How to Prevent Slip and Fall Accidents in the Workplace

Prevention is often the most cost-effective approach to solving a potential problem. Many businesses don’t worry about safety procedures until it’s too late and a lawsuit is in the works – some companies actually assess the risk of injury or death and do noting as a result.

I feel that ensuring the safety of your workers and customers is paramount for the longevity of a company or organization because of the intangible costs if an accident occurs. Rather than the traditional, “If this happens, it will cost this much,” many safety professionals believe that productivity loss, potential business loss, and image degradation are also in the mix after an accident occurs within your company.

Take BP for example – when the spill occurred, BP’s stock plunged into the depths of the abyss, along with the oil. The company spent years attempting to re-invigorate its image after shattering it in the Gulf of Mexico. Wildlife, employees, managers, and shareholders were all affected by the lack of control and prevention.

In the case of slip and fall, which is one of the most prominent forms of worker injury and death, prevention is often the key to success.

How to Prepare

Fall protection – This practice is mandated by OSHA in situations where workers are elevated or suspended in the air above six feet. When working on a platform, even if the worker slips and falls, fall protection will ensure the safety of the worker while help arrives.

If you’re in construction and have workers on rooftops laying materials, anchor points and continual hooking areas are needed as workers span the distance of the roof-line. Without proper fall protection, a simple slip and fall could cost someone their life.

Good Housekeeping Practices – Ensure that training allows workers to identify slippery, wet areas and deal with issues on the spot. Most accidents occur when people fail to take responsibility for a situation and leave dangerous areas untreated. Poor housekeeping or pre-shift and post-shift checklist practices for slippery areas can cause a buildup of hazardous materials within a factory or workplace floor. Ensure that your staff is organized and oversee quality control on a daily basis for best practices.

Provide Safety Shoes – Most safety shoes are slip-resistant and have great traction abilities. Offering these shoes to your employees is essential to the prevention of slip and fall accidents. Even with superior training and housekeeping practices, sudden accidents may occur. Protective footwear will lower the chances of a worker falling due to an unknown spill or wet surface.

Proper Labeling – If the floor is wet, label the area with a barrier or sign clear from all angles. This will help alert workers of potential danger and allow avoidances within the workplace.

Eliminate Obstructed Views – About 65% of all falls occur on flat surfaces, at the same eye level of the worker. These falls do not have fall protection because the worker is not elevated, but nonetheless, major injuries can occur from tripping or slipping on flat surfaces. Keep all areas of employee movement throughout the workplace accessible and unobstructed. Objects in the middle of the floor can trip employees if they are not aware of their surroundings during operations. In addition to removing obstructed views, ensure proper lighting is available to workers, especially if the site is remote and widespread.

This article was written by Matthew Hall.  Matt is currently a law student at Stetson Law in Sanford, FL.  When Matt is not busy studying for is law classes, he enjoys researching and writing articles on various topics of law.  Matt has recently been authoring articles on behalf of Heil-Law, the premier medical malpractice attorney in Central, FL.  If you would like to read more of Matt's work, you can visit him on Google+.

How To Get Your Security Deposit Back

At the end of a tenancy period, the main prerogative of the departing tenant is to ensure their security deposit return. The money will have been held in a Tenancy Deposit Scheme, to protect it until such time an agreement has been reached between landlord and tenant, when the money will then be refunded.

How can you do this?

A good place to start is before you move in. Look up the rental company and landlord details as well as property details. Make sure you are dealing with a genuine partner. Some landlords have bad reputations and you will be able to find this out online.

Read your tenancy agreement carefully, to make sure you are familiar with all the terms you will agree to. If you disagree with anything, then be clear about the changes you want made before you agree.

Read through the inventory you are provided; make sure it is accurate ad clear. Make sure that the statements of conditions of the property are right. you don’t want to end up paying for damage you didn’t cause. It can help to take photos of the condition of the property before you move in.
Make sure any amendments you want to make to the agreement or inventory are agreed by the landlord. Make sure they sign the documents once the changes are made.

Living in your rented property

Honesty is the best policy here. If anything in your rented property isn’t working properly or breaks, tell your landlord straight away so they can arrange its repair or replacement. This needs to happen to make sure you are not blamed for damage you didn’t cause.

