News

The new Mac Pro - is it Modelled on our Waste Bin?

Posted on June 13, 2013

The wait is over, Apple have unveiled the new Mac Pro. The stunning new design has shocked all Mac Pro users as it has dramatically changed its skin from the beast that was. Whilst the new design does not resemble the previous desktop cheese grater/tower it has left Apple fans wondering if the underlying Apple DNA is the same. Well, you will be glad to know that every inch of this product is Apple. The tubular design is built around Apple's unique unified thermal core. They have put all the individual heatsinks, cooling fans and all internal components onto one, yes one, triangular frame. The extruded aluminium frame functions as one giant heatsink and the cylindrical design effectively creates a wind-tunnel for optimal cooling. Instead of adding more cooling fans, they have engineered a large single fan that pulls the air upward through a vent at the bottom. On the way up, the air absorbs the heat and carries it out of the top vent. But then we noticed that it look...

Trucks and Trolleys Now Guaranteed for 10 Years

Posted on June 13, 2013

Good news for buyers of workplace trucks and trolleys – we are extending our guarantee on the Fetra range of trucks and trolleys from 5 to 10 years. This is valid from today. Steve Miller, Managing Director of The Workplace Depot commented, “Extending the warranty highlights the excellent calibre and durability of our trucks and trolleys. For a product that gets robust and heavy usage in the workplace, quality is very important. Our trolleys are built to last and nothing says this more than a 10 year guarantee.” The reason The Workplace Depot are able to make such a strong guarantee is because Fetra's transport equipment is now manufactured at cutting-edge production facilities and with the most highly efficient equipment. As well as precision manufacturing, products are powder-coated and undergo extensive pre-treatment by shot blasting. This extends the life of the product as well as maintaining a permanent, attractive finish (see pictures below of the advance production facil...

Guide to Putting up a Plastic Chain Garden Fence

Posted on June 11, 2013

Everything you need to make a plastic chain fence can be purchased on this website - see our range of plastic chains and posts. Please note that the following does not apply to freestanding posts. What you will need: Plastic chain – this is sold in 24 metre bags Mounting posts – either a spike or socket version (see our video for details) Plastic chain S-hook - to link the post and the chain together, and/or Rubber connectors - used if you want the chain to be mid-post (also need S-hooks with this option) How many posts and chains will you need? Take measurements and sketch out the area the area, bearing in mind the following:...

COSHH - How to Control Substances Hazardous to our Health

Posted on April 26, 2013

What is a substance hazardous to health? Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) covers substances that are hazardous to health. Substances can take many forms and include: - chemicals - products containing chemicals - fumes - dusts - vapours - mists - nanotechnology - gases and asphyxiating gases - biological agents (germs) What is COSHH for? COSHH's objective it to prevent, or to adequately control exposure of substances that are hazardous to health. This can be done by: - Using control equipment such as total enclosure, partial enclosure or local exhaust ventilation (LEV); -Controlling procedures, e.g. ways of working, supervision and training to reduce exposure, maintenance, examination and testing of control measures; -Worker behaviour, making sure employees follow the control measures. COSHH Assessment Before your start your COSHH...

Kitting Out an Office

Posted on April 22, 2013

Not many offices have the luxury of open spaces, especially if a large number of staff are working in a small space. One of the problems with not having a large office is the storage space, whether it would be for personal or department use. You are given a desk to work at and no personal storage or space. Although it is important to consider the available space in the office, you need to ensure that the needs of your staff are met otherwise productivity could be reduced. When kitting out an office, think about what are the most important aspects: - The staff - Space - Making it look professional Let's start with the basics – desks. The type of desk you choose will be the star of the show – so to speak. They take up most of the space but they have to look great. Depending on your preference you can have wooden or plastic desks. In thi...

How to Handle and Store Gas Cylinders Safely

Posted on April 19, 2013

Accidents involving gas cylinders can cause serious injury or even death. Having the correct support and guidance on how to handle gas cylinders in the safest way possible. The Health and safety Executive (HSE), offers guidance and support to anyone who manufactures, owns, fills, repairs or uses gas cylinders. The generic and legal term that covers gas cylinders is 'pressure receptacle' which also covers other types of 'pressure receptacle' such as tube, pressure drum, cryogenic receptacle, bundle of cylinders as well as gas cylinders themselves. Hazards of gas cylinders Gas cylinders are known for transporting and store gases under pressure which are used for many different purposes including, chemical processes, medical and laboratory uses, fuel for vehicles, heating and cooking and lots more. The problem is, that there are hazards that come with the cylinders. Some of the main hazards include impact from rapid release...

