This is a guest post by Matt Hornsby from whatishealthandsafety.co.uk.

With just a few clicks of a button you can buy, order and arrange almost anything – thanks to the wonderful world of the web, anywhere in the world. E-commerce has changed the way we shop – but it’s also had a pretty dramatic effect on health and safety.




Products are more readily available

Whether you want to buy safety equipment or even a first aid box for your office, you can do so over the internet. Everything from plasters, health and safety signs, to high-visibility jackets are available online and can be ordered in a matter of minutes, with companies that supply health and safety products such as asset tags from companies like Seton. Most internet sites accept payment via credit or debit cards and provide a secure platform for you to transfer money – making the whole process quick and simple.

Items are easily returned

If you buy the wrong fire alarm or purchase a padlock that’s too small, you can send it back in an instant. Simply pop it back into the box, packaging or bubble wrap from which it came and return to sender – without any fuss or hassle. Money’s easily put back onto your card and you’re free to shop around at your leisure. Online confirmation emails also help you to keep track of every purchase and you can even open up accounts with specific stores.

You can order in bulk

The internet offers at truly fantastic way to buy in bulk without having to carry heavy items back from the shops which I’m sure is a big relief for everyone. Boxes of steel capped boots, bags of extra-strength gloves and packets of fleeces can be delivered to your door and you might even get a rather pleasant delivery man that’ll help you unload and unpack all items.

You can order from overseas

Thanks to the Internet, you don’t have to hop on an aeroplane to buy the finest equipment. E Commerce has truly made purchasing global which has also helped other cultures understand one another. You can buy products from all around the world from the comfort of your home – what could be better. There might be a small shipment charge from either the retailer or the courier, but most costs are outlined clearly on the website. In addition, always check the duty allowance in the country you live in to avoid a hefty tax bill. The web’s made the world a much smaller place, so you can easily safeguard your home or business. Think health and safety at all times and make good use of the internet.

Of course, you must always be careful about ordering online from reputable companies. So before buying, check review sites to decide if their reputation is reliable enough to purchase. In addition it might be worth reading up on the government’s advice on the subject. The web is a great place to get what you need at a price that’s right – but you’d be mad not to make yourself aware of the pitfalls too!