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Life with a handicap can be tough. Being able to use a motor vehicle is a luxury and something we should be very grateful for. Some people become handicapped or are born with a handicap and because of their disadvantage, are unable to operate a motor vehicle. On the other hand, those with more minor injuries can operate a motor vehicle; however, they have to pass an OT driving assessment. So, if you are someone who is disadvantaged by some form of a handicap or are looking for guidance for someone else, make sure you read through this checklist before you get involved in an OT driving assessment.

What does an OT driving assessment consist of?

The tests consist of two core components: the first is called the off-road evaluation. This commences when a trained occupational therapist and assessor meets at the person’s home. The examiner will be looking for any medical conditions that may severely undermine the person’s capacity to use a car in a safe manner. This part of the exam takes place outside of the car and doesn’t take a whole lot of time.

Following the off-road part of the test, the second component of the OT driving assessment begins: the on-road component of the test. This will occur in the person’s local suburb or area, so don’t fret if you’re preparing for one yourself. You won’t have to navigate your vehicle on roads you are unfamiliar with. During this time, a qualified instructor is present as the person navigates their car.

Following the test, the person will receive their results. Unlike a conventional vehicle test, the person will not just be told if they passed or failed. Instead, their result will include important recommendations regarding how they performed and any modifications they need to make to their car. This will include modifying the car so the handicapped person can operate it in a much safer manner. The results are sent to the individual and forwarded on to the RMS (Roads and Maritime Services).

Who must complete an OT driving assessment?

You will not have to complete a test if you suffer from only a minor condition. A minor condition is classed as an injury that does not undermine your faculty to operate a car. This includes a loss of up to three fingers on a single hand or loss of toes.

Conversely, a more serious handicap will likely require you to pass an OT driving assessment. If you are unable to use one or both of your legs/arms, you will need to pass the test. In this case, you will have to demonstrate to your instructor that you can operate your car using special aids fitted in your car. Examples include artificial limbs, a modified car seat or some form of steering wheel support. You might have to have special, elongated indicator switches if you can’t reach them in a conventional vehicle.

What is being examined?

Learning to operate a car is tough enough as it is without having a handicap. During an OT driving assessment, the RMS applies a series of important principles. Indeed, if you have an appliance or aid fixed to your car, it can’t distract or undermine you operating a car. If it’s too bulky, your assessor might ask you to have it refitted before you next hop in the vehicle.

You have to be able to demonstrate that you can effectively use any artificial limbs you may require. The brake and accelerator pads can be refitted and moved if required. If you only have the use of one arm, you are still able to pass your OT driving assessment, so long as you can reach all the important controls, without taking your hand off the steering wheel.

For anyone out there who owns or runs a business, they will understand that customer service is everything. People are not likely to have a long and successful career if they are not able to go above and beyond for the people who are making the purchases. This is especially the case for those who work in hospitality.

One of the hardest parts about running a pub, café, or restaurant is that there is so much competition out there. It can be hard to attract people to spend their money when they can so easily purchase fast food options for a fantastic price. As this is the case, an experience will also need to be provided.

When people go out to eat, they want to be pampered which means that they are not only served great foods and drinks but that there is also some kind of ambiance. This can be achieved with the décor, the lighting, as well as the space itself. As this is so important, it may be a wise move for people to look into ziptrak blinds to improve the presentation of their place of business.

 

One of the best things about implementing ziptrak blinds is that they are able to connect indoor and outdoor environments into one harmonious space

A great way to make a place of business look larger is by correctly utilizing the indoor and outdoor areas. Furthermore, it is super easy to create a flow by enclosing an outdoor area with ziptrak blinds. This also allows customers to sit in an outdoor space even when it is raining or when it is super hot.

Implementing this also gives customers the choice of where they would like to sit. This can be especially helpful for those who have already sat inside a cramped office all day and would like to enjoy their purchase with a little bit of fresh air. Having said this, they will be able to enjoy this in a temperature controlled area due to the implementation of the ziptrak blinds.

