What to do With Pesky Packing Peanuts

We do everything we can to do our part in the effort to protect the environment. We recycle. We take extra care to combine errands so we don't waste gasoline (especially at these prices). We even make purchases online to save energy and keep the paper catalogs at bay. And if you are like me, you just love getting packages in the mail. Except... when I open the package and find that my item has been protected from damage in shipping with the dreaded polystyrene packing peanuts! Not only do these pesky peanuts make a huge mess, they are utterly indestructible. When these things end up in landfills, they NEVER degrade. Future inhabitants of our planet will be able to study our culture using these suckers.

So what do we do?

1. The best alternative is to simply not use these peanuts. There are alternative packing peanuts available made from starch that almost instantly dissolve in water. Ask your online retailer to begin using this more environmentally friendly alternative to polystyrene.

2. When you receive a package packed in peanuts, test them by running one under water to see if it dissolves. If so, you can simply dump them in your sink a little at a time and run the dissolved peanuts down the drain. They are safe for the water supply since they are made from vegetable and other organic matter.

3. When the peanuts don't dissolve, there are a few things we can do. When you have a package to ship that requires a bit of protection, use the peanuts. Ask your recipient to do the same. At least they don't end up in a landfill immediately.

4. If you don't like the idea of keeping the peanuts around the house, there are several centers and stores that will take them to reuse. Many UPS Stores, Mailboxes Etc., PostNet, and other small packing and shipping centers will accept your peanuts to reuse. Contact your local store for verification. If you have trouble finding a drop-off location, please visit http://www.loosefillpackaging.com for information on businesses and centers willing to accept used peanuts or call the Plastic Loose Fill Council's Peanut Hotline at 800-828-2214.

Get your creative juices flowing

Now we know how to recycle those pesky peanuts, but before we get rid of them, let's ask ourselves what other uses we might find for the peanuts. Can we think of ways we can convert our trash into treasure? Here are a few ideas to get us started.

-The holidays are fast approaching, so any peanuts we have left over after using them to safeguard the gifts we're shipping can be used for decoration. Use a needle and strong thread to string the peanuts like popcorn to use as a garland for your tree.

-Place a few peanuts in the bottom of a planter before inserting your plant to conserve soil and to help drainage. Be sure not to use too many or to block the drainage hole completely.

-Use an old zippered pillowcase and fill it with peanuts. This makes an inexpensive pet bed or a "bean" bag chair.

-Dip the peanuts in paint and use for creative stamps. Many peanuts look like letters or you can cut them into whatever shape you'd like. If you are a scrapbooker, this is a great way to add a creative splash to a page.

-Crumble the peanuts into pieces and use them as faux snow in our winter decorations.

Even simple actions can help us protect our environment. The more we do, the more we help, the more our world benefits.

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MUTUAL FUNDS.

Explain the role of Mutual Funds?


Ans: ROLE OF MUTUAL FUNDS.


*INTRODUCTION:


~ A mutual fund is a financial intermediary that pools the savings of investors for collective investment in a diversified portfolio of securities.


~ All returns of the mutual funds are shared with the investors in the fund.


~ The Mutual Fund is managed by the Asset Management Company (AMC) that needs to be approved by the SEBI.


*DEFINITION:


~ According to SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 " A mutual fund is a fund established in the form of a trust to raise money through the sale of units to the public or a section of the public under one or more schemes for investing in securities including money market instruments."


~ The above definition indicates that mutual funds raise money by selling shares / units of the fund to the public. Mutual Funds purchase various assets like stocks, bonds and money market instruments through the money so raised.


*ROLE OF MUTUAL FUNDS:


i) CHANNELISING SAVINGS:


~ Mutual funds channelize the saving of millions of individuals for investment in equity and debt instruments.


~ These savings are mobilized, invested and returns are distributed in the same proportion to unit holders.


ii) INSTRUMENT OF INVESTING MONEY:


~ Taking into account very low bank rate, keeping money in the bank deposits does not give high return.


~ Also, investing money in the stock market is not quite feasible with a common investor who is not well-versed with the complexities in the stock market.


~ So, mutual fund is a better option for investment for the common man who gets higher returns on his investment.


~ Thus, mutual fund is an important instrument of investing money.


iii) MOBILISATION OF SAVING:


~ Mutual funds mobilize the savings of millions of investors for profitable investments.


~ It facilitates flow of savings from common man to industries.


iv) BRIDGES GAP BETWEEN RETAIL INVESTORS AND CAPITAL MARKETS:


~ Mutual funds are important intermediaries in the capital market. Thus, they bridge the gap between investors and capital markets.


~ The growth of mutual funds indicates that retail investors are tapping the stock market through mutual funds.


v) HIGHER RETURNS:


~ Mutual funds provide investors to earn high returns on their savings.


~ There is high return-low risk combination as mutual funds have direct holding of equities and other assets.


vi) REDUCES RISK:


~ Mutual funds reduce risk of investing in stocks by spreading / diversifying investments.


~ Through mutual funds, a small investor can hold a share in a large and diversified portfolio of assets that reduces the risk of investment.


vii) PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT;


~ A small investor can enjoy the benefits of a professional management of portfolio through mutual funds.


~ This helps him to earn a relatively higher rate of return in his investment.


viii) SAVING FOR RETIREMENT AND EDUCATION:


~ Mutual funds now play a significant role to increase the households efforts to save for their retirement and for the education of their children.


~ Various schemes of funds with tax benefits help the households to save for their retirement.


Q2: Explain the importance of Mutual funds?


Ans: IMPORTANCE OF MUTUAL FUNDS:


*INTRODUCTION:


~ A mutual fund is a financial intermediary that pools the savings of investors for collective investment in a diversified portfolio of securities.


~ Thus, the investors try to minimize the risk and ensure steady returns on investments.


*IMPORTANCE:


~ Mutual funds provide benefits of a diversified portfolio and expert fund management to a large number of investors.


~ Hence, they form a very important part of the capital market.


~ The following points explain the increasing importance of mutual funds:-


i) MOBILIZATION OF DOMESTIC RESOURCES.


~ Mutual funds mobilize domestic resources and hence reduce dependence on outside funds.


~ They help to tap vast potential of domestic savings and channelize them for profitable investments.


ii) PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT:


~ An average investor requires the help of an expert to reap the benefits of investments in stock market.


~ The services of the expert are also expensive.


~ On the other hand, mutual funds are managed by professional managers who have the skill and expertise to make an organized investment strategy for the benefit of small investors.


iii) PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFICATION:


~ Lack of resources may limit the ability of an individual investor to invest in a diversified portfolio of securities.


~ Mutual funds invest in a number of companies and this diversification reduces the risk of investment.


iv) EQUITY RESEARCH:


~ Mutual funds invest in equity research that provides them with abundant information and data for investments.


~ This enables them to create a good portfolio.


v) REDUCE RISKS:


~ Portfolio management and diversification help mutual funds to reduce risk.


~ The experience and expertise of mutual funds helps in building a diversified portfolio that minimizes risks and maximizes returns.


vi) MAXIMISE GAINS:


~ Mutual funds are managed by professionals who are highly skilled and competent in their jobs.


~ They maximize gains for investors by proper selection and timing of investment.


~ It is to be noted that mutual funds are not a channel for getting rich quickly, but investment in them are long-term growth avenues.


vii) REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS:


~ The dividends and capital gains are automatically reinvested.


~ This reinvestment increases the value of investments in mutual funds in the long run.


viii) LOW TRANSACTION COST:


~ As mutual funds bring in the benefits of economies of scale, the cost of investment through mutual funds tends to be lower.


~ These benefits are passed on to the investors.


ix) safety AND LIQUIDITY:


~ Investments in mutual funds are safer as they are controlled and regulated by SEBI.


~ Investors in mutual funds can encash their investments by selling their units to the funds (open-ended scheme) or on a stock-exchange (close-ended scheme).


x) FLEXIBILITY:


~ Investments in mutual funds are easy and flexible.


~ Investors have the option of investing in any of the various schemes and of transferring their holdings from one scheme to another.


xi) TAX BENEFITS:


~ Investment in mutual funds have many tax benefits.


xii) TRANSPARENCY:


~ Mutual funds declare their portfolio every month.


~ Due to this transparency, investors know where the mutual funds invest their money.


xiii) STABILITY TO THE STOCK MARKET:


~ Mutual funds have large amount of funds to invest and the ability to absorb losses in the stock market.


~ This provides stability to the stock market.


xiv) ANCILLARY SERVICES:


~ Various ancillary services are provided by mutual funds. They are:-


^ Saving schemes for regular monthly investment in units.


^ Life insurance schemes.


^ Automatic reinvestment of income distribution, etc.


Q3: Explain the various type of Mutual Funds?


Ans: TYPES OF MUTUAL FUNDS.


*INTRODUCTION:


~ A mutual fund is a financial intermediary that pools the savings of investors for a collective investment in a diversified portfolio of securities.


~ There are wide varieties of mutual fund schemes that cater to the needs, objectives and expectations of investors.


