Chrome plating is a popular procedure whereby a thin chromium layer is applied to the surface of another metal or alloy, also called a substrate. This overall process is called electroplating. There are various important health and safety requirements when conducting the electroplating process and this article will explore these requirements.

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The process of electroplating

The process of electroplating requires that an electric current is passed between two electrodes. The electrodes are immersed in an electrolyte ‘bath’ which contains chromic acid. One of the electrodes is the metal or alloy which needs to be plated with the chromium layer. While the electricity passed between the electrodes, the chromium atoms are deposited.

There are two main chromium process types: hexavalent chromium and trivalent chromium. Both types have potential dangers and their use and disposal should be closely controlled and monitored.

Potential dangers of electroplating

The process of electroplating can be dangerous because certain chemicals are used which can be carcinogenic to humans. For this reason, the chemicals used are strictly controlled. There are guidance notes on the use of the chemicals used that have been created by the Surface Engineering Association in conjunction with the HSE to ensure proper usage and awareness of any risks.

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The two chromium types used for plating, hexavalent and trivalent chromium, are both carcinogenic. For this reason, the disposal of waste materials from hexavalent chromium plating process needs to be treated before disposal. The trivalent chromium is less toxic, but it still needs to be closely controlled during usage and disposal.

When companies such as https://www.poeton.co.uk/ and other UK surface engineering specialists use chromium plating, they have a number of health and safety procedures they must follow.

Health and Safety considerations

Strict procedures must be followed when companies use chromium plating processes and all usages should be monitored. The government has released various health and safety documents to help companies with the correct use of chromium relating to incident management and toxicology overview.

By knowing the procedures involved with electroplating, the potential dangers of chromium plating and the guidelines surrounding its usage and disposal, companies can use the electroplating procedure safely and responsibly. Benefits of proper electroplating include making a base material more resistant to corrosion, protecting the underlying surface, and adding a new functional or decorative value to the material.

It is all very well for large organisations with the necessary funds and infrastructure to provide a dedicated in-house IT support service, but this is simply not practical or feasible for the majority of SMEs.

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With IT being at the forefront of most businesses, it is vital to have some sort of IT support system in place, even for the very smallest of concerns. With so many aspects of a modern business relying on computers and smartphones, access to IT support services is more important today than it has ever been.

This is where outsourcing your business IT support comes in, and here we list some of the principal benefits.

It is cost effective

Purchasing the necessary infrastructure, hiring and training staff and keeping their skills up to date with regular training all costs money – lots of money. Smaller concerns simply do not have adequate resources to provide comprehensive in-house support, but outsourcing your IT gives you access to a full range of services. From Cardiff to Cheltenham IT support services are available to all types of businesses, enabling you to compete on a more level playing field with larger concerns.

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Improved data security

Your company’s most sensitive information needs to be kept secure to protect it from hackers or other potentially harmful security breaches. Hackers are constantly evolving new techniques to access company data, so protecting it should be a priority for every business.

Reputable IT companies such as https://reformit.co.uk/ offer the most up-to-date solutions for data security, leaving you free to concentrate on all other aspects of running your company. With access to all the latest information about security patches, this can save the smaller business an absolute fortune when compared with training its own in-house IT personnel.

Disaster recovery

It is not just cyberattacks that the modern business needs to worry about. Fire, flood and theft all have major implications for your precious company data; therefore, it is crucial that you can recover lost or compromised data as quickly as possible to keep any downtime to an absolute minimum.

Outsourcing your IT gives you immediate access to knowledgeable and experienced professionals who can quickly have your IT systems back up and running in the event of a disaster. They can also schedule regular backups, ensuring that your business runs efficiently at all times.

Domestic heating technology has been hugely updated during the past decade, with innovations in boilers and heating control.

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Therefore, if you choose correctly, you could not only have a system which is cheaper to run, but also easier to use. Here is your guide to choosing the right boiler for your home.

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Choosing the right boiler

From April 2018, new rules stipulated that all boilers must have an ErP efficiency rating of at least 92 percent and with boilers becoming even more efficient, homes will save money on wasted energy.

Combination boilers

Combi boilers are the best-selling boilers in the UK, as they are quick to install and are compact, providing hot running water and heat through radiators on demand without the need for water storage. This makes them perfect for smaller properties as they take up less space.

For Cheltenham boiler installation, contact a company such as combi-man.com.

