Sophia Humphries Blog

Display Screen Equipment Training – A Stitch in Time…...

When it comes to posture many people tend to be a little lazy. When you’re sitting at a desk for hours on end, slumping into your seat and twisting awkwardly to reach a document or a cup of coffee is all too easy.

Musculoskeletal disorders, which include bad backs, necks, shoulders and upper limbs, have seen a rapid increase since the early 1990s, due to the increasing use of computers. In January 1993, health and safety display screen equipment (DSE) regulations were put in place to help protect the health of everyone who habitually uses a computer in the workplace.

Hoping to stem the tide in the rise of poor health statistics associated with computer use, these new regulations stipulated the need to assess the health and safety risk of workstations. This included the importance of periodic breaks and changes of activity for computer users, care for eyesight and the need for training - “…his employer shall ensure he is provided with adequate health and safety training in the use of any workstation upon which he may be required to work.” (Health & Safety DSE Regulations, 1992)

Display screen equipment regulations state that anyone who habitually uses a computer at work must be trained in setting up their work area to ensure it’s as safe as possible. For more information on DSE regulations click here.

What Does DSE Training Include?

Display screen equipment training should include preventative steps to help reduce the likelihood of bad backs, repetitive strain injury (RSI), eyestrain, stress, headaches and migraines. High quality DSE training sessions will address the following workplace areas:

• Chair set up: Correct adjustment of chair with special attention to supporting the small of the back and the ability to place both feet flat on the floor.
• Desk layout: Outlining where all your necessary items should be placed to avoid stretching in awkward movements, decreasing the risk of joint problems.
• Keyboard & Mouse: Outlining where each item should be placed and how to use equipment safely, i.e. no thumping the keys.
• Enviroment: Factors such as noise, temperature and lighting are important considerations for a happy, healthy, stress-free workplace.
• Computer use: Ensuring all computers users have regular breaks, eyesight checks and good software to help prevent health problems.

Research has shown that people who spend more than 75% of their working day at a computer are significantly more likely to suffer from wrist, hand and finger problems. Computer work which requires a particularly high level of concentration can also cause headaches, migraines, shoulder and leg pain, and difficulties with focusing. The same research showed that people who completed a good quality DSE training course were much less likely to suffer from these health problems.

DSE training is a legal requirement. Health problems can build over time leaving you in a great deal of discomfort later in life.  To ensure staff get the high quality training they need to stay safe in the workplace, contact The Interactive Health and Safety company. We offer superb, computer-based DSE training programs for all computer users. Contact us today for a no obligation trail and create a happy, healthy workplace.

Choosing a top quality food mixer – as used by Nigella

Nigella Lawson is attractive, charming and married to a millionaire art collector. She cooks well too. This means that when she is spotted using a particular food mixer on TV, people take notice. The mixer in question is the KitchenAid Artisan, which is enough to turn any budding cook into a ‘domestic goddess’. We will never know exactly why she bought one, but as it is widely regarded as the best stand mixer on the market, we can guess.

There are a number of advantages in using a stand mixer like the Artisan over an ordinary food processor. Food processors have sharp blades that are designed to cut and chop food, whereas a mixer is more suited to whipping, beating and kneading. You can mix a cake mix in one, make bread or beat meringue. You can add attachments to a mixer to give it more functionality, and while you can make cakes in a processor, the mixer is far better suited to the task. A food mixer puts more air into the mixture, making it light and fluffy.

Free-standing mixers tend to have larger bowls than food processors as well, which means you can generally make bigger things in them. The KitchenAid Artisan comes in two sizes, the largest having a 6.9 litre bowl. This is more than enough for a large Christmas cake, or a massive batch of muffins. The bowl is completely removable, and made of easy-to-clean stainless steel.

Another advantage of the KitchenAid Artisan over other mixers is that the company has a remarkable pedigree. Their first stand mixer was designed in 1937 and they have been producing iconic designs ever since. Although they briefly moved their hand mixer production to China, all their manufacturing is now back in the USA. They have a great reputation for quality and reliability, and their mixers come with a 5 year warranty.

