As an employer, one of your key obligations is to protect the safety of your employees. Your employees will be better protected from harm in a safe and secure workplace, which also improves morale and productivity. Regardless of size or sector, office safety upkeep should be a key priority for any firm. There are numerous good practices you can put into place to make your office safe and secure, from doing routine maintenance to offering safety training. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most critical office safety maintenance measures that will ensure the health, happiness, and safety of your team.

Perform regular maintenance 

The safety of your employees depends on regular maintenance of your office space. Frequent inspections should be performed on electrical systems, fire safety devices, and other potentially dangerous places. You can find possible risks by conducting routine inspections before they become serious issues. Checking wires, cords, and electrical outlets to make sure they are not frayed or broken is part of this process. Moreover, confirm that smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are in good working order. Accidents and injuries can also be avoided by keeping your office’s plumbing, ventilation, and heating and cooling systems in good working order. Routine maintenance can help you save money over time while also ensuring your employees’ safety. You can maintain your office running smoothly and save expensive repairs or replacements by spotting problems early on. In the end, routine maintenance is an essential part of office safety maintenance that must never be disregarded.

Keep your office clean and organized 

To maintain office safety, it is essential to keep the workplace clean and tidy. A cluttered and disorderly workspace can produce tripping risks, raise the possibility of a fire, and make it challenging to escape in an emergency. Maintaining a clean and orderly workplace not only helps to avoid accidents and injuries but also increases productivity and employee morale. An ordered and spotless workstation fosters a productive atmosphere that can raise productivity levels. Make sure everyone follows a regular cleaning routine in order to keep the office environment tidy and organized. Provide workers with the equipment and materials they need to maintain a clean and orderly workstation, such as cleaning supplies and storage options.

Hire professionals for any office work 

Prioritizing safety is crucial when selecting contractors for renovations or repairs. It is essential to hire professionals to make sure that any repair work is completed effectively and safely. For instance, hiring someone without the necessary credentials or attempting to undertake electrical work yourself might both result in unsafe circumstances. Moreover, DIY electrical work is illegal in several countries, such as Australia! A qualified electrician in Sydney has the education, equipment, and expertise needed to solve any electrical problem in a secure and efficient manner. To make sure the electrical system in your business is operating properly, they can spot potential hazards, diagnose issues, and offer remedies. A professional may also help verify that your office is up to code and that all safety rules are being followed by performing any repairs or upgrades.

Provide safety training 

An essential part of maintaining office safety is giving your personnel safety training. Workers must know how to operate machinery safely, react in an emergency, and stop accidents from occurring. You can provide your staff with the knowledge and abilities they need to perform safely and effectively by offering safety training. The usage of hazardous products, correct lifting techniques, and emergency response protocols are all covered in this course. Regular safety training sessions ought to be held, and new hires ought to get instruction before beginning work. Investing in safety training benefits employees’ confidence and productivity while also assisting in the prevention of accidents and injuries. Employees are more inclined to take ownership of their work when they feel confident in their abilities, knowledge, and skills.

Have incident protocols in place 

No matter how well you plan, workplace accidents can still occur. That is why maintaining office safety depends on having a strong incident response plan. The actions that need to be taken in the event of an emergency, such as a fire, natural disaster, or occupational injury, are described in an incident response plan. A clear chain of command, emergency contacts, evacuation routes, and protocols for dealing with potential threats should all be included. All staff members should be informed of the incident response plan, and regular exercises can help ensure that everyone is aware of what to do in an emergency. Furthermore crucial are readily accessible first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and other safety tools, as well as ensuring that staff members are aware of how to utilize them.

Maintaining office safety is a continuous effort that calls for a dedication to frequent inspections, preparation, and training. Every element of office safety maintenance, from hiring experts for repairs to having a tidy and organized workspace, is essential to keeping your employees safe and healthy. Remember, investing in office safety maintenance is not only the right thing to do for your employees, but it’s also a sensible business move that can boost the overall success of your company.

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School projects take time to complete. They also require you to collect information from web links, photos, data, and other types of files. The USB drive has been the most useful storage and transportation device for a while. However, it is time to reconsider this decision. 

