Once upon a time there were two women who saw an opportunity and jumped in with both feet.  Through hard work, long hours, continuous learning, and family support, Kathie and Lisa grew that opportunity into a “real” company.   I was lucky enough to be in at the beginning to watch the transformation.  2010 marks the 15th anniversary of the founding of SPACE, Inc., and we’ve come a long way, baby!

In 1995 SPACE opened its doors on a showroom that was cement floors, unfinished drywall, two computers, and a typewriter.  With only three of us on board, we all wore many hats.  Kathie was salesperson, spokesperson, and negotiator; Lisa was salesperson, designer, benefits manager; I was receptionist, order entry, accountant, warehouse manager.  The original office furniture consisted of card tables, cardboard files, and no walls. 

After a few months Lisa had designed a beautiful showroom and we actually had real offices.    Orders, delivery tickets, and invoices were typed up on the typewriter until we got Team Design.  Accounting was a manual exercise up to that point, too.   When we first had computers, they weren’t networked, so we shared documents by swapping floppy disks back and forth.

Within the first year, 2 more people were hired and SPACE was on its way.  In the second year, SPACE opened another location in Flint.  In subsequent years we expanded the office, added account managers, designers, support staff, and brought install in-house.  Part of the warehouse was closed in to add a sales/design area to the existing office.  That created a second floor that  was and is used as a conference room.   When the second tenant in the building vacated the premises, SPACE took over the whole facility, doubling the warehouse space and adding much-needed office space.

While all this was going on, SPACE became one of Michigan’s “50 Companies To Watch,” the staff grew to 30, and technology bloomed.  Due to the diligence and opportunistic eye of Stacy, our New Business Development guru, SPACE acquired a GSA contract and a BPA with the Department of Health and Human Services.  That put SPACE in the national arena.

At our team meeting in March, Kathie and Lisa were presented with a birthday cake and blew out the 15 candle to the applause of the staff.  We didn’t sing “Happy Birthday”, but we hope there are many more!

If you are looking for a comfortable ergonimic chair to sit it, the Haworth Zody ergonomic chair is one of the most popular chairs on the market today, for good reason.  Haworth developed the Zody chair with the help of Western Michigan University.  They measured just about every ergonomic adjustment possible when developing the Zody.  SPACE Inc is a preferred Haworth dealership that carries the Zody ergonomic chair as well as all the other chairs Haworth has to offer.  Below is a video demonstrating the features of the Zody.

Often times when people have a large projects going, things don’t always go as planned.  Weather will some times set the construction crews back, permits, DEQ, and many other unforeseens can push back a project as well.  Where do you store the new office furniture when it show up if your project gets pushed back?  Where will you store your other materials if the project is pushed back? 

Space Inc has your solution with on site storage.  Space Inc is a preferred Haworth office furniture dealership which has came across this situation one to many times.  The furniture is shipped to the job site and the building is not ready for the furniture.  Space Inc will now bring the storage right to your facility for easy access when you are ready for your materials.  Give Space Inc a call if you have a storage need.

Is your current seating telling you and your customers it has seen better days?  If you have been thinking about upgrading your chair and have been waiting for a good time, now is the time.  Haworth has just announced a seating trade-in promotion.  Receive up to $50 for your old chair and SPACE Inc will take your old chair away to be recycled.  The details are listed below.  Click on the picture twice to make it readable. 

Here are a few ideas to keep your warehouse operating safely

Warehouse safety should be discussed with all warehouse employees. All new employees should be required to take warehouse safety training classes. This is to make sure all new workers are aware of the rules and safety regulations to follow while they are working. Horseplay and fooling around should not be tolerated. When you are doing any manual lifting it is important to follow basic lifting techniques. Train employees in how to lift is one of the most important warehouse safety training topics. Back injuries count for more than 50 percent of lost time and sick days in a warehouse. The docking area in a warehouse is probably the busiest area in the warehouse. It is where all products are delivered to, or sent from. It is necessary to make sure the docking area floors are clean at all times. One of the most important warehouse safety procedures is forklift safety. Forklifts are used everyday in warehouses all over. It is important that only forklift trained and certified employees operate them. They can be deadly if used incorrectly. All employees must be at least 18 years old in order to become forklift certified. Only employees certified to use a forklift should operate them. All warehouse workers should know where the first aid kits are located and have a basic knowledge of how to use them. They should also know where all fire extinguishers are and must be trained in fire safety. You should also have an evacuation plan in place.

