Business : BDC Blog News

Keep masks on while working on site, urges industry body

Building firms are being urged to carry on asking their workforce to wear masks while working in enclosed spaces or on busy sites by the Construction Leadership Council, CLC. The CLC is calling for a consistent approach in line with government guidance as rules on social distancing and face masks

Read More »

Optimise your dust collection with the right baghouse filter

SPONSORED ARTICLE When operating in a large-scale industrial environment, dust, gas and various particles can quickly accumulate if you do not have the right system to catch and process them. Industrial businesses will require a proper baghouse filter to effectively contain and eliminate unwelcome particles and harmful gases. But what

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The most valuable pockets of the pandemic property market

Research from national estate agent, Keller Williams UK, has revealed that Edinburgh is the UK’s most valuable pocket of the property market based on the average price and number of homes sold during the pandemic. Across the UK, 946,447 homes have been sold since January 2020 and with the current

Read More »

The Most Valuable Benefits Of Life Insurance

Life insurance is definitely one of the more underrated types of insurance cover; younger individuals assume they won’t be needing the policy any time soon. Even older individuals feel that they won’t be the ones to benefit from the insurance policy when the unfortunate time arrives to claim. However, this

Read More »

A 7-Step Guide In Choosing And Installing Insulated Panels

Insulated panels are high-quality building systems for commercial and residential construction. They’re sometimes referred to as structural insulated panels and they have an insulating structure that’s located beneath two structured facings. Insulated panels are made from durable materials, and an excellent feature of these panels is one can fabricate them

Read More »

DIYs You Should Do For A Rainy Day

Sadly, summer days are not always sunny and bright. As with any season, rain can come and go at the worst times and in the summer especially this can scupper your plans for the day.  But when the rain does fall at home, why not consider making the most of

Read More »

Driveway Maintenance Dos and Don’ts

Good asphalt driveways do not come cheap, so looking after yours is a must. With a well-maintained driveway, you can keep up your curb appeal, maximize functionality, and stave off the need for in-depth repairs within 10 years or less of installation. You see, it’s all too easy for driveways

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Tips to Buying an urban condo in Canada in 2021

Buying a condo, or any other home is very exciting for a first-time home buyer. While townhouses and single-family homes attract a lot of upkeep charges, owning a condo doesn’t. So this is a great way of enjoying homeownership without necessarily breaking the bank. The best part is, you get

Read More »

Health and Safety Management Program in Manufacturing Industry

When discussing health and safety, the manufacturing industry is among the riskiest. In the U.S., 5% of total workers have occupations within the manufacturing industry, and according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the manufacturing industry accounted for 15% of all nonfatal injuries and illnesses across all private industries

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Should you get a survey if you buy a rental property?

Buying property is an expensive business, whether you are looking for a family home or BTL investment. In addition to the purchase price, there’s stamp duty, legal fees, search fees, mortgage arrangement fees, valuation fees, surveyors’ fees and more. Not surprisingly, many would-be landlords looking to minimise expenditure are choosing

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

Business : BDC Blog News

Keep masks on while working on site, urges industry body

Building firms are being urged to carry on asking their workforce to wear masks while working in enclosed spaces or on busy sites by the Construction Leadership Council, CLC. The CLC is calling for a consistent approach in line with government guidance as rules on social distancing and face masks relax from the 19th of July. “It is recommended the good practices the industry had adopted over the last 18 months are retained,” said the CLC in their public statement released today. It advises employers to make face coverings available for staff when they are working in crowded or enclosed spaces but are no longer wearing respiratory protective equipment. The CLC said its site operating procedures were still available as a reference to offer businesses across the supply chain consistency. Brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said SME builders were likely to support mask-wearing to protect staff and keep sick leave levels low – something property development finance lenders would also support.  Government toughens face mask guidance The government appears to have backtracked on earlier announcements when it said face masks would no longer be necessary post the 19th of July. Yesterday it advised people to wear masks in shops and at work and that table service would remain at bars. London’s mayor Sadiq Khan has announced that mask-wearing would continue to be mandatory for tube and bus travellers. Greater Manchester’s mayor Andy Burnham has said that passengers using the city’s tram service would have to wear masks. Major retailers such as Sainsbury’s and Waterstones have asked customers visiting their outlets to wear masks. Mask-wearing in enclosed spaces and on public transport will continue to be mandatory in Wales and Scotland.