USB drives are portable. Here are reasons to reconsider using a USB drive and the options available to students. This allowed students to move with the project from one device, like a laptop, to the other. Searchings as ”do my homework for me” to complete the tasks and avoid having to worry about incomplete assignments or moving around with USB drives with all your files. Here are reasons to reconsider using USB drive and the options available to students.

• Virus attacks

Computer storage devices are highly prone to attack by viruses. The attacks result in the loss or damage of all files stored in these devices. It becomes impossible to retrieve the files or share them with third parties. Such a project would be lost entirely, requiring you to repeat it from the beginning. 

Viruses and other malware will come from the internet. Others come from the other devices you are sharing the devices with. It ends up damaging your computer and other files you have stored there. It will take time and a lot of resources to recover the files. Some may not be recovered in their original format. 

• Compatibility with other devices 

Many devices are using other means to share files. A USB device may not be the primary gadget of choice to share files with modern devices. As a result, you will require modifications or may be restricted from using particular gadgets. In other cases, files might not be compatible with particular gadgets used. 

Modern devices are connecting via Bluetooth. It increases the speed of sharing while reducing the chances of spreading computer viruses. It is also one of the ways to enhance confidentiality since the recipient does not have a chance to view documents on your device. 

• Damage or loss

USB drives are portable. Their small size makes it easy to lose them in the course of movement, at work, or when placed alongside other devices. Besides losing the drive, you may miss the wires required to connect the drive to your computer.

Water damage, crushing, and ordinary wear will leave you with a useless drive. In case it falls in the water or is soaked in the rain, all your documents will be lost. Data that may have been collected during a seasonal event will not help in your research. The extent of damage in some cases leaves you with no data to use in your activities. 

• Sharing with peers or your tutor

Information in the USB drive requires an active computer, laptop, or tablet to access. Such a format restricts the people and instances where you can share or collaborate on projects. If the USB is not compatible with your device, it becomes useless alongside the information it contains. 

Modern technology has provided better ways to share files and information. Here is a look at one of the most effective alternatives to USB drives and why you should embrace it. 

• Use cloud storage 

Cloud storage utilizes remote servers and online platforms to store files. You access cloud services by creating an account that you can access anytime and from whichever device you are using. Some of the cloud storage options include Google Drive, Dropbox, and Onedrive, among others. Here are reasons to consider cloud storage over a USB drive. 

• 24/7 access

Cloud storage platforms are available whenever you need to store your files. Whether you are working on your assignment in the middle of the night or are out on a picnic, you can access the stored files. It allows you to complete the work without being tied to a particular time, device, or location. 

In case a new idea pops up in your head while traveling, you can log in to your device and update your document. There is no limitation on where to work on a paper or being tied to a particular device. It makes it convenient to complete your academic tasks. 

• Large size 

Cloud storage platforms accommodate files of different sizes and formats. Since the technology used in most of these files is available online, you can run them directly from the drive. The size of a USB drive can limit the files to carry. 

Cloud storage allows you to buy as much storage space as possible. The space is cheap compared to the convenience it offers. It does not require you to download the file to use it. Consequently, even the largest file remains hidden behind your security measures like passwords. 

• Collaboration 

Cloud storage platforms allow multiple simultaneous access. You can popular a document at the same time from a different location. Students can complete a group project without having to meet physically. The cloud storage platforms allow you to track the information entered by individual students. It saves time and resources required to meet when working on group projects. 

• Access from other devices

Remote access is the best feature of cloud storage. A USB requires you to copy a document or work on it from a physical location. In case you leave your USB drive behind, you cannot continue with the project unless you create another document. Cloud storage allows access as long as you sign into your account. You work on the same project document despite leaving your laptop behind or tablet behind. It makes it convenient to complete your assignments without the limitation of space or time. 

• Organizing your materials 

Cloud storage allows you to organize your materials and documents in the desired format. Whether you want folders for each assignment or based on the type of document, your materials will be in order. They also come with search features to make it easier to retrieve the materials. An organized student takes less time to complete assignments and will eventually do more with his time. 

A USB drive is still an effective document storage tool. However, it comes with such limitations as compatibility, damage, loss, and virus attacks. Use cloud storage to keep your files organized and make your assignments more convenient to complete.

Processors

A central processing unit (CPU) is the brains of the most common electronic devices. These are the magic little machines that carry out essential instructions for your computer. If you’re planning to buy a PC, you might consider looking into the best processors for your budget and needs. This article outlines a few of the top processors for the home and office, and how to pick the one that’s right for you.