This means that even when a business is located by the water, they are able to protect their guests from any winds or water spray. Furthermore, they can block out some of the sun’s harsh rays in order to provide an excellent experience all round. As it can be seen, there are many benefits to implementing this kind of service.

 

Ziptrak blinds are extremely durable making them the perfect investment for any place of business

Another reason why it can be such a good idea to implement this kind of system is because it is well worth the investment. People aren’t going to simply have their ziptrak blinds installed only to notice that they are broken after a few months of usage. The type of material that is used ensures that this is certainly not the case.

This can be extremely important for businesses that are just starting out because they will need to curb costs everywhere they can. Having said this, it is also important that people don’t skimp on the quality as purchasing cheap products can actually cost them more in the long run. Because of this, it is crucial that business owners and managers make room in their budgets for items such as ziptrak blinds that will help improve the presentation of their place of business.

When people make this investment, they are likely to see a great return in the form of happy customers that are more than willing to spread the word about how great a business is.

If you’re a student studying information technology or a postgraduate who needs to get some more experience, IT internships are a very attractive option. They give you a chance to get hands-on experience with the industry, the people in it and the general work ethic entailed.

However, plenty of placements can be terrible, amounting to little more than slave labour or are simply unengaging and don’t teach you much. Sometimes this can be because of predatory hiring practices but it could also be because the firm you select is not a great work environment.

So, let’s take a look at what the positive traits of great IT internships look like.

 

1: They give you a chance to actually learn useful industry-specific skills

While many people apply for IT internships just to get something on their resume, they are missing out if the placement doesn’t actually teach them any employable skills. While getting some experience in a professional office environment is always a good thing, it won’t help you very much when you apply for industry jobs that are looking for someone with practical experience in the actual type of work being done.

Some essential skills you should hope to learn during any information technology placement include; project management, coding, troubleshooting, network repair, system diagnostics and more. While you probably won’t have the opportunity to get hands on experience with every single thing the company does, you should at least come away with 2 or 3 employable skills.

If you all you end up doing are basic office admin tasks and grabbing coffees for everyone, then it’s really just a big waste of time.

 

2: Mentorship

While it isn’t always possible, the mark of a great IT internship is when you meet and connect with a mentor who really trains you up to be successful in the industry. They will tell you some “real truths” and break down common myths you have so that you can be successful from day one in whatever role you end up moving on to.

They will also be a great contact for you to engage in the future if you have any questions or issues in the early stages of your career.

 

3: Being able to have an actual impact

Another mark of great IT internships is when you actually get to make a meaningful impact during your time there. This could mean laying the finishing touches on a project or suggesting an idea that actually gets implemented.

Not only do these things look great to future employers, they make you feel good about yourself and reaffirm your decision to get into the industry in the first place. While a lot of the work you do throughout your career will lean toward the repetitive or mundane (just a fact of life), knowing when and how to make big creative contributions really makes it more than ‘just a job’.

 

4: A chance at being employed full time

The best IT internships will have some kind of opportunity for you to get a job out of them. While nothing is ever guaranteed, it’s always good to give yourself the best chance possible of gaining employment.

Getting a job out of your IT internship is really useful because you will already pretty much be done with the training phase. You’ll already be comfortable in the office space, know people and be able to use all of the relevant systems.

This means that you can really get into the work straight away and make a meaningful impact. Coming out of a placement and into a full-time role also looks really good on resumes when you eventually switch to another company.

We often take our modern lifestyles for granted right up until the point something goes wrong and we need a professional to fix it. In the case of your plumbing, there’s nothing worse than being denied a warm shower in the morning because there’s something wrong with your gas hot water cylinder.

And it’s not just showers that get affected, washing up and cooking in the kitchen are also depended on the heated liquid that’s produced and stored in your gas hot water cylinder. It’s safe to say that most if not all homeowners are prepared to do a little heating system maintenance before the problem gets so bad that they need to call a plumber.

While your system may seem very complex to wrap your head around, it’s actually pretty simple to maintain as long as you are diligent about it. Unlike a continuous flow system, your gas hot water cylinder will store the liquid as well as supply it to your home, meaning that there’s a lot more room for something to go wrong.

