Workplace Blog

National No Smoking Day - Save £30,000

Posted on March 13, 2013

Today is National No Smoking Day – the perfect day to join 1000s of other people in kicking this dirty and unhealthy habit. Giving up smoking is not just about your health and that of others - if you smoke 20 cigarettes a day of even the absolutely cheapest brand will costs you at least £2,500 a year. With inflation and compound interest this will end up costing you in the region of £30,000 over 10 years – just think what £30,000 could buy you – a C-Class Mercedes Coupe (£30,820) or a good second hand 360 Ferrari Modena two door F1 M Coupe (according to Auto trader). Not to mention something boring and sensible like a chunky deposit on a house! Why not use the WeQuit calculator below to work out how much you could save by giving up today: So give up smoking today, put the money you won't be spending into a savings account (ideally an ISA so it is tax free) – forget all about it for 10 years and then treat yourself to something amazing. The 2007 smoking ban has had...

15 Items That You Need for a Construction Site

Posted on March 12, 2013

What do you need for a construction site? Hazard tape? Fencing? We have put together a list of 15 items that you may need for a construction site. 1. Barrier Planks You may also see barrier planks alongside traffic cones. A Barrier Plank System is used to mark off working areas which creates a safe environment for workers and the public. A Barrier Plank System is made up of cones, adaptors and highly visible, reflective barrier planks. You can buy the parts separately or the complete barrier system from The Workplace Depot. 2. Cranes A self standing, mobile crane can be incredibly useful for lifting heavy items such as building materials, piping, bricks and metal parts. 3. ...

Advantages and Disadvantages of Digital Door Locks

Posted on March 11, 2013

Fed up with worrying whether you have your keys, or are you forever losing them? We have a simple answer to that problem, Digital Door Locks! We have listed the Pro's and Con's to having a digital door lock - but what is a digital door lock we hear you ask, well it can be also known as a combination door lock and it allows you to enter and exit a building without the need for a key - instead you use a PIN code. They can solve the issue of keys being lost or stolen and replacing the keys which could be inefficient and expensive. So here are the advantages and disadvantages of using a digital door lock: Advantages - Pick-proof: Because there is no place for a key with these locks, the prevent break-ins because burglars are unable to pick or 'bump' the lock. Criminals methods of breaking and entering are improving and the majority of criminals can pick an ordinary key lock. -...

Health and Safety in Catering and Hospitality

Posted on March 08, 2013

Health and Safety in Catering and Hospitality Following on from the article about Setting up a Cafe - what you might need... , here at The Workplace Depot, we decided that if you were planning to set up a cafe, you may need some tips on health and safety in the catering and hospitality industry and what risks there are and how to avoid them. From slips and trips to germs and cross-contamination, we have covered 4 main areas of health and safety in catering and hospitality. Slips and trips Slips and trips are the single most common cause of major injury in...

Setting up a Cafe – What you Might Need...

Posted on March 08, 2013

Some of the crew at The Workplace Depot regularly frequent the cafés of Bingham for our injection of caffeine to help us through the day! Whilst sitting in one the cafés, Matt, Jess, Sean Paul and myself had once again run out of anything interesting to say, so we set to thinking about how many products around us could be supplied by our company – this will be useful when Sean Paul opens his café in Newark. Safety and first aid It was quite easy to see some of the items that The Workplace Depot could supply – things like first aid kits and fire extinguishers by definition must be highly visible. Even more obvious than these were the sign-age; signs for things like fire exits, fire blanket, fire alarms, no smoking, first aid, no exit etc. Although not on display, there is the requirement for temporary signs, e.g. wet floor and other janitorial signs warning of cleaning in progress or slippery surfaces etc. We decided that for the full range of our Rubberm...

Safety in the Warehouse

Posted on March 07, 2013

Safety in the Warehouse Thousands of serious injuries happen in warehouse environments each year according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Most of these injuries occur through improper handling of goods and machinery, slips, trips and falls, and accidents involving other vehicles. Other injuries happen because of poorly maintained racking systems. Here are a few safety tips and checks that should be carried out when working in a warehouse or storage environment. Vehicles and Heavy-Duty Equipment Vehicles and heavy-duty equipment such as pallet trucks, forklifts...

