Business : BDC Blog News

Why Garden Maintenance Is Essential For Rental Properties

Landlords have many responsibilities when caring for rental properties. Some responsibility falls on the tenants, but it is ultimately up to you to provide the basic maintenance necessities for them. What a lot of landlords neglect is that this refers to things outside the property as well as things inside

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The Most Common Types of Car Accidents

Reports show that there are several million auto accidents in the United States every single year. These accidents can have many different causes, from reckless or drunk drivers to bad weather conditions or even technical faults and failures with car components. They can also be classified into various categories, and

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Quarry Mining: Mineral Resources For Construction Uses

In today’s world, mining for resources is inevitable (read more). The resources we require are valuable in everyday living and for innovation as well. Countries all over the world have performed this kind of activity to obtain good quality of structure use. To create almost every structure you see around

Read More »

Tips and Tricks for a Beautiful Summer Garden

Once the summer months roll around, people all over the UK take to parks and gardens for picnics and barbecues, and to enjoy the great outdoors. If you are fortunate enough to have a garden in your home, late spring or early summer is a great time to freshen up

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Five of the World’s Best Casino Designs

Whenever we think of gambling and casinos, we always associate them with old-world elegance and luxury. We imagine James Bond gambling in his tuxedo or an elegant Marlene Dietrich gracing the tables. Norway has no imposing casinos, and the Coronavirus pandemic has limited travel so that we can only gamble

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How COVID Has Affected Health and Safety in Trade

As the UK begins its exit from lockdown, the trade industry can look to slowly relax its Covid restrictions. Life-critical health and safety product provider, Reece Safety looked at how the pandemic has changed health and safety across the trade industry, and whether the stricter elements brought about by the pandemic are

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Latest Issue
Issue 326 : Mar 2025

Business : BDC Blog News

Why Garden Maintenance Is Essential For Rental Properties

Landlords have many responsibilities when caring for rental properties. Some responsibility falls on the tenants, but it is ultimately up to you to provide the basic maintenance necessities for them. What a lot of landlords neglect is that this refers to things outside the property as well as things inside it. You may have no problems scheduling regular boiler checks for your properties, but have you thought about garden maintenance? If your rental property is occupied by one tenant, they should handle the maintenance of the outdoor space. This relates to instances where you rent out a typical family home, for example. However, if you own a block of flats or there are shared outdoor spaces between multiple tenants, the onus is on you to provide maintenance. It’s not a luxury that you add on to make it seem like you’re a good landlord – garden maintenance should be essential, and here’s why… Attract more tenants Do you have vacant properties that need filling? It’ll be hard to attract tenants if the garden and outdoor spaces are a complete mess. Regular garden maintenance makes your property more desirable and marketable, encouraging more people to enquire about it. If you’re been struggling to generate interest around your rental property, now’s the time to get all your outdoor power equipment parts together and tend to the garden. Once everything is neat and tidy, take new property photos and see the instant impact this has on inquiries.  Retain tenants for longer People won’t want to live in a rental property when a shared garden is completely unkempt. It’s not just the garden that’s the issue, it’s any greenery and trees that exist on the property as well. If everything becomes overgrown and unsightly, people want to leave. It annoys them to come home to a property where the lawn is a foot high and all the bushes are overgrown. From their perspective, it makes them wonder what their rent is going towards. Sure, it goes towards the property, but they aren’t getting any extra help from the landlord, so why bother staying? Regular garden maintenance puts an end to these thoughts and encourages people to stay for longer, maximizing your income.  Prevent accidents  Lastly, garden maintenance reduces the risk of accidents and injuries happening on your property. An overgrown tree with low-hanging branches can very easily cause a personal injury. Long grass or weeks can be considered trip hazards – as can lots of wet fallen leaves in the rainy months. If you want to prevent accidents on your property, you must maintain a neat garden and the surrounding outdoor space.  At first glance, something like garden maintenance seems like a trivial thing. By all means, you should not feel responsible for keeping a garden tidy if you rent out a home with just one family or tenant living there. This is more aimed at landlords that own an apartment building or any other property with a garden shared by tenants. Don’t neglect regular maintenance as it can be highly beneficial to keep things in order. 