Everyone know the healthcare industry is growing right now.   Haworth is ready for that growing market with their line of healthcare furniture from Tempo chairs to Unicell products.   SPACE Inc is a proud dealer for Haworth’s healthcare offerings.  Below are some pictures of a couple of products Haworth and SPACE Inc offer up for the growing healthcare market.   As you notice these systems are warm and inviting compared to the cold institutionalized healthcare furniture of the past. 

Tempo public seating 

If you don’t have to travel in bad winter weather, don’t. If you need to travel here are some tips.

·        Check your windshield wiper blades to make sure they work properly.

·         Test the anti-freeze/coolant to provide the correct level of protection required in your driving area.

·        Make sure your tires are properly inflated.

·        Keep your gas tank at least half-full. The extra volume can help reduce moisture problems within your fuel system. It also adds helpful weight to your vehicle.

·        In rear-wheel drive vehicles, extra weight in the trunk may be helpful. Use care– unsecured weight can shift while you are moving or if you have to stop suddenly. Bags of sand can provide weight and, if sprinkled on the ice, sand helps provide traction.

·        Before you leave your driveway, scrape the ice and snow from every window and the exterior rear view mirrors. Don’t forget to remove snow from headlights and brake lights.

·        Don’t use a cellular phone when driving on ice or snow. Even if you have a hands-free model, you need to concentrate on driving, not on a telephone conversation.

·        Drive slowly and remember posted speed limits identify the maximum speed allowed in ideal weather conditions.

·        Keep a light touch on the brakes. Tip toe to slow is a good motto for winter drivers.

·        Keep both hands on the wheel and keep the wheel pointed where you want your car to go.

·        Keep your vehicle stocked with simple emergency equipment in case you do get stalled or have an accident. Consider keeping these items in your vehicle:

·        blanket or extra clothes
- candle with matches
- snacks
- beverages (never alcohol)
- flares
- C. B. radio, cellular phone or ham radio
- a small shovel
- flashlight
- windshield scraping device
- tow rope
- bag of sand or cat litter for traction
- long jumper cables

Before using your fire extinguisher, be sure to read the instructions before it’s too late. Although there are many different types of extinguishers, all of them operate in a similar manner.

 Fire extinguishers are divided into four categories, based on different types of fires. Each fire extinguisher also has a numerical rating that serves as a guide for the amount of fire the extinguisher can handle. The higher the number, the more fire-fighting power. The following is a quick guide to help choose the right type of extinguisher.

It is vital to know what type of extinguisher you are using. Using the wrong type of extinguisher for the wrong type of fire can be life-threatening.

·     Class A extinguishers are for ordinary combustible materials such as paper, wood, cardboard, and most plastics. The numerical rating on these types of extinguishers indicates the amount of water it holds and the amount of fire it can extinguish.

·     Class B fires involve flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, grease and oil. The numerical rating for class B extinguishers indicates the approximate number of square feet of fire it can extinguish.

·      Class C fires involve electrical equipment, such as appliances, wiring, circuit breakers and outlets. Never use water to extinguish class C fires - the risk of electrical shock is far too great! Class C extinguishers do not have a numerical rating. The C classification means the extinguishing agent is non-conductive.

·     Class D fire extinguishers are commonly found in a chemical laboratory. They are for fires that involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium. These types of extinguishers also have no numerical rating, nor are they given a multi-purpose rating - they are designed for class D fires only.

Use this acronym as a quick reference.

P                   A                  S                   S

Pull the Pin at the top of the extinguisher. The pin releases a locking mechanism and will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.

Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames. This is important - in order to put out the fire, you must extinguish the fuel.

Squeeze the lever slowly. This will release the extinguishing agent in the extinguisher. If the handle is released, the discharge will stop.

