 Image credit: Unknown It's no secret that businesses need to take precautions when it comes to transporting hazardous materials. These substances can be dangerous to people and the environment, but they can also be costly to clean up if there is an accident. For this reason, businesses need to have a plan in place for the safe transport of hazardous goods.
What are Hazardous Goods, and why are they essential to transport safely Hazardous goods are materials that can pose a danger to people, property or the environment if not handled correctly. These items can include anything from flammable liquids to corrosive chemicals. Therefore, businesses must take measures to transport these materials safely and securely. There are several reasons why hazardous goods transport is so important:
If there is an accident involving hazardous materials, your business could be held responsible and be required to pay for clean-up costs. Some common examples of Hazardous Products that Businesses need to be aware of include: • Flammable liquids: These can easily ignite and cause a fire. • Corrosive chemicals: These can damage skin and other materials. • Toxic substances: These can be harmful if ingested or inhaled. • Radioactive materials: These can be dangerous if not handled correctly. How can Businesses ensure the safe transport of Hazardous Goods There are several steps that businesses can take to ensure the safe transport of hazardous goods.
What are the consequences of not transporting Hazardous Goods safely? There are a number of consequences that businesses can face if they do not transport hazardous goods safely.
In conclusion Hazardous goods transport is an essential part of any business. By taking the necessary precautions, companies can ensure the safety of their employees, customers and the environment. Failure to do so could result in severe consequences, including liability for accidents, damage to property and an increase in insurance premiums. Therefore, businesses must take the time to plan for the safe transport of these materials.
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 Image credit: Maxime Utopix from Pexels There's no denying that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. It has now reached the stage where the government wants everyone to "learn to live with it" - whether people agree with that or not.
While it's true that COVID-19 has to be something people need to live with, like the common cold or the flu, there must still be measures in place to diminish the risk of the disease from spreading significantly. In business, one way to achieve that goal is by making your premises, such as your office workspaces or your commercial or industrial unit, more COVID-19-friendly. Doing so makes your working environment safer for employees. It also gives customers visiting your premises some peace of mind knowing that you're a responsible company that prioritises people's health and well-being. Here are some actionable steps you can take to get started: Increase The Distance Between Workspaces The first thing you need to do is figure out how to increase the space between each desk or working area at your premises. If possible, spread each workstation further apart to enable a two-metre gap. You may need to enlist the services of an office fit-out company if there is a need to relocate things like electrical and networking points. Install Perspex Shields On Retail Counters Do you have a customer-facing environment at your business premises? If so, you should look at ways of protecting your customers and staff from the spread of COVID-19. One fantastic way to achieve that goal is by installing transparent perspex screens at counters and tills to provide a safe and effective barrier between people. Install some hand sanitising stations People continuously touch surfaces like desks, door handles, and even their faces, and those are the most common non-airborne ways to spread bacteria. The alcohol in hand sanitisers neutralises bacteria and stops them from spreading. It's easy to install hand sanitiser "stations" across your premises, and the prices of hand sanitiser refill bottles are no longer astronomical like they were during the height of the pandemic. Upgrade your WC facilities Do your WCs leave something to be desired at your premises? If so, it's vital to get your commercial washroom design and installation on point and make any necessary improvements to help limit the spread of diseases like COVID-19. For example, you may need to upgrade sinks or lay down new flooring to make it easier to keep those areas clean and sanitised. Employ A Rigorous Cleaning Schedule Lastly, following on from the subject of cleanliness, what cleaning schedule have you got at your premises? If you only have ad-hoc cleaning carried out, now's the time to implement a more rigorous and regular cleaning schedule. Your new cleaning schedule should include strict surface sanitisation and cleanliness routines. Consider hiring a professional cleaning company with a proven track record of COVID-19 cleaning services. Conclusion The above points highlight some of the best ways to keep COVID-19 at bay and reduce the risk of transmission at your workplace. Most of those measures are straightforward and cheap to implement and will help slow the spread of the disease.  Image credit: Darko Stojanovic from Pexels As vital as healthcare workers are, several things can be overlooked when they’re being trained. Naturally, the important skills related to treating patients aren’t among these.
