Author: kothea2

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47 Ronin Film & KOTHEA Fabrics

47 Ronin
47 Ronin
47 Ronin

The new Keanu Reeves film, 47 Ronin, is loosely based on some old Japanese classic stories. It’s been made a few times but the latest Hollywood Blockbuster is by far the most wonderful CGI-fest.

KOTHEA fabrics were used in the production. Although I have to confess we know they were used on some of the costumes but we are not quite sure yet which ones. Unfortunately supplying fabrics to a film production company doesn’t guarantee us free ticket at all. So, like the rest of you, we wait our turn in the queues at the local ODEON. anyway, to cut a long story short, none of us have yet gone to see the film.

BUT WE WILL..

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Tips for Staying Safe in the Workplace

When you are at home, the chances are you keep your environment as safe as possible, particularly if you have small children. Most of us childproof our homes, blocking up plug sockets, attaching stair gates and making sure there are no trailing flexes or overhanging pan handles on the cooker. Even if you don’t have kids, you would make sure your stairs are clear, for example, or ensure that there are no hazards lying about.

But somehow when we go to work, many of us assume that our employer will keep us safe, so we forget that we need to look after ourselves too. Of course, your employer has responsibilities and they will have a duty of care to keep your working environment safe. But they can’t legislate for absolutely every eventuality, so you need to take some responsibility for your own safety while you’re at work.

Your employer should have already made you aware of any potential hazards in the workplace. Depending on where you work, these will vary in number. Obviously, if you are operating machinery or working in construction you will be facing more risks than someone who works in an office. But your employer will take this into account and will usually offer training sessions to familiarise you with health and safety policies and procedures. It’s really important that you not only attend these but you pay full attention they’re designed for your safety, after all.

If you see any likely hazards around the workplace which your boss hasn’t noticed or which haven’t been drawn to anyone’s attention, then you need to report it as quickly as possible. Don’t just think someone else will do it by raising people’s awareness you could be preventing a nasty accident. In the same way, if you are working with machinery and you aren’t sure if you are operating it properly, then always ask for extra training. Any boss would rather do this than risk you hurting yourself through misuse.

Depending on your line of work, you might need to wear special safety gear at times. While your employer will provide this equipment for you, it’s up to you to make sure you’re wearing it at the appropriate times. If you need to wear safety goggles, wear them. If you need to wear safety shoes, put them on. It doesn’t matter what you look like protecting yourself is paramount.

You also need to take responsibility for your physical and mental condition during your working day, especially if you are working with dangerous substances or operating heavy machinery. If you don’t feel physically able to work, then you need to inform your boss as soon as possible. A pulled muscle, for example, may stop you from correctly working the machinery, which could in turn lead to an accident involving you or your colleagues.

However careful you are, though, sometimes accidents occur which are not your responsibility. If you have had an accident at work, it might be a good idea to contact a personal injury lawyer to see if you can get compensation.

James Johnson is a health and safety expert who specialises in supporting people who have had an accident at work. He also writes and blogs about how to prevent injuries in the workplace with The Workplace Depot.

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LED lighting and the Great Outdoors

With the Christmas season nearly upon us, die-hard lighting enthusiasts will once again be rummaging around in the attic, looking for last year’s outdoor lights, cursing the fact they didn’t spend time putting them away properly.

And so, the LED rope lights make their appearance once again in their festive outings across the UK and beyond. Are you thinking you would like to do the same? Take a look and this quick pros and cons guide to LED rope lights, as well as some hints and tips as what to look out for…

The Pros

Simplicity itself – having a string of outdoor ready LED light, encased in weather proof plastic and ready to bend and shape into writing or coils, as well as many other patterns and applications must surely be the first fabulous advantage. Simple design with amazing flexibility.

Professional looking luminations – using the right mounting clips and tacks will mean that you get a really professional looking display, without too much hassle or panic (and neither will you need a degree in art and design).

Longevity – on one, buying rope LED lights are an investment as they are still a little more expensive that ‘ordinary’ rope lights BUT they will outlive and outlast their traditional counters parts by some years.

One bulb goes out… the others stay on. The days of spending hours, fiddling with the bulbs finding which one has ‘gone’ is an activity from the 1980s – and that’s where it will stay. Most LED rope lights have a fuse bulb, so you won’t have the whole string in the dark if one does fail (in all honesty, the likelihood of this happening is fairly low)

Versatile – LED rope lights can be used in so many places from commercial settings likes bars and nightclubs, through to providing brilliant lighting interest in the kitchen (hide your LED rope lights along the top of your kitchen cupboards and marvel at the effect). One favourite is to wrap the LED rope light around a tree trunk, adding a tropical look to any garden.

With so many applications and uses, it seems difficult to believe that there are some cons to rope lights BUT there are! There are cheaper rope lights out there, all purporting to give the same effect but beware…

i.                 The first is that many people fail to invest in LED rope lights as they find the cost prohibitive, therefore opt for cheaper alternatives. The main issue here is not only the amount of heat wasted but also the fact they use far more electricity than LED rope lights. Lighting up the outside of your home for Christmas, shouldn’t mean burning a hole in your bank account.

ii.                The quality of the product can also be slightly suspect by purchasing cheaper, traditional rope lights. Cheaper versions tend to be clear bulbs in coloured tubes and whilst his may give a ‘good enough’ effect, it will not be as good, brilliant luminous as LED rope lights.

iii.               They may contain fewer bulbs too. Some LED rope lights will boast 36 LED bulbs per metre of ‘rope’, whilst cheaper versions will have as little as 24 per metre. Considering that LED bulbs give off a far better luminosity, again you may be slightly disappointed with the overall effect of the cheaper versions of rope lights.

Are you looking to create a brilliant lamination this Christmas? Ditch the fairy lights and take a look at versatile LED rope lights!