It is also really important to keep your rented property in a good condition at all times, to avoid questioning of your standard of care later on. Make sure you keep everything clean, and clean up any spillages as soon as possible to avoid stains. It can be worth finding paint to match your walls in case you mark the walls. Repairing this yourself will eliminate the probability of you being charged for it at the end of your tenancy.

Often when you move in to a rented place, you will be required to pay a cleaning deposit. If not, the property will be professionally cleaned and you will be required to pay for a professional cleaner when your tenancy comes to an end. This can also help to rectify any problems that might mean you lose your security deposit.

What is most important?

It is wise to try to adhere to the agreements you made in your tenancy agreement at all times. This will reduce the chance of you being charged for damage later on.

You should also maintain clear communication with your landlord, and endeavour to keep records of all communication you make for the avoidance of doubt at the end of your tenancy, and to serve you in the event of a tenancy deposit dispute.

Make sure you get help today, get in touch with Piglord.

Here is information if you are considering private renting in the UK.

Cheryl Chapman is a legal writer for various solicitors on the web. You can find her on Google plus here

Motorbikes, Accidents, and Compensation Claims

At Carry on Biking, we love motorbikes! We specialise in representing riders who have been involved in an accident because we are bikers ourselves, and we understand why you are making a claim.

Why make a compensation claim?

We want to pursue your claim according to what you want.

Have you been involved in a motorcycle accident?
Was it the fault of another road user?
Was the road poorly maintained and the cause of your accident?
Was it due to negligence?

Whatever the cause after an accident some riders feel the need to seek compensation as a way to move on or to get over the event. We understand this, and we want to help. You may feel angry, and want the person responsible to be held accountable for their actions. If your accident is the result of someone else’s negligence, we want to help you.

Of course some riders make the claim to compensate for the financial implications of the accident. Loss of earnings, necessary private medical care and rehabilitation therapy programmes, sometimes even costly lifestyle adjustments that have had to be made to accommodate long term physical disability sustained in the accident.

If the injuries you have suffered are severe and life changing, there is of course a huge impact on emotional and psychological wellbeing. This may need treatment. This may even leave you with lifelong mental health issues. We want to listen to you, to what happened, to why you want to make a claim. We understand why you need to do this.

By pursuing genuine claims for compensation, we are proud to be contributing to the improvement of motor biking conditions in the UK. Maximising your recovery of compensation is our absolute priority. We will do so with understanding and years of expertise in this specialist field. This is hard enough for you. We want to share the burden.

Do I have a case to claim for compensation?
Have you been unable to work and earn because of injuries in an accident?
Have you had to seek costly medical care?
Have you had to make any adjustments to your home to accommodate any longer term disabilities caused by the accident?

Have you suffered financial implications as a result of the accident?

If the answer is yes, contact us at Carry on Biking. We know about bikes, we know about riding them and we know about the threats posed to riders on the road. We know about the law around motorcycling. Because we know all of this, we are able to assess very quickly whether or not you have a legitimate claim to make for compensation. If you do we are happy to work with you on a ‘no win no fee’ basis, because we are confident you deserve compensation.

An accident can mean more than just the physical trauma. It can mean longer term difficulties and financial hardship. We understand how difficult this is for you, and we want to lessen the stress involved in making a compensation claim. We want to do the heavy lifting for you.

Here is a site to help bikers compare insurance to get the exact one they need for their bike.

Terry Farley is a writer that works in the Legal market in the UK. You can follow other posts by Terry over here on Google Plus.

What do you need to know about the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?

Being hounded by debt collectors is a common thing: so common in fact that there are businesses that make millions off of promising clients that they can stop the collection calls. However, did you know there are actually laws and regulations that dictate when a collection agency may call you, and when they are required to stop? Back in 1977, congress passed a law that is known as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act that regulates the debt collection industry and protects you against unfair, misleading, and other debt collection practices that go from simply unethical to downright criminal. It also provides provisions that TECHNICALLY require them to stop calling you except to inform you that they will no longer be calling you or that they are pursuing legal action against you (with this second part also falling under certain regulations).

What They Can’t Do:

The FDCP prohibits specific activities that debt collectors may use to try and extract a debt from a debtor. Such practices include threats, use of obscenities, falsely claiming to be attorneys or government representatives, discuss the debt with anybody other than yourself or your attorney (if you have retained one), publish a list of those who refuse to pay the debt, and much more. The bottom line of it is that a debt collector is legally barred from lying in order to collect a debt, and legal threats are ESPECIALLY frowned upon (unless they actually intend to carry them out and are legally permitted to do so).