The softer skills might be, however. One of the most notable of these is communication. As crucial as this is in most careers, it’s especially true with healthcare. You’ll need to communicate effectively with your patients and peers. There could also be suppliers to interact with, among other third parties. If you’re entering the field, then you might want to consider working on this. The same could be said for some with more experience. You can’t be too good of a communicator, after all. There are several ways you can do so:. Easy Ways Healthcare Workers Can Communicate Better Be ready to adapt Being ready to adapt and change based on circumstances can be integral to multiple things. It’s a useful communication tool. Some patients or coworkers may respond better to different communication methods. You should tailor your approach to this. By doing so, you should be much better able to communicate with them. While there might be some growing pains with this, it should get much easier with time. The same can also be said if new equipment and policies are used. Focusing on how these can be used to expand communication efforts is recommended. Be eager to improve Empowering people to better health can often seem difficult. That’ll typically be the case if they have a life-long illness that’s exacerbated by lifestyle choices. In many cases, a patient may not be willing to implement certain changes in their lifestyle. That could be for various reasons. You’ll need to be able to inspire them. Communicating effectively is a recommended way of doing so. Focusing on the positives associated with changes will be helpful. Don't be afraid to ask questions Asking questions will be an integral part of your job. For some people, it can also be quite difficult. Some questions might seem awkward or invasive, for instance. You shouldn’t be afraid of asking these. If they’re relevant to your patient’s condition or treatment, then you’ll need to ask them. Failing to do so could mean missing out on information that’s vital for their diagnosis. It’s in your and your patient’s best interests that you ask questions. You should also do so with some of your more experienced peers. They can give you tips or advice that help you with your patient, especially if they’ve specialized in particular areas. How Healthcare workers can communicate better: wrapping up Figuring out how to communicate effectively can be tricky. With the countless other things you’ll have to look after, it could feel like it’s impossible. That’s not the case, however. Keeping it simple will be more than effective. The above tips can be quite helpful with that. You and your patients will be better able to communicate with each other. As they’ll likely be worried about their illness, this can be a vital part of their treatment. There shouldn’t be anything stopping any healthcare worker from becoming a better communicator.  Image credit: Nicolae Casîr from Pexels A vital part of owning an apartment building, which many people aspire to do, is to stay up-to-date on all legislation. One aspect of this legislation involves conducting a health and safety assessment for your building.
This ensures that the building is safe both inside and out. A tenant living in an unsafe building can be very costly, so it's imperative that you take the time to conduct monthly assessments. There are several ways you can easily go about each month ensuring your property is being looked after. Here are some Health and Safety assessments every owner should do: Fire Safety Fire safety is essential for any apartment building. Every owner should have a fire safety plan in place and should make sure all tenants know how to evacuate the building in the event of a fire. Owners should also perform regular fire drills to ensure that everyone can safely evacuate the building in case of an emergency. The emergency services will have the relevant fire reporting software and equipment to be able to document the incident accurately, and get everyone to safety, so you just need to make sure that those in your building know what to do and where to go should fire break out. Emergency evacuation Emergency evacuation is another important safety assessment for apartment buildings. Owners should create a plan for how tenants will evacuate the building in the event of an emergency. They should also test this plan regularly to ensure everyone knows how to evacuate the building safely in case of an emergency. Electrical safety assessment Ensure all electrical wiring and fixtures are up to code and in good condition. Install appropriate fire suppression systems in common areas, like smoke detectors and sprinklers. Structural safety assessment Evaluate the structural stability of the building, looking for any damage or weaknesses that could lead to a collapse. Repair any defects immediately. Water testing Legionella risk assessment is an extremely important part of the health and safety audits that most landlords conduct because there are many potential problems with their buildings' pipes and fixtures related to the use of city water. The dangers associated with this contamination can range from innocent food poisoning to Legionnaires' disease and serious bacterial infections such as cholera and typhoid fever. Water tests generally consist of chlorine test strips or a water sample sent to a lab for tests. Plumbing system safety assessment Ensure all pipes are in good condition, well ventilated and won't freeze when it's cold outside. In addition, drainage systems should be in working order, not clogged with sediment or other pollutants that could cause a backup in the event of a sudden surge of water use in the building. Hazardous materials Hazardous materials assessments are important for ensuring that poisonous gases have been properly ventilated from all apartments, in addition to making sure that there is no mould or asbestos in apartments. In addition, it is crucial to make sure that common areas such as laundry rooms and elevators are safe for tenants. Emergency preparedness Emergency preparedness is another key area that all apartment building owners should focus on. Emergencies can range from a simple power outage to a major natural disaster, and it is important to be prepared for anything. Some things you can do to prepare for an emergency include creating an emergency plan and stocking up on supplies such as food, water, and flashlights.  