Christmas Cheer and Decorations

Christmas Cheer and Decorations

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

But before settling  down to a pile of mince pies and the wrapping of Christmas gifts, the decorations need to go up.

For many of us that means getting them down first, as Christmas decorations are very often stored in lofts, therefore it is important to ensure that you retrieve them safely from where you put them at the start of the year.

Christmas Tree

If you choose to have a real tree take care when handling it and transporting it and check the tree for unwelcome visitors and make sure you keep it watered to prevent it drying out and dropping needles.

Make sure the tree is firm and stable in place and avoid placing it in an awkward position.

If your tree is over 6 feet tall, then use a small step ladder to hang the decoration and do not decorate the tree alone. (Beware the helpful suggestions)

Christmas Lights

Visually inspect your lights for obvious signs of defects and switch them on to see if they are working prior to hanging.

Where you can use LED lights as they have a lower voltage

Never overload the socket or extension lead and keep the lights away from flammable materials

Turn off lights when you go to bed

Outside Decorations

Take care if you are hanging lights and decorations outside and at height. Particular care should be taken if you are using a ladder.

Ensure the ladder is fit for purpose and free of defects, make sure you place the ladder on level ground and that someone is with you to foot the ladder if necessary.

Ensure the lights and decorations are specifically designed for outside use and that the electric cables is suitable and connected to an adequate socket.

Avoid trips and falls by using cable ties to secure trailing cables and try to avoid placing decorations too close to pavements.

Charity Displays

If you are assembling a display for a charity at your home, please tell your home insurer.

These are just a few points from the team at PSP Risk who

 wish you all a very Safe & Happy Christmas.

 

Working from home

Working from Home

As so many of us are now considering that the new normal will include long term adjustments to working from home, PSP Risk have put together some top tips.

  • Find somewhere comfortable to work.
  • Move location in the afternoon only if you can, helps to reduce isolation.
  • Choose your soundtrack.  Some people like music, the radio or TV.  But do not lose focus.
  • Establish your rules for working at home and make sure that all your family members, particularly children understand.
  • Keep moving, do not sit at your work station for hours on end.  Go for walk, take calls standing up, make yourself a drink.
  • Structure your day.
  • Take plenty of breaks and in particular make sure you get outside during the daylight hours especially during the winter.
  • Stay social, do not become isolated.  Use a group app, check in with colleagues, have a buddy system.  Use video calls but make sure you are dressed appropriately.
  • Do not try to solve problems alone, use your team and any other methods that will help you.
  • Get ready for work and be work ready.
  • At the end of your working day switch off.  Close the door if you have one and do not go back  to check emails.
  • Further information about how to look after your mental health can be found here at the Mental Health Foundation 

 

 

 

making your workplace covid-secure

Making your workplace Covid-secure

The Health and Safety Executive have announced that they will be carrying out spot checks and inspection on all types of businesses in all geographical areas to ensure that they are Covid-secure.

The HSE will carry out these checks by making, either site visits or telephone calls to businesses to discuss their arrangements and the measures put in place to keep there employees, customers and visitors safe.

There are some simple steps you can take in making your workplace Covid-secure –

  • Carry out a Covid-19 Risk Assessment
  • Maintain and promote social distancing on your premises
  • Provide adequate hand washing /sanitizing facilities
  • Talk to your team about working safely

A draft risk assessment form can be found on the HSE website, however, here at PSP Risk we are able to work with you to put together a bespoke Risk Assessment that meets the HSE requirements and your own business needs.

 

 

PSP Risk

The Use of Chainsaws

It seems that Autumn is coming early this year and during the last couple of weeks we have already experienced two Autumn/Winter storms.

The ground is saturated, and trees are still in full leaf.  Consequently, there is more chance of large branches and trees being damaged by storm conditions.

When damage occurs or trees are blown down, the debris must be removed, and the area made safe.  Chainsaws are usually used for this type of work but there are number of factors that must be taken into consideration before you grab your chainsaw.

Training

A person who works on trees using a chainsaw should hold a certificate of competence or a licence to use such equipment.  This qualification should be updated at least every three years.

Any person using a chainsaw for any other works must have received suitable training from a qualified instructor on how to operate and maintain such equipment.

Location

Any person must ensure that they take extra care if trees are close to over head power lines (OHPL).  You must not work on trees if they are within 10 metres of OHPL and such work should be passed to a competent tree surgeon.

