IT Asset Tags: What Type Do You Need? 

Think about the most expensive equipment you have in your home or office. Is it your IT equipment? If so, you may need to think about IT Asset Tags to keep your tech equipment safe. 

IT Asset Tags are used to mark your property and we stock a wide range here at Label Source. These tags can also be used to organise and keep track of your company equipment efficiently, which is beneficial especially if you have staff who take company equipment home occasionally. 

Whether you need IT Asset Tags for your personal equipment or your company equipment, it is important you find the right type for you. With everything from serial numbers to tamper evident asset tags, here's a closer look at the options available to you. 

IT Asset Tag Options

Numbered IT Asset Tag

£144.60 inc VAT (Roll of 250 labels)

These IT asset tags are numbered and can start from any number chosen. These are ideal for workplaces which have a large quantity of IT technology they want to keep track of. They are made from polyester and are entirely self-adhesive. They are supplied in 4 different bright colours so they are easily identifiable. They can also be written or printed on to provide the company name.

Destructible IT Asset Label

£124.62 inc VAT (Roll of 250 labels)

Ideal for both personal and company use, these IT Asset Labels will let you know if someone has attempted to steal your property. If someone tries to remove the asset tag, it will automatically fragment and cannot be transferred intact. They're made from self-adhesive vinyl and are available in four distinct colours. 

Self-laminating IT Asset Tag

£134.70 inc VAT (Roll of 250 labels)

This type of IT Asset Tag is suitable for those who work in an environment which entails more wear and tear. These asset tags come with a laminated exterior which can provide an added layer of protection if the equipment is frequently on the go. Available in four different colours and numbered for extra organisation. Made with self-adhesive vinyl to easily attach to your property and keep it safe. 

For more IT Asset Tag options, just click here! We aim to suit your every requirement here at Label Source, so if you have any enquiries just get in touch with us on 0800 3761 693. 

6 SECRETS FOR INCREASING MANUFACTURING PRODUCTIVITY

We’ve all seen it; everything suddenly grinds to a halt in the plant. A part goes missing, a machine breaks down, or workers procrastinate when they should be working. Eventually, production is disrupted, customers are disappointed, and income drops.

High productivity is the holy-grail of the manufacturing industry. When plants are productive, companies are able to produce more products, reduce prices, increase margins, and give staff higher wages. Ultimately, the levels of productivity are what make or break a manufacturing company.

So how do you get sky-high levels of productivity? Here are 6 tried-and-tested secrets that are sure to increase productivity:

1) EMBRACE COMPETITION 

An unexpected observation relating to productivity is that many manufacturing businesses can become unproductive when they are not exposed to enough competition.

A report by the British government found that a historic lack of competition contributed to the UK’s relatively low productivity. The UK’s late entry to the European Economic Area (EEA) meant that British businesses were exposed to international competition at a much later point than their European counterparts, reducing their need for high productivity.

One way to expose your business to increased competition is to start exporting other countries.  Your newfound competitors will have an advantage over your own company in their domestic market, forcing you to become more productive in order to compete. Competition doesn't hinder your business, it makes it stronger.

2) ENCOURAGE LEADERSHIP

Without effective leadership at every level of a manufacturing company, productivity will inevitably suffer. Despite the importance of leadership, many manufacturing companies take an attitude that leadership development naturally sorts itself out; In reality this is extremely unlikely.

To ensure that leadership is desired by employees, companies should raise the attention and significance given to leadership. These cultural changes should be complimented with mentoring schemes, which ensure current employers get a window into the roles and requirements of their leaders before they take on the role.

3) INCREASE INTEREST IN MANUFACTURING

Manufacturing is a broad field, with any area to suit your interest. It covers an almost uncountable number of products, including cars, food, textiles, electronics and more. It then comes as a surprise that many find manufacturing boring!

If employers want to attract the best and most productive employees, they first need to do some ground work of showing people how interesting a career in manufacturing could be. This starts with employers visiting schools, colleges and universities to showcase their field and inspire students.

Opportunities should also be available to do work experience and internships, to give people a taster of the industry.

4) BUILD TRAINING PATHWAYS

One of the most common complaints in British manufacturing is employees' lack of skills. It is easy for the industry to blame other organisations for problem, but ultimately this will not correct the problem. Manufacturing companies must now assume that they need to do the training, and have pathways and processes to develop skilled employees.

Traditional and often mentioned forms of training are still effective, with apprenticeships being one of the most successful ways of developing new talent. Apprentices’ contribution to productivity is also well documented, with an average positive net gain of £1,670 per year per employee in England.

5) ADOPT THE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES

We live in a world of constant innovation, and manufacturing is no exception. The industry has seen a constant stream of new developments, including artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and 3D printing.