For example, a high performance CPU might be able to handle more operations per second, or opspy, than a low-end model. Of course, the clock speed can’t be the only factor that makes a great processor. Other factors include the microarchitecture, number of cores, and memory.

While there’s no single processor that can do all these things, a good multi-core CPU can keep up with software upgrades. The best processors for the money will be ones that feature six or more cores. Those are also likely to boast the most advanced features such as the Intel Optane memory system.

Storage options

Office computers need storage. They can be hard drives, flash drives, or all-flash arrays. Each of these options offers different benefits, and choosing the right solution can help you to get more done. A few important factors to consider are storage capacity, access time, and physical location.

Hard drives have the largest capacity and the lowest per-gigabyte prices. However, they are not optimal for server use. Instead, opt for enterprise-grade SSDs, which offer faster speeds and more endurance during sustained workloads. Compared to flash-based storage, Intel Optane SSDs have lower latency and better performance.

NAS (Network-Attached Storage) systems allow you to store files on your network and offload them to a physical device, such as a flash drive or USB drive. While the speed is not as fast as an SSD, they are more affordable and offer better security. You can also try a managed storage service that lets you manage and monitor your own storage, for a monthly fee.

Operating system

The operating system is the brains of your high performance PC, and is a complex beast requiring numerous esoteric parts to operate flawlessly. If you want to get the most out of your hardware investment, you’ll need to do some homework. For example, you’ll need to understand how your OS interacts with your motherboard, CPU, memory, and other components to get the most out of your rig.

Aside from hardware, you’ll also need to learn about the OS’s software nuances. This includes its libraries of device drivers, which are arguably the most important part of the operating system, and can be the source of your next PC headache.

Chromebooks vs Windows

When you’re shopping for office computers, you need to know which option is best for you. Windows or Chromebooks can both be a great choice, but each comes with their own advantages and disadvantages. This article will compare these two popular computing devices, helping you decide which one is right for you.

Windows computers are primarily designed for professionals who need powerful and versatile machines. The Windows operating system is compatible with thousands of apps and programs. However, some of these applications may not be compatible with Chromebooks. You can find alternatives to certain programs on the Web, but most Windows apps are not available in the Chrome browser.

Chromebooks are smaller and more portable than laptops, making them ideal for those who need to carry their computer with them. They offer a more simplistic and user-friendly experience, which makes them perfect for online browsing, email checking, and social media.

On the other hand, a Windows laptop has an advantage over a Chromebook in terms of storage and versatility. It offers the ability to run most of the apps and programs you need, and can also be upgraded to add extra RAM and storage.

Natural Light

It might seem like a small thing, but natural lighting is very important for employees sitting long hours in an office. Without going too much into why natural light is healthy, let’s just say that exposing your staff to sunlight should, in the least, improve their overall mood and general happiness. Just like in our own homes, offices with plenty of natural light in them will feel more spacious and less oppressive, especially when combined with some nice colors and decent office equipment. If your office seems a little dark, consider removing curtains from a few windows to let that solar goodness right into your workspace.  

Take a Break

Breaks are important, and more than one would think! And, when we’re talking a break, we mean an actual lunch break. If you’re a person working in a cubicle 8 hours a day, you’ll soon feel very repressed and cramped, and you’ll feel the need to get out. As a manager, it’s a good idea to encourage your employees to take lunch outside and away from their desks. Walking over to a few dozen meters will do well for an office worker, as it will get their blood flowing, clear their mind, and, of course, fill their bellies with some warm food. When they come back, they’ll have rested sufficiently to start a new task (or pursue the old one) with renewed vigor and freshness. 

Neutral Colours

Several studies show that neutral colors have a very positive sway on productivity. In fact, all colors have an influence on productivity, but, for a regular office, neutral colors such as white and lighter shades of grey will promote a relaxed, but focused and official, the air around the place. You might consider warmer colors if you’re running a more creative office and softer colors for the break and lunchrooms, such as shades of blue. In addition, a few pictures, photos or paintings might be just the thing you need to top off your perfect office space, as they will add a bit of style to the place, and something to look at other than naked walls. 

