A comparative study of vocational education and occupational safety and health training in China and the UK

In order to enhance Chinese workers’ occupational safety awareness, it is essential to learn from developed countries’ experiences. This article investigates thoroughly occupational safety and health (OSH) in China and the UK; moreover, the article performs a comparison of Chinese and British OSH training-related laws, regulations and education system. The following conclusions are drawn: China’s work safety continues to improve, but there is still a large gap compared with the UK. In China a relatively complete vocational education and training (VET) system has been established. However, there exist some defects in OSH. In the UK, the employer will not only pay attention to employees’ physiological health, but also to their mental health. The UK’s VET is characterized by classification and grading management, which helps integrate OSH into the whole education system. China can learn from the UK in the development of policies, VET and OSH training.     

我国居住建筑室内PM_(2.5)研究现状及进展

分析了我国居住建筑室内PM_(2.5)污染水平,总结了现阶段PM_(2.5)的研究方法,主要包括理论分析法、数值模拟法和实验测试法。指出室外源是室内PM_(2.5)的主要污染来源,而室内烟草烟雾、烹饪及人员活动也会严重影响室内PM_(2.5)浓度。针对目前研究中存在的问题,提出了标定典型建筑在不同影响因素下的I/O比范围、研究家具和家电的颗粒物释放状况、加强农村室内外空气颗粒物污染调查等建议。     

钢框架厂房火灾后的破坏形态

端部约束不同的构件在火灾中的破坏形态不同,研究整体结构构件在火灾中的破坏形态,可以为钢结构抗火研究与设计提供依据。某钢结构框架厂房发生火灾,大火历时3个多小时,火场最高温度达1000°C以上。火灾后,框架梁均有不同程度的破坏,钢梁端部下翼缘屈曲破坏较普遍;由于钢梁顶没有设置抗剪键,钢梁与顶部的混凝土现浇楼板脱开,火灾后残留有较大的挠屈变形;钢柱在火灾后未有明显的破坏现象,但有侧向变形产生。这些现象与实验室中标准试验的结果不同。     

Fate and effects of anthropogenic chemicals in mangrove ecosystems: a review

The scientific literature for fate and effects of non-nutrient contaminant concentrations is skewed for reports describing sediment contamination and bioaccumulation for trace metals. Concentrations for at least 22 trace metals have been reported in mangrove sediments. Some concentrations exceed sediment quality guidelines suggesting adverse effects. Bioaccumulation results are available for at least 11 trace metals, 12 mangrove tissues, 33 mangrove species and 53 species of mangrove-habitat biota. Results are specific to species, tissues, life stage, and season and accumulated concentrations and bioconcentration factors are usually low. Toxicity tests have been conducted with 12 mangrove species and 8 species of mangrove-related fauna. As many as 39 effect parameters, most sublethal, have been monitored during the usual 3 to 6 month test durations. Generalizations and extrapolations for toxicity between species and chemicals are restricted by data scarcity and lack of experimental consistency. This hinders chemical risk assessments and validation of effects-based criteria.     

Hydraulic fracturing as an interpretive policy problem: lessons on energy controversies in Europe and the U.S.A.

This special issue addresses hydraulic fracturing for shale gas extraction as an interpretive policy problem. Bringing together empirical cases from the U.S.A., the Netherlands, the U.K., Poland, and Germany, we identify three approaches to the interpretation of hydraulic fracturing in the article: understanding its meaning, contextual explanation of the institutionalization of its meaning, and policy design as intervention to alter its meaning. By exploring differences and similarities across these cases, we identified two central tensions in the meaning of shale gas in all cases: (1) economic opportunity or environmental threat and (2) transition toward a more carbon-free energy future or perpetuation of a fossil fuel system. We found that when actors shift the meaning of hydraulic fracturing to consider it predominantly an issue of threat, this explains the dominance of risk governance as an approach to managing the controversy. Alternately, when the meaning of fracking shifts from consideration as an economic opportunity or a bridge fuel to consideration of it as a barrier to an energy transition, this explains the decision to ban fracking. Therefore, a comparative assessment of the papers demonstrates the ways interpretive dimensions of politics can influence the governance of public policy.     

Challenges in radioecology

Today, radioecology covers a broad scientific field; from the source to long term environmental impact from ionizing radiation. To summarize key challenges within radioecology, the present paper focuses upon knowledge gaps related to processes, mechanisms and variables contributing most to the overall uncertainties in environmental impact assessments. A series of sources related to the nuclear weapon cycle and the civil nuclear cycle has contributed, is still contributing or can potentially contribute to release of radionuclides to the environment in the future. The speciation of most radionuclides depends on the source and release conditions, and will influence ecosystem transport, biological uptake, doses and effects in flora and fauna. Radionuclides may also co-occur in contaminant mixtures (e.g., metals, organics), which potentially could lead to synergisms or antagonisms. Thus, challenges associated with the links between the source or release term – radionuclide speciation – ecosystem transfer – exposure – response relationships are highlighted.     

Older driver retraining: An updated systematic review of evidence of effectiveness

Problem and Objective

The number of older drivers who might benefit from driver retraining is growing. A previous review on the effectiveness of older driver retraining included intervention studies up to 2004. The objective was to perform an updated systematic review of the effectiveness of older driver retraining for improving driving-related skills and reducing crash rates.

Method

Articles published from 2004-2008 were grouped according to the intervention provided and outcome studied. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were appraised using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) Scale and scored for quality according to their internal validity. Each intervention's effectiveness was then rated and assigned a level of evidence by combining pre- and post- 2004 findings.

Results

Three RCTs and one matched-pairs cohort design met the inclusion criteria. There is strong evidence (Level 1a) that education combined with on-road training improves driving performance and moderate evidence (Level 1b) that it improves knowledge. There is moderate evidence (Level 1b) that physical retraining improves driving performance. There is moderate evidence (Level 1b) that an educational intervention curriculum alone is not effective in reducing crashes.

Summary

The updated evidence on the effectiveness of retraining aimed at older drivers is sufficiently encouraging to merit assertive health promotion actions regarding intervention and program planning.

Impact on Industry

These positive findings warrant a comprehensive plan that has both behavioral and monetary incentives encouraging older driver participation in programs aimed at driver safety.     

企业安全管理中的潜流文化现象与应对方略

简介潜流安全文化的内涵,阐述潜流安全文化的隐蔽性、离散性、传承性和不稳定性的特点,剖析潜流安全文化形成的根源,提出应对潜流安全文化的扬长避短、因势利导、强化沟通、扩大参与、落实承诺和深化激励的方略。通过对企业安全管理中的潜流文化现象与应对方略的分析,得出以下结论:企业潜流安全文化是客观存在的,同时企业管理者是可以对企业潜流安全文化进行有效管理的;认识和管理企业安全管理中的潜流文化现象,可以有力推动企业安全文化建设工作的顺利开展。     

基层安全生产监管体制研究——关于安全生产法律制度实施与完善的研究(一)

基于现行基层安全生产监管体制有许多不适应安全生产工作的问题,提出扩大基层安监体制新方案,目的在于解决基层安监体制中存在的种种问题。该方案的核心是建立县区安监局直属的安全工程监测站,取代现有的乡镇街道安监站。定性为事业机构和技术服务机构,建立一支安全技术专业人员队伍,以加强其力量,开展所有的安全工程监测等技术服务工作。为配合该项工作推进,应推行注册安全工程师资格考试,以加强基层安监体制内人才队伍建设。