 Image credit: Chan Walrus from Pexels Dangers in restaurants are usually overlooked. As a restaurant owner, you have no excuse to cause harm to your client, who only walks in for food or a drink. Ensuring safety can help you gain your customer's trust as they realise that you always try to offer excellent services by employing safety measures to make your business succeed. Therefore, you must ensure that your restaurant is always safe by using signage to inform your clients and workers about the dangers. Ensuring safety may be challenging, but you can achieve this with the right steps. Here are a few worth considering for the best results. 1. Train Employees On Restaurant Safety Procedures Every restaurant has its safety procedures, so you should have one. This helps to inform your employees about the facility's dos and don'ts on safety measures to keep your restaurant safe. Therefore, this may require that you invest time and resources to train your employees, so they are all aware of the possible dangers. This way, they can avoid them. Not only can you provide them with training on food safety, but you can also get them trained on the prevention of cross-contamination and sanitation practices. This keeps them aware of hazards across all fields in the restaurant while boosting their confidence to work hard with the hope that they will avoid oversights that could cause serious harm. 2. Draft Safety Rules For Guests You can't operate successfully if you do not inform clients about the dangers ahead. For instance, in slippery places, you need to put an informational signpost that reads, "no running in this area." This will caution them and help them know what lies ahead. You also want to mark areas out of bounds to prevent your clients from endangering their lives. 3. Maintain A Clean Environment An unclean restaurant communicates sickness and danger to your customers. It is very important to invest greatly in your restaurant’s hygiene. Knowing that it is a place where people will keep trooping in to satisfy their hunger, you may decide to seek assistance from commercial cleaners to ease the work on your staff. Remember that the more your staff members are engaged with cooking and serving your customers, the less time they may have to clean up the place. The services of these commercial cleaners will help your restaurant look as neat as possible with their requisite skills.  Image credit: Ron Lach from Pexels 4. Ensure That Your Employees Wear The Correct Attire
As a restaurant owner, you must ensure that your employees are well-dressed to avoid accidents. Your staff members should be in safety boots or shoes, especially in the kitchen, to prevent slipping. Ensure that all cooks have their aprons and hair nets on while waiters have their fingernails well-trimmed. This speaks so well about your restaurant and gives customers the impression that they are in a professional place. Always remember that people visiting your restaurant will often come if they feel safe and realise they are given the maximum attention, so paying attention to the above points will help you improve your services in your restaurant.
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Trying to Bring More Productivity As An Electrical Contractor; Here’s 4 Simple Improvements20/9/2022  Image credit: Gustavo Fring from Pexels We all know the feeling. You clock in for your electrical contractor job and can’t seem to get going. The day drags on, and your motivation starts to dwindle. Even the most experienced electricians can have trouble keeping up their productivity day in and day out. So if you’re looking for simple ways to improve your productivity as an electrical contractor, here are four tips that can help.
Start by getting organised This may seem like a no-brainer, but having a system in place for your work is essential. Whether you use a physical planner or an app on your phone, make sure you have a way to keep track of your tasks and deadlines like this job management software for electricians. This will help you stay on top of your work and avoid missing critical steps. Next, take some time to plan out your day. Before you start working, take a few minutes to map out what you need to do and when you need to do it. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting sidetracked by other tasks. If possible, try to batch similar tasks together so that you can get into a flow state and be more productive. Automate repetitive tasks Automating repetitive tasks is one of the best ways to improve your productivity as an electrical contractor. This can free up a significant amount of time you can use to focus on other areas of your business. You can automate tasks in several ways, such as using software to manage your schedule or create invoices. You can also delegate tasks to employees or contractors. Whatever methods you use, automating repetitive tasks will help you be more productive and efficient in your business. Set realistic goals It’s essential to set realistic goals for yourself and your business. If you try to bite off more than you can chew, you’re likely to end up feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Instead, take some time to sit down and figure out what you realistically want to achieve in the next month, year, or five years. Once you have a goal, you can start planning how to get there. Don’t make your goals so small that they’re not worth achieving. Big goals can be daunting, but it’s important to remember that even small steps can get you closer to your ultimate goal. Another helpful tip is to break down your goals into smaller pieces to seem more manageable. For example, if your goal is to double your business’s revenue, you can break that down into smaller goals, like increasing your sales by 20% each quarter. Give yourself regular breaks It may seem counterintuitive, but taking breaks can help you be more productive. When you’re feeling overwhelmed or bogged down, take a few minutes to yourself to clear your head. Go for a walk, get some fresh air, or step away from your work area for a few minutes. You’ll return feeling refreshed and ready to tackle whatever you’re working on. It can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life and forget to take breaks. But if you want to be productive, it’s essential to give yourself time to recharge. When you’re well-rested, you’ll be able to work more efficiently and effectively. So make sure to schedule some break time throughout your day. There are several simple ways to improve your productivity as an electrical contractor. Start by getting organized, setting realistic goals, and taking breaks when necessary. You can also automate repetitive tasks to free up more time to focus on other areas of your business. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to being more productive in your work.  Image credit: Fauxels from Pexels As business owners, it’s important that we allow our employees to be themselves when they leave work, and to allow them to have those personal lives without our interference. We’re just their employer at the end of the day, not their life coach or parent.
