Issue 8 - Environmental Auditing
While the world grapples with extremes in weather conditions the Caribbean is faced with the highest temperatures in decades the result of which is critically low water levels in many of the islands. In one of the many well research articles in this issue Dr. Griffith expounds on rainwater harvesting and the creation of a rainwater harvesting model that can ensure the Caribbean has a constant supply of potable water. Also of interest is the article entitled Green Cities which outlines the concept of a green city and the processes involved in greening a city. Part II of the award winning paper on Anthropometric Studies in Trinidad and Tobago by Michele Barthol can also be found in this issue.
Issue 8 marks the end of our second year of publication. In just two years the HSE Quarterly was adjudged finalist in two of Trinidad and Tobago's prestigious award programs. The publication was a finalist in the OSHA Safety Award in April 2009 and in January 2010 finalist again in the Most Innovative Product category at the Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development Small Business Awards. As we continue to break new ground, raise awareness and educate, we credit our achievements to you our dedicated writers, faithful advertisers, loyal readers and subscribers, meticulous editorial board and our Bronze Sponsor Atlantic LNG. On behalf of the dedicated production team we say thank you and we look forward to your continued support.
Internal Auditing
Written by Jurgen Paeger |
Internal Audits are emphasized by all management systems references and standards as an important tool for continual improvement… internal audits and taking action on discovered nonconformities are crucial parts of the “check” and “act” part of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) methodology of running a management system. In order to take full advantage of this management tool, internal auditors must be thoroughly trained and fully understand the goals of an internal audit and the necessary steps to reach these goals… Meaningful audit criteria make sure that the audits are an important building block for continual improvement of the organisation; and a unique opportunity to use the input of employees to improve the environmental management system and its performance…An audit programme needs resources: as a minimum the time of the auditors and of the auditees; a room for interviews and in some cases also money for travel and accommodation. The availability of these resources must be assured and auditors must be adequately trained… Internal Auditing (Jurgen Paeger, Germany) |
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According to Webber (1985), in England and Wales, deaths from accidental falls on stairs or steps represented 7% of all non-transport accidental deaths and about 15% of all accidental falls. Of the 652 deaths on stairs or steps, 560 occurred in the home... Designs considering the data related to both physical and psychosocial characteristics of people can improve the quality of life by promoting independence, as well as safety, usability and attractiveness of the residence... People are of various shapes and sizes. They have different capabilities and limitations as regards strength, speed, judgment, skills and behaviour. All of these factors need to be effectively addressed in designing an adequate home. To design effectively, both physiology and psychology problems must be well-addressed during the feasibility study, at the design stage and even at the process of occupant space allocation...
For An Adequate Home: What You Must Know (Abraham Mwasha, Trinidad and Tobago)
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Set up your environmental management system in 10 days, on ten pages in 10 main steps.
Written by Solomon Ioannu|
If you are a business owner or a partner within a business, you probably already know that doing business is all about survival and in order to survive, you need to generate profits… EMAS “easy” is your best answer to improving your business environmental performance! ... EMAS stands for Eco-Management Audit Scheme and… EMAS is designed for businesses that commit themselves to evaluate, manage and improve their environmental performance. EMAS is open to all types of businesses and organisations in the public and private sector and is compatible with ISO 14001… EMAS is also designed to meet the needs and strengths of Small and Medium Enterprises. EMAS “easy” for small business has been developed by Heinz Werner Engel with the support of the European Union and is a way to implement EMAS which is proportional to the size, financial capacity and organizational structure of small business… Set up your environmental management system in 10 days, on ten pages in 10 main steps. EMAS “easy” for Small and Medium Enterprises (Solomon Ioannu, Delegation of the European Union in Trinidad and Tobago) |
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