As with Nigella, however, the main attraction of the Artisan is its looks. Sure, it can cook, but it makes your kitchen look fantastic in the process. Its timeless design goes with virtually any decor, and the enamel finish is both colourful and practical. The range of colours is huge, with shades like Apple Cider and Tangerine. You can buy the Artisan here.

Of course, you can’t use a stand mixer for everything. A hand mixer can be a valuable addition, saved for smaller, simpler tasks, or can be a viable alternative to a free-standing mixer if you don’t have the space. The Dualit Hand Mixer has a similar feel to the KitchenAid Artisan, with pastel shades and a comparable level of quality. Its 300W motor means that it can tackle heavy duty tasks and it has a handy retractable power cord.

Go Electrical offer a huge range of kitchen appliances, including ovens, kettles, toasters and ice-cream makers. They specialise in electrical equipment, although they also offer accessories such as pots and pans. To see what they have in stock, click here.

Make learning fun with number lines and high frequency words

All parents want the best for their children. As well as making sure they are healthy and happy, it is only natural to want to help when they start school (and even beforehand). Teaching reading and maths, however, can be difficult for parents, as the government keep changing their mind over how things should be taught. Fortunately, there are a few simple methods which never seem to change and resources are available that make learning fun!

For reading, there is constant debate over teaching methods. Phonics have been used for a long time and although they fell out of favour a few years ago, they are now back. This method involves breaking words down into individual letter sounds and can be really useful. Approaches need to be balanced, though. As adults, we read by recognising the overall shape of the words, rather than sounding out individual letters. This means that children should also be taught to recognise high frequency words (i.e. ones that are relatively common).

Colourful, laminated flashcards are a great resource for teaching high frequency words. There are sets available that have some or all of the 200 words suggested by the Primary National Strategy printed on colourful shapes and images. These cards are great as they can be used for display in classrooms or hidden around the house. A new word can be added every day – you could even pretend they are arriving in the post!

Maths is often more daunting for parents because many have struggled with it themselves at school. Simple displays and cards can be used for this as well. Number lines are a great way of showing the relationships between numbers and can show values up to 25, 30, 50 or 100. These can be colour coded, display only odd or even numbers, or be made up of cards. Number lines made of cards are more flexible as the cards can be used for games as well as display.

Getting some colourful, fun resources can be a lovely way to inspire your child.

Create the ultimate custom scooter with scooter bars and accessories

Scooters have come a long way since the first Razor folding scooter was launched in Japan in 1996. Nowadays, freestyle scootering is an entire scene and a competitive sport, making its home in skateparks and streets across world and, more recently, in the UK. If you want to feel the exhilarating rush of this extreme sport, you will want to customise your ride to suit your riding style. Every component on a scooter can be upgraded with modifications and it can be difficult to know where to start. This is a guide for beginners to the main components you might want to change on your scooter.

Complete Scooters
If you dont yet have a scooter, complete scooters give you the base which you can modify gradually at later dates. The brand Razor is still creating strong designs, with the Ultra Pro Lo Kick scooter making waves for its great ability for tricks, and Crisp scooters are another brand to look out for if you have a higher budget.  

Scooter Decks
One piece decks are the best option for the serious rider. Choose an Addict deck for Balance Point Modulation (BPM) and a great strength to weight ratio. You are looking for a strong Blunt scooter deck which is strong yet light enough for effective spinning, but you may also want to consider width, whether the headset is standard or integrated and brake compatibility. An Addict deck has a plastic brake for optimum balance; you should be supplied with spare brakes in case this one breaks. You will also need to buy grip tape for your Addict deck or other blunt scooter deck, which can be bought in a colour or style to match your ride.

Scooter Bars
Scooter bars (sometimes called a scooter T bar) are an easy way to modify a scooter to fit your style. If you want a lightweight scooter (making for easier jumps and tricks) choose an aluminium bar, or choose steel if you want strength and sturdiness. Modifying a scooter bar can make for an easier ride and better tricks. You can change your scooter T bar for a different height, shape, width and diameter, the specifications of which are a personal choice.