Ramp up Your Accessibility Efforts

Posted on April 15, 2013

Some of you may have seen the new ITV prankster show 'Off Their Rockers', if not, watch it! The show is about a bunch of old aged pensioners being let loose into the big wide world and playing pranks on the younger generations. We normally see old dears out and about the place either slowly walking down the street or racing about in their mobility scooters, looking rather down and quite frankly complaining about most things, but these elderly folk will have you rocking with laughter. How can we make the reality a better place for the older generation? Have an 'Old Aged Pensioner' lane on the path? Give them free vegetables for a year? Or do we given them a way of accessing areas easily and safely? I say yes we do! We have a list of products from The Workplace Depot that will help in creating a more accessible place for the people who cannot move as easily as they used to. Let's start with a Disabled Grab Rail. Grab rails can help an elderly person when climbing up some...

Cable Protection – a Pet Topic

Posted on April 12, 2013

There were 28 fatalities in the UK as a result of electric shocks and 22 of these were 'home or leisure electrocutions' (Electrical Safety Council 2010). There were also a large number of fires that had electrical origins that sadly resulted in 268 deaths and 7,776 injuries. What is not shown in these figures are the number of incidents that were caused by domestic animals damaging wires and cables. Young animals, especially kittens and puppies are naturally very curious and will chew just about anything. Other animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs and pet rats enjoy gnawing things and it is possible for them to gnaw through a wire with or without getting a shock themselves. Someone can then receive a shock from the exposed wire. Parrots can be another problem pet...

Why You Need to be on Google+

Posted on April 08, 2013

The biggest problem I have with Google+ is that hardly anyone I know uses it, yet in March it was reported that are now 343 million active Google+ users. This is about a third of the number that use Facebook and Google+ is currently growing at many times the rate of its rival. Facebook's first mover advantage is starting to weaken in the face of competition from a much better product. The received wisdom of large portions of the media is that Google+ is a failure. This myth continues even though it has become the second largest social media platform! (1). What commentators have failed to highlight is that Google+ is not really Google's version of Facebook – actually the clue is in the name, Google 'Plus'. With no offence intended to the great city of Hull, Facebook is like Hull – no one goes to Hull unless you planned to go to Hull. On the other hand, Google+ is more like London – you go the...

Why Choose Safety Steps?

Posted on April 08, 2013

Here at The Workplace Depot we have a range of mobile safety steps to suit any height and any type of access you need. Whether you work in an office, a warehouse or a supermarket storage facility, these steps will prevent any accidents and injuries to workers if they want to reach a high shelf. But why would you use safety steps rather than a ladder? One of the most common cause of injury when using a ladder is when the user carries out excessive overhead reaching which can lead to sprains and strains. Other injuries include, slipping off a ladder, the ladder wobbles and falls from under the user and the ladder breaking whilst in use. All of these can be prevented with a few safety checks listed in this table below, courtesy of HSE. ...

Pick Yourself up With a Sack Truck

Posted on April 05, 2013

One of the most common injury a person can have is back pain which can be caused by old age, sports activities and lifting heavy objects in the wrong way. Back pain can be caused by most work situations but the cause if often unclear and can be a result of many things. Lifting heavy objects is one of the main causes for back pain, if you lift a heavy object that exceeds your personal limit - SNAP! There goes your back. This is why it is so important to carry out the right precautions and use the correct equipment if the object exceeds the weight limit. One piece of equipment that can help lift heavy objects is a Sack Truck. They are 'wheelie' good for lifting heavy loads and are 'wheelie' easy to use! It is a great and useful addition to any workplace that involves moving items and will help reduce the risk of injury to the workforce. Our Range of Sack Trucks The Workplace Depot have a full range of...

Queue up for Your Rope Barrier

Posted on April 04, 2013

I have been asked to write an article about VIP rope barriers and to be quite honest, I tied myself up in knots over it. I have noticed recently that a lot of businesses and venues have started using rope barriers to add a stylish finish to the building inside and out. But its not just businesses that are using them, after watching most of the music, TV and film awards on the television, I did see some artists and actors been papped alongside some rather nice looking rope barriers, like Rooney Mara at the Oscars last year (left). We don't know if they are ours, which is very unlikely, but it is great to know that rope barriers are coming back into fashion. As part of my research into rope barriers, I asked our sales...