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The Ancillary Costs Of Purchasing A Commercial Property After Construction

Many of us understand how much it costs to build a property. But when it comes to the purchasing costs, we don’t always know a huge amount. That said, we should. That’s because how much a building costs to purchase matters a lot to clients. They want to know that they are getting a good return on their investment.  So what purchase costs do we need to take into account following the construction of a building. Perhaps the biggest issue is the cost of capital for the downpayment – usually around 20 percent for most commercial projects. Those buying commercial buildings will need to consider the opportunity cost of putting this money into commercial real estate equity versus investing it elsewhere, such as the stock market. Other cost considerations include valuation fees and loan agreement legal fees. As the following infographic shows, these can be up to 1 percent of the purchase price of the construction. There are many other costs too, such as fire insurance, loan instalments, interest and utility deposits for electricity and water.  It’s also worth noting that commercial rates for utilities are often considerably higher than they are for residential properties. So when clients consider the levelised cost of purchasing a new construction, they will take this into account as well.  If all this sounds a little complicated, don’t worry. The following infographic breaks it down. It shows the likely costs of purchasing a property and how much you’re likely to spend in a country like Malaysia. By PropertyGuru Group

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The Most Common Types of Car Accidents

Reports show that there are several million auto accidents in the United States every single year. These accidents can have many different causes, from reckless or drunk drivers to bad weather conditions or even technical faults and failures with car components. They can also be classified into various categories, and there are many different types of accidents, from rear-end collisions to side-swipes. Knowing the difference between auto accidents can be important, because if you’re involved in one of these accidents, you may want to contact a lawyer, and there are certain firms that specialize or have a history in dealing with certain specific types of accidents. To help you differentiate between them and identify the various varieties, this guide will introduce some of the most common types of car accidents. Rear-End Collision The rear-end collision is statistically the most common form of auto accident. This is when one vehicle collides directly with the back of another, often leading to major damage to the front and rear of each respective vehicle, and possible injuries to the drivers and passengers inside due to the sudden impact and force of the crash. There are many potential causes of rear-end collisions. A lot of them occur during rush hour or periods of heavy traffic when cars are driving too close together and not respecting the rules of safe distances. These sorts of accidents may also happen when drivers tailgate others on roads or freeways. It’s also possible for rear-end collisions to occur because of the weather. If rain is falling or frost is on the ground, the road can be more slippery and it can take longer to slow down and stop. So, if you need to brake suddenly, you might not have enough space or time to avoid hitting the car in front. To avoid these accidents, it’s vital to keep your distance and brake ahead of time. Side Swipe Collision Another very common type of car accident is a sideswipe collision. Also known as a side impact or “glancing blow” collision, this is when one car connects with the side of another at a slight angle. This can lead to both drivers losing control of their cars and may cause damage and injuries to both parties, as well as a risk of damage to other cars that might get involved inadvertently in the crash. There are various causes of sideswipe collisions. One of the main ways in which this type of accident can happen is when cars try to change lanes or drift out of their own lane without checking their mirrors and failing to notice the presence of another vehicle beside them, or if cars try to force their way into another lane when there simply isn’t space. It’s also common for sideswipes to occur when drivers get distracted due to things in their car like phones, food, drinks, passengers, and so on. The key to avoiding side swipe collisions is to make sure you always use your mirrors and signals before making turns or changing lanes and wait for the right moment to merge. T Bone Collision A T-bone collision, which may also be referred to as a “broad impact” collision or right-angle crash, is another form of a collision involving one vehicle hitting another from the side. The difference between the T bone and the side swipe is that, in a T bone, the cars are perpendicular to each other, with one driving directly into the side of the other. This can be one of the most devastating types of accident, because cars have less protection on the sides, so victims of these accidents can suffer terrible injuries or even death. In terms of how they happen, these types of accidents usually occur at intersections where two cars try to pass at the same time. If one car drives out at traffic lights while another one is trying to pass, they may collide in a T bone formation. It’s also possible for these accidents to occur due to distracted driving or drunk driving. Drivers need to be really careful at intersections, making sure to stop if needed, look both ways, and give time for other cars to pass before they proceed. Head-On Collision Definitely one of the worst types of auto accident, but also one of the rarest too, a head-on collision is when two cars collide with one another head-on, with both drivers facing one another. Since both cars are traveling in opposite directions, the impact of this accident can be enormous, causing huge amounts of damage. Head-on collisions usually occur when one vehicle goes out of its lane or drives the wrong way down a road, or if a driver has to swerve suddenly to avoid some other hazard and collides with a car coming in the opposite direction. These accidents commonly involve drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and some involve people who have fallen asleep at the wheel. In order to avoid head-on collisions, it’s important for drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road at all times, watching out for any upcoming hazards or drivers on the wrong side of the road, especially at night and at weekends when the chances of encountering drunk drivers tend to be higher. If you ever encounter this type of accident, you need to consult with auto accident injury lawyers. Final These are just some of the many types of auto accidents that occur each and every day on American roads. There are also many other types to take into consideration, such as collisions with animals or collisions with pedestrians and cyclists. There are even single-vehicle collisions in which one car crashes into objects like walls or street lights. It’s clear to see that there are a lot of risks on the roads, and driving unsafely can massively increase your own chances of being in an auto accident and suffering serious injuries in the process. Make sure