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Optimise your dust collection with the right baghouse filter

SPONSORED ARTICLE When operating in a large-scale industrial environment, dust, gas and various particles can quickly accumulate if you do not have the right system to catch and process them. Industrial businesses will require a proper baghouse filter to effectively contain and eliminate unwelcome particles and harmful gases. But what do you need to look out for to make sure that you get the most out of your baghouse filters? In this article, we’ll walk you through key elements of the filter system to ensure optimal performance. The checklist for troubleshooting potential issues The industrial-sized air pollution control devices are quite complex systems that require significant maintenance and supervision to ensure a safe and clean working environment. If you are having problems with your baghouse filters, it may be due to the overloading of dust or simply unreliable cleaning systems. To maintain a reliable industrial dust collector, you should pay special attention to: Airflow – If the level of cleaning for the filters do not match the dust loading, it may cause issues with the airflow. Some may install a longer bag or a new collector with an increased bag capacity, while others switch to pleated bags to enlarge the filter area. Cleaning air – A way for you to ensure better cleaning from the baghouse filter, is to ensure that the tanks are completely free of any moisture and debris, which can negatively affect the cleaning performance. Drop-out box – The larger the distance between the bottom of your filters and the hopper, which is called the drop-out box, the fewer larger particles reach the filter surface area which can negatively influence the airflow. you can optimise this by switching to smaller pleated bags or increasing the surface area. Emission – A change of your regular filter media may be required due to emission regulations. This provides an ideal opportunity for upgrading your filter to help reduce emissions. Filter media choice – Dust is not just dust. The size of the particles can vary a lot and each type has its own characteristics. Be sure to select a proper material that can filter the intended particles. Your choice may depend on the level of humidity and temperature as well as the requirement for resistance to dust particles and chemicals. Pulse sequence & frequency – The selected pulse sequence should prevent cross-contamination, where dust from dirty filters spread to clean filters. Your baghouse filter also should never have a pulsing frequency that is faster than the reservoir can handle without hurting performance. Reservoir – Too small and restrictive components can result in poor filter cleaning. Make sure that there are no restrictions from the compressor to the reservoir. Your tank size should also be able to handle your requirements for cleaning. Avoid underperforming baghouse filters If you do not respond to performance issues in a timely manner, you may increase the risk of causing bottlenecks and negatively impact your production costs. There are no complete guarantees, but you can help ensure a long service life for your baghouse filter with efficient troubleshooting.

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The most valuable pockets of the pandemic property market

