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

 Youth and Road Safety

By Isaiah Stewart

Throughout the world, governmental and non-profit organizations have meticulously devoted time to address the prevalent issue of young adults and their driving practices. On an international scale a recent publication by the Colorado Department of Transportation (2013) has unearthed that in the first year of driving, young persons, whose ages range from 18-25, are almost four times more likely to be involved in a serious or fatal vehicular accident than more experienced or older drivers. Within the context of Trinidad and Tobago, the Central Statistical Office has made public the 2015 vehicular accident statistics, which vividly shows a total of twenty-four young persons between the ages of 15-24 succumbing to injuries associated with a vehicular crash. In this article we will examine these alarming statistics and plausible causes for this vehicular carnage on the respective roadways.

Bady on Board Ensuring Child Passenger Safety

The alarming number of deaths and injuries as a result of road crashes in Trinidad and Tobago continues to be a growing public concern. Instances where infants are placed on the rear seat of the car unrestrained, where toddlers are allowed to ride in the front passenger seat of the vehicle or where children are allowed to stand between front seats while the vehicle is in motion are unfortunately, common practices in Trinidad and Tobago. Like seat belts, child safety seats and booster seats reduce the likelihood of a child being hurt or killed in a motor vehicle crash. This article discusses the need for restraints, the importance of age-appropriate restraints, the various types of restraints and the correct use of child restraints.

Fatigue and The Designated Driver A Lethal Combination

The term “designated driver” is widely used today in many countries. But you may be surprised to learn that this is not a new concept. In fact the idea of the designated driver actually originated in Scandinavia in the 1920s. In 1986 the concept was introduced in Canada as “The Canadian Club Designated Driver Program” by Hiram Walker and Sons. The program was accepted readily and supported by the police, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the hospitality industry and the public.
However, it was at the Harvard University School of Public Health, Center for Health Communication in 1988 that brought the concept to life and laid the groundwork for what has become so widely acceptable today as the “designated driver”. That year, the Harvard Alcohol Project was launched to show how the concept of the designated driver could challenge popular social conventions of drinking and driving. The Project partnered with major Hollywood studios and television broadcast networks ABC, NBC and CBS to release a series of public service announcements aimed at drunk driving prevention. The Project received national praise and attention since road accidents was in the 1980s, the leading cause of death for Americans aged 15 to 24.

By Dr. Deryck D. Pattron, Ph.d.

Public Health & Safety Consultant

Global oil production and its hydrocarbon products are now experiencing a massive downturn in financial profits, worldwide. As the world moves towards the 21st century, countries worldwide are beginning to experience the effects of global warning with concomitant climatic changes and health problems. Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) is not well-advanced in the preparation process, in looking for and making use of alternative sources of renewable energy. This may be due to fact that T&T is a hydrocarbon-based economy. This approach, if not changed, would lead to serious economic hardships, ill-health and decreased environmental quality. It would therefore be prudent for us to critically reflect and to take the necessary action on renewable energy sources as alternatives to fossil fuels as sources of energy in order to save our economy, health and the environment, not only for our generation, but for all future generations.

 Renewable Aggregates for ready Mix Concrete

For any country in the world, a natural resource can be interpreted as a source of wealth. A natural resource qualifies as a renewable resource if it is replenished by natural processes at a rate comparable or faster than its rate of consumption by humans or other users. Renewable resources may also mean commodities used to create infrastructure such as rocks, timber, plastics and ceramics glasses used in construction industry. Some natural renewable resources such as rock (aggregates), water, timber and biomass must be carefully managed to avoid exceeding the environment’s capacity to replenish them.

Renewable Energy and Economic Development in the Caribbean

By Lenita Joseph

Chief Transport Officer
Ministry of Infrastructure, Port Services and transport Saint Lucia

Every year, thousands of young persons leave school at secondary or tertiary level, some with aspirations of furthering their education and others with  hopes of finding employment.  The introduction of Universal Secondary Education into the Saint Lucia education system assured that every child would benefit from and derive life skills at least at secondary school level.

The Benefits of Defensive Driving

By Eric Kipps
Road safety Consultant

A comprehensive study of road traffic accidents in the United States and Canada found that human error was the sole cause in 57% of all accidents and was a contributing factor in over90%. In contrast, only 2.4% were due solely to mechanical fault and only 4.7% were caused only by environmental factors (Treat et al., 1977). Over the years, there have been several other related studies in other countries that have reported similar results. These include Industrial Accident Prevention E. G, Heinrich (1959) and Preventable Anesthesia Mishaps: A Study of Human Factors Cooper, Newbower, & McPeek, (1978). In response, there have been a number of intervention strategies developed by reputed researchers and practitioners in the field of road safety, one such strategy is the Defensive Driving Course (DDC) as a means of crash reduction. 

Rainwater Harvesting: Adapting To Climate Change And Improving Water Security Using An Age-old Technique

By Norma Cherry-Fevrier
Programme Officer II

Harvesting rainwater is an ancient technique now being promoted as a climate change adaptation option to reduce vulnerability and contribute to building resilience in the water sector and increase water security overall.  While many Caribbean territories have had an abundance of surface water, with increased development and population growth, the demend for water is also inceasing. Additionally, climate variability and changes in the hydrological cycle water is also increasing. Additionally, climate variability and changes in the hydrological cycle driven by climate change are occurring; rainfall patterns are changing and longer dry periods are being experienced.  Many water sources have either dried up or their yields have significantly reduced.  Coupled with this is an increasing water demand.

The HSE Quarterly is a magazine dedicated to highlighting regional health safety and environmental issues. This magazine purports to serve as the site for the most up-to-date and innovative safety and health information, products, services and current issues. The publication pledges its commitment to creativity and foresight, inspired by global thought and practices. This one of a kind magazine will be filled with ambitious, insightful and well informed articles.

This publication published by Jaric Environment, Safety and Health Services forms part of our commitment to eliminate occupational injury and illness, and the promotion of sustainable use of the environment.

As envisaged The HSE Quarterly is already considered as the region's most sought after and best-read HSE publication due to its unique format which is both informative and entertaining. Its focus is the Caribbean region highlighting present HSE issues and business profiles as well as high impact articles and features. The future of the magazine therefore looks at being able to effectively reflect this region with each issue focusing on a different area of Safety and Health or the Environment.

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