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Tom’s Tech Tips

Tom’s Tuesday Tech Tip: Certified Legal Nurse Consultants – Don’t Cry Over Spilled Toner

Many CLNC® consultants have opted to buy laser printers for their home offices and legal nurse consulting businesses. I’m a big fan of laser printers – they’re usually faster than inkjet printers and are inexpensive and affordable. If you buy an all-in-one, you can combine it with a scanner and fax machine (Yes Virginia, some people still use faxes). Your attorney-clients will prefer to receive your legal nurse consulting reports on laser-printed paper because they can highlight the important deviations from the standards of care without the fear of the smear.

One of the disadvantages of laser printers that Certified Legal Nurse Consultants are sure to discover is that laser printers, or their cartridges, will eventually leak toner. One way to avoid or minimize the chance of toner spills is to use only new, brand-name cartridges rather than refilled cartridges. Spills will still happen, though. Usually the leaked toner just stays inside the printer, gathering in the low areas, and will remain there until you move or otherwise disturb that printer.

Sometimes, when changing your laser printer’s toner cartridge, you’ll spill toner either in the machine, all over yourself or worse on your carpet. It can happen if you have a bad or broken cartridge, use way too much force or simply bungle the job. (Note to self: never hold cartridge over head and shake.)

When the dreaded leak does occur, you’ll end up with toner on you, your desk, printer table and probably the floor. The natural reaction is to run and get the vacuum cleaner and try to vacuum it up – DON’T DO IT. A typical household vacuum isn’t designed to capture particles as small as toner and, although it will suck the toner in the front just like it should, there’s a really good chance it will blow it right out the vent in the back thus spreading the toner around your home and office and onto people who won’t be happy about it.

So, how do my CLNC® amigos clean a toner spill? If it’s on a hard surface (Yee-haw, you’re home free!) like a desktop, simply sweep it into a plastic garbage bag or other receptacle using a dry cloth or piece of heavy paper. While you’re doing that, be very careful not to spill it onto your floor or carpet. Don’t use a wet cloth, it might cause smearing or dissolve the toner onto the surface you’re trying to protect.

If it’s on your carpet, first sweep up what you can using the method above (hard paper onto a dust pan) but very, very carefully. Then get on the phone to your favorite carpet cleaning company and be brutally honest. Tell them you’ve spilled laser printer toner and need them to come immediately with a toner vacuum. Don’t step in it, spread it around or sweep it with a whisk broom. Also, keep it off your fingers and clothing and finally, don’t attempt anything involving liquid. Remove small children, pets and spouses with power tools (e.g. lawn blowers or shop vacs) from the immediate area and keep them out until the professional carpet cleaner has done their job.

Toner spills will happen; they’re inevitable. Cleaning them up correctly is optional.

Keep on techin’,

Tom

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*The opinions and statements made by Vickie Milazzo, the founder of Medical-Legal Consulting Institute, Inc. are based on her experiences and expertise, should not be applied beyond the specific context provided, and do not guaranty or project actual results. Vickie Milazzo is no longer involved in the operations or management of the business, but is involved as an independent education consultant.

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