Team Building Events

Team building events are something every manager should take into consideration. You might be your employees’ superior, but it doesn’t hurt to show them that you’re human as well. Organizing and attending team-building events will keep your employees entertained, give them something to look forward, but most importantly, create bonds of friendship and trust between you and your team, and between team members themselves. As to what kind of event you’re looking to create, it could be a BBQ, some form of friendly competition or you can even call over some unexpected professional roving entertainment – this would make an excellent surprise to pull during some unofficial meetings, or simply out of the blue to break the monotony.

Avoid Unnecessary Meetings 

Speaking of meetings, they’re, naturally, extremely important, as they offer insight into your employees’ mindsets, allow you to address them directly and coordinate your projects. However, too many meetings and too often lead to employees becoming disinterested, outright bored, unwilling to participate, and, most importantly, takes up their time and they’ll have to pull extra effort to finish their projects. Keeping meetings short, spacing them out and calling them only when necessary is a good strategy to keep your employees engaged in the goings-on of the office without having them feel they’re being pulled from their work. 

Set Reasonable Dates

Nothing spells discontent and disorder like backed-up and poorly planned out deadlines. If you’re in a managing position, it is your job to steer your team in the right direction, and this means setting dates that your team can meet. This also involves you knowing your employees’ capabilities and working habits – many managers make the mistake of dumping difficult tasks on less skilled employees as a form of teaching them responsibility and assessing their skill level. Keep your work schedule realistic and don’t push, lest you be considered a slave driver among your subordinates.

Take Time to Answer Questions

As a team leader, your employees are likely to defer to you as their mentor and guide. That is why it is important to be as open and forthcoming to your workers as possible, without upsetting the chain of command. To that end, it is very important to take the time and answer your emails and any queries your employees may have. This is especially important with new arrivals, and in case you’re many years a senior in comparison to your workers, as this will promote them to learn more about the way you do things in your office, and they’ll work harder to justify the time you took to train/point them in the right direction.

Conclusion

And, with this, we reach the end of our little article. If you find your office productivity lacking, these tricks and tips will go a long way to mitigate the issue. However, even if you’re completely happy with your employees, it will still do your good to implement one of these strategies to keep your team together and keep their engagement levels up to par.

1.      Keep it neat

The first thing you have to do, in order to make your office infrastructure work, is ensure that the hygiene and neatness are on a satisfactory level. The hygiene is directly related to the health in the office, which means fewer sick days. Needless to say, this is something that boosts the performance of the office on its own. As for the neatness, fewer clusters mean fewer visual distractions, not to mention that the traffic across the office becomes substantially easier. While a cleaning company can help you out in this regard, it’s much cheaper and more effective to make sure everyone keeps their own workstations clean.

2.      Connect with the outside world

Your office needs to become this oasis of hard-work and creativity, sheltered from the distracting influences of the outside world. However, in the hyper-connected world of 2018, it’s more than vital to maintain this connection with the outside world. This starts with your office broadband package but it definitely doesn’t end there. You would be surprised just how important telemarketing is even in 2018, which is an additional reason why you might want to look for agencies capable of providing you with 1300 numbers.

3.      Allow personal space customization

While you’re already giving people the responsibility to keep their desk clean, you might also allow them to personalize their own workspace. For instance, if some of them have a collection of figurines back at home, why not allow them to bring some of them to work and display them on their desk? Most companies already encourage people to display photos of their loved ones and this idea virtually just takes things one step further. In return, you stand to make people feel more accepted, which will boost both their productivity and loyalty.

4.      Flexible office hours

Most people tend to be productive early in the morning, yet, there are those who prefer to work late at night. Some even go as far as to follow the example of people who start their shift at 4 AM and, if they truly find this to be effective, why interfere. What you need to do is ensure your office has flexible hours and enable access to anyone who prefers working at odd hours. Sure, some employers believe that the peer system is the only effective technique of preventing employee theft, then again, there are other ways to protect your office supplies and valuables.

5.      Reception is not only for clients

Most entrepreneurs see their reception area as a threshold after which their visitors become their clients. However, does your office receive interested parties every day of the week? On the other hand, your employees are the ones who walk past your reception desk and your receptionist every single day, which is on its own enough to raise one important question – is your reception only there so that your clients feel welcome? Of course not. With this in mind, make sure to make this area as staff-friendly, encouraging and even inspiring, as possible.