~ Thus, an investor can choose from a vast variety of mutual fund schemes and ensure steady returns on their investments.


*CLASSIFICATION:


~ Mutual funds can be classified into various types on the basis of the following factors:


A) GEOGRAPHIC CLASSIFICATION:


i) DOMESTIC FUNDS:


~ This fund mobilizes resources from within the country.


~ Therefore, the market is limited to the boundaries of the nation and so investment is made in those securities that are issued and traded in the domestic financial market.


~ Investment can be made in close-ended / open-ended schemes and in equity / debt market.


ii) OFF-SHORE FUNDS:


~ They mobilize resources from foreign markets for investment in the country of the issuing company, thus facilitating cross-border flow of funds.


~ Such funds not only open domestic market to international investors but also make possible to invest in securities of foreign companies.


B) FUNCTIONAL / STRUCTURAL CLASSIFICATION:


i) OPEN-ENDED FUNDS:


~ Open-ended funds that are available for subscription throughout the year and it offers to buy/sell units at Net Asset Value (NAV) related prices.


~ This fund offers a very high liquidity and the investors can enter / exit the scheme at any time during the life time of the fund.


~ These funds are not listed on the stock market and buying / selling can be done only through the mutual fund.


ii) CLOSE-ENDED FUNDS:


~ These funds have a fixed corpus and stipulated maturity period.


~ Investors can directly invest in the scheme at the time of the initial issue. After that, the fund is listed on the stock-exchange.


~ Thus, trading on this scheme can be done in the stock exchanges.


~ The NAV and market price may differ depending on the demand and supply forces.


~ The fund has no interaction with the investors till redemption except during payment of dividend / bonus.


iii) INTERVAL SCHEME:


~ They combine the features of open-ended and close-ended schemes.


~ They may be traded on the stock-exchange or may be open for sale / redemption during pre-determined intervals at NAV related prices.


C) CLASSIFICATION BY NATURE:


i) DEBT-ORIENTED SCHEME:


~ The objective of this fund is to invest in debt instruments.


~ So, they invest bulk of their funds in the debentures of private sector companies, public sector bonds, government securities and money market instruments.


~ The balance is invested in equities.


~ This fund provides low risk and stable income to investors.


~ This funds can be further classified as :


* GULT FUND:


^ This fund invests in securities issued by the government.


^ It carries no default risk but is subject to interest rate risk.


^ This scheme is safer as securities are backed by the government.


* INCOME FUND:


^ They provide regular and periodic income.


* MONTHLY INCOME:


^ This fund gets the benefit of debt market and equity market.


^ It ranks a little high on risk-return matrix because of equity exposure.


*SHORT TERM PLAN:


^ The investment is only for a period of 3 to 6 months.


^ The fund invests in short term securities (CDs and CPs) and in corporate debentures.


*LIQUID FUNDS:


^ This fund invests in money market instruments like call money market, treasury bills, CDs, CPs, etc.


^ This is suitable for short term cash management of corporate houses.


^ The investment period varies from 1 day to 3 months.


ii) EQUITY-ORIENTED SCHEME:


~ These funds invest bulk of their investment in equity shares and the balance in debt instruments.


~ These are close-ended schemes having high tax benefits.


~ They can be sub-divided into:


^ Diversified equity fund.


^ Mid-cap fund.


^ Sector specific fund.


^ Tax saving fund.


D) CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTIVES:


i) INCOME SCHEMES:


~ The aim is to provide regular income and safety of investment.


~ A bulk of fund is invested in income-bearing instruments (bonds, debentures, CPs and govt. securities)


~ Both, risk and return are comparatively lower.


ii) GROWTH SCHEME:


~ The aim is capital appreciation over a long term.


~ Hence investment is made in equity shares having significant growth potential in the long run.


~ These are close-ended schemes listed on stock-exchanges.


iii) BALANCED SCHEME:


~ The aim is to provide capital appreciation as well as regular income.


~ The investment is divided between equity shares and fixed income securities.


~ Investment is made in companies having a good profit and dividend track re cord.


iv) TAX SAVING SCHEME:


~ They are close-ended schemes.


~ They are designed on tax policy with special tax incentives to investors.


E) OTHER SCHEMES:


i) SECTROL FUNDS:


~ Investment is made in specific sectors like energy, telecommunication, IT, etc.


~ These is less diversification as investment is made among selected stocks in the same industry / sector.


ii) MONEY MARKET MUTUAL FUNDS:


~ This fund invests in money market instruments like call money market, treasury bills, CDs, CPs, etc.


~ This is suitable for short term cash management of corporate houses.


~ The investment period varies from 1 day to 3 months.


Q4: Write a note on the growth and performance of mutual funds in India?


Ans: GROWTH AND PERFORMANCE OF MUTUAL FUNDS IN INDIA.


*INTRODUCTION:


~ Mutual funds came into existence in India in 1963.


~ Unit Trust of India (UTI) was the first association to launch the concept of Mutual Fund in India.


~ It aimed at attracting small investors through the collective efforts of the government and the RBI.


*GROWTH:


~ The growth of mutual funds can be explained through the following five phases:


i)PHASE I : ESTABLISHMENT OF UTI (1964-1987):-


~ UTI was established (1963) and it launched its first scheme-Unit Scheme 1964 (US 1964)


~ It attracted many investors and enjoyed complete monopoly till 1987.


~ Gradually it launched more innovate schemes to suit the need of its investors.


ii) PHASE II: ENTRY OF PUBLIC SECTOR FUNDS (1987-1993) :


~ In 1987, public sector banks and financial institutions were permitted to set up mutual funds.


~ This resulted in setting up of SBI Mutual Fund (1987), Canara Bank Mutual Fund, LIC Mutual fund, etc.


iii) PHASE III: PRIVATE SECTOR FUNDS (1993-1996):


~ In 1993, private sector funds, including foreign funds were allowed to enter the mutual fund industry.


~ This brought in more competition in the industry along with innovative products, investment techniques and technology.


~ Thus, the investor was provided with a vast variety of investment schemes to choose from.


iv) PHASE IV: SEBI REGULATION AND GROWTH (1996-2004):


~ SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations 1996, set uniform standards and stricter regulations for all mutual funds in India.


~ It aimed at protecting the interest of the investors and providing tax benefits to them.


~ This led to enormous growth of the mutual fund industry as the mobilization of funds and number of players in the industry grew substantially.


v) PHASE V: GROWTH AND CONSOLIDATION (2004 ONWARDS):


~ After 2004, the mutual fund industry witnessed:


^ Mergers and acquisitions.


^ Entry of international players in the market (eg. Fidelity, Franklin, Templeton Mutual Funds, etc)


~ So, this is the phase of growth through consolidation and entry of new private sector players (domestic as well as international).


~ Assets under Management of mutual funds has increased considerably as shown below:


YR(End – March) Assets (RS.Crore)


1997 85,822


2004 1,39,615


2008 5,05,152


2009 4,17,300


* PERFORMANCE:


~ The mutual fund industry in India has witnessed its share of ups and downs.


~ The performance of mutual funds improved greatly with a consistent good performance of UTI mutual fund. It attracted a large number of investors.


~ In 1992, there was a terrible decline in the stock prices that further led to decrease in the performance of mutual funds.


~ The confidence of the retail investors was badly shaken and the mutual funds witnessed a very bad performance in the year 1994-95.


~ Then, there was a slow and gradual recovery for the mutual funds.


~ Again in the year 200-2001, extreme volatility in the market and depressed equity market conditions led todecline of the assets under management of mutual funds.


~ And in 2008-2009, the situation worsened even further due to global financial crisi s.


~ Then there was greater focus on corporate investments and mutual fund industry again witnessed aspectacular growth in assets, especially among the private sector players.


~ Over the years, the industry focused on make existing products more attractive and introducing many innovative products.


~ The mutual fund industry has shown remarkable resilience in the last decade despite varying economic conditions, capital market scams, financial crisis and increasing competition.


~ At present, there are 38 mutual funds in India offering about 3780 schemes.


~ In 2009, the net resource mobilization by mutual funds amounted to Rs:143775 crores with 80% of funds mobilized by private sector Mutual Funds.

Work Injury Claim - Easy If You Make It!

Vicitims of workplace accidents are generally scared to claim against the company they work for. However, by speaking to a personal injury specialist in work accidents can eliminate the fear & confusion to proceed.

If you had an accident at work, its consequences can get very complicated. A work injury claim can help if it disables and makes you less useful as an employee to the company. The recovery takes time and your co-workers can react in different ways when they have more work to do because of your health problems.

They may be unhappy with you slowing their work or they may think that you're practically being lazy and your injury is just an excuse so you needn't work harder.

So your situation at work gets worse, even though it's not your fault that you're suffering from an accident. Accidents do occur and you shouldn't be punished for it. The injury may result in smaller earnings, you can be demoted, transferred to other tasks or lose a future chance of promotion.

Not to mention that one day you may hear from your boss, the time has come for you depart from the company and suddenly you are left with nothing.