Scooter Wheels
Eagle scooter wheels from the brand Eagle Sport are available in 100mm and 110mm. Choose a softer wheel if youre riding in a smooth park environment and a harder wheel for rougher street surfaces. Hardness is measured in Durometers, with the average being 88A, and a softer wheel being a lower number. Wheels are made from PU for grip and have a metal core for strength and to prevent snapping, and Eagle scooter wheels have hollow sport technology for a lighter weight with full strength. Some quality wheels like Eagles scooter wheel range run smoothly, with balance and grip, meaning you can ride with confidence.

Other Scooter Modifications
Scooter wheels, scooter bars and scooter decks are a great place to start for riders new to modifications. In the quest for the perfect ride, you may also consider investing in accessories such as scooter pegs, clamps, headsets, brakes, bearings, grips, forks, compression kits, and of course, stylish helmet and kneepads. Scooter modification specialists in the UK can give you useful tips and advice on customising your scooter.
 

Looking to cater for the perfect summer event in London?

Are you looking to host a fabulous summer party? Not wanting to spend hours trawling the internet looking for party recipes to cater for your guests? Dreading the ‘big shop’ for the ingredients and then not seeing your home outside of your kitchen for hours? Then let Brophies the Caterers take care of all of this for you. Offering a high quality and low cost catering service in St Albans, Hertfordshire and London, we are confident our established business can offer your party the quality menu it deserves, and make your event, the event of the summer!

Whether it is to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee, the London 2012 Olympics, a summer birthday or a sensational wedding, Brophies the Caterers are here to provide a delicious variety of fresh food in St Albans, Hertfordshire and London, suitable for any dietary requirements and made to the highest standards without stretching your budget.

Why not try our finger buffet options, including mouth watering sandwiches filled with French Brie, free range egg, Atlantic prawns and cheddar, or our scrumptious broccoli, tomato and fresh salmon quiche fingers; perfect affordable party food, ideal for snacking on whilst enjoying the atmosphere of a great British summer! Our assortment of salads including cucumber, olive, coriander and feta and potato and spring onion, are also great to ensure no guest is left feeling hungry!

Thinking of hosting an event in the community over the summer months? Brophies the Caterers can cater for a minimum of 40 people, and offer a selection of succulent meat, vegetarian options, tantalising salads, and tasty Artisian bread and/or traditional rolls, we can even supply the barbeque, as well as storage options for keeping your food fresh and friendly members of staff to look after your guests.

Looking to celebrate the Jubilee in style? How about having a delightful afternoon tea delivered directly to your home, work, or anywhere in fact, free of charge and without VAT! Brophies the Caterers can cater your celebration with a yummy selection of small cakes including lemon drizzle, sticky toffee and our favourite, chocolate fudge! Of course, we don’t forget the scones either, provided with cream and jam – we leave the decision of eating them the traditional Cornish or Devon way, entirely up to you.

We know ordering food can be a tricky decision, especially with so much to choose from! With Brophies the Caterers, you can order and pay online, by email or call us directly on 01727 846261 to speak to one of our friendly members of staff. Don’t worry if you’re unsure about anything, we’re happy to use our knowledge and expertise to offer suitable options and also suggest complimentary companies to ensure your event is as remarkable as you would like! Whatever the decision, we confirm all orders so you can be sure your catering is exactly as you requested. When your delivery arrives, if anything is incorrect, simply give us a call within 30 minutes of the order being delivered and we’ll happily resolve any issue.

To find out more about the catering services we offer, you can visit us here,contact us on 01727 846261, on Facebook ‘Brophies the Caterers’, or email us. We look forward to helping you make your summer event the envy of all your friends and family!