Research from national estate agent, Keller Williams UK, has revealed that Edinburgh is the UK’s most valuable pocket of the property market based on the average price and number of homes sold during the pandemic. Across the UK, 946,447 homes have been sold since January 2020 and with the current average UK house price at £250,772, this equates to a bricks and mortar value of £237.4bn. Richest Property Regions The South East is the richest property region of the UK at present, with 140,571 transactions completing during the pandemic at an average of £329,849, totalling £46.4bn in property sold property values. Despite much being made of the decline of the London market, 85,411 transactions have still taken place across London since the start of the pandemic. With an average house price of £485,956, this equates to a staggering £41.5bn in sold property values – the second highest of all areas of the UK. Northern Ireland has seen just 25,103 homes sold since the start of 2020 at an average of just £144,059. Despite being home to the lowest total sum of property sold, the nation has still seen £3.6bn of homes change hands. Richest Local Authorities However, when analysing the market at local authority level, it’s Edinburgh that ranks as the UK’s richest property market. 10,740 homes have been sold across the city since January 2020 at an average of £280,287, totalling an estimated £3bn in value. Edinburgh is closely followed by Wandsworth with a total of £2.8bn in sold property during the pandemic. Cornwall also ranks high at £32.4bn in homes sold, with Bromley (£2.2bn) and Leeds (£2.175m) also making the top five. CEO of Keller Williams UK, Ben Taylor, commented: “The UK property market has been booming and it’s interesting to see the regional variations of this performance in terms of current values, transaction volumes and house price growth. However, it’s Edinburgh that has seen the strongest pandemic property market performance when considering both transaction levels and property values and the total sold value of properties that have changed hands.  That said, the wider health of the current market is more than evident when analysed on this basis with cities and towns from all over the UK featuring in the top performers. While the tapered end of the stamp duty holiday may have some impact, there’s no doubting that we’re on course for a seriously impressive year from a property standpoint.” Table shows the total value of property sold based on transaction volumes and the average house price Location Pandemic Transactions Average house price Total estimated value of homes sold South East 140,571 £329,849 £46,367,213,864 London 85,411 £485,956 £41,505,981,288 East of England 93,962 £296,965 £27,903,459,409 South West 92,212 £266,486 £24,573,162,845 North West 104,575 £172,935 £18,084,650,336 Scotland 103,354 £157,265 £16,253,927,363 West Midlands Region 75,248 £205,891 £15,492,875,817 East Midlands 70,883 £202,137 £14,328,101,582 Yorkshire and The Humber 78,258 £171,488 £13,420,295,497 Wales 39,903 £171,490 £6,842,970,223 North East 36,967 £132,515 £4,898,674,312 Northern Ireland 25,103 £144,059 £3,616,306,591 England 778,087 £265,490 £206,574,414,951 United Kingdom 946,447 £250,772 £237,342,407,084 Sources UK House Price Index (Jan 2020 to Feb 2021 – latest available data) Average value x transaction volume         Table shows the areas of the UK market to see the highest value of transactions during the pandemic Location Pandemic Transactions Average house price Total estimated value of homes sold City of Edinburgh 10,740 £280,287 £3,010,280,674 Wandsworth 4,574 £609,392 £2,787,360,997 Cornwall 9,791 £245,468 £2,403,380,298 Bromley 5,046 £438,111 £2,210,708,952 Leeds 11,123 £195,461 £2,174,114,541 Birmingham 11,156 £192,971 £2,152,780,840 Wiltshire 7,655 £279,742 £2,141,428,705 Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole 7,285 £287,647 £2,095,511,521 Dorset 6,841 £295,890 £2,024,183,950 Kensington and Chelsea 1,517 £1,323,585 £2,007,878,999 Belfast 14,381 £137,784 £1,981,469,854 Richmond upon Thames 2,857 £683,839 £1,953,726,787 City of Westminster 1,961 £960,840 £1,884,206,381 Barnet 3,535 £528,189 £1,867,147,536 City of Bristol 6,318 £295,315 £1,865,800,647 Sources UK House Price Index (Jan 2020 to Feb 2021 – latest available data) Average value x transaction volume        

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The Most Valuable Benefits Of Life Insurance

Life insurance is definitely one of the more underrated types of insurance cover; younger individuals assume they won’t be needing the policy any time soon. Even older individuals feel that they won’t be the ones to benefit from the insurance policy when the unfortunate time arrives to claim. However, this type of insurance is just as beneficial and essential as auto insurance, disability insurance, and various other insurance policies. So, if you are a bit divided about whether or not you should purchase relevant life insurance, here are the most valuable benefits this type of cover has to offer. Protect The Best Interest Of Loved Ones Left Behind Whether you are an income contributor or the sole breadwinner in your household, if anyone depends on your income, life insurance will protect them from poverty when you are no longer there to provide. The payout can be assigned to the most trusted dependant that relies on your income, and you can specify its intended use in your last will. An Inheritance For Your Children If you’re a parent, there’s no doubt that you want to leave something behind for your children. Because a life insurance payout can be used as an inheritance, your children will have a substantial amount of money to give them a bit of a helping hand in life. Suppose your time arrives before you can see your children enroll in a university. In this case, the policy can be used to pay for their education or even assist with housing when you are no longer there to provide. Leave No Debt Burden Behind If you have any debts, there’s a possibility that your descendants will inherit your debts if you pass on before you can settle any loans and financing plans you have. This can be a significant burden to any family; even if they can survive without your income support, having to cover debts can set a family back substantially. A life insurance payout can cover your debts for you, leaving no debt burden behind for your loved ones to carry. Peace Of Mind Even though you won’t be the one to cash in on your life insurance policy, having one will ultimately bring your genuine peace of mind. Your family will be cared for, your debts will be covered, and your funeral costs will likely be included in your policy benefits. So, you won’t have to stress and worry about the well-being of your loved ones if your time arrives before you can create substantial savings to hand over. Not everyone has the means to build wealth in their bank accounts due to various reasons. Life insurance offers the perfect solution for professionals and income providers that want to protect the best interests of their loved ones. The small monthly premium will amount to a massive payout that can keep our loved ones in financial comfort for quite some time in the event of your unexpected death.