Are You Going To Get Sacked?

On the other hand, you realise you can make a work injury claim. But you also think about it not being fair on the company and could jeopardise your relationship within. However a work accident claim can solve many issues brought to hand. Such as stating the obvious financial, the reason why we go to work. To get paid!

The injury assessment and medical report, once obtained from a medical specialist will determine the worth of your compensation claim. It could also bring to light areas at work that are dangerous to work and will help the company to improve and prevent further accident injuries.

It may also prove that your injury is more serious than your co-workers and bosses think. If the accident was not your fault, your company should bear all the consequences, as they haven't obeyed the Health & safety Regulations.

A workplace accident claim can also compensate for many personal problems following your injury at work - because we can't forget that your life doesn't end at work as it affects your everyday life, both personal and social.

I Had An Accident At Work - What Should I Do?

There are certain procedures and things you should do if you want to make a compensation claim for a workplace injury. At the very beginning, your injury should be recorded in the company's accident book. If your firm has more than 10 employees, the presence of such book is required by law.

If for some reason the accident book is not available, you should advise your boss with a description of the accident and any injuries sustained. If there were any witnesses to the accident, they should add their knowledge of detail to the record.

You should also be asked to write down a detailed version of the entire situation - it's good to prepare it as soon as possible, so you won't forget anything and you will have it ready for any further proceedings. If you can, take photos of the workplace area plus any machines that were involved.

Then you should visit your doctor, so he or she could make a medical entry concerning your injury. If the injury is serious enough to make you unable to work, you should organise your statutory sick pay with your employer. It could also be useful for your accident injury claim to at least recover your earnings.

Of course, if you want to claim your compensation, the best you can do is to contact an accident solicitor, who will advise and guide you through the process of making a claim. Quality accident solicitor's services are free, based on a 'No Win No Fee' policy, which means that regardless of the claim's final result, you don't pay anything.

On the other hand if you win, you get 100% of your workplace injury compensation. If you have any questions or doubts about proceeding you should contact one today! But can you see any reason why you shouldn't use a professional and a 100% free based service that can bring you compensation for your accident at work?

Ergonomic Risk Factors: Protecting The Lower back

Lower back injuries are among the most common complaints seen in primary care and workers' compensation. Approximately 85 percent of the general population in the western world is afflicted with an episode of back pain in their lifetime.

The peak incidence of lower back pain is found to be highest during the most productive years of life, ages 25-60, making work-related lower back injuries a major health concern. In order to address this, a strategic three-step plan to reduce work-related lower back injuries is required:

• identification of ergonomic risk factors that can contribute to injury;

• implementing ergonomic control measures;

• following safe work practices, including proper posture and safe lifting techniques during work activities.


Ergonomic Risk Factors

Ergonomics is a multidisciplinary field-it addresses the interactions of people, work tasks and the total work environment. Ergonomic risk factors are job attributes or exposures that increase the probability of developing a work-related injury: repetition, forceful exertion, stressful postures, contact stress, vibration and temperature extremes.

The presence of an ergonomic risk factor does not necessarily mean that a person is at an excessive risk for developing a work-related injury, but the greater the exposure to an ergonomic risk factor, or multiple risk factors, the greater the probability will be of a worker becoming injured.

Posture: The No. 1 Culprit

The primary ergonomic risk factor responsible for back injuries in the workplace is stressful posture. Posture refers to the position of a specific anatomical body part in relation to an adjacent body part.

Stressful postures occur when an extreme or awkward body position places undue stress on muscles, ligaments and joint structures. Stressful postures can result in physiological damage to the tissues within or around a joint. Stressful postures typically include end range of joint motion and excessive rotation.

Stressful postures should be minimized to reduce physiological damage. To achieve this, the evaluator must be familiar with the components of posture-adjacent body parts, the angle of the joint connecting adjacent body parts, and motion-as well as how these components induce damage.

Adjacent body parts. In assessing back posture, the position of the legs and the thoracic and cervical spine is critical. If the adjacent body parts are positioned in awkward angles in relation to the spinal segment, there will be a greater physiological stress placed on the tissues that support and maintain the position.

The more awkward these positions are, the greater the physiological stress, so adjacent body parts should be maintained in positions that promote open-packed joint positions, tissue relaxation and maximum circulation to the working tissues.

The angle of the joint. This angle will influence the degree of joint and tissue stress. Awkward joint angles place physiological stress on the joint structures, muscles and tendons. The more awkward the angle of the joint is, the greater the tissue damage. Awkward joint angles, including end range of motion and excessive rotation, should be minimized.

Motion. This refers to whether the posture is static or dynamic. Static postures must be held for a period of time, and can cause tissue fatigue and microtrauma due to continual muscle firing and strain on the tendons and ligaments.

Dynamic posture involves rotational forces of one body segment relative to another about a common axis or joint. Dynamic postures involve angular displacement, velocity and acceleration, and are preferred over static postures due to the ability to use multiple muscle groups, enhance circulation and prevent local tissue fatigue.

Because of physiological requirements to maintain muscle and tendon functions, no position can be maintained indefinitely; all positions have some dynamic component to them. The more stationary a position is, however, the greater the degree of risk for tissue fatigue and injury; for this reason, dynamic postures and the ability of a worker to vary position are of utmost importance.

Ergonomic Controls: A Three-Pronged Approach

Instituting ergonomic controls in the workplace, which place limits on duration, frequency or the intensity of ergonomic risk factors, can be an effective method in preventing lower back injuries. Ergonomic control measures fall into three categories.

Engineering Controls. These involve modifying the work interface:

• Adjust work surfaces to minimize awkward postures and ensure appropriate sitting and standing postures;

• Provide footrests to standing and sitting workstations;

• Tilt work surfaces to bring the work closer to the worker;

• Make the work more accessible by raising or lowering the work with lifts, platforms, or scaffolds;

• Reduce the size and weight of the materials handled;

• Design the workstation for the target population (male or female, as one example);

• Provide carts to reduce material-handling activities;

• Maintain all equipment on a regular basis;

• Install mechanical lifting aids to counterbalance loads: lifting devices, reaching devices and pulley systems;

• Provide joint protection, anti-vibration or shock absorbance to reduce exposure to the physical environment (vibration, concrete floors, cold). This can include anti-fatigue mats, gel insoles and anti-vibration seating systems.

Administrative controls. These involve modifying the work process, flow or organization to reduce the exposure of the worker to an ergonomic risk factor. Examples include:

• Provide job rotation or alternating work activities;

• Reduce the length of work shifts;

• Limit employee overtime;

• Increase the number of employees available to perform a task;

• Implement mandatory or additional rest breaks;

• Alternate highly repetitive work tasks with less repetitive ones;

• Reduce production quotas or machine pace.

Work Practices. These include general health habits, complying with safety rules and maintaining proper posture and good lifting techniques. Examples include:

• Maintain good health habits;

• Participate in a smoking cessation program;

• Participate in a weight loss and/or regular exercise program;

• Follow safety rules;

• Understand the limitations of safety equipment.

Proper Posture

Since postures can contribute to the development of lower back injuries in the workplace, reducing these stressful positions throughout the day is critical.

Proper postures result in the least amount of physiological stress and fatigue on the local tissues through proper positioning of the adjacent body parts, the connecting joint and the degree of motion. They place the least amount of stress on the working ligaments, muscles and joints, resulting in less tissue damage.

Proper postures should be maintained during both static and dynamic activities. Examples include:

Sitting:

• Keep your head directly over your shoulders;

• Do not rotate or tilt your head;

• Keep your shoulders in a relaxed position, resting close to your body;

• Keep your back well supported by the back of the chair;

• Keep your knees at the same height or slightly lower than your hips;

• Keep both feet on the ground or a footrest;

• Do not cross your legs;

• Sit as close to your work as possible.

Standing:

• Keep your head directly over your shoulders, and keep your shoulders relaxed at your side;

• Keep your feet approximately shoulder length apart;

• When possible, place one foot on a stool or rest bar to alleviate back strain;

• Move and stretch frequently.

Finally, functional activities include reaching, bending, squatting, climbing, lifting, pushing and pulling. It is important to maintain a neutral back position when performing all of these functional activities. Keep your stomach muscles tight, and avoid excessive spinal twisting, forward flexion, extension and lateral flexion.

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Daily Motivation: What Motivates You Each Day?

Every experience that a person has impacts him or her positively or negatively. All of the positive moments most likely enhance our daily motivation. Daily motivation is what enables us to strive to be better people, to work towards goals, and to lead fulfilling lives.

Setting goals:

Many of us set goals for ourselves. In turn, these goals motivate us to work hard to achieve success. Goals drive an individual's daily motivation. Goals such as getting a Master's degree, having a high-paying job, getting married, purchasing an expensive car, or mortgaging a home drive a person to succeed. When setting a goal, a person must remember that taking small steps to achieve it helps keep up a positive attitude. It is best not to get overwhelmed with attaining a huge goal quickly; but rather one should take small steps to get it done. The desire to accomplish a goal is what keeps people going, even on bad days.

