If you’ve never had someone trip up on a loose cable at work then your company has been exceptionally lucky. Because with trips and slips costing firms millions each year, it’s vital to check that your power sources are fixed correctly – and safely, says Martin Cook. Here’s how.
28 October 2010
1. Why have it?
Slips and trips in the workplace cost UK businesses £500 million annually (source: HSE). If you’re concerned about trailing power leads and data cables under desks and across floors and the IT service desk gets calls about users kicking cables out, then you need a cable management solution. As the HSE’s recent campaign said, “Don’t just see it, sort it”.
The main benefits of investing in a well-planned and delivered cable management solution include:improved health and safety in the workplace, compliance with BS6396:2008, reduced risk of fire, reduced risk of tripping over cables, improved cleaning and reduced dirt traps, and improved productivity and morale in the workplace.
Can you really afford not to do it?
2. Get staff buy-inGiven the advantages, there shouldn’t be too many issues when getting staff buy-in. It’s important to get the IT department on side as well – after all, they will have to maintain CPUs or any other cable managed hardware at users’ desks. Planning is key, and completing any cable management project outside normal office hours will minimise disruption. Try to complete a rollout in parallel with a new desk installation, an IT rollout, including upgrades, or with
any internal moves that might
be planned.
3. What do I need?There are varying levels of service. They offer similar solutions using different products. Monitor arms, CPU holders and desktop power solutions may be offered but they may not necessarily be part of the overall solution. In fact, it’s dependent on customer requirements and budget.
DSE assessments for each user could also determine which products to choose and install. It’s good practice to install these products as part of a first fix process, prior to the main cable management rollout.
Following a detailed desk survey, the cabling and components are stripped out and re-installed using longer or shorter cables if required. Dressing the cabling to the underside of the desk gives enough movement on the mouse and keyboard cabling to allow the user to move them easily to the front of the desk.
Once completed, it’s crucial to test the network connectivity and functionality of all peripherals. Your contractor should offer a post-installation service to deal with any
problems that might arise or
any user-specific changes to
desk layout.
4.To audit or not to audit?The information gathered from desk audits can be used to populate your own in-house database. It can also be useful in providing information on unused or redundant structured cabling outlets.
For example, the IT department could have a request to install new cabling to a desk where unused or redundant outlets lay dormant. Regular desk audits reduce cabling installation costs and improve the efficiency of the relevant patch fields in the communications room.
5. Rollout and maintenanceAny specialist cable management company should complete their project rollout within the parameters set out by BS6396: 2008. In short, the standard says that when fixing a power source to a desk, various contributory factors must be considered, for example, the number of socket outlets and the ratings, workstation frame earthing and the length of trailing cables.
Finally, once you have invested heavily in creating your perfect workplace, you will need to protect your investment. Some cable management companies offer a maintenance service. You can either buy time blocks or a fixed price contract.
Whatever you choose, it should be completed quarterly to keep on top of any moves and changes or PC swap-outs that might have been completed.
Check list●
Insist on using a specialist company with skilled and experienced engineering staff
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Ensure good project management; planning is key
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Ensure BS6396: 2008 compliance with any proposed solution
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Consider a desk/office audit at the same time; it could save you money
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Shop around for ergonomic products – there are lots to choose from
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Consider a maintenance agreement to protect your investment
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Remember, as the HSE says: “Don’t just see it, sort it”
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And always keep in mind the huge benefits to your staff’s working environment
Martin Cook is managing director of Integral Cable Management
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