Combi boilers are sealed systems, and provide hot water for the central heating system and taps directly from the mains as it is needed. Water is delivered by mains pressure, which means you will enjoy a stronger, more powerful shower. They are also cheaper, easier and quicker to install than system boilers.

System boilers

For larger homes, system boilers may be the answer as they can cope with high demand. These boilers offer the convenience of being able to allow hot water to run from at least two taps at the same time.

System boilers are installed to sealed heating systems, but work by storing hot water within a cylinder, unlike a combi boiler. This means that they can feed different outlets at the same time and at mains pressure. There is no requirement for a cistern in the loft, while the extension vessel and other components are also built in.

Installation is also neat, quick and cheap, with high water flow rates and instantaneous hot water.

Conventional boilers

Conventional boilers are the standard choice for homes with open-vented heating systems, and they work by storing water in a separate cylinder, like a system boiler.

Water is provided at an adequate flow rate, and is the ideal choice with power showers. However, they are more expensive and complicated to install with more pipework and components, meaning the boiler will take up a larger amount of space.

Good hand hygiene is extremely important. Research from the CDC found that around 40% of foodborne illnesses are spread by hand germs, and around 80% of all communicable illnesses are spread by touch.

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So it is very important to wash your hands every day. In fact, there is even a global Handwashing Day in October to help raise awareness for the issue – http://www.globalhandwashingday.org. Yet despite this, many people don’t wash their hands enough – or if they do, they don’t always wash them properly.

Here’s how to wash your hands properly, and there are also some tips to help your hands stay clean all day.

How to wash your hands

If you want to make sure that your hands are always completely clean after washing them, you should make sure that you wash them for at least 20 seconds. This gives you enough time to properly wash the whole hand, including the fingers. You should also use running water (rather than a basin of still water), as this is much more hygienic.

It is also important to be aware that washing your hands with water alone isn’t enough; you should also use soap to kill the bacteria on your hands.

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Keeping clean at work

If you own a bathroom in a public building and you want to make sure people are washing their hands properly, consider hiring washroom services Gloucestershire has companies to help with simple hygiene solutions.

It is also important to ensure that employees know how to wash their hands properly. You can help with this by putting up posters and signs that encourage proper hand washing, and you should always make sure that the bathrooms are stocked with soap and towels (or hand dryers, which are actually more hygienic than towels). This means that people are less likely to get sick while they are at work.

Finally, you can improve the appearance of washrooms at work so that employees don’t feel like they have to rush in and out.

It doesn’t have to be hard work

Hand washing can seem like a big task to some people, especially young children, but it is very important to encourage the people around you to wash their hands throughout the day. This vastly reduces the chances of people getting sick while they are in the building.

I have a problem. Its going to get worse if I don’t do anything about it. Luckily though I’m not alone in this problem that I have. What is the issue that is playing on my mind? Well, I and anyone born in 1966 up to 1983 is going through the same thing. We are Generation X. We are those that came after the silent generation and the baby boomers. We are not seen in any great light. Generation X are seen as being disaffected and without drive and direction. The X Gen’s do not have the will to succeed, they are the apathetic. If the Baby Boomers were all about saving for the future and what it could hold us Generation Xer’s have a perfect word to describe themselves and the word is “meh”.

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Savings is a well-chosen word here as this is what is causing me and my other Generation Xer’s sleepless nights. You can add another word to that to make us feel even more upset and that is Pensions. Here is the thing we are the generation that has not saved for our future. We are the generation that will have the last of a merge state pension if we actually get one at all and not all of us will. We haven’t saved for our future for a number of reasons and one of the first reasons is that because the silent generation of baby boomers have done so well and were able to buy a house, unlike us, is that they saved so we don’t have to. It means that we can use their home as a buy to let for our pension or even contacting an Equity Release Wiltshire based company like https://chilvester.co.uk/equity-release/ .

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The second reason is that we grew up and were born into a terrible and turbulent tie. It was becoming clear that the glory days for the UK were done. The Empire was done, save for the Falklands Island, and the country was in the economic doldrums. There was industrial strife and it was becoming clear that the Mines were being run down. The youth were walking around with Mohicans haircuts and dressed as punks. To top it all off as the nineteen eighties came in and Ronald Reagan came to power it became increasingly worrying that the third World War between the Soviet Union and the West was a foregone conclusion. The film Threads didn’t help us and all seemed doomed. No wonder we thought why bother.

But the world didn’t end and now were going to pay for it.

Are you feeling stressed out? Or do you simply feel like a day off would help rejuvenate you? Then you might be in need of a duvet day. Unsurprisingly, in a recent survey, a third of people believe duvet days are a great idea and that they help with stress and anxiety.