Attitude:

A positive attitude is a source of daily motivation. Believing that one of your goals is too difficult to achieve will eventually prevent you from achieving it. Having a negative attitude will cause you both internal and external stress. A negative attitude will de-motivate you, and put you on the road to failure. To achieve your goals, you must be able to tell yourself that every goal can be attained with hard work. If you tell yourself that you can do it, chances are that you will. Never underestimate the power of the mind. Daily motivation is all about attitude and outlook.

Religion:

While not all of us are religious, many people who are will agree that religion helps improve daily motivation. Religion can be used as a great motivational tool for people from all walks of life. Religion - no matter what kind - encourages mindfulness and internal motivation. The religious depend on their beliefs to strengthen them mentally.

People often depend on their religion when things are going downhill. Prayer and meditation inspire those who might otherwise turn to drinking, food, or drugs to nurture their spirits. Religion may help some people to be more mentally and physically healthy. Therefore, religion is a positive source of daily motivation.

The desire to live:

Daily motivation also comes in the simple desire to live. Whether children, a job, or money inspires someone to get out of bed in the morning, that person is motivated by something in life.

Even things as simple as nature can motivate someone to maintain a positive attitude about life even when times get hard. A person can take pleasure in nature's beauty by taking time to smell the roses or listen to the birds sing. Studies show that people who live in warmer climates have a more positive attitude about life in general. These same people also have the tendency to go outside and exercise more often. This exercise brings about a sense of inner peace and positive feelings, thus becoming a daily motivation for many people.

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Safety precautions while using heavy machinery

Article lists various aspects of safety that you need to ensure when working with or working around heavy machinery.

There have been many accidents that have been reported due to irresponsible use of heavy machinery in many places. It is ironical that to save a few minutes of time, we sometimes tend to do things in a hurry without taking the right kind of safety precautions that need to be taken when working with heavy machinery.

Here are some tips that you can use to ensure that you are careful when operating heavy machinery.

- When you are working with heavy machinery, you need to tell people around you that you are about to start the heavy machinery work. If they know that you are working with heavy machinery, they will not approach you all of a sudden causing you to startle and cause harm to yourself or the other person.
- Make sure that you are not wearing clothes that are loose. These tend to get entangled in heavy machinery that is power operated and can cause harm. Long hair also needs to be tied back in a tight ponytail so that they do not come in the way.
- At no cost should you leave the heavy machinery unattended especially when it is plugged and the switch is on.
- If you are using something that requires electricity, ensure that all the plugs and switches are in perfect order. If you are using an extension cord, the connections should not be loose.

If you read carefully, you will notice that specific safety instructions are printed on all heavy machinery that you buy. These specific instructions can be extremely handy. So make sure that you take some time and read the details carefully before you start to operate the heavy machinery.

Mel writes about heavy machinery among other industrial related topics.

Kiwis want one third of their oceans protected.

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Cleanse for Life, Protection From Our Toxic Environment

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Kirk Bachelder

Things to consider before getting started with LED Lighting

One fine day you get up in the morning and decide to get rid of age-old monotonous lighting fixtures mounted in your home & switch over to LED lighting. The other reason you wish to replace your current lighting system with LED lighting might be that you ... Read >

Choose the best cheap wholesale kids sunglasses

Nowadays even kids are also fond of making persona amazing. To do this, sunglasses would be the first preference to become fashionable. Kids' sunglasses are available in same styles, designs and colours as the other sunglasses but are bit attractive as th... Read >

Protect your eyes with added styles of sunglasses

Sunglasses are very essential for the protection of your eyes against the harmful UV rays of the sun. There is a perfect pair of sunglasses for different types of activities you do. Better sunglasses are needed so that in high contrast situations like sno... Read >

Buy classy aviators at amazing prices

Aviator sunglasses are the latest of the fads with the youngsters who know how to look great with the best sunglasses. If you wish to buy yourself a pair of aviator sunglasses, you need not spend loads of money. You can buy wholesale aviators at cheap pri... Read >

Goji berries- gift of the Himalayas to mankind

Goji berries, a fruit found in the Himalayan region, has been found to contain life-giving properties. The fruit is also sometimes called wolfberries. The berries are believed to have nutritional values greater than many other health foods. The fruit stim... Read >

Wholesale sunglasses for beautifying your personality and protect eyes at fewer prices

Today, sunglasses have become the most important accessories in ones wardrobe not only for looking fine but to safeguard eyes a well. The sunglasses add a charm into your personality and make you different from the normal horde of people. Searching sungla... Read >

Discount Wholesale Sunglasses to cater to the market

In today's world, there is competition in almost every field of life. Everyone is trying to look smarter and better than others and in order to do that, most of people will not hesitate to get total make-over for themselves. If you do not want to do so, y... Read >

Strengthen Your Muscles and Bones with Goji Berries

The young and old alike can benefit from the muscle and bone strengthening properties of Goji berries. Children need nutrients to build up their strength in the first place. Teenagers need them to make the growth through puberty. Adults need maintenance m... Read >

Nutritious properties of Goji

Found in the laps of splendid Himalayan mountains, goji is a gift of nature which has shows us the way to illumination, complete satisfaction and health. When we talk about goji, the first point which comes to our mind is its immense effect on our health ... Read >

The Essential Minerals that the Goji Berry Contains

It can be difficult trying to get all the minerals you need, even if your diet is relatively healthy. Yet, there is one superfruit that can give you all the minerals you require in just one serving. Its name is the goji berry, and it contains very large a... Read >

What are Master Molecules?

Master molecules, like other nutrients, offer many health benefits, but are only available in one type of fruit: the goji berry. Why did nature decide to do this? Well, master molecules themselves are not that unusual... it's just that they are normally f... Read >

Shutter Shades Matching your Face Type

Shutter shades are popular amongst both old and the young as they provide a charm to the personality thereby enhancing the overall appeal. Sporting eye gear from well known brands has become frenzy amongst the youth as it looks very charismatic. Replicas ... Read >

Glow in the dark shutter shades

Shutter shades are a latest design of fashionable sunglasses and the unique thing about them is that instead of having lenses, they have shutter motif that is part of its frame and is suitable for both the genders. Glow in the dark shutter shades is a gla... Read >

Shutter shades: A novel kind of glasses

Shutter shades are an extremely innovative kind of sunglasses that look very trendy and unique. These kinds of eye gear do not have glass in them and have a unique window like shutter in them. These shutters are sometimes made up of Phosphorescent materia... Read >

Wholesale Locs Sunglasses: The Industry Leaders

In today's competitive world, every body wants to look good and feel smart. People even do not hesitate to change their entire look for the purpose of looking well-groomed and stylish. In this process of making over people, sunglasses play a significant r... Read >

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Our Contribution Towards the Environment We Owe

No matter what era was that or what time would it be, environment was important and would remain important for human lives on earth till eternity. When man evolved on earth, we had an enriched environment blessed with wide range of flora and fauna in it. However, gradually the human being started developing and one from becoming a full-fledged intellectual man from a early man they forgot their duties towards the mother earth. We to make our lives easier and luxurious forgot that we are harming the mother earth and environment very drastically. And when we have reached the alarming condition of global warming we are realizing the importance of a healthy environment. Intentionally or unintentionally man for his needs has exploited environment to a great extent. However these days people are getting awakened and realizing their duties towards the land and the nature. And this is the most appreciable sign that people around the world want to stay in or develop a environmentally responsible ways and are finding answers as to how can it be accomplished.

When we talk about who would lead this race of supporting environment and the nature, hospitality sectors comes first and foremost. So many hotels around the world are turning into environmental hotel.

What are environmental hotels?

Environmental Hotels are those which address all the needs of the guests yet in a environmentally responsible way. They tend to provide all best amenities to the visitors at the same time maintaining the ecological balance and greenery on earth. Not only that, they save a lot of different forms of exhaustible and non-exhaustible forms of energies. On top of that they also manages wastes by recycling them which have dual benefit; first that we are utilizing the wastes and secondly that we are minimizing pollution.

Some environmentally responsible and sustainable practices adopted by environmental hotel:

• Environmental Hotels are installing low-flow showerheads and sink aerators.

• They have switched to compact fluorescent light bulbs in infrequently used areas. They also are using sensors and timers for such areas.

• Environmental hotel management generally buys food and guest amenities in bulk, whenever possible.

• They use non-toxic or least toxic cleaners, paints, sanitizers, pesticides etc throughout.

• Environmental prefers to use reusable items like cloth napkins, ceramic dishes, glass cups etc instead of disposable items.

• They mostly donate the leftover food to a local non-profit organization or else they use a compost bin within the premises. They recycle the waste within the premises of the hotel.

• Environmental hotels mostly plant those plants which consume less water and are drought resistant.

• The best part is that they also have created many incentive programs to encourage the staff to take part in the implementation and improvement of environmentally responsible practices.