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A 7-Step Guide In Choosing And Installing Insulated Panels

Insulated panels are high-quality building systems for commercial and residential construction. They’re sometimes referred to as structural insulated panels and they have an insulating structure that’s located beneath two structured facings. Insulated panels are made from durable materials, and an excellent feature of these panels is one can fabricate them to suit almost all building designs. The panels aren’t only affordable but they’re also energy-friendly and they usually yield a very strong building. Precisely, building your structures using insulated panels saves you labor, money, and time. Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)  are employed in several businesses such as construction, aerospace, and automotive. When the panels are brought to you right from the factory, they’re ready for use instantly. The good news is one can use them for roof, ceiling, or wall. One can fit them as a supportive structure and use them as a covering at the same time. When this is done, be sure that the insulation properties are being maximized.    Due to the aforementioned properties, insulated panels are popular today for their use as roofs in residential houses, construction of lightweight halls, and soundproof materials in drywall buildings. Read on to know more about choosing and installing insulated panels. Factors To Consider When Choosing Insulated Panels Insulated panels aren’t hard to be found. Initially, these panels were limited to be used in the industrial sector. However, their use today is diverse as they’re now employed in gyms, schools, churches, homes, transport terminals, and sports centers.  Still, deciding which insulated panel to use can be a technical task. The most affordable panel like polystyrene may not be your best choice at times. Worse, it can compromise productivity, interfering with the efficiency of the building or even risking the life of the users. With this, several factors should be considered before choosing an insulating panel. Here are the following: 1. Purpose Of The Building Considering the use of the structure, a panel for both wall and ceiling will differ. For instance, office buildings require smoother panels in comparison to product warehouses. Thus, it’s important to identify the purpose of the building before choosing an insulated panel as this will help determine the best material to choose. No one wants to risk their lives or have a structure that won’t last because of using poor materials. 2. Technical Considerations This refers to the factors affecting the safety of the construction. One of these is the features of the panel regarding load resistance on the roof. This is a crucial parameter for those living in areas with harsh winters. Another factor is wind resistance. For all buildings with a huge height or those on the coast, this too should be considered.  For locations with hurricanes or other related phenomena, the panel to be used should be wind-resistant as well. Again, water tightness and major and secondary structures of the construction should be taken into account too.   3. Climate The climate is a key determinant in choosing the panel to install in your building. For example, the coast has considerably salty air, so this aspect is vital to determine the type of paint to be used. If your residence is in a hot area, an insulating panel that’s reflective is the best option. In addition, rain, snow, humidity, and wind need to be assessed to choose the best panel.  4. Insulation Features The thermal feature is important and determined by the form core used, the material, and the thickness. For example, one can’t use a similar panel for a cold warehouse and a furniture store. With this said, before picking a panel for one’s building, it’s crucial to consider the R-value. R-value refers to a rating that’s used in defining the thermal resistance of a material per square inch.  There are usually minimum fixed R-values for all new residences, and they vary among different jurisdictions. To lower energy bills, one is advised to set the R-value above the lowest specified value. To determine one’s R-value, get a professional to provide it, which is usually after considering one’s specification in mind. 5. Aesthetics Aesthetics is a principal factor in architecture. The appealing effect of a building covers the combined aspects of a building’s size, texture, shape, unity, color, balance, contrast, emphasis, space, symmetry, proportion, decoration, pattern, alignment, context, and culture. A building shouldn’t only satisfy durability, safety, serviceability, but also aesthetics. Though peoples’ needs vary, it’s important to pick insulated panels that’ll give your building a stylish and modern appearance.  6. Ecological Aspects The insulating panel to be used should have recycling properties, reduced energy use, and a low effect on the environment. Consumers and businesses are opting for green choices. Thus, pick a panel with reduced carbon footprints. Rest assured that this doesn’t mean the panel will be low in efficiency and productivity.  7. Materials Used To Build Your Home The materials used in constructing your residence pose a big impact on the thermal mass you’ll be tackling. Materials like concrete and brick have the potential to store heat and release it slowly. Thus, the building material is a key factor to consider before picking an insulated panel. Again, one should also examine windows and doors. This is because double-glazed windows will result in saving huge amounts of heat in one’s home.  Insulating panels aren’t similar. They come in different materials, among other differences. The most expensive panel may not always be the best one for your building, so it’s advisable to go through the characteristics of the insulated panels to choose one that fully fits your project. The above-discussed factors will greatly help one in picking ideal panels.  Installing Insulated Panels A crew of 3-4 people is needed in the installation process of these panels. A few types of equipment are required other than construction tools, including sealant guns, circular saws, band saws, and other materials. One can install the panels from a lift or the ground. Materials may be staged on the ground level or interior floors. Typically, panel installation results