However, it’s also true that if an employee can spend from one quarter to one third of their lives at work, what happens in our premises and under our control has a lot to do with how they develop as a person. For this reason, taking on this responsibility to provide them with the right atmosphere and tools to thrive is essential. But while we may focus on training seminars and helping them upskill their general needs, it’s also a good idea to talk about making a positive impact on employee health and what that could mean. Without interfering as stated before, and certainly not getting involved outside of thorough support should someone fall ill, we believe we have some worthwhile help to push you forward. Cleanliness, Hygiene & Protections Of course, the first measure worth talking about is that of ensuring the cleanliness, hygiene and general protections of the office environment you provide. On top of that, making sure the bulk health essentials of neutralizing bacteria and fighting against viruses can help you avoid long-term downtime based on staff sickness. On top of this, it’s also important to make sure you offer support to those who may be struggling, after all long-Covid has been considered to be one of the most pressing recent issues affecting the wellbeing of the workforce. Work/Life Balances A healthy work/life balance inspires employees to continually show up to work as their best self, and they do so willingly. If employees feel as though their private hours are constantly dedicated to managing communications, or if days off are regularly subverted, it’s not hard for your staff to feel dismayed, annoyed, and even actively hostile to your management. In some countries, like France for example, they have outlawed forcing your employee to respond to work communications during their off-hours, unless otherwise stipulated in an agreed contact (for those who are on call etc). These kinds of principles show the sort of structure we should apply to our own firm, and why that’s so important. Employee Wellness Programs Of course, it can also be worthwhile to take the initiative as far as employee workplace programs are considered. For example, you may decide to integrate a ‘cycle to work’ plan, where you may even pay half the cost of a new bike if that means your employee will cycle to work. This pays dividends in that it helps your staff feel healthier, more motivated and interested, turning up to work in a great mood. It also prevents them from taking up a car parking space, and is a good way to market your employee wellness and lessening of carbon emission priorities. With this advice, you’re certain to make a direct and positive impact on employee health, without eroding their privacy.  Image credit: Yury Kim from Pexels Accidents happen in business for a number of reasons. There are multiple things that can cause problems for employees, but as the business owner it’s your job to minimize the risk that is associated with the job. In this article, we’re going to be looking at some of the common causes of accidents, and how you can take steps to prevent them. Keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.
RSI First, it’s worth exploring the issue of RSI. RSI is now believed to be the most predominant injury which impacts the typical business today. RSI stands for repetitive strain injury. It is caused by completing the same movement or gesture without breaks and often with the wrong posture. This is one of the reasons why it’s important to make sure that you do invest in ergonomic furniture For your business property. You also need to ensure that team members are breaking regularly. Don’t forget, this isn’t just about avoiding issues like RSI. You also need to make sure that you are encouraging breaks to guarantee high standards of productivity. Poor Training If there is someone in the business who is not trained properly, then this can cause accidents, especially if the job role requires using heavy machinery. Poor training accounts for a large percentage of accidents that happen to employees operating equipment, so you need to make sure that you are doing everything by the book. This means sending them on an initial training course that they need to pass, and then sending them on refreshers as time goes on. Always keep up to date with training so that you can avoid as many accidents as possible. Education saves lives and reduces risk, always remember that. Unclean Environments Next, you should think about keeping your environments clean. Keeping your environment clean will ensure that there aren’t any messes on the floor which could result in a nasty slip or trip. It can be difficult to keep industrial environments clean and tidy. That’s why it might be worth investing in the services of an industrial cleaning solution. They can guarantee that every area of your industrial location is taken care of. Companies like this will also be able to handle specialist requirements including spills involving hazardous materials. Bad Equipment Finally, it’s possible that accidents might happen due to problems with bad equipment. Poor equipment has technical faults which may mean it is dangerous to use. This is why you need to make sure that you are careful when you are investing in equipment that has been used before. At the very least, you should ensure that you carefully explore the different suppliers to find the right option. Hopefully, you have found this article helpful, and now have a better understanding as to why accidents happen in business. It’s down to the business owner to take the necessary precautions to avoid accidents from happening, so it’s time to start taking this seriously. Good luck, and we hope that you see results sooner rather than later.  Image credit: Monicore from Pexels Do you run a small business? Then it’s likely that you face a number of different risks and dangers each day that you need to take steps to minimize, as you simply cannot forfeit years of hard work when such risks and dangers could easily be avoided with the right methods in place. Fortunately this guide contains everything that you need to know to minimize the risks and dangers within your small business so that you can focus on more important matters, and it truly couldn’t be easier to get started today! So, if you’re interested in finding out more, then simply read on.