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Your garden summer proof in no time with these tips and tricks

Summer is around the corner and this means people have to turn to their green fingers again. However, not everyone has green fingers but some do have a garden! How to make your garden ready with minimal effort, while making it a pleasant environment to enjoy those rays of the sun? In this article, we will look at multiple ways to create a summer feeling. Add a palm tree! Sounds like an easy thing to do right? Palm trees come in lots of different sizes and can be placed almost everywhere. The advantage of a palm tree is the fact that it can be placed in a pot which makes it versatile to place. The palm tree immediately gives a summer feeling and does not require any changes to your current garden. Besides that, they are easy to maintain as long as you follow the weather patterns. Oh, there’s an application for that, of course. Garden efficient using applications To continue our trajectory along the road of applications, there is way more to explore. There are simple garden applications that tell you when you need to water your plants and change the soil, to complex and professional apps for the real deal. If you do not have green fingers, the simple app will suffice in keeping your plants alive. Nothing better than having an efficient gardening process, right? Add some plants and flowers Naturally, your garden includes garden plants. However, there are great additions that can make an easy difference. For example, colourful flowers in the summer can change the atmosphere of the garden entirely. They do come with some instructions, but when following them you can be sure to have beautiful colours during the whole summer period. Next to that, there are options such as the French lavender. With their popping purple colour, they are a great addition to almost any type of garden. Time to pick up a gardening hobby? If you are interested in growing green fingers, this might be the one for you. Although it does not have to be placed in a garden, a Bonsai tree can be great among garden plants. Especially in smaller gardens it is a match made in heaven. Bonsai refers to an ancient Japanese technique of taking care of plants and does not refer to a specific plant type. Often, the technique is applied to plants such as Ginseng. The technique requires you to “shape” the plant artistically and calmly, a process that is both labours intensive as well as perfectionistic. In the process, trees can often die. This makes it the ultimate test to becoming a true gardener. Luckily there is the Internet Of course, you are not alone in this. Many social media channels are packed with photos and videos of Bonsai and how to take care of them. These help you to get a hang of it and grow your inner Bonsai expertise.