Although short-term these new technologies may be very expensive, in the long-term the machines will pay for themselves, as the competitive advantage will increase margins and drive up sales. Stay ahead of the pack by investing in new technology.

6) LOBBY FOR IMPROVED INFRASTRUCTURE

Many of the possible gains to productivity do not come through internal improvements to the business, but through external improvements to infrastructure.

Before the invention of the internet, all parts of the manufacturing process, including the design, production, and shipping happened, in the same location. In modern times, improved communication has led to each stage in the process being moved to distant locations. Fast internet connectivity is now an essential infrastructural requirement.

Despite the improved communications, most deals and negotiations still happen face to face. Suppliers and buyers may need to negotiate prices, or staff in based in distant locations may need to technical discussions. Reliable transport networks are therefore still vital for manufacturing businesses.

Label Source is a global provider of tagging, labelling, pipeline marking and safety sign solutions. For all your label and signage needs, you can browse our full selection of labels or give us a call on 0809 3761 693.

In movies, quarantine labels and signs are often associated with outbreaks from top secret labs, alien landings, or some other disaster that you have seen on TV. Its not that we are under the impression that quarantine labels in disaster movies ever did prevent the spread of the zombie apocalypse, but in our reality, they really can be a great help to keeping people safe (perhaps not in a zombie apocalypse, but we can cross that bridge when we get to it). 

Our quarantine labels are designed to alert people of a hazardous area that must remain isolated. Without them, the risk of contamination and infection is real - not just something you see on your TV screen. That's why we supply high-quality quarantine labels that help you caution off contaminated animals, food or other products. To see our full collection of quarantine labels click here. Or to have a closer look at some of our products, keep reading. 

(Quarantine Area Sign)

Let people know that an area is under quarantine with a high-quality sign. This should help prevent accidental access to an area that is intended to be isolated. 

(Quarantined tape)

Quarantine tape deters people from entering a contaminated area. Make clear boundaries between people and contaminated matter. Despite what you see on TV, this is actually very effective. 

(Quarantine sign: Do not use equipment)

Hazardous equipment can become a danger if it is not correctly labelled. Clearly communicate that within this quarantined area, equipment is not to be used. 

If you have any questions about our quarantine labels or any of the other products we supply feel free to get in touch. Our friendly team is more than happy to help, so contact us today. If you are calling because of an alien landing or zombie outbreak, we can not guarantee we can be of help, but happy to try. 

7 Fool Proof Ways To Protect Oil And Gas Workers.

By its very nature, the oil and gas Industry can be a dangerous occupation. This applies to both offshore and onshore, and applies equally to upstream (extraction of crude oil and natural gas), midstream (transportation, storage or wholesale marketing) and downstream (refining, processing or purifying) activities.

Although there have been considerable improvements in safety performance over the past few decades, there is still room for improvement, and the industry should, in no way, be complacent. The industry faces a wide range of potential safety risks, including:

• Vehicular accidents.
• Fires and explosions.
• Falls from height.
• Crushes or entrapment from moving or falling objects.
• Slips, trips and falls.
• Burns, scalds and breathing difficulties from exposure to chemicals.
• Confined space injuries including asphyxiation and hypothermia.
• Manual handling.
• Drowning.

It is a legal requirement for all companies to reduce these incidents to a minimum. Companies have a duty of care to staff, contractors, suppliers, clients and visitors. In a bid to improve safety in the industry, we have prepared 8 fool-proof ways to reduce the likelihood of worker accidents.

1. Value opinions at every level.

Hazards can result when individuals lower down the organisational structure feel that their opinions are ignored. Workers are on the frontline of many of the most important processes, and so companies with two-way communication with their workers are often better educated on potential risks.

On the job feedback should be encouraged and considered for inclusion in safe working practices. Valuing the opinions of all workers, whatever their pay grade, will ensure that when problems arise they feel comfortable reporting the issue to their superiors. This input develops a culture of continuous improvement.

2. Allow workers to rest.

A surprising statistic in the oil and gas industry is that road accidents are the leading cause of death. Although this may seem unrelated, this is in fact due to highly-fatigued workers driving long distances though arduous terrain, often in poor weather conditions.

One of the easiest ways to reduce accidents is simply to ensure workers have sufficient time off. In the industry workers can have 14 hours a day shift patterns over weekly or even monthly periods, even in the most hostile weather conditions. The resulting severe fatigue and drowsiness ultimately leads to careless mistakes.

3. Ensure workers are aware of all potential hazards.  

Workers cannot be careful of a hazard they are unaware of.  During on job training, employees should be informed multiple times of each hazard. Refresher courses for existing workers are also valuable, as they may have forgotten training they received months or even years ago.

The training should encapsulate safe operation of heavy equipment, the importance of good housekeeping, and encourage worker vigilance and responsibility.

