Four ideas to help you Spring clean your workplace

Here, communications manager at Zoro, a tools, maintenance and cleaning products retailer, Lauren O’Connor, shares four tips thatll help Spring clean your workplace.

Spring is traditionally the season for getting our homes clean and organised, so why not give our business premises the same treatment this year?

In order to Spring clean your workplace, as a business owner youll need to get your premises in top condition. Youll need to know how to maintain your equipment and update your safety protocols, as well as ensure your property is clean and tidy.

Here are four helpful ideas when the time comes to Spring clean your workplace this year.

Review your safety protocols

As part of your Spring maintenance routine, you’ll want to review your health and safety procedures and equipment.

You’ll need to make sure your fire safety equipment is in good condition, so test all fire alarms, emergency lighting, and extinguishers, and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors.

If you’ve taken on more staff this year, then you’ll want to make sure that any plans you have in place are still appropriate, and that everyone has the right training. Hold fire drills and review your current evacuation plans.

While it’s not a legal requirement to get your portable electrical appliances tested by an electrician, they should still be visually inspected and tested by a competent person, to ensure they’re not a potential hazard.

This guide to maintaining electrical equipment from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will tell you everything you need to know, including advice on the correct testing procedures.

Get a preventative maintenance plan in place

From tills in shops to computers and air conditioners in office spaces, almost all workplaces rely on equipment or machinery in one form or another.

Have a preventative maintenance routine in place to ensure that everything is in full working order. Preventative maintenance is a program of scheduled checks and repairs which help to ensure that equipment runs efficiently and prevent it from failing.

Having a solid plan in place will prevent damage before it starts and can even help you to prolong the lifespan of your equipment.

You’ll need to inspect your equipment to see how it is performing, and consider whether or not it could be repaired, improved, or replaced.

A great time to carry out preventative maintenance on any seasonal equipment is when you Spring clean your workplace. Appliances like air conditioning units, for example, will need to be in full working order before the warm summer months arrive.

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The business rates appeal process Paying over the odds for your premises?

If you think the rateable value of your business premises is too high because of this year’s rates revaluation, there are steps you can take to lodge a business rates appeal and lower your costs.

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Deep clean your workplace

Spring cleaning’s not just for the home, so go the extra mile to get your workplace sparkling. When you Spring clean your workplace, all windows and worksurfaces should undergo a thorough clean, and your floors and carpets should be shampooed, or steam cleaned and polished.

A deep clean is especially important in customer facing areas, where first impressions can make or break a customer’s experience. Pay special attention to these spaces, and don’t neglect the exteriors of your premises. Winter weather can dirty walls, pathways, and outside areas, so consider removing any grime with a pressure washer.

If you’ve still got any winter supplies or equipment lying around like grit, or space heaters it’s time you got them securely stored away until next year.

This is also a great opportunity to replenish your stock cupboard, so take an inventory check and re-order any everyday office, kitchen, and cleaning supplies you need.

Stay on top of neglected repairs and odd jobs

If there are any repairs you’ve been putting off, set aside time when you Spring clean your workplace to sort them out.

Whether it’s a broken door, a damaged floor, or shabby or faded signage, make sure you get it repaired or replaced.

When carrying out repairs, don’t forget about outdoor spaces, which may have suffered damage during winter weather.

Ice and snow can take a toll on your pathways and carparks, so you’ll also want to repair any potholes or cracks that have formed during the winter months, as these will worsen if left untreated.

Spring is a season for new beginnings, so take the time to spruce up your workplace with this basic maintenance regime.

As long as you include a review of your health and safety protocols, service and repair your equipment, and get your premises organised when you Spring clean your workplace, both you and your staff can look forward to a brighter, cleaner and safer 2018.

Lauren O’Connor is the digital communications manager at Zoro