You must ensure that as a chainsaw operator, you know your escape route and that nobody is allowed within two tree lengths of the tree being felled.

Saws and Protective Clothing

Ensure that saws are well maintained and fitted with a chain catcher, combined chain brake and front hand guard, silencer and anti -Vibration mounts.

The chains have low kickback characteristics and are sharp, correctly tensioned and lubricated.

All operators wear a safety helmet, hearing protection, eye protection and gloves.

Operators must also wear protective clothing around their legs and feet, usually chainsaw trousers with all round protection and chainsaw boots

Before you commence any work, make sure that you have completed a risk assessment and that you are competent to undertake the task without risk or injury to yourself and others.

If you have any doubts, arrange to obtain specialist assistance.

Electrical Updates for Private Landlords

Electrical Updates for Private Landlords

As a landlord it is essential that you keep up with legislation in order to protect you and your tenant.  The government has recently changed the electrical regulations and these will apply to new tenancies from July 2020 and existing tenancies from April 2021.

 

Landlords must ensure that the electrical installations in their properties are tested and inspected by an appropriately qualified electrician every 5 years and that any new alterations in the wiring system are also tested and inspected.

 

The documentation in respect of these tests must be freely available and shared with existing, new and prospective tenants.  The local authority is also entitled to see this information and if they make a request as such, you must supply the information to them within 7 days of their request.

 

The information must be supplied to an existing tenant with 28 days.

 

If the person is a new tenant, the landlord must supply a copy of the last report before occupation by the new tenant or within 28 days to any prospective tenant.

 

If the report identifies any remedial or further investigation work, this must be completed within 28 days.  Written confirmation of the work carried out must be provided to the tenant.

 

If a landlord is in breach of the regulations, the local authority can serve a remedial works notice, complete the works themselves and recover all their costs from the landlord.  They can also impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000.

 

As a landlord, you must regularly liaise with your managing agents in order to make certain that your properties are compliant and that you are able meet the terms and conditions of your property owners insurance policy.

Sewing for frontline medical staff

Helping Local Frontline Medical Staff

Tracey Porter, Account Handler at PSP Chippenham has been using her spare time during lockdown to help out local NHS staff by putting her sewing skills to good use.

Shoe bags for Hawthorn Medical Centre in Swindon, so that staff can protect their shoes from contaminating their homes when they return from shift.

Washbags for a community based project – NHS Staff Uniform Washing Bags Swindon, the project which has so far distributed nearly 2000 bags to hospital staff, district nurses and care homes in Swindon, so that they can safely bring their uniforms home to be washed.

Face Mask Extenders – These have been provided to her daughter and colleagues who work in a pharmaceutical company and need to wear face masks for such long hours and the elastic puts pressure on their ears, the extenders fit around the back of the head relieving the pressure.

Hearts – provided to the Brighter Futures Great Western Hospital Swindon, for ICU patients with Covid-19, one heart is retained by the patient and one is posted out to bereaved relatives

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Covid-19 – Business Interruption Insurance Infectious Diseases Cover

Covid-19 – Business Interruption Insurance Infectious Diseases Cover

You will no doubt be wondering whether your Business Interruption insurance protects you against a loss of income due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Business Interruption usually provides cover only for a specific number of notifiable diseases, as detailed in the policy wording, which has been the situation since the SARS outbreak in 2003. These policies therefore exclude business interruption due to new and emerging diseases.

There are some few exceptions, but the current COVID-19 outbreak is not covered under a significant majority of business interruption policies and we regret to advise you that it is unlikely that you will be covered.

Do however discuss this further with your usual PSP contact and they will be able to provide you with a definitive answer.

Please do all that you can to stay safe.

 

 

PSP Group Newquay – wish Anne a Happy Retirement

PSP Group Newquay wish their Private Clients manager, a very happy and adventurous retirement.

Anne has worked for the group for 17 years as a loyal and committed member of the team, most recently managing the group private clients team. The Newquay directors, took her and the rest of the team out for drinks before she was whisked away for the weekend by her husband.

 

Saltash Charity Sponsorship

PSP Group Saltash Charity Sponsorship

The Saltash team have chosen this year to sponsor local charity Jeramiah’s Journey by joining their Follow the Bear initiative to get more local businesses and the community aware of the amazing work they do with children and young people who are going through a bereavement.

They have also joined other local businesses, in supporting Dartmoor Zoo by sponsoring their new Otter Family.