10 Workplace Security Tips

Posted on March 04, 2013

10 Workplace Security Tips Every company needs to have a security policy in place to keep employees, equipment and goods secure and safe. Having the right security measures can help prevent and deter burglars or people who intend to enter the property without permission. Security is something to always be concerned about, so take the time to carry out some security checks. 1. Check that all windows and doors are securely locked before leaving and closing the workplace. In the morning, check them again and see if anything is missing. 2. Keep all entrances and exits secure at all times. A combination door lock is ideal for controlling access into a building as a code is needed to gain entry. Or issue either cards, keys or ID badges to regular staff of your workplace. A door access kit is also another way of controlling who can access the building, with a choice of access kits, you can choose the right kit for the correct purpose...

Energy Saving Tips for the Workplace

Posted on March 01, 2013

Energy Saving Tips for the Workplace Improving your business's energy efficiency makes great business sense. In uncertain times for the UK's economy, more and more businesses are having to make cuts, just to keep afloat. Saving energy in the workplace, can change your business dramatically and save you more money than you think. Following on from our case on 'Becoming a 'Greener' Company, here are some energy saving tips: Appliances -Turn both the PC and the monitor off at night – switching off your monitor and computer could save around £100 each year. It could also save the same amount of carbon a year that is emitted from driving a car 3,000 miles. -Turn off any appliances th...

Top 50 Workplace Songs

Posted on February 27, 2013

Top 50 Songs About Jobs, Money and the Workplace EDIT (April 2014): We have actually turned this list into a playlist on Google Music. Head over and have a listen! EDIT (July 2015): We have also turned this list into a visually appealing post. You can now get all the same great information you see right here on this page in a graphical post. Click the banner below to find out more. Well 45 workplace songs actually! We couldn't quite make it to 50 in our list...

First Aid Compliance for the Workplace

Posted on February 11, 2013

The Workplace Depot (Central Source Ltd) are delighted to announce that we now distribute Wallace Cameron first aid products. Wallace Cameron has been servicing the needs of the first aid market for over 60 years, supplying new and innovative quality products and services. This has led to the achievement of 2 Royal Warrants and the ongoing ISO 9001:2008 and BRC accreditations. First aid is imperative to any business therefore it is important to review your workplace first aid needs annually. Sheena Jack Marketing & Design Manager at Wallace Cameron commented, “We are delighted to have formed a working partnership with the Workplace Depot. Our extensive range of products that are available through Workplace Depot will ensure any business can maintain HSE c...

Five Ways to Reduce the Time Spent Managing Your PPE

Posted on January 29, 2013

Managing your staff's PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) can be incredibly time consuming, particularly for larger businesses who employ a sizeable workforce. However, cutting corners and not checking your equipment can put you and your employees in danger; increasing the risk of accidents in the workplace due to the decreased protection. We've come up with five ways to reduce the time spent managing your PPE without compromising on protection or safety. Get a PPE Partner Buddying up your employees may seem a little primary school but trust us, if you're trying to save time without compromising safety then this is one of the simplest and most effective ways to do so. All you need to do is pair up your employees and, at the start and end of each working day or week (depending on how much wear and tear your personnel are exposed to) ask your staff to check the condition of each of their buddies PPE items, which could range from ...

Safety Equipment and Procedures for your Workplace at Christmas

Posted on December 13, 2012

During the hectic Christmas season, one of the last things on most office workers mind is safety. But safety issues are no reason to become the Grinch! There are some procedures and safety equipment that can help with holiday office safety. If these suggestions are followed, the office can be a safe and merry environment that employees will enjoy. One of the most dangerous decorations during Christmas time is those fabulous twinkling lights. Each year, there are many fires due to lights that either short out or are too close to flammable materials. There are several ways to safely use Christmas lights in an office setting. Here are some of the hazards and possible solutions that can be easily and cheaply implemented: 1) Cords creating trip hazards – Use painters tape or choose lights with battery packs instead of plug-in strands. 2) Arcing from electric cords – Inspect cords for any breaks prior to use. If the set is very old, discard and replace. 3) Fire fro...