Evaluating Contact Techniques: Assessing the Impact of a Regulator’s Intervention on the Health and Safety Performance of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

This study reports on the development of an evaluation methodology for assessing quantitatively and qualitatively the effectiveness of seminar and mass-mailing contact techniques. These techniques are used to augment traditional health and safety inspections at commercial and industrial premises in the United Kingdom. One of the major findings is that specific aims and objectives for the intervention should be developed prior to the communication exercise. This is crucial for any subsequent measurement of effectiveness, as the intended effect needs to be considered before the communication exercise takes place. Developing more systematic approaches to evaluation is an important step in helping to learn from previous experiences, that is, to build upon the foundations of good practice and avoid repeating mistakes. In time the results of systematic evaluations can be used to inform future policy making, which may help to create more effective risk reduction strategies.     

THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PLAN OF STUDY – AN INTERAGENCY APPROACH TO MULTIOBJECTIVE PLANNING AND EVALUATION OF WATER AND LAND RESOURCE USE1

ABSTRACT The paper presents a systems approach for planning and evaluating alternative plans for resource use incorporating the concepts of multiobjective planning and evaluation (MOPE). The need for multidisciplinary input and strong interagency cooperation in planning for resource use is related to the logical and orderly completion of the planning steps. The paper briefly describes MOPE, emphasizing two important concepts: (1) the relationship of the study problems and objectives to national social objectives, and (2) the display of alternative solutions showing tradeoffs. Several important characteristics of a plan of study which implements MOPE are presented and discussed. A proposed MOPE analytical system is discussed in detail. The MOPE analytical system is divided into eight interdependent subsystems that describe data collection, use, analysis, and results. A linear program (L.P.) model is proposed to analyze the present and future demand relationships for natural resources. The model will also evaluate the interaction of agriculture, forestry, and recreation with the resource base of the basin, considering National Economic Development, Environmental Quality, and Regional Development.     

Potential,constrains and solutions for marine aquaculture in Kiel Bay & Fjord

Marine aquaculture is facing a variety of competing uses in densely populated coastal areas such as the coast of Kiel Bay. Thus, a major barrier for extending the marine aquaculture business could be the lack of suitable space for “offshore farming”. Moreover, in public opinion the aquaculture sector is often associated with a negative image derived from environmental concerns. It might therefore be expected that planning aquaculture installations in Kiel Bay & Fjord would face resistance both from other offshore stakeholders and the public. This study therefore addressed the question whether arguments and criteria can be found that may contribute to a greater support and positive image of local aquaculture enterprise, thus fostering political support for this sector as well. Indeed, a widespread regional survey showed less public reservation towards aqua-cultural business in Kiel Fjord than initially expected. However, expanding the entrepreneurship in the regional aqua-cultural sector will only be successful if the installations can avoid a significant deterioration of the water quality in Kiel Fjord, e.g. through excessive emissions of nutrients from net cages. An important step forward toward this goal is the concept of IMTA = Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture. The IMTA concept spatially integrates nutrient emitting installations such as fish net cages with installations of nutrient extracting organisms, e.g. mussels and algae. Based on spatial analyses of marine environmental parameters and through modelling of nutrient mass balances (emitted versus extracted nutrient quantities) possible locations, types and sizes of aquaculture installations can be determined.