Comparative assessment of respiratory and other occupational health effects among elementary workers

Objective. This study was conducted to assess hazards faced by elementary workers. Methods. A questionnaire survey and a respiratory function test (spirometry) were carried out on 150 respondents. Results. Major hazards identified related to sharp objects, heavy weight lifting, thermally harsh conditions, working at height, whole body vibration, chemicals, pathogens, increased noise levels and confined space entry. Workers suffered from upper and lower respiratory disorder symptoms, digestive problems, optical and musculoskeletal issues, etc. Spirometric measurement showed obstructive lung disorders to be highest among construction workers (CW) (48%) followed by sanitation workers (SW) (32%) and solid waste pickers (SWP) (28%). Restrictive lung pattern was dominant among SW (56%) followed by SWP (46%) and CW (42%). The observed FEV₁/FVC in diseased SWP, SW and CW ranged from 51 to 96%, from 52 to 98% and from 31 to 99% respectively while observed mean FEV₁ was 2.15, 1.79 and 1.70 L, respectively. Conclusion. The study findings show that occupational exposure can significantly influence respiratory system impairment and contribute to other ailments among elementary workers. The study recommends use of appropriate protective equipment and regular medical examination for early recognition of any health risk so that timely interventions for effective management may be undertaken.     

Influence of the milling tool setup on occupational safety in furniture making

One of the most serious causes of accidents in furniture making is kickback of machined material. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the milling tool setup on hazards associated with kickback in furniture making. The speed of kickback was accepted as the measure of these hazards. The experiment involved controlled changes in milling tool setup, projection of cutting knives over the body of the milling tool, number of cutting knives and clearance angle. Multifactor analysis of variance was applied to the results of individual experiments, showing statistically significant factors and their interactions. Inspection and analysis of traces left by the cutting knives of the tools on the test pieces made of wood materials supported inferential statistics. The obtained results verified some common opinions and ideas on the impact of the milling tool setup on the hazards resulting from kickback in furniture making.     

重大危险源定量风险评估技术研究

系统分析了危险化学品生产装置、设施或场所重大危险源辨识、分级及定量风险评估（QRA）技术,建立了危险化学品重大危险源定量风险评估技术方案;确定了“影响距离”法和“选择数”法进行设备单元选择的技术方法及设备失效模式选择原则;论述了事故后果分析、频率分析及风险计算的技术原理、方法和实施途径;解析了危险化学品重大危险源定量风险评估应实现的目标。     

Reducing disaster risks 1980–2010: Some reflections and speculations

Through personal reflections on themes covering past experiences, the author considers selected experiences of disaster risk management (DRM) that span 30 years of DRM, and makes some speculations concerning the future, and ponders whether within the selected themes the future looks positive or negative. The observations begin with some memories of the Ocho Rios Conference: a multi disciplinary expedition to examine housing and hazards in Pakistan; issues concerning education and training; and finally the success of a massive reconstruction project of rural dwellings in Pakistan following the 2005 earthquake. Some key questions are considered: the value of community-based risk management; the reduction of short- or long-term risks; the protection of critical facilities; whose reality is being addressed? official neglect of education for DRM; the conditions needed to create highly effective safe reconstruction in rural Pakistan.     

Analysis of radiation hazards to personnel on marine platforms

The large number of radio frequency (RF) transmitters employed in modern marine platforms requires that they operate in mutual coexistence while posing no danger to operators and equipment despite the limited available physical space. A key to the successful system integration is the control of the electromagnetic environment on the ships’ topsides, which might pose radiation hazards (RADHAZ) to personnel (HERP). HERP are caused by transmitter antenna installations that generate intentional EM radiation in excess of the safe levels in zones of personnel activity. Radiation safety to personnel is achieved when the average radiation power density is below the permissible exposure limits (PEL) for HERP at locations of personnel activity and medical equipment operation. This paper describes the analysis tools and techniques for the evaluation of HERP on marine platforms. The same approaches could be employed in the analysis of land site antenna deployment scenarios.     

中国海岸地带面临的重大环境变化与灾害及其防御对策

中国海岸地带面向２１世纪的持续发展,面临着相对海面加速上升和热带气旋、风暴潮与低洼地洪涝不断加剧以及海岸环境急剧恶化等一系列重大环境变化与灾害问题。本文着重分析相对海面上升、热带气旋、风暴潮与洪水灾害以及海岸环境污染的特征、演变趋势及防御对策。     

Snow avalanche hazards in the Glen Nevis and Glen Coe areas of Scotland

Until quite recently, snow avalanches in Britain had caused only a few deaths and the occasional destruction of property. Since about 1950, however, the number of people involved in avalanche accidents has risen sharply, particularly in Scotland. The main reason for this has been the growing popularity of mountaineering. This paper examines the situation in the Glen Nevis and Glen Coe areas of the Western Highlands. The types of avalanche occurring at these localities are briefly discussed and relationships between avalanche characteristics and accidents are examined. Mountaineers are the group chiefly responsible for the increase of avalanche deaths and injuries in the Glen Nevis and Glen Coe areas. Responses to the hazard are considered and these are shown to be inadequate. As elsewhere in Scotland, much more research is needed if a further worsening of the problem is to be avoided.     

航空遥感影像上震害解译的结构模型与几何特征的获取

首先给出了基于航空遥感影像的震害分类方案及各种震害在遥感图像上的主要特征，提出了一种震害解译的结构模型。然后讨论了震害的几何测度指标，并研究了震害几何特征的获取，最后对遥感影像震害解译的前景进行了展望。     

西安地裂缝活动强度空间信息量模型预测及防治对策

西安地裂缝活动主要受隐伏断裂、构造地貌、承压水头下降值及地面沉降量四大因素影响。本文根据这四个影响因素建立了地裂缝活动强度空间预测信息量模型，预测了2000年地裂缝活动强度总发展趋势。在此基础上，提出了防治地裂缝灾害的对策。     

Volcanic disasters in Latin America and the 13th November 1985 eruption of Nevado del Ruiz volcano in Colombia

Volcanic eruptions in Latin America have claimed about 61,000 lives since 1600 A.D. and the region's volcanoes are responsible for about a quarter of the world's fatalities from this type of hazard. Nearly all loss of life from volcanism in Latin America is due to pyroclastic surges, pyroclastic flows and lahars or volcanic mudflows. Lahars generated during the 13th November, 1985 eruption of Nevado del Ruiz in Colombia claimed 25,000 lives, underscoring the great hazard from lahars, which can be generated from the fifty-six, active, ice-capped Central and South American volcanoes during even very small eruptions. The probability of specific prediction of the timing of such events is currently low, whereas the probability of a general prediction of volcanic eruption is high, giving sufficient time to install telemetered lahar alarm systems, which could largely avoid the loss of life.