Eventually, we can say that if we concentrate and think we will find n number of ways to maintain and protect are environment but what is important is its implementation. Environmental Hotels have lead the way and now it is everybody’s duty to support and promote it and we, at the end of the day, as a team, have to make our environment healthier and safer. Hence it is not only the duty of hoteliers but also guest to help this campaign work and succeed.

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Save energy slogan and usages of solar energy

Arrange few bits and pieces from the next door hardware stores and set up solar water heater system in your house. It has become very common practice today. Global warming and soaring fuel prices have worked like catalyst in the promotion of usages of solar energy and its consequences can be experienced with the entry of company like rinnai.co.nz into the market with solar energy based product like solar water heater. The most amusing fact is huge positive response to solar energy based products. Certainly, it has defined the line for all new ranges of future products. Moreover, it approves public awareness pertaining to slogan like "save energy and green environment'.

Now, let's check out characteristics of solar water heater and try to explore the factors behind huge public response:
• Self built water heater substantially reduced electricity bill. For the sake of assistance, you can download blueprints as well.
• If you are not using electric hot water system then real time solar heater is right option for you. Moreover, it does not require any water storage system. It heats water "on the fly".
• If your choice is simple portable water heater only for showers or washing up whenever you are camping then set up simple solar panel and a container to hold water. It takes approximately 20minutes to heat shower water.
• In market, two types of solar hot water systems are available: "active and passive".
• Basic difference between active and passive systems is usages of accessories like pumps and controls which are essential only in active system.
• Good quality insulation of the storage tank contains heated water for longer duration.
• Quality of passive solar heater prominently depends upon the water temperature. In passive system, cold water sinks to the bottom & hot water rises on the top of the tank. Hence, water temperature is very crucial element of passive system.


Eventually, everyone can conclude that solar water heater has proved a better choice in terms of good return in quick succession. Though, it is true that initial investment may be little more than the normal readily available conventional alternatives. But, attractive return is guaranteed.

To help those new to solar water heating, Rinnai is running a comprehensive installation training programme. For more information see www.rinnai.co.nz

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Polywood Chairs are Fun and Functional

Plastic chairs are great for outdoor activities - until they break. Polywood chairs, which combine the durability of plastic with the look and strength of wood, are the perfect answer. Chairs can be found in bright, tropical colors that give the feel of an island celebration or if a more traditional tone is to your liking, you can also find polywood chairs that have the look of real wood furniture.



Polywood chairs came onto the market several years ago as the use of polywood became more popular. The polywood, as it is called because it is made from recycled plastic but formed to look like wood, is a great combination of outdoor celebration and saving the outdoors.



The price of polywood chairs is still much more than the plastic furniture that many people are use to seeing around a pool or deck. This is because the polywood holds its color against the elements and does not have to be repainted. Purchasing polywood chairs is more of an investment like purchasing cedar furniture or teak furniture. It is designed to last so that you will get a large return on your money.



Another great benefit of choosing the polywood chairs over other types of furniture is the impact on the environment. Not only do they save the trees and other natural resources, but the making of the polywood actually helps to decrease the amount of debris that is piled into landfills.



Polywood has been used in construction of outdoor structures since 1990. Now furniture companies are making it possible to match the look of your deck with the furniture you buy. The solid construction of the polywood chairs makes them a great investment for families that enjoy the outdoors together. They have proven that they will hold up to the elements, to the insects, and even to the children.



Kathryn Lang is a freelance writer covering environmental issues and especially the recycling industry. She has written various articles on Polywood chairs and regularly contributes to the Fair Home on organic information issues.

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TEDxEastsidePrep - Dr. Tae - Can Skateboarding Save Our Schools?

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Hotel Safety Tips

As is often the case, the more we travel, the less we think about our safety. It's easy to become comfortable in a hotel when we spend so much time in it. Most people have caught themselves opening their hotel room door without asking who it is when they've ordered room service. And, quite frankly, you are usually so tired and desperate for the salad and glass of wine you ordered an hour earlier that you don't even look closely at the person entering your room.

With more and more terrorist warnings about possible hotel attacks in addition to the usual bad guys out there, it's important to keep safety as your number one priority. Room service and accessing your e-mail come in at a close second. Here are some tips from the American Hotel and Lodging Association to all of the road warriors out there. Stay safe!

Don't answer the door in a hotel or motel room without verifying who is at the door. If a person claims to be an employee, call the front desk and ask if someone from the hotel staff is supposed to have access to your room and for what purpose.

When returning to your hotel late in the evening, use the main entrance of the hotel.

Be observant and look around before entering hotel parking lots.

Close the door securely whenever you are in your hotel room and use all of the locking devices provided.

Don't needlessly display guest room keys in public or carelessly leave them on restaurant tables, at the swimming pool, or other places where they can be stolen.

Do not draw attention to yourself by displaying large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry.

Don't invite strangers to your hotel room.

Place all valuables in the hotel's safe deposit box.

Do not leave valuables in your vehicle.

Check to see that any sliding glass doors or windows and any connecting room doors are locked.

If you see any suspicious activity, please report your observations to the hotel management.

Upon arrival, notify the Front Desk if you require special evacuation assistance in the event of an emergency.

Bunk Bed Shopping - 10 Point Safety Checklist To Protect Your Children

Every year thousands of children are admitted to hospital emergency rooms due to incidents involving bunk beds involving improper use, manufacturing, or set up. If your follow our 10 point safety checklist, bunk beds can still be a great bedding solution for your children:

Reputable manufacturer

Look for manufacturers that are established, and have a long history of manufacturing bunk beds. A good manufacturer will also stand behind their product by providing a lifetime warranty.

ASTM and CPSC guidelines

Ask the retailer if it meets the voluntary safety guidelines of the American Standards of Testing and Materials and the minimum safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. If it does, you'll know that the bed meets all current and reasonable safety standards.

Strong frame construction

Examine and test the durability and strength of the bunk bed frame. It should easily hold a parents weight - climb on it and wiggle the frame a bit. A good bunk bed with remain firmly grounded without movement or noise.

Only rounded edges

Check the entire bed construction for smoothness of materials and fasteners. There should be no sharp edges or protruding points anywhere in the construction.

Measure the safety rails

Safety rails should run on both sides of the top bunk, and the lower rail should be no higher than 3 1/2 inches above the top of the mattress height - any higher and your children could slip underneath it. Also make sure the top rail is at least 5 inches above the mattress top to prevent your child from rolling over the safety rails.

Ensure proper mattress fit

Strangulation deaths have occurred in the US when children fall through openings between the mattress and the frame during the night. Make sure the mattress opening snugly fits the mattress without a lot adjustment room. If the mattress has a gap greater than 3 inches from any side of the mattress to the bed frame, headboard or footboard - it does not fit properly.

Sturdy ladder construction

Make sure the ladder in well constructed and is firmly attached and bolted to the bed frame. Test it out with your own weight - if it moves around it is not safe.

Sturdy mattress support

A lot of injuries are caused by children in the lower bunks pushing up on the underside of the top bunk and dislodging the mattress or support frame. Ensure the top bunk has sturdy mattress supports that are secured to the bed frame with bolts or screws. You don't want a floating board support system, as these will move around and can possibly fall through the opening.

Repair and maintenance

Immediately replace or repair any loose or missing fasteners on the bed. Periodically check the tightness of fasteners holding the bed together, as well as the cross support rails holding the upper mattress.

Safe use

Teach your children not to push up on the underside of the bed, or to climb on it like a jungle gym. Proper safety is important at all times, and you may wish to also use a night light near the ladder so children can see the ladder steps in the dark.

If you follow these basic tips then you should get years of safe enjoyment out of your new bunk bed. For more bunk bed resources and tips you can visit http://www.loft-beds-bunk-beds.com/bunk-beds.htm

A Very Brief History of the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution refers to the period in the mid 1700's in which significant advancements were made in the application of our technological knowledge and discoveries. It signaled a transition from an economy based on manual labor in agriculture to an economy dominated by industry and machine manufacturing. The first industrial revolution had a profound impact on modern society. Although there is some debate surrounding the origins of the movement, most agree that it began in Britain with the invention of the steam engine.

The steam engine was powered by the burning of coal, which boiled water, and created pressurized steam. This pressurized steam was used to power industrial machinery, primarily used in the manufacture of textiles. The second industrial revolution merged with the first industrial revolution sometime around 1850, when the benefits of the first phase became fully realized. The second industrial revolution was a direct product of the wealth and technological advancements created by the first phase.

This particular era of the industrial revolution is characterized by the development of steam powered railways and ships. In the early 1900's, the internal combustion engine began to be used en masse. Although the notion of a combustion engine had been imagined for some time, it was not fully realized until 1860 when Jean Joseph Etienne Lenoir produced his famous gas-fired internal combustion engine. This engine type is still by far the most popular type used in the world today.

The automotive industry played a major role in the creation of wealth and the refinement of certain technologies. The assembly line production model was first employed during this period. While more and more people left the farm for the factory, their opportunities for upward social mobility increased. People had more work and more money, and this led to an overall increase in the general wealth of the populace. Naturally, the automotive became a symbol of one's wealth and social standing. These technological advances precipitated some enormous changes in society.