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DIYs You Should Do For A Rainy Day

Sadly, summer days are not always sunny and bright. As with any season, rain can come and go at the worst times and in the summer especially this can scupper your plans for the day.  But when the rain does fall at home, why not consider making the most of a rainy day by doing a few DIYs? Whether before or during a rainy day, these DIYs will help you spruce up the home and bring it back to life.  Repaint the house  Repainting your house now and again is an important piece of maintenance to make your house shine. You can take all of those random half paint tins you have around the house and use them to top up the paint colours in every room. Even if you think your walls are white, once you apply a fresh coat you’ll see how much it has faded!  Clean your grout  Grout between the tiles of your bathroom or kitchen can be a pain to keep clean, and over time the brig white grout will turn to a greyish colour that looks mucky and dull. To prevent this happening, why not consider cleaning your grout this week while it’s raining outside? A mixture of baking soda and water can be used as a thick paste and applied with a toothbrush to your grout. Scrub well and rinse off to reveal bright white colour once more. This will make a big difference to your tiles and it will make the whole room look cleaner.  Fix the roof  This is not a tip for the rainy day itself – but rather in preparation for it. Getting round to fixing a leaking roof can be an arduous task, but it is important to do this as soon as you spot an issue to keep the structural integrity of your property. The next time you see that rain is around the corner, make sure to fix the roof and ensure that it is sealed and dry ready for the downpour.  Deep clean the carpets  One great task for you to do now and again at home is deep cleaning the carpets. This is a job you can do once or twice a year – but a rainy day is the ideal time to do this. Use a vax machine to steam clean your carpets and get rid of any dirt that is deep within the fibres. Make sure to turn the heating on afterwards to help the house dry and keep you cosy.  Rearrange the space  On a rainy day you might want to play around with the arrangement of your home and consider different ways to place furniture in your rooms. This is a great idea now and again because it will instantly refresh the home and ensure that it looks clean, tidy, and spacious once more. Plus, it can be fun changing things up once in a while.  Use some of these ideas to perform DIY on your home for a rainy day. 

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Driveway Maintenance Dos and Don’ts