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Quarry Mining: Mineral Resources For Construction Uses

In today’s world, mining for resources is inevitable (read more). The resources we require are valuable in everyday living and for innovation as well. Countries all over the world have performed this kind of activity to obtain good quality of structure use. To create almost every structure you see around you, quarrying becomes necessary; it is the reason behind every successful construction. Well, if you think about it, the term most likely brings up images of a big pit filled with rocks. But eventually, you’ll realize, it’s more than that. Read on to know more about quarrying and how it works. What Is Quarrying? Quarrying is the process of removing the minerals found in the ground to extract and use them to produce building materials. They are then used in the construction of mineral processing plants and in the manufacturing industry. The use of quarries has been notable since then, rising with the demand for aggregates. Many industries rely on quarrying to construct roads and railways, provide minerals to the agricultural sector, and serve as decorative stones and rocks for business residential landscape ventures. In the geological sense, quarrying is any operation on the earth’s surface where minerals are extracted. Meanwhile, the term “quarry” refers to the open-pit place where most minerals are excavated or quarried. How Does Quarrying Work? Quarries mainly produce “aggregates” such as sand, gravel, and crushed rock for construction and materials. Thanks to quarry mining, all of the advanced and pleasing infrastructures, buildings, skyscrapers, houses, and even highway roads are now achieved. A variety of in-ground construction materials may be present in quarries, including the following: 1. Limestone This porous mineral has been most used in many home construction and a famous decorative stone for rock gardens. More than that, limestones are durable that will surely last you for a long time. 2. Marble Perhaps you’ve seen many marble designs all over the net. Well, it has come to be the best choice for a kitchen countertop due to its lower upkeep and minimalist look. Also, it can withstand heat. 3. Granite For thousands of years, people have used granite even until now. This mineral is essentially used for construction building, whether for its aesthetic uses or quality-wise. To name a few, this includes countertops, floor tiles, paving stone, curbing, stair treads, and cemetery monuments. 4. Slate All by means of slate’s weather-resistant and pollution-resistant properties, it is considered one of the most used roofing and flooring materials that exist even in patios. But usually, slates are commonly found surrounding the pools and outer walls. 5. Sandstone If we are talking about the creative uses of decorative minerals, sandstone has got to be one of the best minerals to carve since it’s relatively soft. It’s been widely used to build temples, ornamental fountains, statues, and a lot more. Are Quarries Significant? Quarrying materials are critical to the country’s development since they provide construction resources. It is truly irresistible to see a quarry as an unwanted “hole in the earth.” Still, we rely on the quarrying industry to provide us with the necessary materials for our economy. Furthermore, it is talented, professional women and men who lead and operate quarries safely, productive, and environmentally friendly. As a bonus, quarrying gives employment opportunities for them! Quarrying is undoubtedly carried out all over the world. They have significant economic, environmental, labor, and social consequences, both within and outside the countries or regions where they are genuinely carried out. Most significantly, they give a considerable contribution to many developing countries, mainly in foreign exchange revenues and foreign investments. Is Quarrying Bad For The Environment? Partly yes, quarry mining also has a destructive outcome. Rock quarries take up large areas of land, and as a result, they have a significant impact on the ecosystem. Explosives for blasting, electricity, and fuels to operate heavy plant machinery, trucks, equipment, and generators are the primary inputs. Nevertheless, mining companies now acknowledge the need to invest in the restoration of land they have used. Leveling spoil heaps, filling in holes, and re-grassing the area are all part of this process. Although it takes a long time to restore what has been quarried, some companies still value what is essential to the environment. It is already a good thing.

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Tips and Tricks for a Beautiful Summer Garden

