by Fern Shaw | Mar 28, 2019 | bottle fed water coolers, water cooler, Water Coolers
Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulation 1992, the employer has a responsibility to provide an adequate supply of drinking water. However, the employer must ensure that the facilities provided are done so safely and are maintained correctly to avoid any risk to the employees.
The location of your water cooler is the first step to ensuring the safety of your staff. The water cooler needs to be seen to encourage drinking water yet it should not impede the flow of movement in and around the office. Power cables need to be tucked away and any spare water bottles should be stored safely to avoid any mishaps.
The installation of your machine should also be carried out by a qualified technician. The EDWCA (European Drinking Water Cooler Association) is an association that was formed to ‘promote, develop and maintain the highest standards of hygiene, safety and ethics within the European Point-Of-Use Drinking Water industry to the benefit of customers.’ The EDWCA only use WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) approved training courses. It is highly recommended that when considering your water dispenser supplier you choose one that is a member of the EDWCA. In this way you can be assured that the minimum required standards are being met.
By using an EDWCA member you can also be assured that the materials used for the installation of your water coolers are suitable for contact with drinking water and that the technician installing your dispenser is EDWCA trained.
Should you opt for a Mains Fed Water Cooler: a water cooler that is connected directly to your water mains – there are further installation guidelines that will be adhered to by the technician.
- The machine must be connected to a fresh water supply and not to a water storage tank.
- The water cooler should also be located within a close proximity to both the power socket and the mains water supply.
- The EDWCA guidelines advise that the location of the machine needs to be within five metres of the mains supply to ensure optimal hygiene is taking place as well as getting the best water pressure levels available.
As with all equipment it is not enough to just ensure that the water dispenser has been installed safely and correctly. Maintenance, servicing and cleaning play a vital role in ensuring you are getting the optimal value out of any piece of equipment and the water cooler is no different.
Due to the nature of their water delivery, Bottled Water Coolers need to be sanitised every three months whilst Mains Fed Water Coolers should be serviced and their filters cleaned every six months.
Keep a formal record of the services carried out by your supplier, ensure the guidelines are being met and good quality filters are being used. However, do not simply rely on your visit from your supplier to keep your machine in its best condition. By carrying out simple yet effective maintenance you can easily contribute to ensuring your water cooler continues to offer high quality drinking water. Empty the drip tray regularly and keep all external parts of the water cooler clean. A dirty water cooler will not encourage staff to drink.
Having a water cooler on site is indispensable to any organisation and it plays a vital role in the well-being of your office staff. To be assured that you are getting the best out of your water dispenser, begin by ensuring it offers no risk to your employees.
by Belinda Ollewagen | Mar 15, 2019 | water cooler, water dispenser
It’s time to get your buzz on, because very soon it’s St Patrick’s Day and all around the world, Irish and non-Irish alike will be celebrating. For those of you that don’t know, the day (actually his death day) commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. The custom to wear shamrocks and go all-green (a colour long associated with Ireland), comes from St Patrick’s use of the three-leaved plant, to signify the Holy Trinity.
What might St Patrick’s Day have to do with a water dispenser you ask? Well, if you’re planning on imbibing and you don’t want to feel like a train wreck the next day, then it’s best to take precautions, and one of the most important is to remain well-hydrated – with water that is, not alcohol. So, frequent stops at the office water cooler in the lead up to the holiday is advisable, as is matching each alcoholic beverage with a glass of water on the day itself.
And if beer or a pint of Guinness isn’t your cup of tea (see what we did there) then why not try out a few fabulously green-inspired cocktails
Shamrock Shaker
1½ oz. Tequila
1½ oz. Sour Apple Liqueur
¼ Agave Nectar
2 oz. Lime Juice
Simply combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, give it a good shake and serve in a martini glass garnished with thin slices of apples.
Frozen Mojito
1½ oz. White Rum
1½ oz. Mojito Mix Syrup
½ oz. Lime Juice
5 Mint Leaves
Splash of Sour Mix
Blitz all ingredients in a blender, add ice, blitz again and serve garnished with a slice of lime.
Wasabi Praise
1½ oz. Sake
1½ oz. Vodka
½ oz. Lime Juice
Pea size of Wasabi
Combine all ingredients, stir and serve.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day – remember to stay well-hydrated (the water cooler is your friend!) and enjoy responsibly.
by Fern Shaw | Mar 7, 2019 | Water Boilers, Water Coolers
I always find it fascinating how certain words have certain connotations.