Here are some tell-tale signs you might need a duvet day:

You feel the need to rest

For a healthy and happy lifestyle, getting enough rest is absolutely vital. Too many of us get used to burning the candle at both ends and then regretting the fallout. Listen to your body and take time to take it easy on yourself. A rested mind and body will be more energetic and productive, enabling us to be responsive to our busy lives and not just reactive.

Increasingly, as a society we are becoming more aware of mental and physical health being equally as important as each other. Just as you would need to take time off for suffering from the flu, duvet days can help when we are feeling mentally fatigued.

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Your workload is getting you down

Perhaps you’ve taken on extra work recently or your job role might have changed. Either way, the adjustments might be taking some time to get used to. A duvet day could give you time to reassess and reaffirm what needs to be done at work. A little rest and some perspective can make all the difference. Make it even more special with a new bed. For Gloucester bed sales from https://www.gloucestersofasandbeds.co.uk/

You’re feeling stressed

Wouldn’t it be great if employers could recognise when their staff were feeling anxious and stress and prescribe a duvet day to help with their well-being? If you’ve tried all your usual coping techniques but you’re tired, grumpy and not your usual self, a duvet day could be on the cards.

Working from home suits you better

Sometimes it can be hard to concentrate in a busy office environment, leaving you feel overpowered and not performing as well as you can. Perhaps a duvet day with the laptop can help you get back in the swing of things. The convenience and flexible hours might be just the thing you need to get a project finished.

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You’re just not feeling yourself

Whether this is mentally or physically, you just feel off. Having a duvet day means you can recharge the batteries and be more productive and effective when you return to work.

One of the most daunting general knowledge based television quiz programs is that of Mastermind. The creator wanted to make a show based around interrogation techniques they had learned in the Second World War. This was designed around a series of rapid-fire questions barked at the contestant who was bathed under a bright light. It was based on the personal experiences of the creator Bill Wright as he had been interrogated by the Gestapo during the war. Whist the big leather chair is not uncomfortable as such, it might be nicer if you were in a Eames Rocking Chair. You can find a variety of Eames Chairs to see at https://www.pash-classics.com/eames-rocking-chair-rar.html.  The original one when the show started in 1972 was an Eames office chair though.

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To further the whole threating element, the music for Mastermind is suitably set and is famously remembered. It is called Approaching Menace and is a perfect tension building tool as the four suspects or contestants sit nervously for their name to be called.  They are asked a series of questions on their specialist subject  for two minutes and then a round of hard general knowledge questions for two and half minutes. At all times the camera just focuses on them and their score and all we hear of the question master are the questions fired out quickly and with a degree of reduced emotion.  As there is a time limit, it is down to the contestant to answer as soon as possible. If they answer incorrectly then the answer is read out to them wasting time, but they can also say “pass” and the questioner immediately moves on to the next question only to tell them the answers after the time is up. What sets it apart is the interrogation style. There is no empathy from the question setter just the staccato delivery and the now famous “I’ve started so I’ll finish!” slightly irksome response when a beep interrupts a question.

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The show moved from location to location each week during the original series but now is filmed in Salford. Due to its ease of set, it is just a desk for the quizzer and the famous chair for the person answering that it is easy to create in whatever hall or seat of learning is chosen. What also set it apart was the fact that other than the name, occupation and specialist subject the person being quizzed was asked nothing of themselves.

Public car parks are gritted by the council when it starts to snow, but what if you own a private car park? After all, outdoor private car parks will see just as much snow as public areas.

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If you own a private car park, it is important to consider who will grit the car park when it starts to snow. This is because snow and ice are major hazards; in fact, snow is one of the top causes of car accidents.

Here is everything you need to know about gritting private car parks during icy weather.

Is it your responsibility?

Some car park owners worry about putting grit down, as they think this means that are assuming responsibility – if anything bad does happen, they will be liable for the accident. In reality, this is far from the truth. If you own a private car park, you are liable for anything dangerous that happens in the said car park; therefore, it is well worth putting grit down, as this lowers the chance of you paying out for an accident!

The Workplace Regulations Act 2012 states that every surface for a traffic route must not present a risk to anyone’s health or safety. This applies to private car parks that are covered in snow or ice.

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If you want to hire a company to help you with Gloucestershire car park gritting, operators such as www.contract-gritting.co.uk are a great place to start.

Should you grit your car park?

