By Hema Ramsundar
Environment Specialist
Environment Unit
Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI)
Most of us who do are probably most concerned with what we can get charged for ... that is, ‘visible vapours’ as listed in the First Schedule of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Enforcement and Administration) Act (Chap. 48:52) which carries a $200 fine. The environmentalists among us are well aware that vehicle emissions consist of several ‘nasties’ which, collectively, pollute our urban air, and which have probably been causing respiratory problems in susceptible persons for years. A fine indicator of our cumulative air pollution is the thick grayish brown ‘smog’ that hangs around the Beetham Estate on cool mornings, from time to time. For ease of discussion, the pollutants contained in our vehicle emissions can be classed as ‘primary’ and includes the unburnt fuel (with volatile organic compounds), carbon monoxide and dioxide, nitrogen oxides, dust (or particulates) and sulphurous oxides. Some of these react with sunlight during the day to give rise to ‘secondary’ pollutants including ground level ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrate (or PAN), which are strong respiratory irritants. All of the emissions also contribute to the pool of greenhouse gases, which can bring about climate change and with it, disastrous consequences for a small island state like ours.
Accident Management Programmes
Accident mangement programmes need the active intervention of senior management. The carrot and the stick are two important to the fleet owner. Apart form all the administrative matters shown below, the core element of a fleet safety programme is a commi9tment to Loss Control. Everyone in the company management, drivers and fleet mangers must demonstrate a strong commitment top safety.
Occupational Illness Reporting: Resources For Improvement