Trade
November 8th 2019
Preparing for winter is important; not only because of the effects the adverse weather can have on your business and property but also as the cold can impact a number of other things. It is always better to be prepared rather than be caught out due to the changing seasons. Without the right preparation you may find that you end up with more business downtime than necessary. In order to make sure that you are well prepared for winter there are a few things you can do to get your warehouse ready.
Cleaning
As the seasons change it is a good time to have an in depth clean of the entire warehouse. It is best to do this before the temperatures plummet, especially if you have any outdoor cleaning jobs to do; such as roof maintenance. Giving the warehouse a proper clean ahead of winter means you’ll be less likely to have to clean it constantly throughout; pay particular attention to giving the floors a good clean as through winter it is more likely that dirt and debris will be brought in. Hiring a hot water pressure washer is a great way to quickly wash the floors and ensure they are as clean as possible.
Heating
Before winter sets in you need to ensure you have heating solutions in place, the last thing you want is to be hit by unpredictable cold weather with no heating. There are various heating solutions for warehouses which can help fight against the chilly conditions and keep your business running smoothly. Without the right heaters for the winter you may find yourself having to suspend work as employees get ill or become demotivated.
Lighting
Winter brings with it darker mornings and evenings; with daylight hours getting much shorter. As your employees are now going to be working whilst it is dark outside it is important you have the right lighting solutions to keep them working smoothly and ensure their safety in and outside the workplace. It is important if they are leaving and arriving at work in darkness that the outside of the warehouse is properly lit to avoid accidents; LED lighting is a great eco-friendly solution for extra winter lighting.
Health and Safety
Health and safety of workers is essential all year round but there are extra precautions needed for the winter months. Through winter make sure that all employees are wearing correct PPE as well as insulated jackets, non-slip gloves, waterproof boots and hats to keep warm and safe at work.
Lauren works in our Ecommerce Team, with over 6 years of experience at HSS. She brings product knowledge and is able to give her advice on the right tool for the job no matter how big or small.
The HSE Workplace Fatal Injuries Report 2019 details the number of fatal injuries to workers and the public in the workplace that were reported to the authorities in 2018/19. Thankfully, fatal injuries are rare, however it is important to address them and learn from them.
In 2017, the construction industry contributed an impressive £113 billion to the UK economy and has continued to grow. In total it provides 6% of the total UK economic value. It is a vast sector and has many outputs; house building equates to 25% of it’s total output and is therefore important. As a sector that plays such a big role in the UK economy it is no wonder that so many different industries utilise construction equipment to their own advantage; for both construction and non-construction purposes. The UK is the largest producer of construction equipment in Europe; with the Chief Executive of the CEA stating that “the Chancellor effectively confirmed that the UK will continue to be Europe’s construction “hot spot” in 2019.”
A 2018 survey from the Federation of Master Builders found that half of builders are victims of tool theft; 46% of those affected by van tool theft had their side panel or door broken, pierced or prised open. Although vans are highly susceptible to crime, tools are often stolen from building and construction sites. Construction site theft is not only a great inconvenience but can leave workers feeling unsafe, impacting productivity and business performance. Whilst tool theft is not always avoidable, it is essential that your site has a place to secure the most valuable equipment and take necessary steps to protect both your construction site and your bottom line as effectively as possible.
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