Image credit: Negative Space from Pexels There is no doubt healthcare is an industry that will always be in demand. But, even in the medical and healthcare sector, businesses face stiff competition to succeed. Gaining new patients and retaining existing patients is one of the toughest challenges healthcare businesses face. It can be tough to achieve this if you have many competing companies located close by. Although finding ways to successfully retain your patients while attracting new ones may sound like a big challenge, it is possible. Here are some suggestions to help you attract patients to your practice and build your customer base:
Reduce Wait Times When a patient requires healthcare, they want to be seen as soon as possible. If your practice has long wait times, your patients will probably choose to go elsewhere to get seen faster. When wait times are this long, you may find that many existing patients decide to leave, and attracting new ones becomes increasingly tricky. The most effective way to cut wait time is to increase your staff levels. Recruiting new team members will enable you to see more patients and drastically reduce the time your patients wait for their consultations. Using a specialist Healthcare Recruitment company will help you increase your staffing levels fast and ensure you attract the best candidates to your positions. Improve Amenities The easier you make it for patients to use your practice, the more likely they will choose your business over your competitors. Working on improving your amenities is an excellent way to enhance the patient experience. Ensuring your patients have somewhere to park when they visit your practice is a major bonus and will make life so much easier for them. Having a comfortable waiting area that is modern and spotlessly clean will ensure patients have an inviting and pleasant place to wait for their consultations. Focusing on the amenities provided by your clinic may not seem like a big deal. Still, they play a significant role in improving the patient experience and creating a positive impression of your business. Introduce Special Offers Introducing promotions and special offers have long been a tactic used by businesses to attract new customers. But, if you want to retain your existing patients, you need to be sure the special offers are available to patients both old and new. If you want to boost your retention rates even further, you could consider introducing additional perks for loyal customers to show them they are valued. Improve Your Website Working on improving your website is a crucial tool in helping to attract new patients. Most new patients are likely to find your business via your website, so the higher you can get your business to rank in the search engine results, the more likely you are to see a rise in new patients. Focusing attention on your SEO is vital to increase your business’s online presence and will play a significant role in building awareness of your practice while helping it to stand out above your competitors.  Image credit: Oliver Hale from Unsplash In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it may feel as though you have had more conversations about workplace safety than ever before. This is due to the fact that our general perceptions of wellness (in and out of work) have changed dramatically during this period. However, while there are various steps you can take to ensure that your workspace is COVID-19 friendly - such as enforcing social distancing and handwashing stations - you should also ensure that the rest of your workplace safety is up to scratch.
With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to improve workplace safety.
 Image credit: Skitterphoto from Pexels When you work in construction, you are working in a dangerous occupation and there is no getting away from that fact. It's never a fully safe working environment, from the materials you use to create a structure or foundation, to the tools you use to get the job done. Construction is often all about edges, excavation, collaborating with others to ensure a safe build with hazardous material. When you don't manage the site and the equipment on site correctly, you end up with a bad working environment - not something anyone should be aiming for. Health and safety is important in any industry, but in construction it can literally mean the difference between life and death. Whether you use forklifts and diggers or you handle corrosive materials and Fosroc chemicals, you cannot make mistakes. Understanding which health and safety measures are most important as you work will enable you to complete construction projects without worrying that you're doing it wrong. Below, we've got five safety measures that you should be taking when on the construction projects you gain.
 Image credit: Andrew Neel on Pexels As a business owner, staff health and safety should always be at the top of your agenda. This year businesses have had to take plenty of extra precautions due to COVID-19. Regardless, COVID is not the only health and safety issue in the workplace. To help you to improve employee health and safety, try out these five apps and ideas.
