How to Become A Licensed Electrical Contractor

What is involved in becoming a licensed electrician?

So you are thinking about becoming a licensed electrician. It is a very wise career choice. Electicity is a necessity for most people today, just think about how much people rely on it!

Electricians contribute to their communities by installing electrical wires, circuits, panel boards, and other equipment that provide the power, lighting, and cooling of the places we live and work. Electricians take pride knowing they possess skills in a trade that contributes to the on going operation of homes, businesses and the country.

Do You Have A Clear Head?

Contractors in the electrical trade experience a mentally and physically challenging work environment. Since live voltage can be a safety hazard it requires the electrician is able to think clearly and make good decisions.

Are You In Good Shape?

Physically exhausing work at times demands that an electrician be in good physical condition and is tolerant of working in extreme climatic conditions such as heat, cold, rain, and snow. You also need to be aware that you will be required to handle heights using ladders and scaffolds, risk of electrical shock, lifting and moving heavy objects.

Electrical contracting businesses need people that are focused on their personal and professional development. Some electricians learn the electrical trade by registering in an apprenticeship program, such as those offered by the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) or International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Others choose to begin their career by joining a small local contractor offering construction and maintenance service work. Many are willing to sweep as a helper for the opportunity to learn a skill that will serve them for a lifetime.

The Process of Becoming a Licensed Electrician

If you're considering a career in the electrical contracting industry you should have knowledge or learn basic mathematics, electronics, mechanical drawing, and have good vision in order to clearly identify colors of wire.

Becoming an electrician requires four to five years of on the job training and some time spent in a classroom through community and technical schools. Did you know that certain areas offer six week accelerated programs to get your class room training?

Once the individual has necesary on the job experience and academic knowledge, it's time to prepare for the electricians exam. These exams are basically the same as they share a common theme of testing applicants in electrical theory, practical knowledge and the National Electrical Code. The National Electrical Code, or NEC is considered the a cornerstone for electrical safety, and it is updated every three years. Keep in mind that each state has its own local laws, which would also be included in any tests and would vary depending on the applicant's location. There are several very good resources on-line that can help to prepare you for the test.

You Passed the Test, Now What?

You have taken the test and you've passed, congratulations. Records tell us that about only 15% applicants pass the exam on the first attempt. So don't think its hopeless if you do not pass the grade at first.

In order for you to begin your electrical contracting business you have a few more steps to follow. First, you need to obtain a general liability insurance policy. If someone were to get injured as a result of electrical work you completed, a general liability policy will help protect you from being sued. How much will this cost? For a small company with no employees this will cost you under twenty five dollars a week. Next, depending on the type of work you provide workmen's compensation may be necessary. If you have 3 or less employees you are not required to have this insurance. Despite this, some customers may insist that you to have this insurance to do their work.

You're up and running, Now what?

Since this is a state issued license, most states require continuing education to stay current in changes with the electrical and general construction industries. Two 4 hour classes are required per year to stay current with state requirements. This is requiredon a yearly bases. These classses usually run between $85 and $125 each. Some may even be done on the internet.



For more information on becoming a licensed electrician contact with your Secretary of State.

Are you looking for { Electrical Contractors Atlanta? CB Electric has Atlanta Electricians ready to help you with your electrical problems. For more information go to http://www.cbecompany.com/Customer.htm

You can find additional info at the following links:

Click Here for more information
Click Here for more information

DO you Need to Seal your Marble, Granite or other Porous Stones?

The answer is YES. All Stone surfaces need to be sealed. However many factors need to be considered when choosing the correct sealer. First, the type of stone. All stone is not created equal. How porous a stone is and how fast it absorbs liquids is called the absorption coefficient. This coefficient is extremely important when choosing a sealer. Granite generally will have a higher absorption coefficient than a polished marble. Limestone can be extremely absorbent. The higher the absorption coefficient, the more difficult it will be to seal the stone.

To get a general idea of how absorbent the stone is, place several drops of water on the surface of the stone and time how long it takes for the water to completely disappear. If the water disappears in under one minute, consider the stone very porous. If it take up to 3-4 minutes, consider it porous. If it takes more than 5 minutes, consider it slightly porous. This simple test will also give a good indication of the quantity of sealer needed to protect the entire area.

How do we protect stone and other porous materials from staining. There are so many sealers on the market today. Which ones are best? Which ones really work?

It can be very confusing trying to choose a sealer to protect stone. In the past several years, the stone restoration and janitorial industries have bombarded the market with hundreds of products to seal, protect and polish stone.