Once the summer months roll around, people all over the UK take to parks and gardens for picnics and barbecues, and to enjoy the great outdoors. If you are fortunate enough to have a garden in your home, late spring or early summer is a great time to freshen up the space with some new garden furniture, freshly planted flowers and perhaps a new coat of paint along a fence or shed. If you don’t have a garden or outdoor space, there may be some indoor garden tips and tricks you can implement to bring a bit of greenery indoors and enjoy the brightness of the season. Otherwise, read on for some ideas on how to make the best use of your outdoor space. Flowers & Furniture for a Summer Garden The best way to introduce colour in a summer garden is, naturally, through plants and flowers. Rose, lavender, foxglove and hydrangeas are all bright options that will add plenty of vibrancy to a summer garden. Garden furniture sets are a great way to create a little haven – setting up a seating area with chairs and a garden table can create a relaxing space, perfect for enjoying a morning coffee or reading the paper on the weekends. Rattan garden furniture, in particular, is a great investment as it is durable, easy to maintain, and comfortable to sit on. It is also very weather-resistant, which is ideal given the changeable and at times inclement British climate. Garden Decor & Maintenance If you have garden furniture or ornaments such as statues, flower pots or decor items that need repairing, a DIY fix can be far more cost-effective than replacing them. Many garden items that are damaged can be repaired quickly and easily with a specialist epoxy glue, which is generally very straightforward to use. Such glues can also be used on standard household items. Other tips for getting your garden in shape for summer include the following: Plant bulbs during the spring months so they are blossoming in time for summer Mowing the lawn regularly will keep it looking extra green and fresh Invest in a BBQ for summer dining al fresco A water feature such as a fountain or pond is a striking feature in any garden Wooden decking or a patio space is a great way to section off a seating area Invest in a fire pit for a next-level garden-seating zone Repainting a fence or garden shed can truly elevate the look of your outdoor space A trellis is a great way to add texture and dimension to an area of flowers or plants Garden Decor on a Budget There are lots of ideas, big and small, and ways to spruce up your garden for summer that don’t cost a fortune. Once the lawn is mowed and any flowers or shrubbery are freshly pruned, the space will look open and inviting. Accessories such as cushions, flowerpots and outdoor candles are generally inexpensive and can be used to add character and colour in a seating area. Garden lighting such as outdoor bulbs, fairy lights and lamps can also be picked up quite cheaply and are a great way to create a warm, cosy atmosphere on a summer evening. It can be quite a bit of work to get a garden ready for summer and maintain it throughout the season. It is well worth it, however. A garden can act like an additional room in your home and is, for many, a relaxing place to spend some leisure time. Get the most out of your garden this summer by prepping it well, planting some beautiful blossoms and equipping it with comfortable garden seating.

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The Top Six Most Famous and Prestigious Casinos in the World for Luxury Lovers

Although many gamblers have turned to online games in 2021, many countries are declaring it safe to travel again. Gamblers worldwide are jumping off their couches to enjoy some of the world’s most luxurious casinos.  Norwegian players have very few places where they can enjoy sportsbetting or their favourite casino games. There’s only a handful in the country and only 12 allowed according to recent law changes.  So, where can you go to find the luxury casino experience you’re looking for? We asked our resident casino expert, Benjamin Reppersen, and came up with a list of six of the most prestigious casinos in the world. Casino De Monte-Carlo The Casino de Monte-Carlo is located in Monaco and is almost inseparable from the image of the suave James Bond in his Aston Martin. Everything from the intricate architecture to hand-made tables and kingly service will make you feel like royalty as soon as you walk in. The casino offers halls of slot games and tables of every kind. And when you’re all done playing, you can enjoy a refreshing drink at the lounge bar or sate your appetite at the highly acclaimed restaurant.  Bellagio The Bellagio Luxury Resort and Casino in Las Vegas is one of the infamous MGM resorts that offers a wealth of luxury and entertainment. Visit the Club Privé to experience a private and calm atmosphere and enjoy one of the “Lucky 8” spirits. The expansive slots floor offers almost every type of slot you could imagine, along with delicious food and live entertainment from some of the most well-known names in the business. After a thrilling session in the casino, you can enjoy a range of other amenities such as the spa, pools, shops, gym, or restaurant before heading to your room in the hotel. You can even bring your canine pal to share your visit to the lavish Bellagio Resort.  Baden-Baden Casino The Casino Baden-Baden is one of the most famous casinos in Germany. The stunning French architecture and almost 200 years of continued extravagant service prove this casino’s high acclaim among international gamblers. You can’t even walk in without at least a suit jacket, and you can rent one in case your visit is spontaneous.  The casino offers a range of table games with professional dealers and a slots floor that will dazzle you. There’s also The Grill restaurant and Club Bernstein when you’ve had your session on the gambling floors and want to wind down.  Marina Bay Sands The Marina Bay Sands Casino in Singapore has four levels of gaming space with over 2300 slot machines and more than 20 table games. The Ruby, Piazza, and High Limit areas have more than 200 games for you to enjoy in a more private and grand atmosphere on the upper, exclusive floors of the casino.  Along with the grand casino, players can enjoy the array of restaurants, events, pool, spa, and so much more. The Marina Bay Sands is more than just a casino resort; it’s an experience.  Sun City Casino Resort Travel away from the bustle of the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, and you’ll find  a palace of luxury and thrills. Book a stay in the Palace of the Lost City, Cascades, Cabanas, or Soho hotels, all with gorgeous views and plush rooms. Have fun with the family at Waterworld, Kwena, or Valley of Waves. You can even enjoy a game of golf or a safari tour.  Each hotel offers a casino floor with exciting games and that lavish, Las Vegas feel. Have fun in the African sun, watch live shows by your favourite artists, and find out if Lady Luck is on your side at this luxurious Resort.  Conclusion Players worldwide are searching for ways to take advantage of safer environments after being stuck at home for extended periods of time. We’ve come to the rescue with this list of some of the most luxurious casinos in the world. These casinos offer more than just gambling; they offer extravagance and comfort in many forms. It’s time to get out and treat yourself to some luxury. You deserve it.

