Blog

Delivering safety first has been at the forefront of everything we do and moving forward to further increase the safety of our staff whilst working alone, we have invested in the purchase of 16 MySOS SkyGuard personal safety devices.
 
The safety device includes latest GPS and GPRS technology to ensure pin-point accuracy for location as well as a SIM and data connection to allow for SOS calls. The devices link directly to SkyGuard who have a 24-hour emergency response team.

Photos source: SkyGuard
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​The devices are now being rolled out to all members of staff who work alone in some capacity. Hopefully our engineers will never need to call for help but it’s reassuring to know there is help on hand if required.

#deliveringelectricalsafety #deliveringsafetyfirst #mysos #skyguard #safetydevice #alarm #cds #cdselectrical #eastbourne #polegate #healthandsafety ​

Since January 2019 we’ve been busy on our journey into delivering safety first. CDS teamed up with our health and safety supervisor; Mike Wright from Keystone Safety Solutions Ltd.
 
So far, we’ve done training on Basic Life Support and AED, a more in-depth Emergency First Aid at Work course, a series of online courses on Mental Health Awareness, Vulnerable Adults and Display Screen Equipment through iHASCO and finally in-depth Fire Marshall for both operational and office staff.

CDS Electrical ushered in 2019 with a fresh new approach to health and safety. An overwhelmingly positive few months has nurtured the company and its staff into an even more welcoming and safe environment than ever before.
 
We recently announced that all office staff had undertaken basic first aid training and as part of this they learnt CPR and how to use and operate an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Corin Dudley, the managing director took it upon himself to safeguard his employees even further by investing in a brand-new AED machine to be housed within the CDS Electrical offices.
 
The AED unit has now been delivered and has been installed in our entrance corridor at Unit F1, Chaucer Business Park, Dittons Road, Polegate, BN26 6QH. Despite the AED being within the building - this can be used by the general public during our opening hours of 07:00 AM until 17:00 PM, Monday to Friday. Please note, that the offices are closed at weekends and bank holidays.
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Our AED has been given the imaginative name of SECAS004092/A and it is visible on the HeartSafe website along with all other available AED’s. We hope that you should never have to use one but it’s a good idea to be aware of where your nearest one might be - https://www.heartsafe.org.uk/AED-Locations
 
The location of the device can be seen on the map below. The orange heart indicates that the AED is only available during our opening hours. As you can see, AED’s are unfortunately few and far between. The nearest AED to our offices was 1.4 miles away. 

#healthandsafety #cdselectrical #aed #heartsafe #savealife

This week is 'Mental Health Awareness Week'. As part of our continuous improvement to health and safety, all staff are now undertaking Mental Health Awareness training. 

Staff have been finding this training really interesting and beneficial to be aware of the struggles some people have to go through. It's also been reassuring to find there is help and support available if you ever need it.

Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 13-19 May 2019. The theme this year is Body Image – looking at how we think and feel about our bodies. 

For more information about Mental Health and for research and publications regarding the theme this year of Body Image, please see their official website;
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

We are very excited to announce the appointment of our new health and safety consultant - Mike Wright of Keystone Safety Solutions Ltd.  Mike is highly qualified and has a wealth of experience and knowledge.
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​Since then, we have been working on the new systems and procedures to improve the effectiveness of our health and safety. The managing Director, Corin Dudley has invested £20k in health and safety training for 2019 which includes; Asbestos Awareness, First Aid, Fire Marshalling, Mental Health Awareness, Vulnerable adults and Display Screen Equipment.

Mike felt very strongly that as part of the first aid training, the team should be able to use an Automatic Electronic Defibrillator (AED). Corin took this on board and went one step further and purchased one which is now  located at our offices in Polegate.

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#healthandsafety #keystonesafetysolutions #aed #deliveringsafetyfirst ​

​Click below to download their guide.

Office members of staff at CDS Electrical spent the day learning emergency first aid and were given full training on how to use and operate an AED (Automated External Defibrillator).