The proper maintenance of your liquid heating system is essential in order to ensure you don’t lose access to modern comforts and conveniences, especially in winter time. Let’s take a look at a few of the things you need to consider when performing routine maintenance of your gas hot water cylinder.

There are two main elements you need to keep your eye on:

1. TPR (temperature and pressure relief) valve
2. Sacrificial anode

 

What’s the TPR valve?

The TPR (temperature and pressure relief) valves are also commonly referred to as T&P valves. They are fitted onto the system as a backup safety measure that essentially vents any heated liquid if the internal temperature of the tank gets too high and risks exploding or cracking under pressure.

There is a big risk associated with faulty TPR valves for obvious reasons; they could cause your tank to explode or crack, both scenarios that can cause significant damage to your home and any people or animals nearby. Obviously, you need to make sure your TPR valves are functioning correctly less you risk a disaster that’s at best costly and at worst fatal.

 

How do you test the TPR valve?

Testing and flushing a TPR valve is not a very complicated process and can be done by someone who’s a complete amateur when it comes to plumbing related issues. If you notice that the valve is leaking via the outlet pipe, it’s a sign that the entire valve needs replacement.

When you test the valve, make sure to stand back as it will expel some very hot liquid. It’s also a good idea to wear gumboots, gloves and long pants so that you don’t get singed.

1. Make sure that the area directly beneath the pipe is clear of any obstructions and make sure that you keep a good distance between yourself and the outlet point.
2. Lift the handle very gently and don’t force it if it is stuck for some reasons. If it won’t budge, you’ll have to just get it replaced. If it does move, then some extremely hot liquid should be expelled from you gas hot water cylinder.
3. Return it to its closed stance very gently and watch the flow cease. It the flow does not cease it’s a sign that the valve needs a total replacement as it is not working reliably.

 

What’s the sacrificial anode?

Any gas hot water cylinder is going to have what’s called a ‘sacrificial anode’ installed inside. The sacrificial anode is a magnesium or aluminium rod, costed in zinc, that hangs inside the tank.

The ‘sacrifice’ comes in the form of the rod attracting impurities and minerals in the water that would otherwise cause the interior walls of the tank to rust. The rod gives its life for the good of the tank by letting itself rust.

Naturally, the rod won’t last forever and if the liquid is coming out a brownish, rusty colour then it’s a sign it has stopped being effective and needs to be replaced. It’s very important for the health of your gas hot water cylinder that the sacrificial anode is replaced when it stops being effective.

 

How often should the sacrificial anode be replaced?

In the majority of cases with gas hot water cylinders, the sacrificial anode needs to be replaced every 5 years or so. Obviously, failing to replace it when it stops being effective will spell death for your tank and is the most common reason for failure cited by experienced plumbers.

If you are diligent and make sure it is checked on and replaced around every 5 years then it shouldn’t cause you any significant problems. As with everything, diligence and prudence is essential.

Getting married is one of those once in a lifetime moments that you will treasure in your memory for the rest of your life. Sharing and celebrating the love you and your partner share and are planning to share into the future is one of the most sincere and special expressions of emotion that you can have.

Naturally, you want all of your closest friends and family members to attend your ceremony and give you their best wishes for the bright future you have ahead of you. You also probably want someone with a camera present throughout the day documenting the celebrations so that you have precious, timeless images you can enjoy well into your old age.

However, with all of the other planning that you need to do, finding the right person can prove difficult. If you’re planning to get married in and around metropolitan New South Wales then it makes sense for you to seek out the best wedding photography in Sydney.

While it may seem daunting at first, by follow a few simple steps you can identify and secure the ideal candidate for wedding photography in Sydney. Let’s take a look at some of the methods you can employ to find the picture perfect practitioner.

 

Ask friends and relatives for their recommendations

The first place to start your search is with your married friends and relatives as they will likely have used a wedding photographer in Sydney for their own ceremony. The great thing about marriage is that nearly everyone goes through it at some point, so it would be highly unlikely that you have no friends or relatives to ask for recommendations from.