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Five of the World’s Best Casino Designs

Whenever we think of gambling and casinos, we always associate them with old-world elegance and luxury. We imagine James Bond gambling in his tuxedo or an elegant Marlene Dietrich gracing the tables. Norway has no imposing casinos, and the Coronavirus pandemic has limited travel so that we can only gamble at the world’s casinos online. Online casinos have become more popular because of the bonuses, especially bonus uten innskudd. Still, we would like to see everyday life restored and be able to travel this summer to see the world’s best casino designs.  We asked Alexandra Nereng for some ideas about the world’s best casino designs so we can prepare to visit them. We chose a mixture of old, well-known buildings and newer casinos built with sustainability in mind.  Casino De Monte-Carlo, Mónaco The original Casino de Monte-Carlo was built in the 1850s by Charles Grimaldi, the future Prince of Monaco, on instruction from Princess Caroline. She saw a casino as a way of raising funds for the impoverished Principality and the Grimaldi family.  Although the poor roads and accommodation caused the first attempt to fail, Princess Caroline continued with the project. The famed architect, Gobineau de la Bretonnerie, designed and built the current casino and the neighbouring Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, solving the problem. In 1863, Princess Caroline recruited Francois Blanc to manage the casino. They formed the Societe des Bains de Mer et du Cercle des Etrangers. Since its completion in 1863, several of the best architects have expanded the buildings, notably Jules Dutrou and Charles Garnier.   The Casino de Monte-Carlo was the setting for Ian Fleming’s book and the later James Bond film, Casino Royale.  Kurhaus Casino, Baden-Baden, Germany The Kurhaus casino is even older. Friedrich Weinbrenner designed the main structure in 1824. Still, it wasn’t until France outlawed gambling in the mid-1830s that it started becoming internationally renowned.  Like Monte-Carlo, Kurhaus has also inspired literature. Fyodor Dostoyevsky wrote The Gambler after a visit to the gambling house. The Kurhaus design is reminiscent of a French palace and well worth a visit from any avid gambler.  Sibaya Casino, Durban, South Africa Durban, South Africa, may seem like a strange place to visit. Still, Norwegian settlers on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast made considerable contributions to the area’s development. Jacob Jacobsen Egeland formed the South African Whaling Company in 1907. Many of the Norwegian crews later helped build the South African shipping industry.  The Norwegian influence can still be seen in the local farms and places names like Oslo Beach and Freidheim. The Sibaya casino is also the most eco-friendly and sustainable casino globally. The casino is on the warm Indian Ocean and within easy driving distance of the oldest proclaimed game reserve in South Africa.  Even the expansive grounds form part of the sustainability initiative, and the casino’s staff recycles almost everything it uses. It has its own composting and wormery for food waste and eliminates the use of plastics wherever possible. Even the eye-catching design of the buildings reduces the carbon footprint of this modern casino.  Resorts World Sentosa, Sentosa Island, Singapore Resorts World Sentosa was the third most expensive resort when the owners finished construction. From the beginning, the owners instructed the architect, Michael Graves, to include eco-friendliness and sustainability in the design.  The casino is a small part of a vast resort on Sentosa Island that offers hotels, fine dining, beaches, and museums. The resort aims to achieve zero waste. The modern design includes towers, squares, and water features pleasing to any patron’s eye.  Foxwoods Resort Casino, Connecticut, USA The Foxwoods Resort Casino is also the third-largest casino worldwide. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation founded the casino on their tribal lands in 1986 as a high-stakes bingo hall. They added table games in 1992, followed by slot machines the following year. The casino resort expanded substantially between 1992 and 2008, reaching its current size. Situated in the Connecticut countryside, the resort hosts two hotels, six casinos, a retail hub, and several restaurants.  Conclusion We’ve covered five casinos over four continents to find the best designs. We looked at buildings more than 200 years old and modern complexes built to compete with a casino online. The common factor of all these casinos is that the designers looked to the future when they planned the buildings. They wanted them to stand as monuments to the age-old pastime of gambling.