They also aren’t permitted to garnish your wages without a court order: furthermore, threats to garnish your wages without a court order are also illegal, so keep that in mind. Now, keep in mind that a legal threat backed up by a court order is absolutely permitted, but without that court order their threat constitutes a violation of the act.

How You Can Stop Collection Calls:

In addition to the act containing provisions that forbid debt collectors from calling at inconvenient hours (between 9 in the evening and 8 in the morning), there are also ways to prevent them from calling within that time frame. For example: if you verbally or through writing inform them that you are not permitted to receive calls at work (and tell them when you are working), then they will be required to stop calling you at work. Attempting to contact your employer for any other purpose other than to obtain your contact information constitutes a violation of the act as well.

Furthermore, if you provide them with a written letter indicating that they are to stop calling you all together, then they are required to stop calling and may only contact you to inform you they will no longer be contacting you or that they are pursuing legal action. In this case it is highly advised to send the letter by certified mail and pay for a “return receipt” so you can verify the letter was received – at that point they may no longer contact you. You can also stop them if you dispute the validity of the debt, at which point they would be required to supply documentation validating the debt and cannot contact you again until such documentation has been provided.

How You Can Handle Law Breakers:

Now, going through this list, you might discover a debt collector has done one or more of these things to you. Sadly, in spite of the law, some debt collectors choose to ignore the law and employ illegal practices in their attempts to collect. Thankfully, there is recourse: you may file a law suit against the collector for any damages received from their attempts to collect. Even if you didn’t suffer damages, the judge may reward you up to $1000 dollars and require the collector reimburse you for attorney’s fees and court costs. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, your state Attorney General’s office, or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

It is important to note that even if a collector is found in violation of the law that this does not invalidate the debt, you will still be required to pay IF it is a valid debt. However, if you do suffer damages and pursue legal action the court ruling could be enough to cover the debt in full, but do not count on it as without proof of actual damages it would fall under the discretion of the judge in question.

Conclusion:

The FDCP is a valuable tool protecting the rights of consumers from unfair practices utilized by debt collectors. While the Federal Trade Commission still reports tens of thousands of complaints filed in a given year, the fact remains the protection exists, and there is recourse to handle those collectors who go too far. By knowing your rights under the law, and handling things in a rational manner, you can make the law work for you, and make the process of paying back valid debts or erasing invalid ones a far calmer and less stress inducing ordeal.

Sources:

Federal Trade Commision: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection

http://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rules/rulemaking-regulatory-reform-proceedings/fair-debt-collection-practices-act-text

Cornell Law: http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/fair_debt_collection_practices_act

This article was written by Brennen Kliffmueller.  Brennen is studying law at UCF in Orlando, FL and also works as a legal analyst when he is not studying. In addition to working as an analyst, Brennen enjoys researching various law topics and creating engaging content for the law office of Scott D. Owens.  You can read more of Brennen's work on his Google+ page. 

Property Listing in Davao City

If you're looking for property listings in Davao City to find condominiums or subdivision lots for sale, you can go to http://www.davaorealestateproperty.com. They have listings for the following developers: Damosa Fairlane, Delta Residences, One Oasis by Filinvest, and Alveo.

Davao Real Estate Property makes searching easier. You can use their quick search app and look for properties in different categories such as condominiums, lots, house and lot, houses for assume, and houses ready for occupancy.You can also refine your search if you wish to look for luxury homes or search using price range from low, medium, to high.

If you wish to sell your own property, you can submit your listing in their website under Sell Your Property tab. You will be asked to input the selling price, choose a category under where your property belongs, and you will also be asked to upload digital files (photocopy) of the Certificate of Title, Tax Declaration, Vicinity Map, Sketch Plan, and a description of your property.

It is safe to deal with Davao Real Estate Property because you are transacting with a licensed real estate broker who has a wide experience in property selling.

12 Luxurious Office Facilities

We all know what a standard office looks like. Unfortunately many offices are extremely dull and not very inspiring. However, a few companies around the world have tried to shake up what we think of as an office. Companies such as Red Bull, Google, Facebook and Nike and other less well known brands have completely reinvented the traditional office space. If you could design the perfect office, what facilities would it have?