Focus on Fire Safety One of the most important safety features that you need to consider to control the threats inside your small business is fire safety. Ignoring fire safety responsibilities will no doubt put you and your team in serious danger, as you need access to all of the right systems and equipment if you want to escape unharmed in the event of a fire. First things first you’re going to need to install clear fire exits within your business premises, with bright, light up exit signs that can be seen from all corners of your workspace so that your team knows exactly how to get out if they spot the warning signs of a blaze. To add to this you should also install a smoke alarm or heat sensing system that can trigger in the event of a fire, as sometimes your staff might not be able to spot a blaze until it’s too late. You also have the responsibility to provide your staff with a range of fire equipment, including a variety of fire extinguishers that can tackle gas, liquid and chemical blazes, as well as things like fire retardant blankets that can be used to achieve a safe escape. A good sprinkler system can get rid of a blaze in a matter of minutes too, so this might be something you choose to consider. Have an amazing HR department HR (or Human Resources) are some of the most important staff members when it comes to the control and handling of risks, so it’s vital that you can take the time to source an amazing HR department that knows exactly how to react in a dangerous situation. This can be a little tricky if you’re a small company, but thankfully you can even outsource your HR department or at least some aspects of the department so that you don’t overwhelm a single-person department in your own business. For example, you can access the services of a virtual general counsel to seek expert legal advice on risky and dangerous situations so that you know the best approach to take! This can be of real benefit when you’re attempting to manage threats, so it’s something you should aim to bear in mind. Reducing risks within your small business has never been so simple when you can take the time to utilize some of the brilliant tips and ideas detailed in this guide!  Image credit: Fauxels from Pexels Being a business owner is a lucrative but demanding job. While some things are continually reviewed, analysed, and evaluated to see how we can expand the business, other things go unnoticed. Things like strengthening your relationships with customers could have a significant impact and produce results we never anticipated. The following are a few things you might want to consider doing for your business this year that might go unnoticed but will help you and your employees feel happier, healthier, and more inspired to work to make the business grow and succeed in the upcoming year.
The vitality of retention Finding and onboarding new personnel takes a lot of time and effort for businesses with a high staff turnover rate. They need to replace staff so regularly because they frequently treat their employees terribly once they have them. A company's capacity to retain personnel is crucial to its success. In addition to saving money on hiring and training employees, you may mould and progress employees within the company. that your employees actually care about the company, are dedicated to the brand, and want it to flourish. Someone might be employed for a straightforward job, like a call centre agent, but they might also be enrolled in marketing night school. Maintain a clean and safe workplace There has been a lot of concern regarding workplace cleanliness because there are so many individuals in one place as a result of the pandemic. If your normal cleaners did a deep clean once every two weeks or once a month, it would be advantageous even if you already have cleaners on staff. In addition to all the other areas they usually ignore, this would allow them to clean the microwave and refrigerator. By doing this, you may ensure that any unwelcome bacteria or germs are kept out of your office. Increasing workplace productivity Any business can stand to gain something, and increasing production and efficiency is one of those chances. There are many other approaches you can use; for instance, did you know that happy people who enjoy their work are motivated to work harder? Maintain their happiness by providing them with minor prizes and incentives, and if they offer suggestions, consider them. You can also talk to your IT team; while they manage the servers and put out fires as they happen, they might be able to streamline some aspects of the business and come up with other ideas to make operations run more smoothly and efficiently. The solution is in your effort! Prepare yourself for every possibility Running a business entails taking ownership of all outcomes, good or poor. The other people in the building, including the staff and customers, are under your care as well. Making sure you have things like a first aid pack and doing a risk assessment will be beneficial. Moving your company ahead looks different for different companies like branding yourself in the right way with branded vending trays, taking on new staff or outsourcing work to experts.  Image credit: Standsome Worklifestyle When you are an employer, you have a lot of responsibilities toward your employees. You need to make sure they have all the right equipment, for example, and that they understand the training that you are offering. You need to ensure that they are representing your business in the way you want them to. Plus, you need to keep them safe at work; everyone has the right to have a safe day of work and go home at the end of it. Read on to find out how this can be done.
