It is your job as an employer to make sure that the working environment you provide for your employees is safe for them at all times. Depending on each environment there are a wide range of different steps you can put into practice to ensure this. One of the most common dangers of the work place is the risk of slipping. In fact, according to statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), slips and trips are the single most common cause of injuries in the workplace and account for over a third of all major work related injuries!

Staggeringly, falls cost employers over £512m a year in lost production and other costs! All employees, visitors, members of the public and contractors who are in the workplace are at equal risk and workplace insurances will only cover a part of the costs. The costs to employers of legal action against them as a result of falls can be considerable!

The most common causes of falls in the workplace include:

• Bad lighting
• Unsuitable floor coverings
• Bad housekeeping
• Uneven floor surfaces
• Trailing cables
• Wet floors
• Changes in floor levels

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 state that floors should be suitable, in good condition and free from obstructions. People must also be able to move around the workplace safely. This is where our anti slip tape featured comes in handy. Designed for hazardous areas, anti slip tapes are intended for use wherever safe footing is required to prevent slipping. Legislation states that all stairs accessed by the public should have non-slip taping. Areas prone to moisture should also be prepared with anti slip tape, as should areas of smooth flooring particularly where moving, handling and lifting is concerned. The anti-slip floor tape is supplied in an economic long roll format and provides an instant response to any identified slip hazards on site. Designed for internal and external applications and measuring 50mm x 18.3m, this tape is a snip at just £49.54!

There are many jobs which require the use of a torch, in fact which rely heavily on a portable light source and so manufacturers are designing better and more innovative models which can withstand the pace of tough conditions and consistent use. At Office 365 we like the Energizer torch range as it combines design and functionality and has been developed to suit a variety of occasions and needs. Energizer are a consumer goods company who operate globally in the broad categories of household and personal care products.  They are currently able to offer their customers solutions in portable power, lighting, wet shave and personal grooming, skin care, feminine care and infant care. Energizer’s mission is to provide consumers with solutions to their portable power and personal care needs better than anyone else, and in a manner that rewards all their stakeholders; consumers, customers, colleagues and shareholders.

Our favourite is the featured Energizer Impact LED Torch boasting weatherproof 16 hour running time! Its heavy duty rubber case makes the Energizer Impact ideal as a non-conductive lighting tool for electrical applications, plus it’s safe to use for plumbing and wet areas too! It’s built in loop means that you can quite easily hang it when needed for hands free light when in small or tight areas. Energizer torches are made to give you the quality and functionality you would expect from such a brand and boast wide, high-quality spot lights.

• Heavy duty rubber housing minimizes the risk of electric shock
• Square construction prevents rolling
• Textured handle area for secure grip
• Survives 2 meter drop text
• Provides wide high quality spot light
• Weatherproof
• 16 hour run time
• 28 lumens
• 59% brighter than previous 2D model
• 36% longer run time than previous 2D model
• Just £13.99!

The Green Bit

Sustainable development has been and always will be a core fundamental in all Energizer products, packaging and manufacturing. They are committed to the help and maintenance of the future health of the planet and to promote safe battery disposal. Energizer has a long standing commitment to preserving the environment for future generations. Throughout the companies history, Energizer has taken proactive steps to minimising the impact of their products and manufacturing processes on the environment, plus, they continue to look for ways to improve these measures today. At Energizer Holdings, they promise to “do the right thing” in conducting their business to ensure that they preserve the environment for future generations while providing a safe and healthy working environment for all colleagues.

It is imperative that every business considers the importance of its safety and security. We hear far too often of businesses who fail to make this a priority who later get ‘stung’ and lose their business altogether. This is a common mistake of smaller companies who feel that they are less likely to be targeted by thieves or fraud and less likely to be sued by staff for safety issues or injury. However this couldn’t be more dangerous, particularly for the smaller companies as a loss through theft or a compensation pay-out is likely to collapse the entire firm. What we learn from this is that it may not be a thought we’d choose to consider, however it is in the best interests of everyone to take steps and measures to ensure the staff and businesses safety.

At Office 365, we have a page dedicated to Security Products, which will not only make your workplace more secure, but will also prevent theft too! We have a fantastic range of ID badges which are more valuable than you may think! Most offices have frequent visitors for a range of different reasons; interviews, clients, sales, maintenance, etc. When this is the case, registering each visitor and supplying them with an ID badge will greatly improve your businesses security. We also have a full variety of safes and locks, so when you or your staff have valuables, they can be kept out of sight and locked not only keeping them safe, but away from temptation too! For high security areas and workplaces, it would be beneficial to consider surveillance equipment, for this we have an array of CCTV equipment.