Because they are close to you, they are unlikely to give you a reference that’s of poor quality or is dodgy in some way. They will likely only refer you to someone they had a good experience with.

A good thing to do is to look at the images of their ceremonies so you can get idea for the practitioner’s style. Everything from the way they frame the images, what they take snaps of and how they edit them afterwards are all important points to consider.

 

Browse the internet and go deep into their websites

Another obvious but useful place to look for professional wedding photography in Sydney is on the internet. Here you can easily use a search engine like Google to find the top results for practitioners local to you and see what past customers have said about their services.

Most practitioner websites will feature a portfolio of their past work front and centre so that you can instantly see the kind of quality and style you will be getting. Some will have a range of different styles they use for different kinds of ceremonies and it’s always a good idea to go deep into their portfolio to see the full range of the type of work they do.

It’s also a good idea to read their ‘about’ and ‘FAQ’ sections as they will likely have answers to your most pertinent questions about their service, how they charge you and what their general availability is. They will also likely answer questions about the style of wedding photography in Sydney that they perform.

 

Consider your personal wishes and demands for their services

Depending on the type of ceremony you plan to have, some choices for professional wedding photography in Sydney will be more appropriate than others. It really all depends on whether or not the practitioner you are considering specialises in the areas you need them to.

For example; if you are having a traditional Hindu wedding then it would make sense to go with a practitioner of wedding photography in Sydney who prominently features Hindu couples in their portfolio. If you are having a non-religious, secular ceremony then these kinds of considerations will likely not matter as much.

It’s all about making sure you get what you want and not compromising for the sake of convenience or cost. This is your special day after all and you shouldn’t sacrifice the quality of your images just to save a few bucks.

 

Interview them

Once you have selected a few promising candidates for wedding photography in Sydney, organise some phone, or better yet; face-to-face interviews with them. This will allow you to have a robust discussion with them about your vision for the ceremony and how you want them to document it.

While you obviously need to trust their expertise, there is a certain amount of instruction they will happily take on board and it never hurts to ask them what kind of customisation they have available. It’s also a good idea to run through their editing techniques so that you know what you want and won’t have to wait as long for the album to be finished and sent to you.

 

 

When you have a construction job that requires working at heights there are many different options out there that are available. Scaffoldings are a construction tool that has been used for hundreds of years in countries across the world. The reason for this is the benefits that this tool has to offer over its counterparts. It has been used for hundreds of years because it is effective and has been proved to work where others may fall short.

To fully educate construction personnel of what scaffoldings have to offer, we have put together a short but effective list of their benefits and how you can ensure your crew’s safety.

 

The reach that you can get with the structure

One of the primary reasons that construction crews choose to use scaffoldings over other tools is that it provides a much further reach than other tools. That means if you were to be working from above the ground you will be able to reach stuff that your crew couldn’t normally work on. This is very effective when jobs require work to be done on higher walls or even ceilings.

The structure works by having a metal apparatus suspend a wooden or fiberglass plank so that workers can stand on top of it at a height. The network of metal pipes can be easily erected and taken down without too much hassle or training either.

 

Easy to work on angles and positions

There are many other construction tools that let you work at heights such as ladders. However another big advantage that people use scaffoldings for is that the height and reach that they offer is almost more convenient for those working with these tools. Ladders are angled and can be difficult to work on for long periods of time as well as being unsafe.

With scaffoldings, the structure puts the worker parallel to the ground but at a higher elevation. No awkward angles allows for better concentrated work on the building as well as the peace of mind knowing that they are operating safely.

Additionally if the job you are currently performing requires several workers at a time, it is near impossible to get several workers on a ladder to perform their jobs effectively and safely. The big perk about being level with the building is that you also get an option to have a wider reach than other tools. If you desire you can choose to use a longer board which means more than one person can be atop of the structure at a time.