Many of us are used to the standard kitchen, meeting rooms and boring office furniture. However, there are lots of little luxuries that can really enhance an office and make it a nicer place to be. You probably won’t find an office with all of these things but you can probably campaign for at least one or two luxurious facilities. Some office spaces that you can rent come with some excellent added extras. Here are 12 luxurious that would make any office a better place to work.

1. Gym

One of the best ways to improve your concentration and give your body and mind a break is by doing exercise. A good workout can make you feel really refreshed and much more focused. For this reason, many companies try to either get a gym on their office premises or give staff free membership to a nearby gym. Having a gym at your office instantly makes it feel more luxurious. It will also encourage you to lead a fit and healthy lifestyle.

2. Open Space

According to office space specialists Pera Business Park "Open spaces may not sound like a luxury but when you are cooped up all day in an office they are essential." It’s important to have a space to go to where you can clear your head and get some space. Ideally this would be an outside space such as gardens or a courtyard, or simply an inside space where people can go for a break or some time to think.

3. Sofas And Beds

Some office chairs can be very uncomfortable. It’s nice to be able to crash on a sofa during your breaks and really sit back and relax. Sitting on a sofa in a different room also gives you a much needed break from your desk environment. A few companies have even gone to the effort to provide employees with beds for their breaks and when they need to work long hours.

4. Hot Drink Machines

Lots of offices have kitchens where staff can make their own drinks. However, having a hot drinks machine does makes things easier. If you haven’t got one just explain to your boss how much time everyone wastes making their own drinks throughout the day.

5. Games Room

After a really stressful day what better way to unwind than having a bit of fun in your office games room. Get a pool table, dart board and foosball table for your office. Having a laugh and playing games can also boost morale and it’s a good team building activity.

6. Ergonomic Furniture

Ergonomic furniture doesn’t exactly sound exciting but in reality it can really enhance your working day. Everyone gets aches and pains from sitting at a desk all day, and a lot of the time it’s because we don’t have the right equipment. Ergonomic furniture improves your posture by encouraging you to sit properly. It keeps you in the optimum position for working.

7. Refreshments

Having an enticing selection of refreshments handy is definitely a luxury in any office. It’s great to be able to have a few snacks and refreshing drinks available to keep you going through long meetings and challenging days. You will also stay healthier and have more energy if you eat properly and stay hydrated throughout the day.

8. Massage Chairs

There is nothing better than sitting on a soothing massage chair and taking a few moments to switch off. Let the massage chair eradicate your stresses and strains and leave you feeling much more relaxed. Lots of people would love to have a luxurious massage chair in their office.

9. Swimming Pool

Not many offices around the world have a pool for employees to enjoy. Some offices that have a gym or health centre attached might also have a pool. Swimming is a brilliant way to stay fit but it can also be very therapeutic and relaxing. Head down to the pool on your lunch break and feel revitalised and ready to tackle your work.

10. Video Games

Sometimes we just need some time to escape from the office, but it can be really difficult to switch off. Going into a dedicated video games room and playing your favourite video game is an excellent way to distract your mind. Spending 10 or 15 minutes playing a videogame could help you to relax and even make you more productive when you get back to work. A few companies have realised having video games can  help to improve staff morale.

11. Bar

Having a bar in your office is definitely a luxury. You can go there for a few quiet drinks to unwind at the end of the day or to be sociable with your colleagues. You can also entertain clients and hold company socials in your very own staff bar.

12. Televisions

Lots of offices have televisions and flat screens but most of the time they are used to give presentations or during meetings. Try and get a television installed in a dedicated chill out room for staff where you can catch up on your favourite programmes or watch the news during your breaks.

This not enough why not try 70+ cool office ideas here http://www.lifeintheoffice.co.uk/70-cool-office-design-ideas-resources-inspiration-800

The Pros of Buying Commercial Southport Property

There are many different reasons why investors arrive at the crossroads when it is time to decide whether to buy a commercial Southport property. It is usually a signal that business is doing well and there are great plans on the horizon for expansion of the company. It can also be time to take the business to another level. Expansion means that the capacity of the business to generate revenue or output can be increased. Also, the business has the capacity to accommodate more employees.