Good asphalt driveways do not come cheap, so looking after yours is a must. With a well-maintained driveway, you can keep up your curb appeal, maximize functionality, and stave off the need for in-depth repairs within 10 years or less of installation. You see, it’s all too easy for driveways to become damaged. In fact, it’s inevitable. With the natural elements constantly working away at the asphalt surface, cracks and potholes are sure to show sooner or later. But, with the best asphalt driveway maintenance tips, you can keep your driveway in tip-top shape and extend its life by several decades. So, without further ado, here are the key dos and don’ts that you need to know for general driveway maintenance jobs as well as small and large asphalt cracks.  General Driveway Maintenance Dos and Don’ts Asphalt driveway upkeep requires a certain amount of dedication. It’s important that you stay on top of your driveway’s maintenance to ensure it looks and functions at its best for many years to come. These general dos and don’ts will help you do just that.  Clean Dokeep your driveway clear of debris and litter by sweeping regularly. This will help to improve drainage, avoid standing water, and prevent existing damage such as potholes and asphalt cracks from getting any worse. Do use a pressure washer to remove dirt and oil from the surface of your driveway. Dirt and oil can contaminate the asphalt and compromise the bonding agent that was used during installation. Do not regularly use harsh chemicals to clean your asphalt surface. Repeated use of products like bleach can, over time, cause your driveway to erode. Instead, invest in and use a cleaning agent designed specifically for asphalt surfaces. Seal Do seal your asphalt driveway regularly, roughly once every three years or so. This will help to reinforce the strength of the surface, preventing cracking, erosion, and other damage that can cause bigger structural issues. Do use a professional-grade asphalt emulsion sealer or coal tar pavement sealer to ensure great results that last a long time. Do consider investing in a DIY seal coat sprayer or similar piece of driveway sealing equipment if you plan to do seal your driveway yourself. Or, failing that, a squeegee should do the job just fine. Do seal your driveway in warm, dry conditions, ideally when it’s around 50ºF or higher outside. Otherwise, your seal coat is unlikely to cure properly. Do not attempt to seal your driveway during or just before it rains. Do not seal your driveway every single year. Eventually, over-sealing can lead to unsightly peeling and cracking, and this can let in water. Inspect Do regularly check your driveway for damage, particularly around the joints and in areas that typically hold heavy loads. Do not ignore even slight cracks in your asphalt surface. These will let in water and debris which can cause erosion beneath the surface of the driveway. As such, even the smallest signs of damage can lead to big problems if left untreated. Read on for more information on what you need to do to fix them. Small Driveway Cracks: The Dos and Don’ts Small cracks are more than just eyesores. They can become increasingly problematic over time and, as such, require immediate attention. Here’s what you need to do when small cracks appear in your asphalt driveway and, of course, what not to do. Materials  Do invest in quality materials that can guarantee long-lasting repairs. Ideally, you should opt for a rubberized asphalt tar tape that can be burnt on and create a strong seal within the crack. However, if you don’t have the means to carry out that sort of repair, cold asphalt driveway repair with a superior sealant should be sufficient. Do follow the instructions on your crack filling material of choice to ensure a smooth and secure finish. Do not use tar tape or cold driveway crack sealer to repair cracks that are more than an inch wide and half an inch deep. The bond simply will not be strong enough to adequately repair the damage. Equipment Do purchase a torch burner if you’re opting to fill asphalt driveway cracks with tar tape. Any other heat source likely won’t be hot enough to melt the rubberized tape or safe enough to use for DIY asphalt repair.  Do use heat-proof safety equipment when operating a torch burner, including fire-resistant gloves and, if necessary, boot covers and an apron. Do not use poor quality equipment or any equipment other than that which has been specified on the instructions for your driveway crack repair material. Method  Do clean asphalt cracks thoroughly before beginning your repairs. Do apply your materials according to instructions. If using tar tape, this will likely include removing a protective backing, laying the tape down along the length of a crack, and burning it on with a torch burner. However, directions may vary depending on the product you purchase. Do allow your materials to dry for the length of time specified on the instructions before parking cars or walking on your asphalt driveway. With tar tape, drying is near-instant. Do not attempt to fill cracks yourself unless you have all of the necessary application and safety equipment. Large Driveway Crack Dos and Don’ts  It probably won’t come as a surprise to learn that large cracks in your asphalt driveway are even more cause for concern than small ones. So, you’ll need to do something about them as soon as possible. If you don’t, they will only continue to expand and contribute to deeper structural damage. This is what you should and should not do to repair large cracks in asphalt driveway. Equipment Do only buy superior asphalt repair equipment. The best option available to you is an asphalt crack sealer machine, which can easily apply hot sealant to gaps that are more than an inch wide and half an inch deep. Do ensure you do your research when shopping around for an asphalt crack

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Tips to Buying an urban condo in Canada in 2021

Buying a condo, or any other home is very exciting for a first-time home buyer. While townhouses and single-family homes attract a lot of upkeep charges, owning a condo doesn’t. So this is a great way of enjoying homeownership without necessarily breaking the bank. The best part is, you get to enjoy the shared amenities. However, before spending your hard-earned money on a new condo, it is important to take a few things into consideration. That said, below are a few tips for buying a condo in Canada. Decide the amenities you want Since you are going to live in the condo, it is important to decide the kind of amenities you want to ensure that you will be comfortable living in the new place. This is not just about the available amenities, it also boils down to the location and the budget of the condo. You want to select a place that is safe for you and likely close to your workplace. Also, even if some amenities like a pool are not a priority for you, don’t overlook them. This will go a long way to ensure that the condo sells faster should you plan to resell the property later.  Inquire about special assessments The condo association might impose additional charges for financing a particular project, this is known as a special assessment. While these special assessments are usually on for a limited period of time, you can’t just ignore them because they affect your budget when on.  Consider your lifestyle Living in a townhouse or single-family home might put you off, especially because of the high-maintenance needs. Some people don’t mind paying $5,000 for roof replacement or mowing the lawn but if these are things that you are not comfortable with, then a condo is a great option. Perhaps you don’t mind sharing floors, walls, or ceilings with neighbors, and you are comfortable with apartment living, go ahead and buy that condo! Work with an experienced realtor One of the best things to do when purchasing your new condo is working with an experienced realtor. Not just any realtor, but one with plenty of experience selling condos. You want to find someone with a good track record in condos to inform you about the developments with great resale values, condo developments in your area, and issues they may have, etc. Evaluate association fees and regulations In addition to your mortgage, you will also be required to pay association fees that will be used to pay for the property and amenities’ upkeep. Review and ask about those extra fees beforehand to avoid inconveniences in the future. Bottom lineBuying new property can be both exciting and terrifying. It is a life-changing decision and anyone would only want to do it right.  If you are wondering where to begin, you will find plenty of real estate news at https://urban.condos/ to help you make the right decision. Before making your purchase, think about your housing needs as well as your financial situation as they play a very big role.