Take the word ‘ginger’. Go on, say it aloud – “Ginger!” What’s the first thing that comes to mind? The hair colour of a much-maligned set of people (with a rather amazing DNA sequence I might add)? Freckles sunburn and Children of the Corn type movies? Or does that word conjure up the spice and *horror for me* glacé ginger pieces and similar undeserving of the title of a Sweet?
Ginger in itself is a rather miraculous spice. Its health-giving benefits are myriad. It contains nearly a dozen antiviral compounds. Ginger is pain-relieving, antiseptic and antioxidant. It is valuable for preventing and treating colds, sore throats and inflammation of mucus membranes.
Ginger reduces pain and fever and has a mild sedative effect that will encourage rest. Drink a tea, or soak fresh ginger in hot water, take as a tincture and include it in your food. Ginger is also delicious in a fruit smoothie or in a healthy water drink combo.
The ginger plant itself: Zingiber officinale is a perennial which can grow to about 3 or 4 feet and produces clusters of pink and white flowers. Although the leaves are sometimes eaten, it is the rhizome or underground stem that is of medicinal and culinary interest. This stem is a chunky root-like thing with a thin brown skin and hard light flesh inside. It is often erroneously called ginger root since the rhizome resembles a root but this is actually not the root of the plant at all but an underground ‘stem’.
Despite it not being a favourite, I can attest to ginger’s stomach calming and settling effects, as well as its ability to both cleanse and invigorate the palate.
The versatility of ginger is such that you can steep it in hot water from your water boiler or let it infuse in cool water drawn from your water cooler and sip on it throughout the day – it’ll help to keep you shored up and resistant to all the workplace chills and summer and winter colds.
*updated from a 2014 blog
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the health benefits of ginger?
Ginger is renowned for its numerous health benefits, making it a popular choice for both culinary and medicinal purposes. It contains nearly a dozen antiviral compounds, which can help in preventing and treating colds, sore throats, and inflammation of mucus membranes. Additionally, ginger is known for its pain-relieving, antiseptic, and antioxidant properties.
Beyond its medicinal uses, ginger can also reduce pain and fever, and it has a mild sedative effect that encourages rest. This makes it an excellent natural remedy for various ailments. Incorporating ginger into your diet, whether through teas, tinctures, or as an ingredient in meals, can help you harness these benefits.
How can I incorporate ginger into my daily routine?
Incorporating ginger into your daily routine is quite simple and can be done in several enjoyable ways. You can start by making ginger tea, which involves soaking fresh ginger in hot water. This not only provides a comforting drink but also delivers the health benefits associated with ginger. You can also add ginger to your meals, such as in stir-fries or soups, to enhance flavour and nutrition.
For those who prefer cold beverages, ginger can be infused in cool water from your water cooler, offering a refreshing drink throughout the day. Additionally, blending ginger into fruit smoothies or using it in healthy water drink combinations can provide a delicious and healthful boost to your daily regimen.
What is the difference between ginger root and ginger rhizome?
The term 'ginger root' is often used to describe the part of the ginger plant that is commonly consumed, but this is actually a misnomer. The part of the ginger plant that is used in cooking and medicine is the rhizome, which is an underground stem, not a root. The rhizome has a chunky, root-like appearance with a thin brown skin and hard light flesh inside.
The ginger plant, Zingiber officinale, is a perennial that can grow to about 3 or 4 feet and produces clusters of pink and white flowers. While the leaves are sometimes eaten, it is the rhizome that holds the culinary and medicinal interest. Understanding this distinction can help in appreciating the plant's biology and its uses.
Can ginger help with digestive issues?
Yes, ginger is well known for its ability to aid digestion and soothe the stomach. It has natural properties that can help calm and settle the stomach, making it a popular remedy for nausea and indigestion. The compounds in ginger can also help cleanse and invigorate the palate, which can be particularly beneficial after meals.
Incorporating ginger into your diet, whether through teas, meals, or smoothies, can provide these digestive benefits. Its versatility means you can enjoy it in various forms, ensuring you can find a method that suits your taste and lifestyle while reaping its stomach-calming effects.
How can ginger be used to boost immunity?
Ginger is a powerful spice that can significantly boost your immune system. It contains antiviral compounds that are effective in preventing and treating common colds and sore throats. By reducing inflammation of mucus membranes, ginger helps in maintaining a healthy respiratory system, which is crucial for overall immunity.