 

 

They are safer than any other construction tool

The main reason that companies and worker choose to use scaffoldings over any other type of elevation construction tool is that they are incredibly safe and easy to work with. These structures work by having four anchor points that are grounded at all times to ensure that the platform is stable. Stability for the platform allows the workers to stand, sit and work on it with ease and without the stress of their personal safety.

Other variants of these structures can be made from other material to meet the requirements of the job and to provide the best solution needed. A classic example of this in action is that many western countries choose to use steel or aluminum pipes to form the network for their workers to stand upon. However in eastern countries such as China where they have access to strong and durable types of wood, their networks are made from this material instead. As they have been using this network for a long time, they have perfected the art in erecting and dismantling it in the easiest and safest way possible.

 

How to ensure the safety of you and your workers

Safety is a big priority for all jobs so ensuring that everything is done correctly is of the utmost importance. To make sure that the job is done safely here are some quick points that should be followed at all times to avoid any potential harm or risk.

 

Respect the weight limit

Scaffolding networks are designed and planned by engineers where they have calculated the maximum weight limit that is allowed before the structure fails. If you were to exceed this limit the entire network could come down on the workers and any surrounding people or structures. Knowing the safety precautions before you operate with these tools is very important.

 

Undergo training

Scaffoldings come with their own set of training before you can use them. If you work with them without the training it is one very dangerous and two very irresponsible. These procedures are in place to ensure that things are done safely and correctly. Simply not doing the required training will also exempt you from any claim against the company as you are at fault.

 

Use the rail and harnesses

Scaffoldings also come with safety rails and harnesses so that you will not slip and fall off the platform. Again not following the safety guidelines is irresponsible and dangerous.

 

What is it about buying glasses online that makes it a superior exercise to purchasing the items in person?

In 2018 shoppers are caught in a transitional moment where products can be obtained at the click of a button rather than having to transport themselves to a department store.

But how can you trust these suppliers? Are they legitimate? What happens if something goes wrong and are you protected as a consumer?

These are all pertinent questions that should be asked, yet the advantages that are sourced from digital shopping illustrates that the convenience and sheer scope of options makes for an enticing prospect.

Here we will take a closer look at the benefits that every customer can enjoy.

 

More Widespread Range and Quality of Product

From reading glasses to UV protected pairs, colourful sunglasses, bifocals to tinted and pimped out frames, there is a variety of choice out there in the marketplace.

Choosing to purchase glasses online allows you as the consumer to access a world of creativity where casual pairs and medical lenses mesh into one luxurious environment. Heading into a store where the cupboard is bare or an item has to be imported from another market is a continual frustration. By opting for a digital platform, that concern is negated because the process is identical from one product to the next.

 

Take Away The Time Pressures

Having to head into a store during Monday to Friday business hours to select a pair that suits you is not exactly convenient for many working people. By opting for glasses online, you remove a time pressure from the equation where an outlet is only able to operate around particular parameters.

Some consumers are also conscious about making a decision within a certain timeframe and will opt for a snap purchase to avoid the embarrassment of leaving a store empty handed. Do not be one of those people!

 

Avoid The Crowd Cluster

There is something antiquated about forcing yourself into the car, bus or train, maybe finding somewhere to park, locating a store among a clutter of department outlets and eventually fighting for the attention of a store clerk to find your glasses. Those who choose to shop for glasses online bypass that entire cluster where other individuals are taking attention away from your needs and even if they give you a degree of customer service, you are limited by what they know and provide in that particular outlet. This is not a criticism of individual store workers and departments who can only offer so much, because there are inherent limitations in a crowded environment.

 

Checking Store Reputation and Feedback

The great joy about shopping for glasses online is that the online consumer is far more likely to leave ratings and feedback for future customers to read because that is their natural behaviour. It is far less likely as a transition for a shopper to purchase an item in store than decide to venture online to leave a comment or a review. When a transaction is occurring, that option to share thoughts and opinions is readily available, empowering others to check the brand and gauge them on quality assurances.

