While equipment is needed for most businesses in some way, there are plenty of myths out there in the space that you are sure to hear when starting a business. These can not only confuse you and leave you second guessing your decision, but can also push you down the wrong path.

With that in mind, this article is going to go over some equipment-related myths for your new business, and the truth behind them, to help keep you on the right track.

If Equipment is Commonly Used, You Should Get it

Many people think that simply because many companies will use a technology or piece of equipment, that they need to as well. While this is true of some essentials like computers, desks and chairs, there are plenty of things in many traditional offices around the world that aren’t required anymore.

A good example of this is a fax machine. While they are still used in thousands of companies all over the world, they are generally seen as obsolete. This is especially true with services like iFax, which can allow you to receive and send a fax without a fax machine.

Another example is filing cabinets and bulky physical servers. With the growth in the cloud computing space, these are becoming obsolete and have been replaced by digital alternatives in many cases.

Buying Second Hand Equipment is Bad

Many people have the idea that buying used or second-hand equipment for a new business is bad. But the truth is, it can be a wonderful way for you to get the equipment that you need, without breaking the bank or going into debt for it. You can generally get high-quality used equipment for a fraction of the price of what buying new would cost you.

Now, this doesn’t mean you should buy everything used. Some things you may want new, and just because something is used and cheaper, doesn’t mean it is the right call for your business. Be sure to look at the overall quality of the equipment, and potentially have an expert or specialist inspect it and make sure you aren’t buying something that will cease to work in a matter of days.

Get Everything You Might Potentially Need Upfront

When many people start a business, they want to go all in and purchase everything they may need upfront. This ensures they have the right equipment for anything that happens and will make sure they are never caught without something they may need.

However, this generally isn’t the best way to do things. This is because equipment is expensive, and if you purchase things you don’t need, it can hurt the overall finances of your business. You want to start out slow, only purchasing the equipment you need. As your business grows and your needs expand, you can then purchase the necessary equipment.

Also, the more time you put into the purchasing decisions when it comes to equipment, the better your chances are of finding a good deal. If you don’t shop around, you might be leaving a better offer or deal on the table from another provider.

In conclusion, we hope that this blog post has been able to help you see the truth behind the myths when it comes to getting equipment for your new business.

Keeping your people safe, keeping them protected at the workplace, whether you’re working in a field with lots of heavy machinery, or if you’re just in an office, is vital. The article below will show you exactly what you need to do to keep them ok.

Get a good strategy going

Make lists. Yes, as simple as it sounds, you need to make lists. Too many people think about implementing new, better safety procedures into their workplace, without actually having a proper plan for it. This leaves you with poorly thought out plans, poorly implemented activities, and in general people who don’t know what they should be doing.

So, make a list of all the things you will need. Delegate some research work onto an employee, see if he or she can ask around, and see what people need. Have your lawyer brush up on the latest workplace safety laws… Then, gradually implement new procedures. Just don’t do it all at once – people will have trouble adapting.

Stress is dangerous

Always be mindful of stress. The effects of stress in the workplace are well documented, they will hinder your productivity, and can be especially dangerous when your people are handling dangerous chemicals or working heavy duty machinery. If your people are getting overworked, if you had a difficult period where you gave your all on a very difficult and complex project, allow people to blow off some steam. Actually encourage it.

So, once the dust has settled, or if you see that people are about to burst, organize a company retreat. Maybe provide people with a solid financial bonus. Or simply contact HR and see what they have to say, what the atmosphere at the workplace is like.

Get to know your employees. See if anyone of them is acting strangely if they are nervous, short-tempered, or fidgety. Look for signs of burnout, and act accordingly.

Invest in the proper equipment

Perhaps the most important part of safety – the right equipment. This matters whether you are working in an office, a factory floor, or a chemical plant.

First of all, let’s start with the office. Your people will be spending 8 hours of every workday sitting. This has its own issues, its own problems. Back pain runs rampant, something that can lead to headaches, permanent poor posture, and a generally dour mood. This goes for the carpal tunnel as well. We suggest you invest in good, comfortable seating and desks. A thing as simple as a comfortable chair or an ergonomic workstation can make a world of difference.

Now, you also have to invest in the right gear when it comes to some more dangerous jobs. Work hard towards keeping your equipment up to date. An old, decrepit machine is just asking for trouble. It can catch fire, get stuck, or even fall apart if it’s old enough. Furthermore, newer gear, no matter your industry, most often has high-quality protective equipment and elements in place.