Assess the environment In order to understand the risks that might be present, you need to carry out a risk assessment within your workplace. This includes all the warehouse areas and yards as well as office spaces and vehicles. To do this, you should literally walk around the business with a notepad and pen, making notes of anything that could cause an accident or be dangerous in some way. This might be loose cabling, vehicles with keys left in them, piles of paper stacked up near a doorway, a blocked-up fire exit, or a door that doesn’t lock properly. Make notes of all of this and then fix each issue as quickly as possible to ensure that the working environment is safe. If you have a lot of machinery, this job can become more difficult; you may need machinery-specific risk assessment training from ST&L to help you understand how to do the work properly, and this is very important. Get expert advice Just because you are the boss that doesn’t mean you automatically know how to keep your employees safe. You will have some idea of how it will work and of what you should do, but you might not have all the information you need or know quite how to implement your ideas. This is why asking for advice is a great idea. You can speak to a business mentor if you have one. They will have been in this situation, and they will know what it takes to keep your employees safe; listen to what they have to say and implement what you can. If you don’t have a mentor, there are other places to go for advice. You might try an online forum, for example, where employees can ask for and give advice. Or search online to get some ideas of what you can do to help. If you’re not sure about something, ask. You can’t be an effective leader if you don’t have the answers yourself. Create a welcoming work environment Finally, it’s not just about ‘being’ safe that is important (although this is, of course, vital); it is also about ‘feeling’ safe. When you create a welcoming work environment, that sense of safety and comfort will follow, making your employees happy to be working for you, and much more productive too. To do this, you need to provide them with everything they need to do their job and ensure they are comfortable – ergonomic furniture, plenty of breaks, natural light, the right temperature, and a separate break room for snacks and time out are all important.  Image credit: Pixabay from Pexels Maintaining your business is essential for keeping it running smoothly and avoiding costly repairs or replacements. Unfortunately, many business owners don't realise the importance of routine maintenance until something goes wrong. By then, it's often too late. This blog post will discuss five dangerous maintenance checks that every business should perform regularly!
1) Electrical system The first dangerous maintenance check is on your business's electrical system. If you don't regularly inspect and maintain your electrical system, severe problems like fires or power outages can lead. These can not only be costly to repair, but they can also put your employees and customers at risk. So make sure to have a qualified electrician inspect your system every year and make any necessary repairs or upgrades. This includes electrical rewiring, upgrading to a higher voltage, or simply replacing old or damaged wiring. 2) Plumbing Another dangerous maintenance check is on your business's plumbing. If you have leaks or other problems with your plumbing, it can cause extensive damage to your property. If the water is contaminated, it can also create health hazards for your employees and customers. Be sure to have a professional plumber inspect your system regularly and make any necessary repairs. This may include fixing leaks, repairing or replacing pipes, or adding new fixtures. 3) HVAC The last dangerous maintenance check is on your business's HVAC system. If you don't properly maintain your HVAC system, it can lead to several problems, including poor air quality, excessive dust and pollen, and even mould growth. These can all be costly to fix and can also pose a serious health risk to your employees and customers. Be sure to have a qualified HVAC technician inspect your system regularly and make any necessary repairs or upgrades. This may include cleaning the ductwork, replacing filters, or servicing the unit itself. 4) Safety As a business owner, it's your responsibility to ensure that your workplace is safe for your employees. This includes performing routine safety checks and making any necessary repairs or upgrades. Some things you should check for include trip hazards, loose handrails, and damaged flooring. You should also make sure that all of your fire extinguishers are up to date and in working order. 5) Roof: The final maintenance check on our list is your business's roof. If you don't regularly inspect and maintain your roof, it can lead to serious problems like leaks or collapse. These can be very costly to repair, so catching any potential problems early is essential. Be sure to have a professional roofer inspect your roof at least once a year and make any necessary repairs. This may include patching holes, replacing damaged shingles, or adding new flashing around chimneys or vents. By performing these dangerous maintenance checks on a regular basis, you can avoid costly repairs or even disasters. So don't wait until something goes wrong - start maintaining your business today.  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.  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. Consequently, consult your employees on any changes that may significantly impact their health and safety at work before implementing them. In addition, consult them on the risk they face in their course of duty, the measures that can be taken to lower or eliminate these risks, and procedures for dealing with risks. Furthermore, get their views on the health and safety implications of implementing new technology and what should go into planning health and safety training. It would be best if you also were actively involved in these open discussions by being forthcoming about safety incidents. Luckily, you can use incident response software to keep workers informed about crises in real-time. 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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