The ideas developed and realized in Western Europe and America, spread throughout the world bringing immense social change. The industrial revolution played a central role in the establishment of modern city centers. This was due mainly to the influx of agricultural workers into the areas in which the factories were being built. The industrial revolution also had a profound impact on the legal system of many nations, as legislation to establish the rights of workers was introduced. Modern life would be very different today were it not for the industrial revolution.

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Performance Management and Productivity Improvement through Trust

Trust is an essential part in managing people and building a high-performance organisation. It's the foundation upon which all relationships are built. As in any relationship, trust is central to stable and productive workplace relations and successful team building initiatives. High trust environments correlate positively with high degree of employee involvement, performance management, commitment and organizational success. If trust is present in the workplace, the organization gets maximum effort and commitment, and the employees receive security and know they are appreciated.

However, our experience working in the private and public sectors of Australian industry, indicates a decline in trust in the workplace. A joint study by the Australian Institute of Management and Monash University supports this view, concluding that Australian business is facing a 'crisis of trust' threatening productivity and performance.i The study shows that while trust underlies all aspects of organisational culture, it is at a low ebb for managers across a range of industries and levels. The survey shows a strong correlation between trust and a positive workplace culture that emphasizes reward, supportiveness and stability. It shows that trust is strongly linked to attributes such as caring for colleagues, actively involving them in the company's vision, mentoring, role modeling and inspirational motivation. The survey also reinforces findings of similar research projects around the world: The more high tech, impersonal and sophisticated organizations become, the greater the need for leaders who can build a culture of trust in the organization.

These findings should set the alarm bells ringing for senior management in Australia. "Trust and loyalty should be a priority for organizations, from the top down, as they have serious implications for individual and enterprise performance," said Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Institute of Management in Queensland, Ms Carolyn Barker.

Smaller organizations consistently rated higher on job satisfaction, commitment, trust, loyalty and respect. The survey concludes "Creating smaller business units, flattening the management structure, involving staff in decision making and opening up timely and transparent channels of communication is central to creating trust in organizations."

The Trust Triangle

1. Self-Trust - Inner Trust

Self-trust is based on acceptance of yourself and your own inner intuition and wisdom. It is that deep, intuitive sense or gut feeling about something. If you follow your inner intuition, your self-trust is high. Peter Block sums it up as "Trust comes out of the experience of pursuing what is true. What is true lies within each of us." Self-trust is at the core of trusting others and being trustworthy.

2. Trustworthiness - Being Worthy of Trust

Usually when we think of trust, we think in terms of trusting others. But how trustworthy are you in others eyes? Do you follow through on your promises? Do you act with integrity? Are you honest, caring and reliable? Do you have the competence or skills to carry out the task at hand? Do you fulfill others' expectations of you? You are worthy of others trust if you score high in these areas.

3. Trusting of others

Trusting others is based on:expectations. We typically trust someone if we know they will fulfill our expectations.We each have a set of characteristics, known only to us, of someone who we deem worthy of trust. Our degree of comfort with trust is also based on whether we see the world as a friendly, safe place or a hostile, unsafe place. The more we see the world as basically friendly and safe, the more open we will be to trusting others. The reverse is true if we see the world as unsafe and unfriendly.

Robert Bruce Shaw describes the cornerstones of trust as results, integrity and concern in his book Trust in the Balance. Results People who deliver what they promise and fulfill our expectations become trustworthy to us.

Are Our Environmental Issues a Result of our Psychic Clutter?

As we all recall, during the energy crisis of 1972, the entire country participated in the search for alternate fuel sources. Home owners in states with abundant sunshine got tax rebates for installing solar panels. Wind mills flourished in the deserts. We were all conscious of conserving fossil fuels. Then the crisis ended, and most of us went back to business as usual, some with a vengeance. One consequence of giving up an ideal is that the abandoned ideal is added to our psychic clutter, the unexamined and/or unconscious material that often runs our lives outside of our awareness.

While we have created supposedly nonpartisan agencies to protect the environment, environmental protection has become associated with the Democratic party. During recent Republican administrations, regulations have been changed to favor business interests over environmental ones. Big business and environmentalists seem to be in conflict. On one hand, environmentalists are labeled tree huggers, conjuring up images of pot-smoking hippies. On the other hand, business interests are characterized as ravenous wolves. Business, however, provides the jobs that keep our economy rolling. And most of the environment-offending companies are publicly owned corporations and therefore their stockholders or their elected representatives guide the company. Are you a stockholder or do you know any? What are your priorities? Are you in a situation to make a difference?

When the bottom line is most important, we human beings can easily lose sight of where we are dumping our effluent or how much our smokestacks are contaminating the air. We can perceive ourselves as victims of environmental interests, perceiving them as “messing with” our bottom line. We seek to go forward with the oil exploration on formerly protected pristine lands in Alaska. We allow exploration for fossil fuels in National Monuments. Do we lobby to spend a portion of the oil and gas exploration costs to make renewable energy less expensive? Are we happy with these conditions? Or, if not, do we say nothing and collect the resultant clutter from that undelivered communication?

What kind of stewards are we? Do we look for the “green” insignia when shopping for products? Do we recycle our household trash? Or does convenience take precedence, producing clutter in our environment and in our selves? Do we lobby our city to provide curb-side recycling if it’s not provided? Lobbying might take time, always in short supply. But consider the possibility that any excuse may, in fact, be clutter.

And most scientists agree that global warming is increasing due to a buildup in the atmosphere of human produced, heat-trapping, greenhouse gases -- primarily carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. The campaign to reduce global warming urges Americans to help fight it by driving less, driving fuel-efficient vehicles, recycling and turning down the thermostat a few degrees in winter and up a few degrees in summer. The Bush administration decided that global warming needed only more study.

The campaign to end global warming calls on citizens to lobby in support of clean renewable energy sources, other environmental legislation, and the 1997 Kyoto Protocol that the Bush administration rejected. President Bush irritated many U.S. allies by pulling out of the Kyoto pact, saying it would hurt the U.S. economy. Instead, he has proposed independent policies to encourage industries to trim emissions. America is the largest greenhouse-gas polluter in the world. With 4 % of the world’s population, it discharges a quarter of the world’s carbon dioxide. Since each person is responsible at some level for the policies of our government, do you have clutter in this area?

Excerpted from Confession Is Good for More than the Soul
http://www.confessionisgood.com

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A Way of Life: Toxicity in Our Environment and Eco-friendly Cleaning Products

Because toxicity has become a way of life, and we must breath and eat, we are continuously exposed to pesticides and polluntants, some stored right under our kitchen sinks, says a report from the Silent Spring Institute in Newton, Mass., and the Harvard University School of Public Health.

The study was published last October in Environmental Science & Technology, Sedona, Ariz., naturopath doctor Teresa Dale, Ph.D. says "demonstrates that we are exposed daily to a wide array of chemicals that affect our hormone systems." Chemicals like phthalates and alkyphenois may heighten the risk of hormone-linked diseases like breast cancer and testicular cancer.

To limit your exposure, "read labels carefully, use nontoxic cleaning products and avoid using indoor pesticides," says Environmental Protection Agency spokesman Dave Dergan. There are nontoxic cleaning products and pesticides right in your kitchen. If you have baking soda, white vinegar, borax, and rubbing alcohol in your pantry and bathroom, you have the basic ingredients to make your own cleaning products and pesticides that don't cost you an arm and a leg. I have included formulations for making your own products from these items and many more at the end of this article.

There are plenty of effective, earth-safe cleaners that you can buy or make. Using these alternatives will reduce the toxic burden in your house and environment. By switching to environmentally friendly cleaners protects your health and that of the community you live in while reducing air, water, and ground pollution.

I bet you are asking yourself, "So why isn't everybody doing it?" There are very few people who actually read the labels of the products they purchase and even fewer who know the impact these chemicals can have on our bodies. Most people do not take the time or have the time to research the chemicals that go into these products.

Not all "green" products are created equal, some have simply added essential oils to make it smell like the formula has changed. "You need to read the labels carefully to check for irritating chemicals, such as chlorine, ammonia and artificial fragrances and dyes," says Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., a preventive-medicine specialist in Tucson, Arizona. "Buy cleaners from health-food stores or retailers specializing in environmentally friendly products."

"Eco-friendly cleaning and laundry products are the next frontier of environmentalism," says Marci Zaroff, former publisher of Macrocosm and CEO of Under the Canopy, an organic fabric clothing company. "It's an inexpensive, easy and effective way to protect our planet and commitment to life."

Here are some options to get you started onto the path of "thinking green":

* CITRUS OILl; sold in health-food stores and home improvement stores, fills rooms with the smell of oranges and is far more pleasing to your nose (unless you like the smell of hospitals).

To clean or polish wood floors, dilute 1 c. of citrus oil in one gallon of hot water, and mop with a sponge. For floors that are greasy, simply use a stronger solultion. You can also clean kitchen counters and tabletops with this solution. Citrus doesn't strip the protective sealants. On porous surfaces like marble or granite, only use diluted oil and it should never be allowed to sit on a surface, always wipe it dry when finished.