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Health and Safety Management Program in Manufacturing Industry

When discussing health and safety, the manufacturing industry is among the riskiest. In the U.S., 5% of total workers have occupations within the manufacturing industry, and according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the manufacturing industry accounted for 15% of all nonfatal injuries and illnesses across all private industries in 2019. With that being said, implementing a safety program with the help of a health and safety management software solution is crucial, not only to reduce and ideally eliminate work-related injuries, illnesses, and accidents. However, a functional safety program can also help the manufacturing company to more efficiently meet its objectives.  While we obviously can’t put a price tag on human lives, manufacturing businesses in the U.S. spend hundreds of billions per year on workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Investing in a health and safety management software solution and a comprehensive safety program, while considering that cost, can allow manufacturing businesses to save more money in the long run while also promoting a positive brand reputation and higher employee morale.  Implementing Safety Program in a Manufacturing Business While safety programs should be made unique for each business, almost all, if not all safety program should include these elements in some form:  Management Commitment To Safety A statement from members of management (business owner, plant manager, project manager, etc.) that they are committed to the implementation and execution of the safety program.  This statement can be something along the line of “management is committed to employee health and safety”, but the management’s commitment should be put into practice by defining and implementing safety policies, as well as investing in the required infrastructures and systems to identify and reduce hazards.  Written Safety Policies Manufacturing businesses are considered relatively high-risk when it comes to health and safety, and you should check OSHA’s requirements for written safety programs here to identify which safety standards apply to your manufacturing business.  Also, you should conduct a safety audit and compliance gap analysis to determine the written safety policies and programs needed.  Manufacturing health and safety management software solution by iReportSource can help you in performing an accurate safety audit for this step.  Hazard Identification and Control Implementation Safety audit and/or risk assessment should be extended into a functional hazard identification system so the manufacturing business can implement effective control for each identified hazard.  This aspect should include:  A system to collect and review information about hazards and near-misses, including a reporting system  A system for investigating near misses, incidents, injuries, and work-related illnesses to determine the hazards causing these issues and how to control them.  A system for fixing hazard, or at least mitigating the effects of the said hazards Communicating hazards to workers and management to ensure correct implementation of control measures Safety-oriented SOPs (Standard Operation Procedures) should also be developed to provide detailed guidelines on repetitive business processes, especially those with potential hazards.  It’s crucial to understand that hazard identification and control is a continuous rather than a one-off process. Both workers and management should stay committed to observe various elements of t he manufacturing businesses to identify potential hazards and always be prepared to develop and implement new control measures.  Workers’ Involvement In an effective health and safety program in a manufacturing company, workers should be involved both in the development of policies and their implementation by:  Actively participating in the program’s development and implementation, and should be encouraged to provide input Feeling comfortable in reporting safety and health concerns Not fearing any retaliation when they raise any health and safety concerns, for example, when they report any near misses and/or work-related injuries Safety Training A key part of any health and safety program is the correct implementation of safety training.  It’s crucial to determine which areas of the manufacturing business require specialized training, and which ones can be integrated into annual general safety training and/or new employee onboarding classes.  Having a system in place to track employee’s involvement in safety training classes, as well as their current proficiency levels and when refresher classes must be delivered is also crucial, and this is also where a safety management software solution can help.  We can use various different approaches in implementing safety training: in formal classrooms, peer-to-peer training, on-the-job practical training, demonstrations, and so on. The goal of the safety training is to ensure the correct understanding of hazards and the control policies for each hazard to promote health and safety best practices for everyone.  Reporting System and Policies If you are a U.S.-based business, you are legally required to keep records of occupational injuries and illnesses in an OSHA 300 form. It’s crucial to encourage a workplace culture where reporting accident and incident is encouraged, and employees should always report:  Any work-related fatality Any work-related illnesses or injuries that result in restricted work, days unable of performing work, transfer to another job, and/or loss of consciousness Any work-related illnesses or injuries that require further medical treatment beyond first aid Any near-misses Any work-related diagnosed chronic irreversible diseases, fractured/cracked teeth and bones, punctured eardrums, and cancer If your manufacturing business has multiple establishments, then you are required to keep injury and illness records for each establishment.  Incident Investigation System The manufacturing business should implement an incident investigation system to thoroughly understand all factors that may cause an incident. While the actual process may vary, it typically includes: Gathering data and facts about the incident like visiting and observing the incident site, interviewing witnesses, analyzing logs, etc.  Developing a timeline of events leading to the incident based on the data gathered Causal analysis using the information collected above Determining corrective actions based on the causal factors determined in the previous step Communicating the knowledge gained from the investigation process to related workers and management