Office 365 not only specialise in security products, but in safety items too. With our dedicated safety products page, you’ll be able to cover your business in all safety aspects. In every business, the owners/managers are legally responsible and liable for the safety and welfare of their staff regardless of whether an accident, injury, illness or even death was caused as a result of their negligence. To cover your business, you must comply with all Safety and Security regulations, policies and procedures. These must be complete, have clearly written instruction and staff must be made clearly aware of them. All safety communications should be clear and to the point, just like our safety signs, and where appropriate, protective clothing should be provided. Regardless of what type of business you are running, fire extinguishers and first aid kits must be provided and clear instructions should be readily available for their use and whereabouts.

For more information on how to bring your workplace up to date in terms of safety and security, contact one of our team on 0870 766 1624.

With the ongoing state of economic crisis and this relentless time of recession, companies are still making cut backs. Every day in the UK businesses are continuing to let go of their staff, freeze pay, cut back on their benefits, reduce their expenditure, decrease overtime and generally curb all outgoings. Unfortunately however, the cost of living is continuing to go up, right up. For the sake of the business itself, companies must now take extra precautions against the possibility of claims being made against them and against the cost of fines and court proceedings. It’s more important than ever before that companies begin to cover their backs.

There are certain things that are expected of businesses now a days and safety regulation have become so that the employee has the right to claim and win if the company in question has not carried out the required safety measures. One of the strictest guidelines is that a business should always display safety signs and in the correct place. In fact the rules state that employers are now legally obliged to display fire safety signs such as fire exit signs, fire alarm signs, fire assembly point signs and fire door signs, strategically placing them to help reduce the chance of an accident or emergency, and guiding them should they be at risk.

We choose Stewart Superior as our supplier of safety signs, a company who specialise in supplying niche products to global resellers of Office Supplies and distribute all over the world! Renowned for quality and superior service, the brand stand out above the rest and have been built on service, competitive pricing plus the ability to develop new product lines for their customers.

With the security threat to business on the increase as data is being leaked without consent, everyone must be on their guard. There are many precautions we can take to ensure our safety and confidentially however many of us are still choosing to throw caution to the wind, leaving themselves open to threat. With products such as shredders to destroy confidential information and the very innovative key box to keep the keys to important data concealed, there is no excuse for not protecting your business.

The emergency key box plays a huge part in the successful management of keys and there for data. Every day, businesses lose their keys due to unorganised key storage, foul play or simply ignorance. However the steel Helix Standard Key Safe featured to the right provides the perfect solution to this dilemma.

• New design
• Features metal key hanger strips
• All-steel construction in durable grey finish
• Includes wall fixing kit, index sheet, key labelling strip, cylinder lock with two keys (spares available) and a pack of key fobs
• 200 Keys
• A HUGE 82% OFF!!!!

This key safe should be sold at £214.99; however we’re feeling rather generous this year and feel the need to encourage safer key management. So get 2011 off to a good start for your business and pick this key safe up from us for just £39.37! Helix have been awarded and accredited with the relevant international quality and safety standards including BS5750 and ISO9002.

Environmental Statement

Helix is a major distributor of education, home and office products throughout the world. They consume raw materials and packaging; they use services and find themselves as part of the various chains that deliver products from conception to usage. As a consequence, all that they do has a potential environmental impact in one way or another and they recognise the part that they can play in the control of these impacts so as to minimise their collective effects upon the environment.

Helix are aware that everything they do has a potential environmental impact in one way or another and recognise the part they play in the control of these impacts so as to minimise their collective effects upon the environment. They are a major distributor of education, home and office products throughout the world. They consume raw materials and packaging, and find themselves as part of the various chains that deliver products from conception to usage. As a consequence, all that they do has a potential environmental impact in one way or another and so they recognise the part that they can play in the control of these impacts so as to minimise their collective effects upon the environment.

Helix are also committed to the principles of social responsibility and to the protection of human rights.