Sweep from side to side. Using a sweeping motion, move the fire extinguisher back and forth until the fire is completely out. Operate the extinguisher from a safe distance, several feet away, and then move towards the fire once it starts to diminish. Be sure to read the instructions on your fire extinguisher - different fire extinguishers recommend operating them from different distances. Remember: Aim at the base of the fire, not at the flames!!!!

A typical fire extinguisher contains 10 seconds of extinguishing power. This could be less if it has already been partially discharged. Always read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher beforehand and become familiarized with its parts. It is highly recommended by fire prevention experts that you get hands-on training before operating a fire extinguisher. Most local fire departments offer this service. Once the fire is out, don’t walk away! Watch the area for a few minutes in case it re-ignites. Recharge the extinguisher immediately after use.

Living, working and playing in Michigan in the winter can be both fun and dangerous. One of the dangers to watch for is frostbite. The following may help with this danger.

How to Prevent Frostbite

Recognize that by venturing out into the cold, you are risking frostbite. Wind and wetness will drain your body of heat, especially your extremities, with astonishing speed. Stay mindful of the risk. Make sure you wear warm clothing when going outdoors: an inner wicking layer, a middle insulating layer and an outer wind- and water-resistant layer for both your upper and lower body. Be sure you also have gloves or mittens (mittens are better), a hat, and wool or thick fleece socks. Make sure you have clothing that will not lose its insulating properties when wet. The primary offender is cotton; wool is much better, as are many kinds of synthetic fleece. Stay hydrated. Dehydration is a predisposing condition for frostbite and hypothermia. Eat plenty of food, especially carbohydrates, which are quick to digest and easy for your metabolism to turn into heat. Eat small amounts frequently rather than large amounts infrequently. Set a reasonable pace when engaging in vigorous activities. Exhaustion can make treatment and even recognition of frostbite more difficult. Stop and warm your feet or hands if they start to feel numb; this is an early warning of frostbite. Avoid alcohol, which contributes to dehydration and impairs judgment, as well as caffeine and nicotine, which constrict blood vessels and therefore reduce the blood supply to extremities.

How to Treat Frostbite

Consider taking a pain reliever such as ibuprofen to brace for the inevitable pain of rewarming. Immerse the affected part in the water (104 and 108 degrees F), taking care that it doesn’t touch the sides of the receptacle. Heat more water, again to between 104 and 108 degrees F. Replace the water in the receptacle once it has cooled to below 100 degrees F. Repeat the heat-and-replace cycle until all discoloration has disappeared and all tissue is once again soft and pliable. This usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. Prepare a bath of water mixed with antibacterial soap. Immerse the affected area for 5 minutes to minimize risk of infection. Air-dry the injured area and gingerly apply aloe vera ointment. Cover the injured area gently with dry sterile gauze and insulating layers. Take extreme care not to let the frostbitten body part refreeze. The biggest danger of rewarming in the outdoors is that the affected area may thaw and then refreeze, resulting in far worse tissue damage than if you delay thawing so that it’s done well and only once. Because refreezing is so undesirable, strongly consider evacuation before thawing. If hypothermia is present along with frostbite, treat hypothermia first. Rubbing the affected area or exposing it to any external heat source other than warm water can cause permanent tissue damage.

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Potential Office Safety Hazards part #4

Continuing on with my blog about the potential office hazards let me give you a few more tips that can benefit your office area.

Office Equipment

         Keep loose clothing, jewelry, and long flowing hair away from machines

         Paper cutters

o       Use guard to avoid contact with the cutting blade by the opposing hand

o       When the cutter is not in use, the blade should be in the down position and secured

         Sharp tools (i.e. letter openers, exacto knives, scissors, etc.)

o       Store properly to prevent tools from rolling and falling off of desk surfaces

o       Use sheaths for knives and razors

         Copiers

o       Know the procedures for safely clearing jams

o       Turn power OFF before trying to clear a jam or changing toner

o       Remain aware of areas which may be hot

o       Remember that the power is still connected

Coffee Pots

         Heat source/potential fire hazard

         History of incidents when coffee pots left ON

         Turn OFF when not in use

         Make sure they are OFF before you leave the office

         Consider using an automatic timer

I hope that my blogs on Potential Office Safety Hazards has spiked some interests on how to improve your office setting. Tip of the day- think safety first…