Fortunately, all of these products fall into only two major categories:
1. Coatings
2. Impregnators or penetrating sealers.

Coatings:
Coatings are sealers that place a sacrificial coating on the surface of the stone. This is a film that lays on top of the stone acting as a barrier to prevent water, oil and dirt from entering the pores of the stone. Coatings can be classified into two general types: 1. Strippable, 2. Permanent.

COATING OR IMPREGNATOR?
How do you make the determination between a coating or an impregnator?
They both have their advantages and their disadvantages. The following
summary should be studied carefully when choosing the proper product:

Coating-Advantages:
Coatings are sealers that place a layer on the surface of the stone.
1. Coatings are generally economical. The initial application is relatively low cost.
2. Coatings are generally easy to apply. Unskilled labor can learn to apply them in a short time.

Coatings-Disadvantages:
1. Since most coatings are typically softer than the stone itself, they will usually scratch, mar and scuff very easily, showing traffic patterns soon after application. This will require frequent buffing, burnishing or re-application.
2. Coatings can build up and can cause an unsightly appearance, producing an unnatural, wavy, plastic look to the stone.
3. Poor quality coatings can turn yellow. This is especially true if the stone is exposed to UV light.
4. Coatings require frequent stripping and reapplication. The chemicals and abrasives used in the stripping process may cause damage to the stone. Typically, certain stripping pads and stripping brushes can scratch some softer stones. Some wax strippers can harm certain stones such as agglomerates, eating away at the polyester binders.
5. Certain coatings may block the breathing capability of the stone. Moisture can become trapped below the surface and may lead to spalling.

Impregnators-Advantages:
1. Most impregnators will not change the appearance of the stone.
2. Most impregnators do not require frequent applications. Since the impregnator is below the surface, it will generally last several years before reapplication is necessary.
3. Most impregnators are not affected by UV light since they are below the surface where UV light cannot penetrate. For this reason they can be used outdoors.
4. Impregnators are typically hydrophobic, while some are oiliophobic.
5. Floors that have been impregnated are easier and less expensive to maintain than non-impregnated or coated floors because the stone is harder than the coatings.

Impregnators-Disadvantages:
1. Impregnators that are solvent-based smell bad and are flammable during application.
2. Solvent-based impregnators are harmful to the environment producing high VOC (volatile organic compounds).
3. The initial cost of most impregnators is relatively high.

When choosing the proper product for protection, the above guidelines should help. Always talk with the manufacture or distributor, and let them know where you plan to use their product. They can be very helpful if you tell them all the conditions that apply.

You can find additional info at the following links:

Click Here for more information
Click Here for more information

Safety Harnesses and The Correct Use of Shock Absorbing Lanyards

The Correct Use of Shock Absorbing Lanyards

Falls from height are one of the leading causes of death and serious injury in the work place, with a high personal cost to families and the subsequent financial cost to businesses. It is incumbent upon employers to mitigate this by either designing out the fall hazard or by providing adequate restraint or fall arrest systems.

A personal fall prevention or arrest system comprises of three components:

· An anchorage point

· Body harness

· Intermediate attachment - connecting (tethering) device between harness and anchor point

Two types of lanyard are available for working at height these are Non Shock Absorbing, and Shock Absorbing lanyards, the latter includes an energy absorbing element to reduce the fall arrest forces.

Fixed Length Restraint Lanyards - Non Shock Absorbing

In a fall restraint system, a lanyard connection is used between the anchor point and the body harness preventing the user from reaching the fall area. This type of lanyard is used exclusively as a tethering lead. An example would be using a restraint lanyard in a MEWP. If a non-shock absorbing type of lanyard is used the utmost care must be taken that it is not possible for the user to gain access to the fall area. A non-shock absorbing lanyard must never be used to arrest a fall, as the arrest forces will be too high without an energy absorber to lower those forces.

Shock Absorbing Lanyards

Alternatively a personal fall arrest system protects the user should they fall, by arresting the fall. In this system the connecting lanyard bears the greater forces during a fall. The strength of an anchor point can easily be identified with training, and the harness has its arrest forces distributed throughout the body and over many webbing components. A shock absorbing lanyard has only one strength member to withstand the fall forces and can easily be compromised by physical damage and incorrect storage. And yet it is not unusual for harnesses to be replaced more frequently by employers than the connecting lanyard.