Larger businesses usually have a barrage of employees and a team that can easily and effortlessly go through the process of acquiring commercial property. They can find the right people to assist them to do so. Small to medium sized businesses may not have these resources and so are sometimes apprehensive about the buying process.

There is no need to be apprehensive about buying commercial property. Once you have examined your options carefully and decide that buying is the best option for you, then it is time to move full speed ahead. Buying property can result in several advantages for the smart investor.

As a business owner, you will no longer be subject to the whims and fancies of a landlord or subject to increases in rent. It is no longer your job to be paying off someone else’s mortgage with your rent. Your monthly payments will all go towards reducing and eliminating your own debt and are even tax deductible. All increases in the value of the property will directly benefit you and your business.

People often have the perception that it is cheaper to pay rent than it is to pay a mortgage. You may be very surprised to find that the amount you are presently paying for rent would be very close to the amount you could be paying as your mortgage. The hurdle for most would be buyers is not the monthly mortgage payments, but the initial outlay of cash, the deposit.

There are options that are available should you encounter difficulty in paying your mortgage. If you have additional space, subject to the terms of your mortgage you have the option of becoming a landlord yourself. Rent out any extra or unused space in your building. You can also look at the option of refinancing your mortgage.

Owning your commercial property gives you the ability and the flexibility to customise your space to best suit the needs of your business. You will no longer have to be guided by the rules or stipulations of a landlord. You can do what is best for the efficiency and increased productivity of your establishment.

Once you have decided to buy, look around to determine the best kind of premises to facilitate what you do. Location and space are important features to look for. You need sufficient space for your activities. The location can make or break your company.

To look at the different locations of commercial Southport property visit NetMovers.

Sam Jones writes for Netmovers Commercial & Residential Departments. You can find him on Google Plus here.

All About Cycling in London

The main roads in London are more often than not extremely busy, congested, host heavy, fast moving traffic and remain a serious point of concern amongst both politicians and the general public. Despite measures to combat the dangers these conditions pose, cycling accidents London has become renowned for are on the increase. Many London roads are lined with guard rail; however fatalities have occurred when cyclists have been forced against the barrier.

The London Cycling Boom

Since the dawn of the 21st century, London has experienced growth in cycling. The number of journeys made by bike doubled between 2000 and 2012, and looks set to grow further, as more of the population take to their bikes in an effort to stay fit, reduce pollution and reduce commute time.

In January 2013, Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, appointed London a Cycling Commissioner, a revolutionary move made to increase the popularity of cycling as a mode of transport and to make the roads safer. In 2013 Transport for London produced the Central London Grid, a map of cycle routes across London. This was well received by the cycling population in and around London.

Cyclist Fatalities in London

Despite these measures, November 2013 saw a tragic spate of cyclist fatalities. This of course, prompted widespread speculation as to the effectiveness of the Central London Grid and the quality of the measures introduced by the Cycling Commissioner. Protests were held calling for the swift implementation of safety improvements for cyclists, and for the media to join in the movement to make London’s roads safer for cyclists. ‘Operation Safeway’ was rolled out; 2500 traffic police officers were stationed across London at major road junctions. Their role was to issue fixed penalty notices to people using the roads in contravention of road traffic laws. They also gave advice to road users, focusing on vulnerable users and advising them of safe codes of conduct.

In response to the deaths, Boris Johnson stated in a radio interview that cyclists were in some respects to blame for improper use of the roads, endangering themselves by not adhering to the rules of the road. This caused outcry and the assertion that he was deflecting responsibility he bore to London, to improve the conditions for cyclists.

London, Bikes and Convenience

Full size bikes are prohibited on London’s public transport, during peak travel times; likewise on National Rail Services. Outside of these times however, it is possible and indeed much practiced for cyclists to dismount and complete their journey via public transport.

Cycle lanes have been introduced to many London roads, although remain inconsistent depending on location. Some of them have raised curbs, others painted white lines on the road surface. Paths have also been designated specifically to accommodate cyclists, alongside rivers, through parks and common areas, and these stipulate their own usage rules.

Guard rails have also been installed on various London roads, although fatalities have occurred during peak times when a cyclist has been crushed against the barrier put in place to protect them.

Carry on Cycling can help you with your claim, get in touch today.

Sarah Mcarthy is a writer for Carry on Cycling. You can find her on Google Plus here.