You will have been told how often your equipment will need maintenance, but perhaps you have fallen behind or forgotten. However, it is KEY for your business so you remain safe, efficient and cost-effective. Your generator especially will require preservation, keep reading to find out 6 reasons why you need to be performing generator maintenance tasks.

1. Keeps it running when you need it most

Generators are there to use in the event of an unexpected power cut. It is there as a backup, therefore should always be ready and in working order. We are sure finding out the generator does not work when your power goes is far from helpful. Regular maintenance and checks will mean it will always be able to do as it is designed for.

2. Prevents fuel problems

If unchecked, it is more likely to be susceptible to fuel problems such as algae build up, clogged fuel injectors or a dead battery. These problems can not only cause problems for when you need to use the generator, they can also break it completely, therefore, will need to be replaced- not cost effective.

3. Saves you money

Having irregular, or non-existent maintenance may save money short-term, if you ignore it for too long you will encounter costly repairs, or need to replace entirely. They are not a cheap piece of equipment, therefore preservation tasks are cheaper and prevent the generator from failing. If the generator fails to work when needed, it could cause other damage to the property. For example, lack of light means accidents occur, lack of electricity reduces productivity etc.

4. Keeps it running for longer

As previously mentioned, generators are costly- you will not want to buy a new one of those every month. A properly maintained appliance will mean they will not need to be replaced as often, lasting a lot longer and working efficiently.

5. Increases efficiency

If in the chance you will need to use and rely on your generator, you will want it to run as efficiently as possible. A maintained appliance will help get your generator working to optimum levels.

6. Keeps it safe

Safety is vital for a business. Equipment that is properly taken care of will mean it will be safe to use and could highlight areas which are not safe and need to be repaired quickly. A generator will make properties safe as they produce electricity for the building. This is essential when a lack of power occurs at night, during cold months or over long periods of time.

Here at OCD FM, our partners come with a wealth of knowhow and experience. If you have any questions about Maintenance and how it may aid your business, call us on 01353 886 890 or email us at info@ocd-fm.com

Health and safety may not be the most fun of tasks, but it is probably the most important to keep up to date with. The measures are there to keep us safe in the workplace, therefore they must have the attention they deserve. HSE confirmed that there were 144 deaths in Great Britain alone during 2015-2016.

With our lives at risk, is there any better reason as to why risk assessments are so crucial?

1. Legalities – It is a legal requirement for businesses with over 5 employees to have a written document identifying any hazards in the workplace, determining who could be harmed and how (relating to job role), recognise the risks and how you can control those specific risks, log the risk findings and implement safety measures.

2. Cost – Not only could lack of health and safety measures increase the likelihood of a fatality, they can also increase costs for the business as they would have employee loss (which affects production), compensation claims and higher insurance premiums or even void premiums.

3. Guidelines – As of the 1st of February 2016, courts are allowed to serve higher sentences (this includes both fines and jail time) to organisations who breach their health and safety legislation. Although there is the opportunity for large fines to be given, the court must take in to account company turnover. This means if a small company breaches legislation they will receive an appropriate fine amount depending on the severity of the breach and the company turnover.

The best way to avoid discipline for health and safety violations is to comply with all appropriate safety regulations. At OCD FM, we include regular Fire, Health and Safety Risks Assessments in our Facilities Management services so that our clients never compromise the safety of their staff or fail to comply with their legislative obligations. To find out more about the service we offer, call us on 01353 886 890 or email us at info@ocd-fm.com