Safety signs are now one of the most basic, yet vital safety measures your business will have to make. Our society has become completely dependent on them as guidance to staff, clients and customers, but even more so, they have become a legal requirement too! Business owners and employers are now legally obliged to display safety, warning and guidance signs and to strategically place them so that the chances of an accident or emergency can be reduced. Safety signs are illustrations or guidelines which have been placed to identify individual risks, hazards and other safety-related issues, warning about possible dangers, or to point out safety features such as the fire exits or no entry.

No entry logo signs are placed to prevent the curious and the nosey parkers. They are there to prevent those prying individuals from regretting their inquisitiveness. The NO ENTRY sign is placed in areas to keep unauthorised personnel out and away from potential risks and dangers (and away from areas of confidentiality). Our Stewart Superior No Entry Sign is made from brushed aluminium acrylic and is sure to stand out so that no one can claim they didn’t see it! Measuring 190 x 45mm, this sign is now available with a tempting 22% off making it just £4.90!

Stewart superior are the UK’s leading supplier of Health & Safety signs. They understand what signs sell in an office environment and ensure all their customers are kept completely up to date with any changes in the law as they occur. It is for this reason that we choose Stewart Superior every time as our recommended brand of safety and warning signs.

The Green Bit

Stewart Superior are committed to:

• Continually improving the way they work and the products they supply.
• The prevention of pollution.
• To comply with all legal and voluntary requirements.
• To set objectives and maintain programmes which support this environmental policy.

The importance of a fire extinguisher is far greater to your business than most people realise. Aside from the obvious risk of fire; the extinguisher is also a must have for the health and safety inspector! Did you know that the Occupational Safety & Health Administration requires that all businesses and employers must provide portable fire extinguishers in all work environments; that includes offices. Not only this, but fire extinguishers must also be located in places known to the employees. This should be part of the workplace safety training and staff should be able to demonstrate their knowledge of all relevant extinguisher locations. These locations should be within 50 feet of all employees. When your business meets these guidelines, then it will be compliant with the OSHA fire extinguisher placement requirements for businesses.

Additionally, once you have purchased your approved fire extinguishers, correctly placed them and have trained your staff on the extinguisher locations; your business must also train your employees in how to safely operate the extinguishers. To meet safety regulations, you must also make sure that an annual inspection of the extinguishers is performed and documented. The service will usually involve checking all parts including tubes, gauges, safety devices and operating mechanisms to ensure that the extinguisher is safe and in good working order at the time of service. You and your business are solely responsible for the maintenance and the testing of all fire extinguishers in the premises.

If you’re lucky, your fire extinguisher will lay dormant for many years and will have never seen any action. But how long can an unused fire extinguisher remain safe to use? The National Fire Protection Agency recommends that every five years, all Powder, Foam, Water and Wet Chemical extinguishers should be discharged tested and refilled. This will involve a trained person emptying and refilling your extinguishers. During the process, they will check that the inside of the extinguisher is in good working order and that it has not corroded at all. If you have a carbon dioxide extinguisher, ensure that every ten years, a hydraulic testing is performed where the extinguisher will be removed from site and overhauled. No matter what the extinguisher, all must be replaced every twenty years.

A fire blanket is an essential safety tool made of fire resistant materials, which should be kept in every premises. They have become a useful aid in smothering fires and for wrapping around a person when their clothes are burning. When purchasing your fire blanket, make sure that it conforms to British Standard BS EN 1869:1997 and that you follow these simple rules:

• Your blanket should be accessible and easy to get to in an emergency
• You must never store your blanket in a cupboard
• Mount your fire blanket above a cooker or heater
• The most useful place to store a fire blanket is in the kitchen

The fire blanket is effective in extinguishing a variety of fires in the home and by professional fire departments. Remember that fires cannot thrive without oxygen, so when a fire blanket is applied to a fire, it will suffocate it, inevitable extinguishing the fire.

How to Use a Fire Blanket

In the event of a fire, use your blanket over it, making sure to pull all edges down to a solid surface below the fire, preventing oxygen from reaching the fire. When using your blanket to extinguish fires on a person or their garments, make sure to wrap the individual in the fire blanket, suffocating the flames.

What is a Fire Blanket Made of?

There are two kinds of fire blankets, small and large. Small blankets are for the home and are often found in kitchens, these are made of fiberglass materials. The larger fire blankets are typically made of wool and are used to treat bigger areas combined also with the use of a flame retardant liquid.

