Floors, walkways, stairs and customer areas

Optical practices include many shared routes: the entrance, reception, frame displays, waiting area, consulting rooms, pre-screening area, dispensing desks, toilets, stairs, staff rooms and stock areas. A route that is obvious to staff may not be clear to someone visiting for the first time.

Common optical trip hazards

• Displays and stock: frame trays, promotional stands, stools, baskets, mirrors, point-of-sale material and temporary displays.
• Personal items: bags, coats, umbrellas, children's toys, mobility aids or parcels left across routes.
• Flooring and mats: loose edges, curled mats, damaged flooring, thresholds, changes in level and uneven surfaces.
• Cables: pre-screening devices, card machines, display lighting, chargers, extension leads and diagnostic equipment.
• Stairs and steps: poor lighting, worn edges, weak contrast, missing handrails, items left on stairs or rushing between floors.

Customer areas need extra thought

Some patients have reduced vision before, during or after an appointment. They may be dilated, tired, anxious, carrying frames or paperwork, using a walking aid, guiding a child, or moving from bright retail lighting into a smaller consulting room.

Good controls include clear walkways, stable seating, sufficient space around dispensing desks, good lighting, clear contrast at changes in level, and staff who notice when a route becomes crowded or confusing.

Walkways should stay walkways. Displays, deliveries and equipment must not slowly turn customer routes into obstacle courses.