1. Tap Into Safety Tap Into Safety is an app that provides tips about mental health and safety in the workplace. There is a library of safety training content that can be applied across various industries. The Tap Into Safety Program also offers plenty of safety courses which apply to different workplace scenarios. The app was created to help staff to reduce injuries, whether physical or psychological. The program includes a ‘COVID-19 mental health recovery package,’ which may come in handy for many companies. 2. Ergonomics The ergonomics application offers advice on how to set up staff workstations ergonomically. The app also provides content on taking breaks and performing daily stretching exercises. Studies suggest that stretching breaks can boost staff productivity, as well as prevent injuries from sitting down. The ergonomics app provides detailed guidelines on each stretch, along with a countdown timer. As well as using this app it’s vital to provide all of your staff with ergonomic chairs and keyboards. 3. Emergency First Aid Training To keep everyone safe at work, it can be useful to provide employees with an Emergency First Aid At Work Course. No matter which industry you are in, you never know when first aid training might be crucial. When you invest in training for your staff, it’s easier to create a safer workplace. Whether it’s first aid training, mental health training, or general health and safety, ensure that you have all bases covered. 4. Health care plans Offering your staff a healthcare plan is a great way to prioritize health at your company. With a solid healthcare plan, you’ll improve your staff's health and boost productivity along the way. Health care plans can help to improve staff wellbeing and reduce employee absenteeism. It’s also a great way to boost your company culture and reduce your turnover rates. As an entrepreneur you’ll have so much to think about, from your digital content to your ROI. Health and safety is such an important part of your day to day and so it’s essential to improve these systems as much as possible. 5. Regular Risk Assessments To protect employee health, it’s advisable to perform risk assessments on a regular basis. Risk assessments involve determining potentially unsafe practices and areas, and putting solutions in place. With your risk assessment data, your business can take further safety precautions and necessary. A risk assessment generally involves:
Another kind of risk assessment which is becoming increasingly important as time goes on is that of emission checking. It’s not only important for the environment that you are keeping your emissions as low as possible - it’s also something that radically affects the health and wellbeing of your staff. Carrying out emission assessments on a regular basis will help with this issue.  Image credit: Alex Knight on Unsplash When people think of Artificial Intelligence (AI), they tend to think of movies where AI goes wrong and threatens the universe. Thankfully, the reality is far more boring.
AI is a range of systems that can perform tasks that generally rely on human intelligence to complete. This can include things like analysis and problem-solving. Marketing Marketers are beginning to use AI for a range of marketing tasks. From automating PPC campaigns to curating content and running chatbots and online chatroom software to engage customers. Amazon is one of the leaders in utilizing AI and use it for a number of things, including product recommendations. Cybersecurity Some companies are using AI to continuously analyse their IT network and identify traffic that deviates from normal activity. When abnormal or suspicious activity if identified, it can then work to protect the network. Cybersecurity is a priority for organizations of all sizes and a successful attack can be devastating both in terms of reputation and financially. Automated Recruitment HR and recruitment can be a very labour intensive process. With unemployment rising in the wake of COVID-19, there are hundreds, even thousands of applicants for every job. AI automation can be used to find and analyse candidate applications. Market Conditions Predicting changing market conditions is extremely difficult. The sheer amount of information that needs to be processed is impossible for a human to do. Instead, large investment firms and hedge funds use AI to analyze and predict the market. Health Care Machine learning is being adopted in the healthcare sector. With it, doctors can detect if a patient with an existing condition is deteriorating and intervene before they need hospital care. The pace of machine learning in healthcare is also leading to the earlier detection of diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The sooner a condition is diagnosed, the more successful the treatment methods can be. This saves lives and saves money. Software Vulnerability Testing Software needs to be airtight when it comes to security. Any vulnerability can make it susceptible to attack. Companies are using AI models to detect vulnerabilities and predict attacks. Behavioural Analytics Using AI to identify negative behaviours is a controversial use of the technology, but nevertheless, some companies are finding it invaluable. It is used to identify bad behaviour within the workforce, it can even predict if someone is unhappy in their job and is thinking of leaving. Automated Accounting Today’s financial transactions take place online. The Fintech sector is incorporating AI into its products in order to automate things such as expense reporting, bookkeeping and data entry. Conclusion Businesses have barely scratched the surface when it comes to implementing AI. The sheer number of potential uses for it is difficult to imagine. As technology improves and the cost reduces, more and more industries are going to start using AI in many areas of their business.  Image credit: LYCS Architecture on Unsplash As machinery deteriorates, or new employees join the business who have little knowledge about the safety needs of your business. Coupled with other elements that are out of your control, such as damage to the company from bad weather or criminal activity, keeping the workplace safe is an ongoing battle.