If you own a private car park, you should definitely put something down when the weather gets snowy or icy; however, you do not necessarily have to use grit. There are lots of other options you can use, but grit is a cheap and effective option and one of the most popular ways to get rid of snow.

Simply buy the grit and cover your car park with it. Remember that it works best when it is broken down by cars, so it takes longer to work on pavements. It is also very important to note that you cannot use grit from public salt boxes, as this is for public roadways only. If you do this and you are caught, it is very likely that you will be fined or penalised.

Winter and Christmas go hand in hand like Turkey and stuffing, a beautiful time of the year filled with carol singing, roaring fires, snow covered trees, family parties and mulled wine.  Winter can be an amazing time filled with crisp frosty mornings, children’s Nativity plays, carols by Candle light and Christmas dinners.  Presents around the tree decorated with sparkling lights and shining ornaments with festive songs playing on the C.D.  Families re-united and party games played, drinks and nibbles enjoyed after a huge roast dinner and a bright star shining in the sky guiding weary travellers’ home.

Spring and Easter go hand in hand like Chocolate Eggs and roast Lamb with mint sauce, a fresh new start to life.  With small, green stalks sprouting through the ground, yellow and white Daffodils, violet Crocuses, tiny, fluffy, yellow chicks, frolicking new born lambs playing in the lush green fields.  The clocks spring forward an hour and lighter nights are enjoyed by all.  Easter cards and eggs are given, special Church services held and praises given to the King of Kings on his return from the grave and to heaven He is risen.

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Summer and fresh, crispy, green salads go hand in hand like Church fetes, Morris Dancers and Maypoles, sun drenched days filled with laughter, paddling pools and holidays by the sea.  Sun glasses, wide brimmed hats, sun cream, ice-lollies and donkey rides, all synonymous with beautiful sunny days.  We all enjoy the sun but be aware of it’s dangerous U.V. rays that can penetrate even through windows, protect your home or work place from the outside with Brise Soleil horizontal or vertical blades that control overheating and strong sun glare from entering.  If you are looking to incorporate this kind of sun protection then check out websites such as https://alusystems.uk/.  Summer, lazy, hazy, crazy, care free days of holidays and day trips, protect yourselves from the sun and have fun.

Autumn and our Harvest Festivals go hand in hand like home grown potatoes and freshly churned butter.  Leaves on the trees changing colour from green to red, gold, brown and orange, a time of Indian summers and fruit falling from the apple trees.  Clear star filled nights with stunning red skies offering the promise of a beautiful day in the morning.  Bonfires and marshmallows toasting on sticks, songs around the camp fire and hot chocolate in a mug.  At the end of Autumn, the clocks fall back an hour and the sun starts to sink lower in the sky.  The Four Seasons of the year, each one special with Festivals and food to enjoy, each one bringing the promise of excitement and new life.

Do you seem to be paying too much for your bills? Have you just received a bill you didn’t see coming? Maybe your prepayment meter is flashing up an error message? If you’re a tenant, you need to let your landlord know because your meter could be faulty, and it’s the responsibility of your energy supplier to fix it.

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Do you have a faulty meter?

It’s easy to see if a prepayment meter is faulty. The screen will go blank or you’ll see a message like “error”, “battery” ‘or “call help”. Your energy supplier must then come out and repair the meter within three hours on a working day or four if the fault occurs on the weekend or a bank holiday.

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If you have a credit meter, it’s also relatively easy to check for faults yourself. First, turn off all your appliances. Then, check your meter again. If the numbers continue to move, the meter is probably faulty. If it’s a gas meter, take immediate action because there may be a leak. You’ll need to contact your supplier and arrange for the meter to be tested.

You should also check the state of your outdoor gas meterbox to ensure that the problem isn’t a result of vandalism. If your box needs replacing, consider a durable cover like those supplied by https://www.meterbox.co.uk/

Get a meter test

Before your supplier undertakes a meter test, they may ask you to keep regular meter readings over the course of seven days. If this is the case, make sure you comply so your suppliers can rule out unusual usage on your part. They should then conduct meter testing, which is free. However, if the results of the test show the meter is not faulty, you will be required to pay for the test.

Your electricity meter will be tested in your home, and your supplier may even fit a temporary meter. A gas meter will be sent away for testing, so the energy company must install another one in its place. If you’re not happy with the results of the test, you can pay for an independent assessment.

If the meter is found to be faulty, you’re entitled to a replacement. You can also claim for any overpayments on bills and are entitled to compensation.