There is more to the demolition than just knocking things down. Contractors have to have eyes in the back of their heads and have their eyes peeled for many potentially dangerous elements.

Demolition is a carefully regulated, thoroughly researched business. Demolition contractors must be meticulous about both the safety of employees and environmental safety, or else risk losing their business licenses. As with regular contractors, demolition experts have legal requirements to follow strict standards for employee safety. They must also comply with standards for deconstruction techniques that ensure a secure environment. Hazardous construction materials, like asbestos, should always be safely extracted before demolition can take place. For Birmingham Demolition, visit a site like https://www.hammerjack.co.uk/

Some forward-thinking demolition companies have even exceeded government standards by finding new and innovative ways to reuse old building materials, instead of sending them directly to the landfill. Because they have a unique perspective on how best to demolish buildings, commercial demolition experts can teach you a lot about selecting housing materials, building methods and more. Focusing on environmentally friendly dismantling has a definite cost-saving value for residential builders, plus there has been a surge in consumer demand for green construction.

Limiting exposure to hazardous chemicals

It goes without saying that residential building contractors are aware of the hazards of asbestos, lead and other toxic substances in the construction of houses. Newer properties do not contain toxic materials, but it is not unusual for a contractor to be hired to retrofit or bring an old house up to code.

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Wood dust containing formaldehyde

It is possible for wood dust to get lodged in the nose when breathed in and is estimated to have led to cancer of the nose in some woodworkers. The wood panel particles sometimes contain toxic formaldehyde; when wood is cut or manipulated, formaldehyde-laced dust is sent into the air, posing a great risk to workers nearby. For this reason, contractors recommend wearing protective respiratory equipment when dealing with particles and panels.

Synthetic mineral fibres

These are a fibrous product made of ceramic, fibreglass and rock wool. Studies have found these fibres are not as dangerous as asbestos, so they are still used in sound and thermal protection products. They can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat but there remains some question as to whether SMFS can also cause lung cancer, because sometimes they contain fibreglass. Industrial demolition experts recommend workers wear respirators and protective clothing when SMF contact is possible.

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Lead paint

One danger that is often overlooked is the danger of burning steel beams that have been painted with lead paint. Just a small number of painted beams can leave a worker exposed to lead levels in the air that are off the charts. Workers must be provided with respirators, protective clothing and hand washing stations.

These are just some of the demolition materials that contractors must carefully monitor and prepare for when taking down buildings. There are, in fact, a whole set of standards for disassembly procedures.

Companies operating in food retail like grocery stores, supermarkets and restaurants all face the threat of pests from a variety of sources. A large store may stock tens of thousands of food products from a variety of sources with complex supply chains, which require efficient monitoring and control procedures.

Activities can include the preparation of food, handling fish and meat that are raw, fresh dairy goods, freshly cooked food, baked items, fruit and vegetables as well as dealing with packaged goods as well. It is important for businesses in the food retail sector to maintain sanitary standards and actively prevent pests in order to maintain high standards of food safety and to protect the goods, staff, customers and their reputation.

The main pests affecting the food sector range from rodents to creepy crawlies and flying critters like flies and cockroaches, each one causing unique problems with food security and other legislative requirements.

1. Rodents

Mice and rats are interested in the food supply but do not venture far from their place of residence or nesting sites, so it will nest close to a food source. They are capable of rapid increase in the population given the abundant supply of food, shelter and warm conditions inside a building. For Essex Pest Control, visit a site like BPC Essex Pest Control

2. Cockroaches

Cockroaches can cause particular problems in food businesses because of their small size meaning they can easily hide, their wide diet, speedy reproduction and diseases they may carry. Although they can be difficult to spot since they are largely nocturnal, some signs that could indicate cockroaches in your supermarket include:

A lingering unpleasant odour

Stools brown / black in colour, cylinder shaped approx. 2mm long

Smears or dirty marks on surfaces

Shed cockroach skin close to where they had taken refuge

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3. Birds

Buildings such as food retail facilities, provide a safe area for birds to perch around the structure and in spaces such as under the roof. Storing food and waste can also provide a supply of food that attracts birds. Wild birds and their nests are protected by law and only the birds considered pests can be controlled. The most common pest birds are pigeons, house sparrows, several species of gulls and starlings.

