Since its introduction in 1997, the ISO 780 standard (and the subsequent updates) has established a range of graphic symbols for use on packages within handling and storage. These symbols were introduced so that language barriers causing any damage or loss through mishandling could be overcome.

Within our product ranges we have several options for labels, to be attached to packages, and for stencils to directly mark packages. The labels are available in a variety of sizes, produced in  a selection of materials, some are for indoor use, whilst others are for both indoor and outdoor applications.

The graphic symbols include: fragile; this way up; keep dry; use no hooks; sling here; the centre of gravity; top heavy; do not roll; keep away from cold; keep away from sunlight; temperature limits; do not stack; stacking limitations; no hand carts; no fork lifts; protect from radiation; clamp here; use handling aids; electrostatic charges; do not drop; do not damage package barrier; do not freeze; keep frozen; keep refrigerated; and perishable.

Use of these highly visible markers or stencil systems can provide clear guidance to handlers of packages, to prevent loss, damage, custom fines or injury to handlers caused by inadequate identification marking.

Our ranges include;

Shipping transit labels; Packaging labels; Heavy duty packaging labels; Packaging handling labels; Dispatch labels; Packaging tapes; and Packing and shipping stencils.

While most of the focus on renewable energy tends to concentrate on solar or wind powered generation, biomass could provide an effective and growing source of low carbon fuel to meet the targets set by the Renewable obligation for England, Wales and Scotland (effective 1/12/15) together with reductions in Greenhouse gases (GHG).

Whereas solar and wind power are reliant totally on suitable weather conditions, which in our climate can be uncertain, output from biomass generation can be controlled more effectively, thus producing more efficient use of resources.

Biomass is the use of plant, animal or vegetable residue for producing electricity (biogas), gas (bio-methane) and transport fuels (biofuels). This process of anaerobic digestion can include slurry, silage, manure, chicken litter, maize, straw, fish oil, apple pomace, cheese making waste and husks from cocoa, cashew, sunflower, and sugar beet etc. This creates green or lean carbon energy.

Apart from supplying the local demand for power, heat or fuel, from residues from agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and fisheries, these resources can be used more widely. For example, bio-methane (the purified form of biogas on removal of carbon dioxide) can be connected to the gas grid. Also, biofuel can power compression and spark ignition engines, gas turbines, fuel cells and heating appliances.

Bio-fertilisers can be recovered in the form of digestate, to PAS110 standards, and can replace fossil fuel derived fertilisers. This is an environmentally sound and cost effective practice.

Label Source has worked with biomass generators in supplying ranges of pipeline tapes for marking component parts of the digester production process and storage plant, as well as a range of safety and operational signs for the industry. For more information contact us by e-mail sales@labelsource.co.uk or by telephone 0800 3761693 (Freephone UK) or +44 (0) 1443 842769. These products can assist in creating a safe working environment, to prevent workplace accidents, operational malfunctions, or environmental damage in the event of incidents.

However you celebrate the holiday season, it should be a safe and largely stress-free environment for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Sadly, this is often not the case, as Christmas it is in fact the time of year when most accidents occur. While there is no way to ensure total safety at this or indeed any time of the year, there are many simple steps you can perform in order to avoid the chances of causing a Christmas calamity.

Here are a few simple but efficient measures you can perform in order to avoid accidents, and prevent some not-so-merry mishaps:

• Avoid dangerous situations when shopping: If you're planning a trip to the shopping centre either in the lead up to Christmas or during the sales, be sure to stay hydrated and do your best to avoid over-crowded areas. Obviously you won't be able to avoid crowds altogether, but try to use your better judgement to stay out of situations where crushing could occur. You should also avoid rushing if you can help it, as you could easily slip an injure yourself in the cold and damp conditions.

• Don't overload plug sockets: Fairy lights are a much-loved element of Christmas, but please be mindful of attempting to recreate the huge displays organized by your local council! An extension lead or socket should not use more than 13 amps or 3,000 watts of energy, so be sure to check the specifications of all your electrical items before use. These days there are lots of battery and solar powered options available for indoor and outdoor use, so this may be worth considering to reduce the number of plugs.

• Don't leave open flames unattended: Candles and open fires are a part of the traditional Christmas ideal, but they should always be treated with caution! People are 50% more likely to die in a house fire at Christmas than at any other time of year, so make sure that you are not leaving flames unsupervised, particularly around cards and paper decorations. On the same note, be sure to buy the correct batteries for any electrical items that have been purchased as gifts; you shouldn't be tempted to remove them from your smoke alarm!

• Use the proper equipment when reaching for something at height: When decorating your home or removing things from the attic, please be sure to use the proper ladder or step required for the height, do not use chairs and stools!

• Take care in the Kitchen: Be sure to keep children away from hot water and cooking fat, and avoid the consumption of alcohol when cooking. Also ensure that everything is properly cooked and in-date before serving, to avoid food poisoning.

• Keep Christmas plants away from children, animals and vulnerable people: Mistletoe, orange berries and the Christmas rose are all poisonous, so be sure to keep them out of harms way, or avoid them in favour of faux versions if you can.

• Be extra wary of choking hazards: Small parts from broken ornaments, packaging, crackers and the like could be lethal to small children, so be on the lookout for any stray items in their reach.

• Don't drink and drive: It may seem like a rather obvious point to make at any time of the year, but at Christmas people are more likely to relax and loose track of how much alcohol they've consumed, or are more willing to take risks on Christmas Day because they expect the roads to be quieter. Please use the same caution at Christmas as at any other time of the year to stay safe and well!

Please share these tips on Facebook and Twitter, to ensure safety for all this Christmas!

You can follow us @LabelSourceUK and find our Facebook page here.

Label Source supply an extensive range of labels for use in recording maintenance of equipment, plant and machinery, which are relevant for whichever type of maintenance system adopted. The ranges include our maintenance labels, maintenance tags, aluminium foil labels, write and seal labels, and equipment status labels and tags. Also, many others are produced to customer specification to include company information and inspection criteria.

So as part of your maintenance regime use these label and tag products to assist in safe maintenance practices for your workers and the environment, to provide lower process downtime through equipment failures, more efficient use of resources, and enhanced product quality.

Today marks the beginning of Road Safety Week, a flagship event created by road safety charity Break, which runs from the 23-29 of November. This year's theme is 'Drive less, live more', the aim of which is to help prevent injuries and fatalities on the road, while also causing people to think about their overall car use. 

To give you a better understanding of why this event is so important for health and safety in the UK, here are some facts which were released by break today:

• Five deaths, and 64 serious injuries happen daily on UK roads
• Air pollution is estimated to kill 52,000 people in the UK each year
• In a survey of a 1,000 driving adults, 85% believed we should reduce overall car use
• Road casualties in the UK went up by 4% last year.
• One in three non-cyclists said they would be more willing to cycle their commute if routes were safer

It's clear that driving has a serious impact on the heath and well-being of the UK as a whole, due in part to driving-related pollution and immobility,as well as fatalities and injuries caused by human error. In order to help promote Road Safety Week, Label Source would like to advise all of our customers to use and display the correct road safety signs at all times! Our full range of signs and barriers can be found here.

Remember, accurate and clear road safety signs can reduce the chances of an accident, by warning divers of hazards and speed restrictions! 

To see the full list of statistics published by Brake, click here, or take a look at their interactive resource.

We would also encourage you to share this post on Twitter and Facebook, using the hatshtags #RoadSafetyWeek and #drivelesslivemore