Month: August 2018

Hygiene, plus why we think it’s essential for fluid as well as ventilation systems

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Almost 30 or 40 years ago, commercial and industrial properties were built in addition to internal systems for instance air, heating, water and electrical were thought of as acceptable, until they broke. Many of these systems had been left relatively un-tampered with until particular issues arose, and that had been regarded as the norm up until the very last decade or thereabouts.

I am unable to remember a situation where cleanliness of those systems affected people or office stationed employees. But, don’t think everybody’s wellbeing was unaffected, most probably that afflictions were blamed on the common cold or standard viruses.

With advancements in technology and scientific procedures, numerous different work based health issues were being found to proliferate inside a typical buildings systems. Water systems are at risk to bacteria like legionella, e-coli in addition to coliforms. Hot and cold water systems and tanks have to be cleaned out and supervised on a regular basis. An infection with these sorts of infections is more often than not caused by ingestion or breathing.

Air con and airing ducting also has for the most part been brushed aside prior to the mid-2000s. Ducting is susceptible to the build-up of airborne debris with time, with kitchen extract systems retaining huge quantities of grease as well as oil. There have been a number of high profile kitchen fires lately, due to the accumulation of oil and the addition of high temperature. Kitchen vent systems are now been subjected to policies in addition to rules in which cleansing and standard inspections are compulsory. General supply and extract systems are likewise liable to identical regulatory rules, albeit not as strict.

Heating systems inside leisure and retail properties have kept basically the same over the years with adjustments for example building management systems in addition to chemical treatment procedures. Boiler chemical compounds such as decomposition inhibitors at the moment are included as a matter of practice. Cooling systems can be treated by chemical compounds for example ethylene glycol, as well as in systems where cooling towers are incorporated, legionnaires disease becomes a concern. Legionella is often cured with sodium hypochlorite or a similar disinfection substance, which has a biocide additive.

Electric systems vary in design and complexity, with wiring updates being an necessary requirement, especially throughout renovation or revamp.

In my view, the majority of the aforementioned expansion and improvements are imperative in boosting the entire effectiveness, performance and hygiene. But we must ask ourselves the query, Are they essential? A few of the system upkeep processes are obviously vital, legionella aversion to name one. Although i somewhat believe stricter and stricter health and safety policies and guidelines, combined with legal private claims are causing it to be harder for UK companies to be competitive with our own EU colleagues.

We can certainly anticipate that as time continues, the same policies and restrictions are used collectively. This would provide an equal quoting platform, as well as consequently provide UK companies an opportunity when competing for commerce.

Creditors Now More Accepting Of Company Voluntary Arrangement (cva)

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A Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) has hit the headlines again with outdoor and leisure retailer Blacks trying to agree one with its creditors. This provides more evidence that creditors understand the value of a CVA in the business turnaround of a struggling company.

According to recent reports, outdoor and leisure clothing retailer Blacks Leisure, (Blacks, Millets and Free Spirit) is likely to agree a Company Voluntary Arrangement with its creditors within the next few weeks. This agreement will allow Blacks to close unwanted stores, and gain the support of its creditors to survive.

What is a CVA?

In simple terms a CVA is an agreement where a company’s creditors decide to accept reduced payments and write off debt. This frees up cash by reducing the debt burden on the company allowing it to continue to trade. As a result of the CVA, creditors not only agree that they will write off a certain amount of the money that they are owed. They also have the opportunity to continue to trade with the company into the future. This is certainly a better prospect than the total failure of the business and the likelihood that there will be little or no returns for creditors at all.

As with many business recovery solutions, CVAs have attracted some criticism. Creditors argue that they are forced to accept the terms of a CVA because if they do not, they are threatened with the closure of the company and that they will be left with nothing. In fact, this argument is flawed because a company would only consider a CVA in the first place if it is struggling to repay its debts and facing liquidation. If this situation were allowed to happen, the creditors would lose everything anyway.

A Company Voluntary Arrangement is designed to save the business and at least get some return for the creditors. It is not a method of simply avoiding paying the company’s debt. It is seen a more consensual business rescue option than others such as pre-pack liquidation as it requires the approval of 75% of the value of voting creditors to be accepted and set in place. Without this, the CVA cannot be implemented.

In an article in the Sunday Times on the 27th September the author suggests that Company Voluntary Arrangements are most often used by retailers to reschedule their debts and close under performing stores. It is true that during 2009, there have been a number of high profile retailers who have used the CVA solution. Notably JJB Sports plc, Stylo plc and Focus DIY plc have all put forward CVA’s (although Stylo’s was rejected by the creditors). However, the CVA solution can be used by any struggling business whatever its size which needs to renegotiate the debt it owes to its creditors in order to survive.

Safety and Vacuum Truck Pumping!

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For the last few years, there has been an increasing demand for transportation solutions and a revolution of the usage of vacuum trucks. Industries big and small alike have determined that this complex piece of equipment is worth purchasing as it meets an expectation for increased profitability. In spite of the power of this truck, those who operate it without knowing about safe pumping operations may cost a company an expenditure of both time and money. Proper knowledge about operational safety and procedures while pumping are essential to accomplish each task more efficiently. Listed below is some helpful information regarding safety in vacuum truck pumping operations.

Safe Operating Procedures

Although it is said that employers are responsible for providing appropriate training, instruction, and supervision to all workers, this is useless unless every worker has their own personal sense of safety. These following procedures are everyones concern and responsibility:

Pre-work Meetings – Employers are usually responsible for conducting meetings at the beginning of each shift to discuss the hazards to be encountered at the job site. Adequate information should be provided about the risk of harmful and toxic gas during operations; instructions should also be included on what to do if exposed to a toxic gas release.