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4. Flies

Some species of flies are attracted to the smell of food stores, including house and fruit varieties. The uncomfortable truth is that flies can carry more than 100 pathogens that can cause disease in humans, including Salmonella and E. coli. A common risk from flies in supermarkets is that they contaminate food products with pathogens that can cause illness. 64% of businesses worry about the compensation claims resulting from an outbreak of food-borne disease, that flies can be responsible for.

A laboratory is an example of ultimate cleanliness, hygiene and a sterile environment. There are strict rules and regulations to adhere to, especially when potentially dangerous materials are being used. To conduct effective and accurate tests and experiments, areas must be free of any suspicion of cross-contamination. Therefore, when you visit a lab, you should note that is clean, orderly and well-managed. Here are some more things you might notice:

The floors should be clear of any potential trip or slip hazards. Spills or dropped objects should always be cleaned up straight away. Anything not being currently used should be cleared away of tables, worktops, aisles and floors. There should also be two clear and unobstructed pathways to exits from the laboratory.

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Any eyewash stations, showers, fire extinguishers or electrical panels must also have a clear space around them. Any sink traps or drain traps in the floor should always contain water to stop gases from escaping into the laboratory atmosphere.

Apparatus that is used on benches or worktops should be firmly attached to the surface or kept well away from any edges. When experiments have concluded, areas involved should always be cleaned straight away. Work areas must remain clear of possible contamination.

As you can appreciate, a lab needs to maintain order and specific conditions for both scientific and safety purposes. This is what makes moving a lab such a tricky operation. The tasks required to pack up delicate apparatus, transport a range of substances, sterilise environments and recalibrate machinery are extensive and costly. Thankfully, such projects can be overseen by specialists in relocating important environments like laboratories. For more information on Lab Relocation Services, visit a site like Aport Global lab relocation services

Storage is another important aspect of daily life in a laboratory. Any items that are sharp, pointed or containing a blade should always be stored in a sheath. Any lab clothing present should be stored in a dedicated area and not left to be draped over the backs of chairs or benches, for example. Equipment that is not used often should always be stored away until required.

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Containers of chemicals should not be stored on the floor. The storage of boxes, packages and other items also require a dedicated space and should never be found under worktops, benches, desks or above cabinets or on shelving. As well as being a fire risk, these also represent a hazard to staff who might be in the middle of an experiment using dangerous substances!

It has been recognised that a truly viable vehicle routing system for Ireland would have to be sensitive to cross-border journeys, and in particular allow for both Northern Irish postcodes and the newly allocated Eircodes. A highly responsive new software, Truckstops Ireland, however, is expected to prove invaluable. Continue reading Mapmechanics Released Irish Routing and Scheduling solutions →

SEO can be challenging for the average website owner. There are many agencies available and many elements of an SEO campaign, and it can be hard to know the difference between a strong agency and a poor one. If you are currently using an agency but you do not know if they are doing the best job for your business, here are five ways to check if it might be time to find a new agency. Continue reading Changes in SEO between 2010 and 2020 →

In the UK, the majority of people heat their homes using a gas central heating system which comprises of a boiler and radiators throughout the house. This system isn’t always found though if you start to look at other countries around the globe, even in some very cold countries! Here, we take a look at some interesting methods used for keeping people warm all around the world:

Russia – for such a notoriously freezing place, you’d think you’d find pretty conventional heating methods in most homes. In the urban cities and towns you will indeed find such heating but in most rural areas you will still see people using ‘pechkas’ in their homes. This is a type of oven but is also used for heating purposes as it stays warm for many hours after use. People sleep on top of them in the midst of a cold Siberian winter. It’s a good idea to check your boiler before the winter draws in. For Boiler Installation Gloucester, visit http://www.hprservicesltd.com/gloucester-boilers/boiler-installation-gloucester/

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Iceland – one of the great things about this country is its volcanic environment which is particularly useful for geothermal energy. This energy is harnessed from the internal heat of the planet with heat and water brought up from the depths to the surface through underground reservoirs. An amazing 87% of Iceland’s buildings are supplied with this geothermal hot water through pipes and it’s even used to keep pavements and car-parks ice-free.

Japan –  winters can get really harsh in Japan and yet the homes there have no central heating. They also don’t go in for insulation or double-glazing much either! Temperatures can reach a bone-chilling -30 so what do they do to keep warm? A method called Kotatsu is used in which a low table is covered with a blanket and a heater is placed underneath. People and their pets will often sleep underneath the kotatsu which provides a snug, cosy atmosphere.

