Comprehensive urban planning and management at multiple scales based on ecological principles: a case study in Beijing,China

SUMMARY

Rapid urbanisation and serious environmental problems have led people worldwide to realise the significance of urban planning and management towards a sustainable environment. Beijing was used as a case study to develop a framework and strategies for sustainable development using ecological principles. At the regional level, Beijing-Tianjin agglomeration and Hebei Province are considered together. At the Beijing administrative level, some important measures are put forward for revision of the Beijing Urban Master Plan. At the Beijing plain level, the future spatial structure of Beijing city and the relationship between settlements, green space and transportation are considered, and three basic development patterns are proposed. At the inner district level, the ecological corridor system is suggested, based on ecosystem services. At the selected area level, a comprehensive strategy and key measures for conservation and renewal of old Beijing city core are provided. Once strategies for Beijing urban development are implemented step-by-step, a vision for future development can be achieved. This paper provides considerations for improvement of urban planning and management in China and other countries.     

Sensitivity of dimethyl amino ethyl azide (DMAZ) as a non-carcinogenic and high performance fuel to some external stimuli

Hydrazine and its derivatives have been used extensively in space programs as liquid propellants. Since they are carcinogen, dimethyl amino ethyl azide (DMAZ) has been introduced as a non-carcinogenic fuel with high performance as compared to the best available fuels. DMAZ contains energetic group –N₃, which may be sensitive to some external stimuli. Thus, it is important to study various aspects of sensitivity of DMAZ in addition to its performance criteria. Various conventional tests as well as computer codes were used to investigate sensitivity of DMAZ to external stimuli such as impact, shock wave, Koenen, burning and electrostatic discharge. The results showed that DMAZ is not sensitive to impact, direct flame and shock wave. Meanwhile, it has moderate and high sensitivity to heat in confined volume and electrostatic discharge, respectively.     

国外油气管道安全管理经验及启示

近年来,我国油气管道发展迅猛,管道数量激增;上世纪70!80年代修建的管道逐渐进入老龄化,管道事故呈上升趋势。文章对美国、加拿大和欧盟国家油气管道的发展现状和事故情况进行了介绍,重点对以美国为代表的国外油气管道安全管理先进经验进行了分析,并针对当前我国油气管道安全管理的形势和问题,提出了一些建议。     

碱回收锅炉结构特点及安全性控制

碱回收锅炉是碱法和硫酸盐法造纸工艺的关键设备,我国现阶段碱回收炉均采用自然循环敷管炉墙全钢架吊挂结构,炉膛采用鳍片水冷壁、全密封焊接而成。通过对碱回收锅炉结构及运行特点进行分析,结合实际介绍了碱回收炉设计制造、安装过程、监督检验过程提高安全性的一些强化措施,并指出了在安装和检验过程应重点关注的一些问题。     

基于LabVIEW的安全阀型式试验数据采集系统

安全阀型式试验数据采集系统结合安全阀开启高度与其他性能指标的关系,创新性地将开启高度、压力和流量三组数据整合到同一个曲线监控图中分别显示,根据开启高度的不同状态读取相应试验数据．从而得到安全阀各项性能指标。     

对TSGZF001—2006《安全阀安全技术监察规程》的修订建议

从出厂检验、校验设备、整定压力的判定、校验介质、校验程序和校验周期等方面对TSGZF001—2006《安全阀安全技术监察规程》中的相关内容进行了分析,并提出了修订建议。     

Time trends and predictive factors for safety perceptions among incoming South Australian university students

Problem

Young workers are over-represented in injury statistics. In order to develop injury prevention strategies, this study investigated time trends and predictive factors relating to safety skills, confidence, and attitudes.

Method

Annual surveys were conducted from 2006-2009 among incoming students at the University of Adelaide. The questions addressed safety training, injury experience, and health and safety perceptions.

Results

Time trends in training, perceived safety skills, confidence, and attitudes were not significant. In terms of skills and confidence, the most important correlate was safety training outside of high school (odds ratio = 1.6), especially when repeated, assessed, or in face to face mode. Feeling strongly about safety issues was best predicted by injury experience (OR = 1.7) and gender.

Discussion

These results emphasize the value of assessed training, but they are also consistent with published U.S. data, indicating no improvement over time. It is suggested that there be a more integrated approach in safety education, involving schools and workplaces.

Impact on industry

By developing an understanding of student safety perceptions and experiences, this research aims to target strategies to reduce the excess injury rate for young workers. Workplaces should be more aware of the limitations of school-based safety education and a more integrated and evidence-based approach should be developed, involving schools and workplaces.     

Making work safer: Testing a model of social exchange and safety management

Introduction

This study tests a conceptual model that focuses on social exchange in the context of safety management. The model hypothesizes that supportive safety policies and programs should impact both safety climate and organizational commitment. Further, perceived organizational support is predicted to partially mediate both of these relationships.

Methods

Study outcomes included traditional outcomes for both organizational commitment (e.g., withdrawal behaviors) as well as safety climate (e.g., self-reported work accidents). Questionnaire responses were obtained from 1,723 employees of a large national retailer.

Results

Using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques, all of the model's hypothesized relationships were statistically significant and in the expected directions. The results are discussed in terms of social exchange in organizations and research on safety climate.

Impact on Industry

Maximizing safety is a social-technical enterprise. Expectations related to social exchange and reciprocity figure prominently in creating a positive climate for safety within the organization.     

[Case Study] CityCenter and Cosmopolitan Construction Projects, Las Vegas, Nevada: Lessons learned from the use of multiple sources and mixed methods in a safety needs assessment

Problem

The present study describes a response to eight tragic deaths over an eighteen month times span on a fast track construction project on the largest commercial development project in U.S. history.

Methods

Four versions of a survey were distributed to workers, foremen, superintendents, and senior management. In addition to standard Likert-scale safety climate scale items, an open-ended item was included at the end of the survey.

Results

Safety climate perceptions differed by job level. Specifically, management perceived a more positive safety climate as compared to workers. Content analysis of the open-ended item was used to identify important safety and health concerns which might have been overlooked with the qualitative portion of the survey.

Discussion

The surveys were conducted to understand workforce issues of concern with the aim of improving site safety conditions. Such efforts can require minimal investment of resources and time and result in critical feedback for developing interventions affecting organizational structure, management processes, and communication.

Summary

The most important lesson learned was that gauging differences in perception about site safety can provide critical feedback at all levels of a construction organization.

Impact on the Industry

Implementation of multi-level organizational perception surveys can identify major safety issues of concern. Feedback, if acted upon, can potentially result in fewer injuries and fatal events.