By Colton Eva
With more office-based workers across the UK venturing back into the office, either on a full-time or hybrid basis, the attention has inevitably shifted back to office spaces. And with sufficient office spaces comes sufficient maintenance to improve productivity at work.
If you’re responsible for office equipment, whether as an employer or an employee, there are several things you can do to help with the longevity of your items. This might look like routine checks or educating employees to look out for certain signals, for example. Here’s why it’s so important to look after your office equipment.
Save money in the long run
Put simply, the longer your office equipment is kept in good knick, the less you’ll have to spend on constantly getting items fixed or replaced – and it all comes down to regular maintenance in an effort to keep equipment ticking along. While maintenance may feel to some like a waste of time in the moment, it will save you a lot more money than having to completely replace something.
Similarly, while the office equipment is functioning, it means employees can continue to do their day jobs, keeping the workflow going rather than stalling any progress and potentially costing the business if work is not being serviced.
Safer environment
Electrical equipment is a big contributor to hazards found in office spaces, which is another reason why it’s so important to ensure everything is working properly. If a piece of electrical equipment malfunctions, this can pose risks for employees and any visitors in the workplace. Not only are there health and safety risks involved, but the company could also land itself in a tricky situation with legal repercussions if any serious injury occurs.
Common electrical hazards include appliances such as computers, laptops or scanners. You may also have electrical equipment in the kitchen, such as microwaves, that could be a risk, which is why taking the time to assess and maintain all electrical equipment is so important. Examples might include using lubricants from suppliers like RS to help with the longevity of air conditioning units, or reviewing any wiring in case any cables are frayed and need replacing.
Less downtime
If an employee’s computer or laptop is constantly experiencing downtime, therefore preventing people from doing their job, this can cause knock-on effects across the business. Progress may be hindered if other people are relying on someone who cannot access their work.
If equipment malfunctions regularly, this can cause businesses and employees a lot of hassle, with time being wasted. Plus, once something is back up and running again, it may be hard for the individual to get back into the flow of what it is they were working on. Poorly maintained equipment has the potential to cause stress in the workplace, which nobody wants to experience.