A Brief History of Modern Art: From Niépce to Borsky

The concept of modern art emerged in the late 19th and early 20th century as the result of a new technology painters could not compete with; the camera. The first photographic image was produced in 1826 by the French inventor Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, but it would take several decades before the technology was capable of reproducing copies on mass like a printer could copy an oil painting or acrylic artwork.

The breakthrough for photography came in 1884, when George Eastman developed a dry gel that could be coated on to a film and would effectively replace the metal plates photographers carried round in a box. Four years later, Eastman released a camera with the slogan, “You press the button, we do the rest,” and suddenly anybody could own a camera. When the Kodak Brownie became available to the mass market in 1901, photography effectively crippled traditional painted artwork.

Photography as an art form was becoming a much more interesting concept to aficionados than paintings– even to the artists themselves. Art needed a new licence and radical thinkers like Pablo Picasso, Henry Matisse and Georges Braque came up with ideas that would make people view objects, and ultimately the world, in a completely different way. In the early 20th century, the birth of Cubism and advancements in abstract art would revolutionise modern art for the next 100 years.

Artists Protest Failing Artwork
The avant-garde art movement would take another leap forward with the onset of the First World War. Influential artists of all kinds converged in neutral Switzerland, where in Zurich they frequented the Cabaret Voltaire, a nightclub showcasing music, art, poetry and literature. It was here that the Dada movement began; a root group of rebellious artists, musicians and writers who protested against the bourgeois globalists, and rejected reason and logic in favour of irrationality and intuition.

The Dada movement became an international club and spawned all manner of artistic techniques and genres that adorn galleries all over the world today. Genres like surrealism, pioneered by Andre Breton and taken to new heights by the likes of Max Ernst and Salvador Dali, would take audiences by storm. Even thirty years after its inception, the anarchic ideas of the Dada founders were inspiring new artistic concepts with the Nouveau Realisme designs of Pop and Flux becoming the fad of the fifties. And Dada continues to inspire artists like Jiri Borsky today. To see examples of art by Jiri Borsky click here:

The Birth of Acrylic Artwork
The new design concepts created by artists demanded a different type of paint and in the 1950s, “Magna paint,” was made commercially available. Magna paint was a thick acrylic solution that, when mixed with water, would dilute to such a degree it could give the appearance of oil pigments or even water colours. But not only does acrylic paint give artists a versatile consistency, its fast drying qualities gave artist like Jackson Pollock and David Hockney advantages other paints would not allow.

If you want to see examples of acrylic artwork, you will find excellent examples at Barewall together with the works of Jiri Borksy.

 Had an accident? Road traffic accident investigation can help

The blue skies and warmth of summer is perfect for a drive. With dry roads and good visibility, more people are out and about, and it is the season for holidays and day trips. There is some evidence, however, that people can get complacent. In poor weather, drivers tend to pay more attention to what they are doing and drive more slowly, but in the summer, people want to relax and have fun. They are more likely to talk on their mobile phone, speed along with the wind in their hair, or obscure their view with sunglasses and hats. All of these things can lead to accidents, and accidents have serious consequences.

Finding yourself blamed for a collision can be soul-destroying. In addition to the stress of having your car damaged and having to claim from the insurance company, you might have to live with the knowledge that you have injured someone. This could be a stranger, or it could be a loved one who was in the passenger seat. Add to this the fact that you could lose your licence, face a hefty fine or spend time in prison, and it is understandable that people reach out for help. An accident investigator can be the perfect solution.

Specialist traffic accident investigators can look into the circumstances of an accident, draw up reports and even act as expert witnesses if the case goes to trial. Many of these are former police officers, with forensic skills and knowledge that can completely change the way a case is viewed. Charges and sentences can be reduced or dropped altogether. As the most serious traffic offences carry 14 year prison sentences, this could change your whole life.

Accidents are investigated in a similar way to other crime scenes. Professionals evaluate the state of the vehicles involved in order to evaluate their speed and relative position. They look at skid marks on the road, the weather conditions and witness testimonies in order to reconstruct the entire sequence of events. They can prove that what you are saying is true.