4. Regularly perform maintenance checks.

As time takes it’s toll on equipment, seemingly reliable systems can fail when they are most needed. The consequences of an equipment failure can be diverse, and are dependent on the part that failed.

To reduce vital equipment failures, there should be a programme of maintenance checks on equipment, plants, pipelines, and tools. Faulty parts should be replaced or repaired once discovered. Where faulty parts are discovered, improvements to the relevant process should be considered, and even the use of new technology.

5. Mark all dangerous chemicals or hazardous materials.

In the oil and gas industry there is the possibility of contact with hazardous chemicals and materials. These chemicals may be flammable, toxic, corrosive, oxidising, or explosive. These risks should be clearly marked, and employees should be aware of risks from ingesting, inhaling or skin contact.

6. Provide adequate equipment.

To enable your employees to perform their roles safely and effectively, they must have equipment, tools and personal protective equipment that are fit for purpose.

Chemical hazard protective equipment will usually involve gloves, face shields, and protective clothing. Heavy equipment protective equipment will usually constitute hard hats, welding masks, safety boots and manual handling aids.

7. Have an emergency plan.

Despite taking every precaution to reduce the chance of an incident, there is always the possibility of human error or mechanical failure. In this worst-case scenario, an emergency plan has to be implanted immediately 

It is essential that this plan is comprehensive, incorporating major accident prevention, fire prevention, response and evacuation plans. Evacuation routes should be clearly marked to provide safe access away from the hazard area.

First aid equipment and treatment should be on hand in the event of injuries to individuals. Chemical decontamination showers should be a short distance from hazardous chemicals, and first aid boxes close to crush and cutting hazards.

The Top Four Workplace Health and Safety Hazards 

In 2016, UK businesses were fined a whopping total of £32,438,677 for not complying with health and safety standards. Furthermore, it has been found that complying with health and safety standards save each company around £75,000 on average.

With these staggering amounts in mind, can you really afford to not protect your employees from health and safety hazards? 

In the UK the average worker spends around 40 hours a week at their job, a place where they should be safe. However, each workplace comes with its own set of potential health and safety hazards which need to be addressed accordingly.

Label Source works to combat health and safety hazards, so today we're looking at the top 4 workplace health and safety hazards and what you can do about it.

1) Electrical and Wire Hazards

Working with any electrical equipment can increase the risk of injury substantially, so companies who work with electrical equipment and wiring should take extra precautions when it comes to health and safety. 

To reduce the risk of health and safety breaches when working with electrical equipment and wires, take the following steps: 

• Do not connect an extension cord to another extension cord
• Avoid using liquids near the equipment 
• Label wiring correctly (Find wiring safety labels here >)
• Try to keep wires hidden away to avoid a tripping hazard 
• Calibrate electrical equipment frequently (Find electrical calibration labels here >) 
• Clearly identify any electrical hazards or voltage levels 

 Browse our full range of electrical equipment safety labels/signs here. 

2) Fire Hazards

Fire can occur even in office environments, so it is vital that every health and safety precaution is taken when it comes to this lethal hazard. It is incredibly important that all businesses mark fire exits and fire safety evacuation procedures for their employees and frequently ensure their fire alarm systems work. 

The following steps should be taken to avoid this workplace health and safety hazard: 

• Make sure no fire exits are blocked (Find fire access safety signs here >)
• Ensure all employees know fire evacuation procedures (Find fire evacuation procedure signs here >) 
• Display fire exit signs clearly 

Browse our full range of fire health and safety signs here. 

3) Asbestos 

Asbestos is a known carcinogen and is known to cause cancer as well as lung fibrosis. Asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1999, but this hazardous substance is thought to still be found within 500,000 public buildings still. Asbestos is harmless when left undisturbed, but incredibly dangerous when airborne.

Those working in the construction industry should be especially careful to follow health and safety precautions if they believe they may be near this substance. 

Browse our range of Asbestos Warning Signs, Labels & Tapes here. 

4) Slips, Trips, and Falls

Falls in the workplace are a very common workplace health and safety hazard and should be addressed within all working environments. This workplace hazard reportedly costs employers over £512 million a year in lost production and other costs. Obstructions, spillage and working at a height all contribute to this health and safety hazard. To prevent gaining a fine for a fall within the workplace, take note of the following precautions. 

• Avoid any obstruction in your walkways
• Be sure to signal cleaning that is taking place and that the floor may be slippery (Find slippery surface sign here >) 
• Warn people of uneven floor surfaces (Find caution uneven floor surface here >) 
• Make sure wet floor signs are used (Find wet floor sign here >) 

Browse our range of signs to avoid slips, trips and fall workplace hazards here. 

We hope this helps you avoid the biggest workplace health and safety hazards within your company. For all your label and signage needs, you can browse our full selection of labels or give us a call on 0809 3761 693.