Office Spaces of the Future

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Lighting

In the next few years, many cubicle dwellers around the country can look forward to going to work in more open, bright, and welcoming workplaces.

Lighting upgrades save companies money with more efficient fixtures and bulbs, and ActOnEnergy rebates. However, a hidden benefit is that an office lighting upgrade can increase productivity by enhancing visual  comfort, reducing fatigue, increasing work accuracy, and maybe even reducing absenteeism caused by  headaches.

According to the 1999 Steelcase Workplace Index survey, 6 out of 10 office workers experience some form of glare that could be reduced by more appropriate lighting sources.

 

Toolbox Talk: Bicycle Safety

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Community Involvement, Safety, Toolbox Talks

Bicycle accidents are becoming all too common in our community.  Illinois Prairie Electric, Inc. cares about this issue not only because we ride bicycles, but because our employees encounter them on roads, in parking lots, and near job sites while driving.  Here are a few tips to keep in mind out on the roads this Spring:

Be aware of driveways that cross sidewalks. This is a common place for bicycles and cars to not see one another.

Don’t follow bicycles too closely. Bicycles can stop more quickly than cars, and damage to the smaller vehicle is often catastrophic.

Be cautious in residential neighborhoods. Bicyclists like to use quiet streets, so if you don’t stop completely before a stop sign, you risk hitting a silent vehicle in the intersection.  Look for cyclists and traffic before opening your door. When in motion, be aware of bicycles moving to the left to avoid the door zone directly adjacent to parked vehicles.

Finally, the Illinois Rules of the Road handbook states that motor vehicles must give bicycles at least 3 feet of space when passing.  Even with this guideline, riders are still being clipped by passing side mirrors.  Go one step further and give bicycles respect and distance—the same courtesies you would give to slow-moving farm equipment.  When passing, give them the full lane.  If it is not possible to pass safely, slow down and wait until it is safe.  This applies to urban and rural driving.

As more people become concerned about sustainable transportation and healthy living, there will be more bicycles on our community’s roads, sidewalks, and trails. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration writes that bicycles are “a legitimate form of transportation and bicyclists are legal drivers of vehicles” that have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles.

 

The Tool Library Leads the Way for Local Home Improvement

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Community Involvement, Home Improvement

Have you been thinking about some home improvement projects for this Spring, but don’t feel like you have the tools and resources needed to get them done?

A new organization started by Matthew LaLonde called The Tool Library offers hundreds of tools available for checkout. They are located at 800 W.   Washington Street in Bloomington, at the same location as the West Bloomington Revitalization Project.

In fact, community tool libraries like this have been cropping up around the country to help homeowners improve the look and value of their homes.

You can browse their inventory at http://www.thetoollib.com.

If you would like to become involved in The Tool Library’s mission, there are a number of ways you can contribute.  Every Wednesday from 3 to 5pm you can donate old tools you no longer use.

Here is The Tool Library’s Wishlist: aerator, air compressor, auger (both 1 and 2 person), carpet cleaner, cement mixer, concrete saw, cordless drill, dual sliding compound miter saw, floor buffer, floor sander (drum, edge, and orbital), hammer drill, paint sprayer, palm random orbit sander, power washer, scaffolding, table saw, wet tile saw, wheelbarrow (steel better than plastic), and drywall lifts.

Volunteers are also needed during the library’s hours of operation, and monetary donations can be made via their website.

As of April 29th, 2013, The Tool Library won a grant of $25,000 from the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Program.  LaLonde says that the funds could be used to purchase more tools and move to a new facility where there is more space.

Home improvement projects can improve the look and feel of a whole neighborhood, and as Matthew LaLonde says, they can give homeowners profound feelings of independence and dignity.

*Images used in this article were obtained from The Tool Library website and Facebook page.