This vital training could genuinely make the difference between some living or dying. The AED is only used when someone is pronounced clinically dead. Knowing how to use the AED gives the recipient a far better chance of survival. 

CPR (Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation) on its own has a 2% - 18% effective rate, but if an AED is used the effective survival rate jumps up to 80%. This is because 90% of cardiac arrests are caused by ventricular fibrillation and the only way to stop fibrillation of the heart is to use a defibrillator.
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​It’s been a busy couple of months, Mike has been working with the whole team in creating a positive health and safety culture throughout the business with one simple mission 'Delivering Safety First'.  This opening event brought together a lot of the hard work over the past couple of months and allowed us to share the new concepts with everyone at the same time.

We will be sharing information on our new health and safety processes throughout the year including little insights into our various methods of training.

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#healthandsafety #cdselectrical 

Christmas done safely, or CDS for short. This is our second post in the lead-up to Christmas over electrical safety at Christmas time.

Not having enough vacant plug sockets around the home is an issue that many of us now face. The surge of electrical products over recent years has ballooned our demand for additional sockets. An increase in electrical goods without the installation of wall sockets leaves us with only one option; the use of extension leads.
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Most people have extension leads in their homes, using 4-way or 6-way bar adaptors to increase the number of appliances that they can plug into a single wall socket. However, just because the extension lead has space for four or six items, it doesn't always mean it is safe to do so.

At Christmas time, the need for plug sockets only worsens with the introduction of multiple sets of lights, dancing Santas and bobbing snowmen. 
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• Check the current rating of the extension lead before plugging appliances into it. Most are rated at 13 A, but some are rated at only 10 A or less - the rating should be clearly marked on the back or underside of the extension lead. If not, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Never overload an extension lead by plugging in appliances that together will exceed the maximum current rating stated for the extension lead. This could cause the plug in the wall socket to overheat and possibly cause a fire.
• Only use one socket extension lead per socket and never plug an extension lead into another extension lead.
• Use a multi-way bar extension lead rather than a block adaptor, as this will put less strain on the wall socket. Some block adaptors do not have a fuse, which increases the risk of overloading and fire.
• Consider having additional sockets installed if you regularly rely on extension leads and adaptors. Be sure to use a registered electrician (such as ourselves) to carry out the installation work to your property. Please call us on 01323 734162 to arrange for a free quotation to your property.​​
• Use the overload calculator (below) to check if you’re exceeding the maximum load. Please not this is just advisory and you should still check the Amps of your appliances before plugging them all in. Overload calculator is kindly provided by https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk​​

#christmasdonesafely #cds #christmas #safety #firesafety #extensionlead

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After 12 months packed away in the loft, Christmas lights can easily become electrically unsafe. To help prevent the most common electrical problems with Christmas lights and to enjoy a safe and happy festive season, we recommend the following precautions and checks;
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• Read and follow the manufacturers' instructions
• Check your Christmas lights are not damaged/ broken and that there are no loose wires before use
• Use only replacement bulbs that are the same type and rating as those originally supplied with the lights
• Ensure all outdoor lights are connected via a 30mA RCD protected socket
• Replace failed lamps immediately to prevent overheating
• Ensure plugs and transformers are plugged in indoors, even if the lighting is suitable for outdoor use.
• Switch your lights off and unplug them before you go to bed or go out
• Keep lights away from flammable decorations and materials that can burn easily

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• Use lights outdoors unless they are specifically designed for outdoor use
• Connect different lighting sets together
• Connect lights to the supply whilst still in the packaging
• Remove or insert lamps whilst the chain is connected to the supply
• Overload sockets - try to avoid the use of extension leads or adaptors
• Attempt to repair faulty lights. Instead, replace them
• Use lights that are damaged or faulty

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#christmassafety #healthandsafety #firesafety #christmas #safety #decorations #cds #cdselectrical