* TEA TREE, THYME AND LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OILS: these have been proven to have more antiseptic in some studies than phenol, the most common chemical disinfectant. Many disinfectants contain chlorine, which reacts with organix matter in drinking water to produce potentially carcinogenic trihalomethane.

To make a natural disinfectant mix 20 drops of one of the above mentioned essential oils and 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Apply and let sit for 15 min. or until dry.

* BAKING SODA: Baking soda (or bicarbonate of soda), an alkaline substance is used in fire extinguishers, antacids, and sparkling water.

You can use it to clean your tubs, sinks, countertops in the kitchen and bath. Combine 3/4 c. baking soda, 1/4 c. of borax and enough diswashing liquid to make a smooth paste or if you prefer a pleasant smell, add 1/4 t. lemon juice to the paste; pour down your sink drain to deorderize and to unclog your drains you put 1/2 cup of baking soda in drain and add a cup of vinegar, wait 30min. and pour hot water down drain. I use this method once a month on all the drains in the house to keep them clear.

*BORAX: Borax, like is's close relative, boric acid, has relatively low toxicity levels, and is considered safe for general household use, but the powder can be harmful if ingested in sufficinet quantities by young children or pets. Keep it out of their reach.

Borax is toxic to plants, so in the yard be very careful when applying borax onto or near soil. It doesn't take much to leach into the ground to kill off nearby plants and prevent furture growth.

But it is great for rubbing out heavy sink stains, even rust in your stainless steel or porcelain sinks. Make a paste of 1 cup of borax and 1/4 cup of lemon juice, put some of the paste on a cloth or sponge and rub it into the stain, then rinse with running warm water, the stain should wash away with the paste.

You can also remove mildew from uphostery and other fabric by soaking a sponge in a solution of 1/2 cup of borax dissolved in 2 cups of water, and rubbing it into the affected areas. Let it soak in for several hours until the stain disappears, then rinse well. To remove mildew from clothing, soak it in a solution of 2 cups of borax in 2 quarts of water.

Want a way to clean your toliet bowl and leave it spakeling whiite without those dangerous fumes? Use a stiff brush to scrub it using a solution of 1/2 cup of borax mixed with a gallon of water.

VINEGAR: Vinegar is known as nature's most practical liquid and is so versatile that you can use it in the kitchen and bath, laundry and garden, housecleaning and car cleaning, even pet care and personal care.

Damp mopping with a mild vinegar solution is widely recommended as a way to clean wood and no-wax vinyl or laminate flooring. Be sure to check with the manufacturer of the flooring because even when diluted vinegar's acidity can ruin some floor finishes, and too much water will damage most wooden floors. But if you want to try vinegar on your floors, use 1/2 cup white vinegar mixed in 1 gallon warm water. You may want to start with a trial application in an incomspicuous area. Before applying the solution, squeeze out the mop sthoroughly (or just use a spray bottle to moisten the mop head).

To liven up dull wood paneling, mix 2 cups warm water, 4 tablespoons white or cider vinegar, and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a container, give it a couple of shakes and apply with a clean cloth. Let it soak in for several minutes, then polish with a dry cloth.

To keep your computer, printer, and other home office gear clean and dust free, dampen a clean cloth in equal parts white viegar and water, sqeeze it out well and start wiping. Before you start, make sure that your equipment is shut off, and never use a spray bottle; you don't want to get liquid on the circuis inside. Have a few cotton swabs on hand for getting into tight spaces (like between the keys of your keyboard).

To make a scratch on a wooden tabletop much less noticeable, mix some distilled or cider vinegar and iodine in a small jar and paint over the scratch with a small artist's brush. Use more iodine for darker woods; more vinegar for lighter shades.

To remove white rings left by wet glasses on wood furniture, mix equal parts of vinegar and olive oil and apply it with a soft cloth while moving with the wood grain. Use another clean, soft cloth to shine it. To get white water rings off leather furniture, dab them with a sponge soaked in full-strength white vinegar.

For the great outdoors, vinegar can get rid of bugs and ants or you can use it as an insect repellent and clean you outdoor funiture and decks.

Pour equal parts white vinegar and water into a spray bottle and spray it on anthills and around areas where you see ants. Ants hate vinegar, and it won't take long for them to move on. Also, you can spray picnic and children's play areas to keep ants away. If you have lots of anthills, pour full strength vinegar over them.

Going camping or fishing? Here's an old army trick to keep away ticks and mosquitoes: About three days before you leave, start taking 1 tablespoon cider vinegar three times a day. Continue throughout your outing and you just might return home without a bite.

Before resorting to bleach to remove mildew on your deck or your patio furniture, try these milder vinegar-based solutions.

*Keep full-strength white vinegar in a spray bottle and use it wherever you see mildew. The stain will wipe right off must surfaces, and the vinegar will keep it from coming back for a while.

*Remove mildew from wood decks and wood patio furniture by sponging them off with a solution of 1 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup white vinegar, and 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 gallon water. Use an old tootbrush to work the solution into tight spaces.

*To deodorize and inhibit mildew growth on outdoor plastic mesh furniture and patio umbrellas, mix 2 cups white vinegar and 2 tablespoons dishwashing liquid in a bucket of hot water. Use a soft brush to work it into the grooves of the plastic and for scrubbing seat pands and umbrella fabric. Rinse with cold water; then dry in the sun.

RUBBING ALCOHOL: Be sure to not confuse denatured alcohol with rubbing alcohol. Denatured alcohol to ethanol (drinking alcohol) to which poisonous and foul-tasting chemicals have been added to render it unfit for drinking. Often, the chemicals used in denatured alcohol are not ones you should put on your skin. Rubbing alcohol is made of chemicals that are safe for skin contact, most often it's 70 percent isopropl alcohol and 30 percent water.

Ticks hate the taste of rubbing alcohol as much as they love the taste of your dog. Before you pull a tick off Fido, dab the critter with rubbing alcohol to make it loosen its grip. Then grab the tick as close to the dog's skin as ou can and pull it straight out. Dab again with alcohol to disinfect the wound. This works on people too.

The problem with ice packs is they won't conform to the shape of the injured body part. Make a slushy conformable pack by nixing 1 part rubbing alcohol with 3 parts water in a sel-closing plastic bag. The next time that sore knee acts up, wrap the bag of slush in a cloth and apply it to the area.

This is just the tip of iceberg of ways to use eco-friendly products that you can make yourself. I have used most of these recipes for the past 10 years. They cost next to nothing to make and the results are fabulous. I use olive oil and vinegar to clean my furniture and I don't have to dust again for a month. The solution seems to repel dust, just mix the olive oil and vinegar like you would for a salad dressing.

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SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT WORK PLACE

SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT WORKPLACE

Each incident of sexual harassment of woman at workplace results in violation of "Gender Equality". The gender equality is includes protection from sexual harassment or abuse and right to work with dignity, which is a universally recognised basic human Right. A number of countries like U.S., U.K., Japan, Canada, Australia, India and several European nations have laws that prohibit sexual harassment at work place.

With more and more women coming out to complain about sexual harassment at the workplace, feminist groups suggest severe punishments and compensation to combat the situation. Sexual harassment of a female at the place of work is in compatible with dignity and honour of a female and needs to be eliminated and the there can be no compromise with such violations.

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination projected through unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favours and other verbal or physical conduct with sexual overtones whether directly or by implication, particularly when submission to or rejection of such a conduct by the female employee was capable of being used for effecting the employment of the female employee and unreasonably interfering with her work performance and had the effect of creating an intimidating or hostile working environment for her.

Any action of gesture, whether directly or by implication, aims at or has the tendency to outrange the modesty of a female employee, must fall under the general concept of the definition of sexual harassment.


SEXUAL HARASSMENT UNDER HUMAN RIGHTS PURVIEW:

Sexual harassment and sex discrimination are consider to be violation of Human Rights. All human rights derive from the dignity and worth inherent in the human person and the human person is the cultural subject of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The United Nations Organisation (UNO), keeping with its character to promote and encourage respect of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms for all without distinction, came out with an International Bill of Human Rights consisting of:

(a) Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948
(b) The International covenant on civil and Political Rights, 1966
(c) The International covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966 and
(d) The Optional protocol, 1966 providing for the right of the individual to petition International agencies.

The U.N.O. held that all human rights and fundamental freedoms are indivisible and interdependent; equal attention and urgent consideration should be given to the implementation, promotion and protection all human rights. The following are the principles on which the above charters were introduced:

1) All Human beings, without distinction, have been brought within the scope of human rights instruments.
2) Equality of application without distinction of race, sex, language or religion: and
3) Emphasis on international co-operation for implementation.

Article 1, 2 and 7 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 deals with equal in dignity, rights & freedoms and equal protection against any discrimination.

Article 1 : All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another n a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2 : Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this declaration, without distinction of any kind such as race, colour, sex language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status (first part of Art.2)

Article 7: All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration against any incitement to such discrimination (Second sentence of Art.7)

Part II of Article 2 (2) and 3 of International covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966 also deals with discrimination of any kind and equal right of men and women.