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Underground Mining Technology: Amazing Ways IoT Is Transforming The Mining Industry

Mining is an industry that has been around for centuries. Since the beginning of mining, there have always been advancements in technology to help make the process more efficient and productive. The next frontier in mining may be underground mines where IoT from companies like Newtrax is transforming the industry. In this post, we will discuss how IoT is changing the way miners measure progress in their work and what they can do to stay ahead of the curve on this new wave of technological innovation. 1. Predictive Maintenance IoT has enabled mining companies to reduce the number of unplanned shutdowns and increase production. This is achieved through predictive maintenance, which uses IoT sensors that monitor equipment performance in real-time as well as provide situational awareness about a machine’s location and health. It also includes data analysis from these monitoring systems to better understand how machines are performing when analyzing historical trends for things such as temperature changes over time or vibrations. Predictive maintenance helps ensure reliability without interrupting production schedules with unscheduled downtime, saving money on labor costs and expensive repairs by identifying problems before they occur so that work can continue uninterrupted. 2. Use Of Cloud Services For Logistics Mining companies are increasingly using cloud services for logistics, transportation management, and fleet optimization. This allows mining companies to quickly analyze data from their field operations and make resource decisions based on real-time information about the state of equipment, materials, or personnel. 3. Inventory Management The mining industry has the need for constant innovation to keep up with evolving technologies. One of these areas in which IoT has really made an impact on this sector is inventory management. Digitizing each item and using barcodes or RFID tags can create a real-time picture of what’s been taken as well as where it came from at any given time – helping managers better plan their workday and more efficiently manage whatever they’re working on. 4. Real-Time Analytics And Data The IoT allows for real-time data and analytics. This is important because it can happen in a specific timeframe, rather than weeks or months later. There’s also more accuracy since the sensor devices are sending their readings directly to central monitoring systems that will take care of analyzing them remotely. 5. Time-Saving In the mining industry, time is money. IoT can be applied to help miners save a lot of their precious time and manpower by automating various processes that currently take too much effort for humans alone to do. One such process is drilling holes in specific rock formations under high-pressure water streams while simultaneously measuring flow rates using sensors installed inside drill pipes. This measurement would typically require someone constantly checking gauges on machinery which takes up valuable man-hours. But with an IoT system monitoring these factors automatically every few seconds, it becomes possible for the miner(s) to focus on other essential tasks where they are needed most. 6. Improves Safety One of the biggest benefits of IoT in underground mining is that it can make mines safer. For example, remote monitoring sensors at one mine reduced the number of incidents by 36%. This is a huge improvement since any incident might be lethal for miners. With this technology, there’s always someone watching out for them and they’re never without help if an accident does happen. 7. Improved Visibility And Traceability One of the big changes in underground mining is that it’s becoming increasingly difficult for miners to know what they’re digging up. What’s more, when a breach occurs and workers are exposed to toxic chemicals or methane gas an evacuation often follows, making safety a big concern. With IoT data analytics, however, you can keep track of all excavation areas as well as any breaches within those areas at every moment, increasing traceability and visibility while improving safety on site. Wrapping Up IoT is transforming the mining industry in many ways. For example, it has enabled companies to develop smarter mines with real-time data about their operations and equipment status, while reducing operational costs for smaller projects via remote monitoring systems. IoT’s impact on this sector will likely continue to grow as more miners adopt the technology across a range of use cases.

