An office shredder is a good idea. It doesn’t matter what type of business you run, there will be documents that you don’t want other people to see. Indeed, many documents are confidential and need to be kept away from others as they have personal information on them. If this gets into the wrong hands it can facilitate identity theft.
However, before you rush to purchase a shredder, you should be aware that they are not all created equal. If you’re going to use a shredder in the office then you need to invest in the best security shredders currently available.
These perform a better job than standard shredders.
Fineness Of Cut
A standard shredder will cut your paper vertically as you slide it in. This effectively cuts the paper into small strips. However, it isn’t difficult, especially with modern technology, to piece this paper back together and read the contents.
A security shredder shreds your paper vertically as well. However, it makes much smaller vertical strips, reducing the ability of anyone to piece it back together. Alongside this, it cuts the paper horizontally, effectively turning it into very small pieces that are virtually impossible to reconstitute.
Sheet Capacity
If you’re investing in an office shredder you don’t want to be restricted to one or two sheets at a time. You need to be able to shred as many sheets as possible but know that they are being shredded properly. That’s why, when choosing an office shredder you should pay particular attention to the number of sheets it can handle.
Bin Size
Complementing the number of sheets a shredder can handle is the size of the bin. There is little point in being able to shred 15 sheets if the bin can only handle 10! You need to make sure there is a large bin to support all your shredding. You can then dispose of the pieces safely and appropriately.
The Noise
The larger the shredder the more noise it tends to be. That means you need to consider noise, levels and location. If your shredder is positioned in its own room or where it won’t disturb people making phone calls, etc. Then noise isn’t an issue. You can simply opt for size.
But, if noise is going to be an issue in the workplace then you’re going to have to consider which shredder is right for the office, where to locate it, and whether you can limit the times it is used.
Safety
Shredders use sharp teeth and you shouldn’t be able to put your fingers into the machine. But, as it is a workplace, safety must be a paramount concern. In other words, the shredder you choose should have a safety shield to protect users and an emergency stop button.
The bigger the machine the more important these features are as there will be a higher risk of injury.
Take your time looking at the options available and you’ll find the perfect shredder for your office.