Article 2 (2) : The States Parties to the present covenant undertake to guarantee that rights enunciated in the present covenant will be exercised wi;thoud discrimination of any kind as to race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Article 3 : The States parties to the present covenant undertake to ensure the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all Economic, Social and Cultural Rights set forth in the present covenant.


SEXUAL HARASSMENT & SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION IN U.S. :

In the United States, two major federal laws prohibit sexual harassment in employment and educational settings, which are - Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 1964 and Title IX of the Education Act, 1972. These laws authorise federal agencies to investigate complaints of sexual harassment. They also permit victims to file law suits against employers or schools seeking to end the harassment and to obtain monetary compensation for the harm resulting from it. Many States have also adopted laws prohibiting sexual harassment. Title VII applies to employers with 15 or more employees including State and local Governments. It also applies to employment agencies and to labour organisations, as well as to the Federal Government.

Under U.S. laws, the unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has made certain parameters to test sexual harassment at work places.

· The victim as well as the harasser may be a woman or a man.
· The victim does not have to be of the opposite sex.
· The harasser can be the victim's supervisor, an agent of the employer, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker, or a non-employee, a teacher or professor, a student, a friend or a stranger.
· The victim does not have to be the person harassed but could be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.
· Unlawful sexual harassment may occur without economic injury to or discharge of the victim.
· The harasser's conduct must be unwelcome.

Perceptions differ about what behaviours constitute sexual harassment. However, typical examples of sexual harassment include sexually oriented gestures, jokes, or remarks that are unwelcome; repeated and unwanted sexual advances; touching or other unwelcome bodily contact; and physical intimidation. Sexual harassment can occur when one person has power over another and uses it to coerce the person to accept unwanted sexual attention.

Even, if the co-workers telling repeatedly the sexual jokes, posting pronographic photos, or making any unwelcome sexual innuendos to another co-worker is also sexual harassment. Both men and women can be harassers or victims of sexual harassment. However, researches indicate that women are more likely to be the victims. Approximately 15,000 sexual harassment cases are brought to U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission every year. Media and Governmental surveys estimate the percentage of women being sexually harassed in the U.S. workplace at 40% to 60%. The EEOC looks at the whole record the circumstances, such as the nature of the sexual advances, and the context in which the alleged incidents occurred. A determination on the allegations is made from the facts on a case-by-case basis.

Bernes Vs. Train (1974) is commonly viewed as the first sexual harassment case in America, even though the term sexual harassment was not used. In 1976, Williams Vs. Saxbe established sexual harassment as a form of sex determination when sexual advances by a male supervisors towards a female employee. In 1980 the EEOC issued regulations defining sexual harassment and stating it as a form of sex discrimination prohibited under Civil Rights Act, 1964. In 1986, in the case of Michalle Vinson Vs. Merit One Saving Bank, the Supreme Court first recognised sexual harassment as a violation of Title VII, established the standards for analysing whether the conduct was welcome and levels of employer liability.

Amendments to Civil Rights Act in 1991, added the provisions to Title VII protecting including expanding the rights of women to sue and collect compensatory damages for sexual discrimination or harassment.


SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN INDIA :

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed before Supreme Court of India, seeking gender justice for protection and enforcement of fundamental and human rights of working women. The PIL was mainly filed for the enforcement of fundamental rights of working women under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India. It was a class action by certain social activists and NGOs with the aim of assisting in finding suitable methods for realisation of the true concept of gender equality and to prevent sexual harassment of working women in all workplaces through judicial process and to fill vacuum in existing legislation. The Supreme Court of India in 1997 held that the working women have rights to gender equality, to work with dignity and to a working environment safe and protected from sexual harassment or abuse. Accordingly, the Supreme Court issued guidelines and norms for protection and enforcement of rights of the women at their workplaces. Further, the Supreme Court held that these guidelines and norms must be strictly observed in all working places by treating them as law declared under Article 141 of Constitution of India (The law declared by the Supreme Court shall be binding on all courts within the territory of India).

Sections 354 and 509 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 deals with assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty and the word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman. If there is any violations on women with regard to her modesty, the above sections will strictly apply and criminal proceedings will follow immediately on a complaint made to a nearest police station. The offences under section 509 are cognizable and are non-bailable.

Sec.354: Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty. – Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any woman, intending to outrage or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby outrage her modesty, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may be extend to two years or with fine, or with both.

Sec. 509 : Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman. – Whoever, intending to insult the modesty of any woman, utters any word, makes any sound or gesture, or exhibits any object, intending that such word or sound shall be heard, or that such gesture or object shall be seen, by such woman, or intrudes upon the privacy of such woman, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year; or with fine, or with both.

Apart from this, if a woman faces any kind of sexual harassment at workplace can directly make a complaint to the State Women Commissions or National Commission for Women. The Women Commission will follow-up the complaints, informs to concern police stations to initiate criminal proceedings and directs the employer to conduct an enquiry and recommend to suspend the concerned harasser with an immediate effect pending enquiry.

The victim of sexual harassment can claim damages/compensation on concerned harasser by way of filing a civil suit under civil jurisdiction.

The Constitution of India guaranteed fundamental rights to its citizens. When we compare provisions of the Constitution of India to that of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we find many Articles have the same spirit. Article 14, 15 and 21 of Constitution of India mentions key words on Equality before law, prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth and protection of life and personal liberty.

The Supreme Court of India for the first time in Vishakha and others Vs. State of Rajasthan and others (1997 (6) Supreme Court Cases 241) dealt with sexual harassment on women. The Supreme Court made the definition of sexual harassment and laid down certain guidelines. It also specified the duties of the employer, preventive steps, awareness of the rights of female employees and workers initiative to curb sexual harassment at workplace.

The Supreme Court said that, it shall be the duty of the employer or other responsible persons in workplaces or other institutions to prevent or deter the commission of acts of sexual harassment and to provide the procedures for the resolution, settlement or prosecution of acts of sexual harassment by taking all steps required.

For the purpose of definition of sexual harassment the Supreme Court said that, the sexual harassment includes such unwelcome sexually determined behaviour (whether directly or by implication) as :

(a) physical contact and advances;
(b) a demand or request for sexual favours;
(c) sexually – coloured remarks;
(d) showing pronogrphy;
(e) any other unwelcome physical verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature.

The Supreme Court of India rendered yet another Judgment on sexual harassment in AEPC Vs. A.K. Chopra (1999 (1) Supreme Court Cases 759). The case is about a woman employee of Apparel Export Promotion Council, who worked as the private secretary to A.K. Chopra, the Chairman of the company. She complained to the Personnel Director that the chairman was sexually harassing her. Despite her repeated protests, he was making sexual advances by 'trying to touch her' and 'sit close to her'. The company, immediately suspended him and ordered a departmental enquiry. The enquired confirmed female employee's position that the chairman tried to touch her with a sexual motive and the chairman was dismissed from service.

The chairman challenged the disciplinary committee order in Delhi High Court and the harasser was successful on the ground that the chairman only 'tried to molest' but did not 'in fact molest' the female employee. By shocking with the verdict, the company filed appeal before the same High Court which was heard by Division Bench (two member Bench). Interestingly, the Division Bench agreed with the findings of single judge and reiterated that the chairman not 'actually molested' the female employee.

As against the Judgment, the company once again filed an appeal in the Supreme Court. One of the issues that was deliberated at length by this court was " whether physical contact with the woman was an essential ingredient of a charge of sexual harassment ".

The Supreme Court while setting aside the High Court and upholding the dismissal of chairman held that:

a) The attempts by the superior to sit close to the female employee and touch her, though unsuccessful, would amount to 'sexual harassment'. The behaviour of the superior did not cease to be outrageous in the absence of an actual assault by the superior.

b) In the context of a female employee the sexual harassment at the work place is a form of sex discrimination which any be projected through unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favours and other verbal or physical conduct with sexual overtones, whether directly or by implication. This would be particularly so when submission or rejection of such conduct by the female employee could be used to affect her employment by unreasonably interfering with her work performance thereby, creating a hostile working atmosphere for her.

c) Where the conduct of a superior towards his junior female employee was wholly against moral sanctions and was offensive to her modesty, any lenient action would demoralise working women. Therefore, the punishment of dismissal from service was commensurate with the gravity of the superior's behaviour.

d) Each incident of sexual harassment at workplace violates the fundamental right to gender equality and the right to life and liberty guaranteed by the constitution of India. The fundamental right in a the Constitution cover all facts of gender equality including prevention of sexual harassment and abuse. The courts are under a constitutional obligation to protect and preserve those rights.

e) International instruments like Convention on Prevention of All forms of Discrimination Against Women, Beijing Declaration on Women and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights cast an obligation on the Indian Government to senitise its laws. The courts are under an obligation to see that this message is accepted and followed.


K.V.RAMANA MURTHY
ramanamurty9967@yahoo.co.in

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