that can negatively affect a person’s physical well-being. 

You should ensure that your building has plenty of windows that offer good ventilation. This will improve air circulation and reduce the build-up of dust and allergens. 

Additionally, regularly check for signs of dampness, as this could indicate toxic mould that could cause residents to experience respiratory or other health issues.

It is also advisable to take regular pest control measures to prevent cockroaches, ants, rats or even snakes from entering the premises or congregating outside it. Otherwise, they can be very problematic for the people who live in your properties.