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Should you get a survey if you buy a rental property?

Buying property is an expensive business, whether you are looking for a family home or BTL investment. In addition to the purchase price, there’s stamp duty, legal fees, search fees, mortgage arrangement fees, valuation fees, surveyors’ fees and more. Not surprisingly, many would-be landlords looking to minimise expenditure are choosing not to bother with a property survey. Is this a risk worth taking? Let’s take a closer look. Buying a rental property  First off, there is a big difference between buying a home for yourself and a property for letting purposes. With the latter, you’re not looking for your dream home, you’re looking for a property that will generate the most profit. And this has a material effect on your purchase criteria. What’s your target market? Your preferred tenant type will have a bearing on what and where you choose to purchase. No point trying to attract students to cheap accommodation that’s nowhere near a university. Young professionals may have more money to spend on a better quality property, but they will also be looking for good commuting options and a choice of local bars and restaurants. Another major consideration is the potential for renovation. You could buy a cheaper property that is in need of updating, but unless you do actually refurbish it you are unlikely to attract quality tenants, which in turn will affect the rental income you can expect to achieve. On the other hand, renovation work takes time, meaning no rental income until the property has been done up. What about the survey? Mortgage companies are likely to insist on a valuation, which you may well have to pay for even though the assessment is entirely for the lender’s benefit. It’s worth emphasising that a mortgage valuation is not the same as a property survey, and often site visits are no more than quick tick-box exercises. Of course, there’s no legal requirement for any buyer to have a professional property survey carried out, but we would always recommend that you do so in order to help protect your investment. Here’s why: A professional property survey report will give you the facts about the building’s condition, so you know exactly what you’re buying. It could be that the property has structural problems, which you might not have any advance warning of in the absence of a survey. Armed with clear information about the building you are thinking of buying, you can make an informed decision about whether the property purchase is financially viable and whether/how to proceed. Use the survey findings as a basis for renegotiation, especially if serious issues are highlighted that may be expensive to remedy. Once contracts are exchanged, any problems become your responsibility, so now is your chance to get the best deal. If you are buying at auction, commissioning a full building survey should be non-negotiable. That way, you can factor the repair costs into the maximum price you are willing to pay. Finally, the findings also provide an indication of how long renovation works are likely to take. This can then be built into your financial plans, which is particularly important if you have mortgage payments to make while the property is unlet. Which survey to choose? The right survey for your BTL investment largely depends on the age and condition of the property. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) endorses three levels of home survey: the basic RICS Condition Report, mid-range RICS HomeBuyer Report and in-depth RICS Building Survey. There’s a handy comparison chart you can download here. For new or nearly new properties that are in excellent condition, a Condition Report should be adequate. This will give you a simple overview of the condition of the property and highlight urgent problems. A HomeBuyer Report is suitable for most modern properties that are in reasonable condition. It is detailed enough to flag up any serious issues including structural defects such as subsidence or damp, and gives a good general overview of the building’s state of repair. Some HomeBuyer Reports include an independent property valuation and a reinstatement figure, which can be hugely helpful for your financial planning. Older, larger or poorly maintained properties should always be investigated by way of a Building Survey, formerly known as a full structural survey. This is the most comprehensive property investigation available, with detailed advice given by a qualified Chartered Surveyor on any issues found including recommendation and costings for repairs that are likely to be needed.

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