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How COVID Has Affected Health and Safety in Trade

As the UK begins its exit from lockdown, the trade industry can look to slowly relax its Covid restrictions. Life-critical health and safety product provider, Reece Safety looked at how the pandemic has changed health and safety across the trade industry, and whether the stricter elements brought about by the pandemic are here to stay. The trade sector stayed open throughout most of lockdown Many trade businesses and work sites were open across the second lockdown while the rest of the country stayed home, meaning many trades workers across construction sites, factories and manufacturing plants worked in additional PPE, with sanitising stations, and enforced social distancing measures in place to meet demand as essential workers. In addition to existing health and safety procedures, Covid-19 saw new regulations brought in to protect industry workers. Construction was most significantly affected Research found that the construction sector has been significantly affected by Covid‐19, as there has been a potential knowledge gap regarding the practical feasibility of applying Covid‐19 measures within construction, made more difficult by factors such as the types of projects and complex working environments. In the UK, the construction industry is worth over £100bn and employs over 2.4 million people, with the immense sector adjusting to new ways of working. Throughout the pandemic, it has been hit hard by both stricter safety precautions and higher rates of infection due to an ageing workforce, with over 40% of workers over 40 years old, and a significant number of over 55-years-old1. This means that the construction sector had a slower rate of productivity and profitability throughout the pandemic due to illness. Self-employed tradespeople were also affected Covid not only affected the workforce for larger businesses but has also had a direct impact on self-employed tradespeople. Gareth, a joiner from Sheffield, explained how new health and safety measures have affected his business: “Covid health and safety measures have made working more complicated, with more measures to consider for each job. However, it is important for everyone to remain cautious and stick to the implemented safety measures as I spend much of my time in people’s homes, so it is vital to ensure correct PPE is worn, the household is Covid-free, and I am safe from risk of transmission while working. Post-Covid, I am sure that much of the public will remain cautious for a long time, ensuring that the spread continues to slow, which means tradespeople like myself can continue to feel safer.” Many businesses struggled to maintain staff training As rigorous health and safety procedures came into action for the trade sector to enable workers to continue working, many important parts of the job, such as upskilling and training staff, took a back seat. Managing Director of Reece Safety, Andy Graham, explains why he thinks some elements of health and safety introduced throughout the pandemic are likely here to stay: “We noticed that many businesses struggled throughout the pandemic to upkeep training for new staff and deliver refresher training to existing staff as trade sector businesses shifted their focus to ensuring staff safety and welfare. “To accommodate, we introduced “live stream” virtual training sessions and socially distanced learning environments to ensure that businesses can keep up with necessary health and safety training for their staff, with offerings such as confined space supervisory training and lockout tagout training. As things go back to normal, we are sure that flexible ways of training will allow businesses to train their staff in a much easier way.” For more information on life-critical safety products to keep your business and staff safe, visit: https://www.reecesafety.co.uk/ 1 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hfm.20882

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