Protective Equipment Training – Workers should be provided with proper personal protective apparatus as well as training on how to use this protective gear. Safety apparatus includes personal alarms, H2S, and respirators. All employees should receive an orientation about site-specific hazards.

Work site and Equipment Inspection It is imperative that inspections be conducted on both the job site and all of the equipment before starting any daily tasks. Monitoring air quality at the job site should be continuous and access to first aid should be readily available. Double check the instructions provided by the vehicles manufacturer to confirm that the truck is designed for the particular material being handled. Part of the daily inspection should ensure that every component of the vacuum truck, including the tank and pumping apparatus, is in good and safe working condition.

Proper Pumping for Septic Services

Septic services are one of the most common pumping tasks. It is important to know the step-by-step process involved in order to properly perform such services.

Muck Rake – During a sludge removal operation, do not just set the hose inside the septic tank. Instead, first use the muck rake to stir the sludge on the tank bottom. Spending a few minutes stirring breaks up the sludge and greatly aids in making the material easier to pump.

Vacuum Hose The vacuum line or hose can be inserted when the muck rake is in place. The pumping operation can then be started. A worker should continuously move both the hose and muck rake during the operation to break up any material and mixing it with the waste water as this permits easy removal.

Employee Training 101

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Although it may feel like a waste of valuable work time, new employee training will ultimately save your business time and money. Without such a focused experience, employees will be lagging in their understanding, drifting in their interest, and dragging in their productivity. Of course, proper training does not have to be massively time-consuming. There are three simple goals that should be met in any employee training program. New employees should

1. Learn about the business, it purpose, and the means by which it attends to that purpose
2. Learn about their own purpose within the business
3. Learn about the means by which they can attend to that purpose

Now, for an employee to effectively learn these points, it will take more than a PowerPoint presentation. But that doesnt mean it has be boot camp, either. If you follow the recommendations below, you can execute a functional training program without spending an excessive amount of time and effort in doing so.

Prioritize. You can maximize the impact of a training experience by focusing upon matters that relate directly to the new employees position. Boil the employees function down to about 3 primary tasks, and spend the majority of the training sessions focusing on these areas. This will save you time and will help place emphasis on the knowledge that really counts.

Delegate. As you choose a trainer, be sure that this individual is well experienced in the tasks being taught. Also be sure that the trainer is patient, clear, and personable.

Schedule. Since it doesnt always flow with the normal office routine, training time can often get lost in the shuffle. But the best way to introduce a new employee to your company is by demonstrating your commitment and resolve to properly instruct all team members. So lock in a set date or collection of dates during which the training will occur, and avoid rescheduling!

Evaluate. Before taking your employee to the next level, make sure that the previously covered information is well understood. Progressing hastily is often as useless as not progressing at all.

Re-evaluate. Employee training should be an ongoing effort. Whether one has been a member of the business for 6 months or 6 years, it never ceases to be important that the employee is consistently stimulated and challenged to progress in the quality of their work.

To maintain a well-functioning business that strengthens and grows with each passing year, it is imperative that managers plan for the consistent training of employees both old and new. If you train with care and strategy, you will find that the time invested in training cannot compare to the time and productivity saved in the long run.

Compliance with the GCSx Code of Connection (GCSx CoCo) – What an IT Professional needs to know

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The UK Government’s initiative to prescribe a security standard to any organization accessing the Government Connect Secure Extranet is a move designed to keep government organisations one step ahead of the inexorable increase in security threats. There have been too many high profile data thefts and losses by Government organizations, highlighting both the risk to, and the importance of, ICT Security and the governance of citizens’ data.

The result is the Government Connect Secure Extranet (GCSx). HM Government has mandated the way in which public authorities and government departments can securely transfer data between each other.

So, for example, how does a local authority needing Housing Benefits data access the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) database? Via the GCSx of course! Similarly, Job Centre Plus communications with local authorities will only accept communications via the GCSx, and likewise, communications with the Police and the NHS will only be provided through this connection.

The concept is a “community of trust” and the GCSx is one of a number of secure Government extranets, including GSx, GSi and GCJx. See our Glossary of Terms at the end for details of these other networks.

So how does a district council access the GCSx? Via a secure connection, the security of which is governed by the Code of Connection, or ‘CoCo’.

The GCSx CoCo

In England and Wales it is referred to as the GCSX Code of Connection (CoCo). In Scotland it is referred to as the GSX Code of Connection (CoCo). Through GCSx, local authorities can connect to the Government Secure Extranet (GSX) and Intranet(GSI), the National Health Service (NHS), Criminal Justice Extranet (CJX), and the Police National Network (PNN). The Code of Connection takes into consideration how best to protect the “community of trust” taking into account all potential threats, including Attack from the GCSx itself Attack from the Internet Mobile data theft and loss Attack from the internal user

Code of Connection (CoCo) for the Government Secure Intranet (GSI) and GCSx, Memorandum Number 22. According to CESG Infosec Memorandum Number 22, protective monitoring has traditionally been the most underrated and least effectively used security measure. The scope of the GCSx Code of Connection can be summarised as follows Physical Security and Access Control, restrict and control access to the GCSx, including use of Firewalls, Intrusion Protection technology and with particular focus on Mobile/Remote Worker security Policies and Procedures, in particular Change Management Processes, approvals and documentation. Configuration ‘hardening’, to ensure that known threats and vulnerabilities are eliminated from all systems, with a zealous patch management process combined with anti-virus technology, regularly tested and verified as secure. Strong Monitoring for security incidents and events, with all event logs being retained for 6 months