According to RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) 69,208, injuries occurred in the workplace. With the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) declaring that, from 2019 to 2020, 111 workers were killed at work. Do not think because an accident hasn't happened to you that it can't happen. – Safety saying, early 1900's With these sobering facts about the potential risks of workplaces causing injuries and deaths to transpire, it's ever so important to mindful of how we operate our businesses, and below features ideas of how you can do it. Workplace Assessment Depending on the size of your business, and the number of employees you have, shall determine whether an assessment conducted by you shall suffice. Or whether your business would benefit from a professional workplace assessment, from an external company, to identify what areas of the business need improving. Mandatory Staff Training Staff training is a necessary element for creating a safer workspace. To ensure staff use best practices, prevent accidents occurring and know what to do if an urgent situation unravels. Training should be relevant to your company. For instance, in businesses operating heavy machinery, PUWER regs must be followed, and part of the training program should revolve around how to use this machinery safely. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) PPE is essential in the workplace where staff are exposed to harmful or dangerous gases, chemicals, materials, bacteria, animals or heavy lifting. Examples of PPE include steel toe capped boots to prevent workers from hurting their feet if they drop something heavy on them. Steel capped boots are appropriate in businesses such as delivery companies transporting bulky goods and construction sites. By identifying what PPE is necessary at your workplace, you can provide staff with equipment to keep them safe and protected. Open Discussion It's essential to be open to workers suggestions about health and safety hazards around the business. Because employees have insight into processes within the company which you might not have experienced. Opinions and ideas from staff can also support you with instilling actionable strategies, to ensure your business takes steps to become a safer environment for all. Safety in the workplace across the world has been and always will be an ongoing issue, and no business premises are 100% safe. Several internal and external influences could compromise the safety of a company at a moments notice. Which is one of the reasons why safety in the workplace should be something that's worked on continuously. Only then can your business limit the risks of potential dangers harming the workforce. By continuously looking for ways to protect workers rights and develop a safer working environment for all, you can prevent the likelihood of;
 Image credit: Anna Shvets on Pexels COVID-19 has undoubtedly made it challenging to go about your typical life and routine. It’s more imperative now than ever to take measures into your own hands to stay healthy and well during these uncertain times.
It’s better to be proactive than it is to make poor choices and put yourself at risk for becoming ill. Take the following tips into consideration as you begin to explore how you can maintain your health and happiness even though there’s a lot of chaos happening in the external world. Care for yourself and stay connected so that you can remain healthy and well and avoid any unfortunate turn of events. Follow the Guidelines The WHO guidance recommends FFP2 face masks during outbreaks of infections such as the Coronavirus. Invest in the right PPE equipment to stay healthy and well while traveling to and from work or while you’re out in public running errands. It’ll keep you and others protected and help to ensure that you aren’t contributing to the spread. Also, practise social distancing and be sure to wash your hands often. The guidelines are in place to keep you safe and well, so it’s important to take them seriously. Focus on Your Mental Health Another tip for staying healthy and well in times of uncertainty is to focus on your mental health. Self-isolating and lockdown can be tough on your mind and social life. You may be feeling sad or low because of all the disruptions and bad news that’s going around. Therefore, commit to participating in activities that will boost your mental health and ensure you stay well. It’s all about keeping your thoughts as positive and possible and decreasing the amount of stress you’re feeling. Meditation and deep breathing exercises are usually very useful in helping you to slow racing thoughts so you can feel better fast. Connect with Others Virtually If you’re a social person, then distancing yourself from others may be a real challenge for you. However, it’s what’s going to keep you from contracting COVID-19. While you may not be able to see everyone you want to in-person, there are other ways to stay connected. For example, use virtual methods such as phone, email, and videoconference to help you maintain and nurture your relationships with others during these uncertain times. Take advantage of all the ways technology can keep you interacting with those you love and care about virtually. Invest in Self-Care It’s vital that you also invest in your self-care during uncertain times to stay healthy and well. It includes getting daily exercise, eating well, and going to bed at a decent hour and not getting caught up in negative thought patterns. The better you take care of yourself, the more energy you’re going to have and the better mood you’ll be in most days. Use this extra downtime to invest in yourself and relaxing and resting as much as possible. There may be activities and projects you can take on around the house that you usually wouldn’t have time for before the virus outbreak.  Image credit: NordWood Themes on Unsplash Being cooped up at home means a lot more sitting and scoffing! The Mirror has a guide of how you can stay healthy during the lockdown!
 With a third of the global population living under lockdown, many are turning to science for the answers on how to be happy in these difficult times. By the evening of 26 March, 1.3 million people were enrolled in a Yale University online course entitled: The Science of Well Being. BBC News has the story...
 Photo credit: Life A Journey Hiring managers are now saying that emotional intelligence is valued more than IQ. Fast Company have a quick read to why emotional intelligence is one of the fastest growing job skills.
 Photo credit: Tripadvisor Getting up early is the habit of most successful people, whether it be to meditate, write or organise their day, 'the early bird catches the worm' motto is seen throughout!
Tomas Svitorka has a piece on his website for some tips to help get yourself out of your bed!  The answer before I even ask is already yes! Could you work a 4-day week? Of course you could! Its already a 4-day week in Norway, Holland and Denmark to name just a few and there are plenty of calls for more countries to do the same!
One woman tried the 4-day week and gave an account of her own experience! The Mirror has more! |
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