Netherlands – whilst most modern homes will have central heating systems similar to those found in the UK, traditionally a Dutch foot stove was used. It was made from a wooden box with an opening on one side and a slab or holes would be placed on the top. Hot coals or charcoal would be placed inside the slab and you could then rest your feet on top. With a blanket over the legs to keep you warm, this sounds quite pleasant. They were used a great deal until the 1800s and have seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years.

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Greenland –  the Inuit tribes used to build igloos and while most now live in houses, igloos are still built to provide shelter on hunting trips, for example. A dome of ice and snow, it acted as an effective barrier from the harsh environment and the snow provided insulation which trapped body heat inside the thick icy walls.

China – the ‘kang bed’ is the thing that gets the people of northeast China through those cold, winter nights. It features a platform of clay bricks with space underneath for a small fire. The bricks absorb the heat and radiate this through the bed and the rest of the room.

When construction and plumbing materials need to be bent, the right machine needs to be selected to do the job.

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There are pros and cons to both hot and cold bending machines, depending on the type of material you need to be bent and the angle of the bend required.

Hot bending

Hot bending is another name for induction bending. These machines are highly effective at bending pipes because they are fast, precise, and make few errors.

By heating a certain point on a pipe, induction bending enables the pipe to be bent without very much effort. No filler is required in the machine, which prevents a good deal of distortion. The heating process is the most time-consuming element of the process; however, after this, bending is quickly achieved.

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A couple of downsides are that the materials need to cool down after hot bending and the machine is often more expensive than a cold bending machine.

Specialists such as http://www.cotswold-machinery-sales.co.uk/euromac/horizontal-bending-machines/ provide a wide range of horizontal bending machines for the fabrication and sheet metal industries.

Cold bending

Cold bending is done by machines without inducting any heat into the material to be bent. These machines will generally wrap a pipe or sheet of material around a shape with a force that causes the pipe to bend.

This process is quick and the materials don’t need to cool down afterwards; however, cold bending can have disadvantages if materials are fragile. Radical bends are also not possible with cold bending. In most cases, the machine will need to be filled with sand to achieve any bend that could be considered extreme.

Cold bending machinery is usually lower in cost than hot bending machinery, as it is less complex. This can make it an attractive option for smaller companies.

It is important to take the relevant safety precautions when using metal bending equipment, whether hot or cold, including point of contact guarding and being aware of potential hazards.

When you need a bending machine, it makes sense to work with a supplier with experience and knowledge of the different options that could meet your needs. This will enable you to consider all the pros and cons of both hot and cold bending before you invest in the right equipment for your needs.

Family and friends who care for their elderly loved ones are often concerned about them falling, being warm enough and eating properly. However, another issue which is often neglected in an older person is their oral health.

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Oral Health

There are many consequences of poor oral health in the elderly. Dental problems left undetected and untreated can have a negative impact on their mental health and well-being. Common problems such as an abscess, tooth decay, or a chipped or broken tooth can cause severe pain, especially when eating and drinking.

Well-being

The physical pain of oral health problems can make it difficult to sleep and may also affect their ability to talk and take food, liquids and medication. These things combined can lead to a rapid deterioration in overall well-being and affect a person’s mental health.

Moreover, a recent case study has highlighted the need for free dental care for cancer patients, after a patient had to undergo expensive dental treatment following chemotherapy.

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Dentures

Many elderly people have dentures, but this doesn’t mean that they are free from problems. If the dentures are misplaced or broken, an older person may have to wait for new ones to be made. During this time, they will find talking and eating very difficult and very distressing.

Thankfully, if an elderly person is suffering from dementia, having live in care for dementia carers can ensure there is always someone available. Live in Care for dementia carers is an option for those who want to stay in their home, but can’t live alone and offers the option of having trained staff live alongside them.

NHS Initiative

An NHS initiative across certain parts of the country, called ‘Mouth Care Matters’ has been launched to improve awareness of oral health amongst health and social care staff. This includes those working in care homes and live-in home carers.

Treatment

Accessing treatment when needed can be difficult, especially when a patient requires an urgent appointment. Pressure is being put on the Government and local authorities to offer better care in this area and improve access to services when needed.

Dental care is often not seen as a priority for the elderly. Ignoring symptoms and not getting treatment can have an adverse effect on a person’s quality of life and more needs to be done to highlight these issues.

People tend to think of asbestos as something found only in the ceilings of old, abandoned buildings. However, there are some unusual places that have tested positive for asbestos, which causes us to think: what other everyday objects could we potentially find asbestos?