You also want to supply your people with the right protective clothing. Gloves, goggles, hazmat suits, boots, whatever they need, they should get. Proper decontaminant showers are often quite necessary, as are emergency medical stations. Things like good safety storage cabinets, proper barrels, labels, tools that allow them to manipulate hazardous materials, these all have to be new, and they need to be regularly maintained.

Don’t forget about breaks

You can push your people only so much before they break. And more eager and motivated people might push through fatigue, wanting to get as much work done as possible, without thinking about how this will impact their productivity. Pushed too hard, people will get sick, tired, they will begin making mistakes.

Implement mandatory breaks and relaxation. Keep an eye on people getting overworked. If they have done a shift or two too many at once, get them a day off. Direct them to the rec room, encourage walks and fresh air.

Provide appropriate training

Invest in a seminar or two, and have people learn about keeping the workplace, and themselves, safe. They will learn how to properly handle hazardous materials, how to use their tools and machines properly, as well as learning what to do in case of an emergency. In fact, an individual knowledgeable about first aid can actually save a fellow employee who is in trouble.

It’s also very useful for building motivation. It shows that you care, that you actually think about your employees, and that you are willing to invest in their self-improvement, and their skills.

Keep the workplace safe

You also need to keep the actual physical environment in which people work safely. On one simple level, just keep it clean. Bacteria and viruses add up when too many people spend too much time in one place. You want to keep things regularly cleaned and maintained. Keep your cabinets stocked with proper hygienic supplies and items.

However, things like slips and falls are also common sources of injuries in the workplace. Having strict rules when it comes to spills and falls, with safety rails and walkways is vital. Make everything properly, get the right labels. The last thing you want is somebody mixing things up and getting the wrong chemical or tool.

Conclusion

Keeping your people safe means you will show them that you care. Teaching them to stick to the above tips, actually nurturing a mentality of safety and security at the workplace, all of these things are vital for your success. So, get them the gear they need, outfit the office properly, invest in a seminar or two, and you will be good to go.

1.      It may end up saving your life

Even though it may seem pessimistic to expect a fall or an injury, you need to keep in mind that these things do happen. There’s barely a driver (regardless of the vehicle) out there, who never had an accident. In other words, taking this as a starting point may not be that big of a leap, to begin with. Whether or not you have the necessary safety equipment could, therefore, make a difference between a serious injury and a minor one. It could make a difference between life and death.

2.      It is a one-time purchase

Seeing as how the size of your head is not likely to change in the nearest future, purchasing a helmet is not an investment that you’ll have to repeat anytime soon. Therefore, it’s definitely worth it if you’ve decided to invest in quality. At very least, you need a helmet, some motorcycle gloves, a jacket, boots and even goggles, provided that you have an open helmet.

The quality of items is also incredibly important, yet, you also need to find something that fits your price-range. The best course of action would be to go to an online store and check what’s in offer. Platforms like MXstore also sell parts for a lot of different motorcycle models, which is something that could make the repair and maintenance a lot more cost-effective.

3.      Experience and skill are not an adequate protection

The third thing you need to understand is the fact that not all motorcycle accidents happen due to the lack of experience. Even the best drivers out there have a chance of getting injured, which means that hopping onto a motorcycle underequipped and unprepared might just be too much. The problem lies in the fact that some people might get too cocky after weeks, months and years without an incident. This may make them overconfident and negligent, which is a recipe for disaster just waiting to unfold.

4.      It’s not just about falling

Another thing you need to understand is the fact that it’s not just about falling from the motorcycle that you need to worry about. A dust blowing into your face, insects getting into your eyes and wind making you close your eyes or squint are factors that are, more or less, reliable and are always going to take place. You see, regardless of how far you’re going, driving a motorcycle on a cold day without gloves and adequate jacket is a bad idea. It doesn’t matter how skilled of a driver you are; you’re still going to get cold. In other words, safety gear is there to protect you even when everything is running smoothly.

In conclusion

So, other than saving your life and overall improving your driving experience, motorcycle gear is a one-time purchase that isn’t even that expensive. As for the ‘being cool’ part we briefly addressed in the introduction, you need to bear in mind that having a matching and complete motorcycle gear seems a lot more impressive than riding without a helmet. As you can see, the list of reasons why you need motorcycle safety equipment keeps growing, while the pile where all the cons should be seems to remain empty.