 

 

Quality Online Brands Issue Clear Return Measures

One of the clear disadvantages of opting for glasses online is obvious – how do you know if this is the right product for you if you cannot try on the goods and test it out in person? Despite the measurements appearing ideal online, the pair itself just isn’t the ideal fit. Well for those modern day digital brands who service to a wide variety of customers, they have clear return policies in place to cater to that very need.

 

Tapping Into The New Normal

Consumer behaviours are altering ever so slightly year on year. What was true in 2017 is not exactly so in 2018 and that will apply to 2019 and beyond. By choosing to purchase glasses online, each citizen is tapping into a new cultural norm where products and services are issued over the web through a variety of different portals. From mobile apps to social media sites and Google searches, this is how we as a society are transitioning across to a new behavior of shopping. There is nothing that should be done to force individuals to shop in this manner, but the majority of brands will be catering their customer service resources towards this side of the business, ensuring that you receive a better quality experience on digital platforms than at a store.

 

Summary

The next step to securing your glasses online is to follow through on a few key exercises. This includes settling on an outlet that will satisfy your requirements, picking a frame style that will be suitable for the lens, and ensuring that you have a brand that will give you that return option in the event that the pair does not quite hit the mark you were hoping to seek. Some consumers will head into a store to obtain a greater education about the fittings and design options, but to consume a complete range of aesthetically pleasing and practical products, shopping online is your best bet.

 

You’ve probably just read the title and have no idea what an arboricultural report even means. Put simply, a certified tree surgeon can sign off on documentation that certifies the safety and value of a tree on someone’s property. You might require such documentation because you’re considering having a tree removed on your property, so it’s important that you have all the relevant information. Whether the tree is on your personal property or commercial land, there is a good chance you will require government approval before the tree can be legally removed. You’ll fare much better if you have an arboricultural report to back up your claim!

 

Tree removal

In a lot of cases, the input from a tree doctor can be a strong factor in granting council permission to have the tree or foliage removed from your property. The last thing you need is to have your claim rejected because you failed to provide an arboricultural report or illegally removed the trees without approval.

 

Safety

You may need to have a tree removed because it is inhibiting the safety of your property and other civilians. It may be precariously close to the house or road, which could be dangerous if it is structurally unsound. During poor weather conditions, like strong winds or a bad thunderstorm, unstable trees or foliage could collapse, damaging your property or, even worse, injuring others. Hence, you may need to have a tree removed for safety reasons, in which an arboricultural report may be just the thing you need to ensure that the government approves your claim.

 

 

Environmental strategies

A tree surgeon can also provide insightful environment conservation strategies in their arboricultural report. Given the current concern for the environment, particularly in terms of deforestation and land logging, it is important that we conserve our natural resources as much as possible. Convening with a tree doctor will help ensure that you manage the natural environment on your property more effectively, so as to help improve ecological sustainability. While you want to ensure that your private premises are safe, you also need to be conscious of the environment.

An arboricultural report can outline ways in which you can preserve various species of trees, while also reducing the risk of a tree collapsing. This is particularly important for public spaces like schools, parks and sporting ovals, where there can be a high level of foot traffic throughout the day. Hence, in the interest of public safety, an arboricultural report can list several strategies to contain hazardous trees, which will greatly improve civilian safety.

 

Construction

You might be having some serious construction work done on your home or office space. Or, perhaps the nature of work is industrial, which isn’t particularly conducive to the environment. In this scenario, an arboricultural report will include an overall analysis of the vegetation on your property and whether any constructive work will impact the environment. From this, a tree surgeon can develop a strategic plan to help remove or secure any close trees, along with guidelines on how to execute this safely and in a timely manner.

 

Risk evaluation

Finally, a review from a tree surgeon will often include a tree risk evaluation. This is an assessment that includes a risk factor rating, which basically determines whether the tree should be removed, maintained or left alone. When coming to a particular number, a tree doctor will consider several factors, including: the contents of the soil in the area, the tree’s proximity to any infrastructure or power lines, the quality of the landscape and the species of the tree. Your tree doctor may recommend having the entire tree removed or perhaps something a little less extreme, like trimming any unsafe branches.