Drinking ginger tea or infusing ginger in water are simple ways to incorporate it into your daily routine. These methods allow you to consistently benefit from ginger's immune-boosting properties. Additionally, using ginger in cooking or smoothies can provide a delicious way to enhance your diet and strengthen your body's natural defences against illnesses.
by Fern Shaw | Feb 27, 2019 | water cooler, Water Coolers
Drinking fizzy soft drinks has long been in the spotlight, not least because of the high calorie count in each can, but also due to the high sugar content. While fine to drink on occasion, high-calorie, high-sugar drinks, like fizzy drinks, can cause an array of negative effects to your body and well-being.
Swapping fizzy drinks for water is one of the quickest and easiest ways to stay hydrated and improve your overall health in both the short- and long-term future. Still not convinced? Have a quick read of these six reasons to drink more H2O:
- Feel Happier
Dehydration can affect your mood and make you feel sad, grumpy and confused. When you maintain good hydration habits – see the recommended daily water consumption here – you will soon feel more energised. Water stimulates the flow of nutrients and hormones that release those feel-good endorphins you need to feel happy.
- Burn More Calories
Drinking more water can help you to burn more calories by regulating your metabolism, which is your body’s ability to convert food into energy. By simply drinking as little as 500ml of water per day, your metabolism could speed up by as much as 30 percent.
- Exercise with Ease
Swap out sugar filled energy drinks for water – drinking water while working out is the ultimate muscle fuel. High-intensity physical activity can cause you to lose water through sweat and your muscles to become tired. For a boost of energy, drink water to reduce cramps and sprains, and push you through that final exercise set or that last 200m of your run.
- Flush Toxins Out
You may have tried the latest juice cleanse to detox your body, but what about drinking a refreshing glass of water? Water helps to eliminate wastes and toxins from your body by encouraging healthy digestion and transporting nutrients to where they are needed.*
- Helps you have Clearer Skin
Studies show that people who drink more water tend to have clearer, younger looking skin. Water works to hydrate your skin and reduce toxin-induced blemishes, resulting in a healthy glow even your best moisturiser can’t achieve on its own.
- Boosts Your Productivity
Your brain and nervous system send out electrical signals to function properly. Having a regular supply of water will help to increase electrical functioning in your brain for clearer thinking, so you will feel more efficient and productive.
Need a fantastic cool drinking water delivery system a.k.a (in simple terms) a water cooler to help you with your switch to a healthier hydration lifestyle? Look no further than to us at AquAid Water Coolers. We’ve been keeping more than 33,000 customers happily hydrated for over 20 years. Contact one of our helpful team today.
*excerpts from an infographic at Unity Point
by Belinda Ollewagen | Feb 25, 2019 | water cooler
Unless you pursued a career in chemistry, the periodic table is a distant memory – something we were forced to learn in school or college and promptly forgot the moment we no longer needed it, and definitely not something we think about when standing at the water cooler filling our glass.
While we all know H2O is named as such because it has two hydrogen atoms bonded to a single oxygen atom, can you still remember the layout of the periodic table, how it came about, or for that matter which scientist it was that first recognized water as H2O? If not, here’s a little refresher course thanks in large part to our omniscient friend, Wikipedia.
“The periodic table is a tabular arrangement of the chemical elements, organized on the basis of their atomic number (number of protons in the nucleus), electron configurations, and recurring chemical properties. Elements are presented in order of increasing atomic number, which is typically listed with the chemical symbol in each box. The standard form of the table consists of a grid of elements laid out in 18 columns and 7 rows [rows are called periods while columns are called groups], with a double row of elements below that. The table can also be deconstructed into four rectangular blocks: the s-block to the left, the p-block to the right, the d-block in the middle, and the f-block below that.”
While the recognised architect of the periodic table is Dmitri Mendeleev, a Russian chemist and inventor, who first published the table in 1869; it is the French chemist, Antoine Lavoisier, who first recognised and named oxygen and hydrogen in the 1770s. According to the Royal Society of Chemistry it was then either Henry Cavendish in 1781 or James Watt in 1783 that explicitly discovered the makeup of water. The scientist who in 1826 fixed the atomic ratio and came up with the H2O we are familiar with today was Jöns Jakob Berzelius, a Swedish chemist who, along with Lavoisier and two others, is considered to be one of the founders of modern chemistry.
Did you also know that 2019 has been designated by UNESCO as the International Year of the Periodic Table, marking the 150th anniversary of Mendeleev’s periodic table?! Well, now you do –something interesting to mention the next time you’re up for a little water cooler chat.
