Park and Protect: Ensuring a Safe Environment for Parking Lot Attendants

Parking lot attendants play a crucial role in managing parking facilities, ensuring smooth vehicle flow, and maintaining safety. Regardless of whether they work at airports, hospitals, shopping malls, hotels, or residential buildings, their well-being is essential. Let’s explore safety measures to protect parking attendants:

1. Adequate Lighting
   Implementing proper lighting is the first step in enhancing safety. Well-lit parking areas provide better visibility for attendants and help them to be seen by drivers. Using handheld traffic control flashlights/wands also attracts the driver's attention and makes the attendant move visible, even in the daytime.
2. Hi-Viz Clothing
   High-visibility clothing helps parking attendants be seen by drivers and differentiates them from other pedestrians.  Safety orange or green with enough sufficient retro-reflective material will allow them to be visible during both day and night.  Check out this article from Oregon OSHA to determine how much reflective material is needed.
3. Clear Signage and Markings
   Clear signage and pavement markings guide drivers and pedestrians. Properly marked lanes, pedestrian crossings, and directional signs prevent confusion and reduce the risk of collisions. Use signs, cones, barriers, and other traffic control devices to help drivers understand the attendant’s directives.
4. Proper Footwear and Traction Enhancers
   Sturdy outdoor shoes with above-the-ankle support and a good mixed media tread can help reduce foot fatigue and prevent slips and falls. On days when ice or snow may be present in the parking lot, provide traction enhancer/ice cleats that can go over the attendants' shoes.
5. Employee AwarenessParking attendants should be aware of safety protocols. Encourage them to refrain from using cell phones while on duty and to always remain vigilant. Breaks should be taken in a designated area away or protected from vehicular traffic.
6. Utilize Technology
   Leverage technology to enhance safety. In addition to surveillance cameras, consider providing attendants with wearable panic buttons or communication devices.