Conclusion

One thing that you might have noticed about the above-listed five methods is that they don’t actually cost you that much in terms of resources. If anything, the connectivity tip even stands to reduce your utility bill in the long-run. This is exactly what makes these business practices a positive foundation for your company’s future growth. The size and location of your office may change but the relevance of the above-listed five trends will not.

There are plenty of articles out there telling you how to set up a home office to avoid distractions. But what happens when you have to work in — gulp — an actual office? You know, not at home?

My proposal: start thinking of every office as a “home office.” This means: make every office a place where you can be relaxed and productive, comfortable and focused.

How to do that? Here are some suggestions.

1. Don’t stock your desk with office supplies

This may sound weird. But what happens when you need some office supplies, and they’re not in your desk? That’s right: you get up. And move. And maybe talk to someone else.

At very least, it gives you an excuse to get out of your chair. At home this happens all the time (because you want to make sure that pint of Ben and Jerry’s hasn’t disappeared from the fridge, right?). Make it happen in your office.

2. Have. Good. Coffee. In. Your. Office.

For most of us, getting good work done means doing small tasks and then rewarding yourself. What better reward than a good cup of coffee?

If you’re running an office, paying for good coffee is a cheap way to make the day that much more exciting for all your employees. And to turn home into “where you drink coffee to get to the place where you drink better coffee.”

3. Break your schedule up

One of the advantages of working at home is that when you’re stuck in the middle of something, it’s easy to find an excuse to get up for 5 minutes. Maybe you do the dishes. Maybe you fold laundry. Maybe you run around in your underwear. (Hey, it’s your house.) Then you come back with your head a little clearer.

Schedule the same sort of thing at work. Keep a list of “little things” that take 5 or fewer minutes to do. When you’re stuck, do one of them. This can be a great way to import the rhythms of the home office. (Even if you can’t run around in your underwear.)

4. Get some plants

Can I be honest? My thumb is about as far from green as thumbs get.

But you know what? I’ve learned. Study after study shows that plants relieve stress and increase productivity. So I make sure that both my home office and my “office office” have plants.

Try a peace lily. Or a snake plant. Or, for something a little more fun, lemon balm.

5. Support your back

When you’re working from home, you may sit on a cushy chair or set a pillow behind your seat. Perhaps you work sitting up straight on your bed, or lounge on the soft couch. Either way, you’re doing what feels best for your back.

A good chair should offer both lumbar and pelvic support, to encourage good posture. Sitting in a measly desk chair is already bad, but throw some slouching in there and you’ve got yourself a mix of backaches, headaches, and lack of focus.

Do yourself a favor, and get a nice chair. Instead of daydreaming of your spry younger days, you’ll enjoy working in the office more and especially like going home without the feeling of a broken spine.

6. Quiet things down

You know what’s great about having a home office? No chatter. Or, if you like music, lots of it!

So, when not at home, get yourself a pair of good quality, noise-cancelling headphones.

This lets you go into the cave when you need to. And when you take them off, there’s a big, friendly world out there.

7. Mix it up!

For the most part, those work-from-home days end up inside a cafe. Or a park. Or — let’s be real — your bed. There’s so much freedom in location and it’s easy to change rooms when you hit a mental wall, or have the sudden urge to be near a window.

Moving around lets you stretch your legs and refocus when you settle back down. Having different workspace areas within an office has been shown to offer greater flexibility and increased productivity. If your work has the space, go between conference rooms, lunchrooms, beanbags, and more!

If your office is tight on space, quick jaunts around the block can also offer a refreshing change of pace. But much like home, you should feel able to move around as needed.

8. Focus on results rather than hours

This is maybe the biggest one. After all, one great thing about working from home is that if you take 30 minutes off, nobody will know. Especially if you’re exceeding all your benchmarks.

What’s the takeaway? That the easiest way to make a work office feel like a home office is to emphasize results. Be reasonable about when people can come and go, as long as they’re getting things done.

This can be a tough one, depending on the culture of your office. But it’s worth making your supervisors aware. And if you manage other people, strive to implement this kind of culture.

The point in all of these is to make the office feel like a place where you can be focused and get work done, without it feeling so formal that you don’t want to be there. Do this and, maybe, you’ll never go home again!

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