Cost

At Office 365 you’ll find a range of fire extinguishers and small personal use fire blankets which are available with savings of over 20%! Our fire blankets are just £22.61, a small price for your safety!

How to Store a Fire Blanket

When storing small fire blankets, make sure they are kept in an easily accessible location, folded so that they are self contained and can be stored on a shelf. However larger fire blankets including those used by fire fighters are usually hung in a readily available location somewhere inside the emergency vehicle where it can be easily accessed.

How Big Are Fire Blanket

With two options to choose from, you’ll need to know how big these fire blankets are. Small blankets for the home or for personal use are typically several square feet in size. However, fire blankets used by professionals are made so that they are large enough to cover an adult who is engulfed in flames.

Safety should be the first thing on everyone’s minds when developing or updating a new business premises. It doesn’t matter whether you’re developing a school or an office, or even a cafe, every commercial or public building will need to be catered to appropriately, for the safety of your business and those who use it.  Safety signs are the most basic and vital element to this aspect of your business. They have become not only a depended upon item, but a legal requirement too! Employers are now legally obliged to display safety signs and strategically place them to help reduce the chance of an accident or emergency being caused or for guidance should there be an emergency. It is due to the increasingly high litigation that employers are no longer taking risks and will use safety signs as a matter of course.

Signs and safety instructions have become a part of our everyday lives in this day and age; this is especially true in the workplace. A vast increase in the number of safety signs and notices has coincided with a far more vigilant and extreme attitude towards health and safety in the workplace. With the increase in reported accidents and claims, businesses are no longer taking these risks.

Workplace safety signs are illustrations or guidelines which have been placed to identify individual risks, hazards and other safety-related issues. They are used to give the public a warning about possible dangers and to point out safety features such as the fire exits. Take for example the Stewart Superior Fire Exit Sign featured to your right which is self adhesive and photo luminescent.  Safety signs are also there to give general information or instructions about equipment designated areas or objects. In fact, some are even required to be displayed as part of the health and safety guidelines, helping to reduce the likely hood of risks. Posters that illustrate possible dangers may have to be displayed such as dangerous substance posters and all employers are legally bound to display the Health and Safety Executive’s Health and Safety Law poster.

Our signs are made by Stewart Superior who specialise in supplying niche products to global resellers of Office Supplies, distributing all over the world. Standing out above the rest, Stewart Superior have been built on service, competitive pricing plus the ability to develop new product lines for their customers. At Office 365 you will find signs for general purpose and those specific to your industry or job and require further explanation. Please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team if you are unsure of any.

As an employer, protective work wear and clothing is your responsibility. Failure to provide the correct protective clothing & equipment can result in injury or even death and could most definitely result is the shut-down of your business and legal action being taken against you.

The management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSW) 1999 states that employers are to identify and assess the risks to health and safety in the workplace. All risks must then be minimised as far as possible. Where an activity requires some risk, the risk should be minimised in a number of ways, one of which is to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment.

If there is a risk to an employee’s health and safety that cannot be controlled in other ways or means, then protective equipment must be supplied by the employer, who should also be seen to enforce the use of the protective equipment and clothing when carrying out the activity in hand.

Personal protective Equipment (PPE) is equipment including clothing that is intended to be worn or used by a person at work and that protects against risks to their health or safety. This could include protective helmets, gloves, eye protection, safety harnesses, high-visibility clothing and many others.

Hearing protection along with respiratory protection equipment are however not covered by these regulations. The former is covered by the Noise at Work Regulations.

At Office 365 you’ll find the following;

• Goggles - These are essential when working around hazards that include chemical or metal splash, dust, gas and vapour and radiation. PPE could include goggles, visors, safety spectacles and face masks
• Other Including Helmets and Face Masks - Helmets are for hazards that include impact from falling or flying objects, risk of head bumping and even hair entanglements. PPE could include a range of helmets and bump caps. Face masks are for hazards that include dust, vapour, gas or oxygen deficient environments.PPE could include partial or full face masks.
• Coats - Coats such as these high visibility coats are for hazards that could include road or pedestrian accidents. They allow the wearer to be visible is low light environments. PPE could include high visibility clothing.
• Gloves - Gloves are for hazards that could include abrasion, cuts and punctures, electric shock, skin infection and contamination. PPE could include protective gloves.
• Shoes and Boots - These are for hazards that could include wet or damp conditions, falling objects, slipping and abrasion. PPE could include safety boots and shoes.