1- Car Parts.

Because asbestos has the ability to retain heat, it was a material often used in automobile components to stop fires from occurring. Items such as brake pads, brakes, clutch linings and transmission plates are all prime examples of this, as well as many other high-friction car parts.

2- Household.

From crockpots to hair dryers, and from popcorn machines to cooker hoods, a variety of home appliances manufactured before 1988 are known to contain low levels of asbestos. Some stove parts and ironing board covers also contained small amounts so you could be putting yourself at risk if you are still using these older products from the 20th century in your home.

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3- Fuse box.

Before the ban on asbestos came into effect, boards containing asbestos were used for insulation at the back of fuse boxes in the home. Fortunately, the fuse box was only rarely accessed so this isn’t a major concern as asbestos fibres only cause a hazard when they are airborne as a result of an object being damaged or disturbed. Any damage around your fuse box should always be checked by a professional. For Asbestos Removal Essex, visit a site like https://www.sperion.co.uk/

4- Protective clothing.

Ironically, various protective clothing contained some amounts of asbestos in their manufacture. Items like gloves, aprons and trousers used commercially in the past were known to contain asbestos but, perhaps more surprisingly, so did face masks, dust masks and respirators! Disease caused by asbestos are from microfibres being released into the air. You can see why having asbestos in a helmet or mask was very dangerous.

5 – Toilets.

Yes, even the humble bathroom toilet might be harbouring some asbestos. Old style cisterns often had a tiny amount of asbestos in their materials to make them sturdy and able to cope with weight. Thanks to the sturdiness and negligible quantity of asbestos utilised, if the cistern remains in a solid condition, it should not pose too much of a risk.

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6 – Makeup.

Asbestos ended up in makeup products because of poor regulation surrounding one of its main ingredients: cosmetic-grade talc (ie powder). Talc and asbestos both naturally occur together. During commercial talc mining, there is a risk of the powder being mixed with the asbestos that occurs naturally beside it.

If you are worried that you may have asbestos in your home, office or work place, doing the right thing and consult with experts.

There is more to making concrete than meets the eye. Ever wonder what the curing process means? This is an important part of the process for making strong, durable concrete but what does it involve and why does it need to happen?

When you add water to cement, a chemical reaction called hydration begins. Over time, this process of hydration of cement and water transforms into a calcium silicate hydrate compound. This is a fancy name for the glue that makes the cement stick together. It becomes a binding agent, holding the aggregate together and forming a hard, solid substance which we rely for our roads, walkways and buildings. Other compounds are also formed during this hydration process, but they do not increase the strength as calcium silicate compound does.

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Curing is needed to keep this important process of hydration. It maintains moisture levels deep in the concrete to allow the hydration process to continue. You would not imagine so much happens after concrete has been laid! If moisture and hydrated cement are present in the concrete, it will continue to harden, stronger and more solid. In short, curing is a method of keeping the cast concrete moist, so that the hydration process can continue.

Concrete continues to hydrate and it becomes less porous as it gets stronger. The reason this is important is that newly laid concrete is much more porous than older concrete, which has had longer to hydrate. The higher porosity of new concrete, the more moisture evaporates from the surface. It lowers the level of humidity inside is so important for hydration to continue. If the concrete dries too quickly, it will not be strong. That’s why you shouldn’t cover freshly cast concrete.

Concrete is not fully cured until the majority of the cement has been hydrated. It really can take months, or even years! Normally, concrete is cured just long enough for it to achieve the desired strength. Therefore, the time to cure depends on the concrete purpose. Temperature, mix design and strength needed are all factors that must be decided when starting development with concrete. For Kent Ready Mix Concrete, visit a site like VMC Ltd, leading suppliers of Kent Ready Mix Concrete

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Concrete that is needed more quickly will have a design mix adjusted to reflect this requirement. After all, the customer will not want to wait for months! Mix design can be adjusted to have a high initial strength, allowing the concrete to be cast, cured, processed and delivered within days. The construction grade concrete is designed to achieve a very high level of strength in less than a month. More sophisticated mixes can achieve the desired strength in just a few hours if necessary.

Temperature also has a significant impact on the cure time. Cold temperatures reach desired strength levels in a longer time than in warm conditions. Strength is very important in concrete as it is used to build some of our most important infrastructure. Weak concrete is dangerous because it can crack, soften or chip leaving structures vulnerable.