Lanyards must be inspected frequently (see lanyard inspection later in this article)

There are two basic categories of shock absorbing lanyard, fixed length energy absorbing lanyard, and adjustable length energy absorbing lanyard.

Fixed length - shock absorbing lanyards

This type of lanyard is usually a webbing or rope lanyard which includes a shock absorbing element made from a specially woven inner webbing that smoothly tears, decelerating forces over a given length reducing the fall arrest forces to a level which is safe and avoids injury.

Fixed length shock absorbing lanyards are available in a variety of materials and choice is dependent upon the working environment and application. These materials are mostly: webbing (Nylon, and Polyester which has better chemical resistance than nylon), rope - which has better wear characteristics than webbing, and steel wire which has good abrasion and heat resistance properties but is dangerous around high voltage electrical hazards, and is not as user friendly.

At leading edge we have a preference for rope shock absorbing lanyards, as we believe they have better wear and strength characteristics and are less vulnerable to damage if the fall is over a sharp edge.

If a webbing lanyard sustains a cut on its edge the strength of the lanyard is greatly reduced, often to the point of failure in the event of a fall.

Fall distance - it's is not unusual for workers to greatly underestimate the clearance required when using fixed length shock absorbing lanyards. The shock absorbing element extends as it is deployed and decelerates. As a Guide when using 2M length lanyards the fall distance required (to provide adequate clearance to the fallen operative) is 5.2M when attached above head height, 5.75M when connected at shoulder height and 6.75M when attached at foot level. It is often difficult to judge the exact fall distance (even if it's known) to be sure there is sufficient clearance should the operative fall.

Do's and Don'ts - when using fixed length shock absorbing lanyards

· Lanyard length must not exceed 2M including energy absorber and connectors, shorter lanyards should be used if possible

· If the user needs to turn round under an anchor point a lanyard incorporating a swivel should be used to prevent the lanyard twisting.

· Never tie a knot in a lanyard to make it shorter, it reduces the lanyard strength up to 50%

· Lanyards should not be connected together to increase the lanyard length, as this will lead to increased fall distances higher and excessive fall arrest forces on the user, anchor points and lanyard.

Pros: Low cost, lightweight, easily portable.

Cons: fixed length- providing limited reach, often needing frequent repositioning, easily damaged-becoming unsafe. Operators require sufficient working height providing the necessary clearance to prevent hitting the lower surface in the event of a fall. Can be damaged if subject to cutting or high temperature burning

Adjustable Length - Shock Absorbing Lanyards

This type of lanyard allows an operative to work in restraint and work positioning, while providing back up fall arrest - should the user inadvertently misuse the equipment and put them within reach of the fall area.

The adjustable lanyard is available in lengths from 1M upwards (with fall arrest back up) providing plenty of scope for movement within the work area.

The adjustable lanyard is a rope based system it has a sliding cam fixed permanently on the rope in the correct direction of use, eliminating operator error. The cam's profile is designed to automatically bite against the rope immediately the operator releases the trigger setting the position on the rope. This allows the operative to set the length of his lanyard to limit his travel and provide restraint up to the maximum of his work area. It can be easily be adjusted as work and space demands.

In the event of a fall the aluminium cam acts as an energy absorber, arresting the fall within a matter of inches (tested to EN353) and arrest forces under 6kN (typically 3kN). The short fall distance results in a limited fall where the casualty is often conscious and without significant injury, allowing a speedy rescue, which is now recognised as critical to the wellbeing of the casualty.

Pro's & Con's

Pros: Low cost, lightweight, easily portable, fall distance clearance is greatly reduced (a few inches), works in restraint and fall arrest, easy adjustment for length allows maximum flexibility, comfortable very little pressure on workers back- unlike Inertia Reels-and can be used in both horizontal and vertical positions.

Cons: requires competent training before use, can be damaged if subject to cutting or high temperature burning. If using with fixed anchorage point in restraint, can be subject to pendulum effect the same as self retracting lifelines (inertia reels).

Selection considerations

Attention needs to be given to the HSE hierarchy of protective measures given in the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The highest in the provision is work equipment which prevents a fall, e.g. designing out the fall possibility or personal work restraint systems. A lower provision is work equipment which minimises the consequences of a fall, e.g. personal fall protection systems.

The type of work being carried out and the environment in which the work is being done has a great bearing on the selection of the connecting lanyard. The presence of oil, grease, acids, dirt, electrical hazards, even moisture need to be taken into account as do abrasion or exposure to UV .

Inspection

Fall protection and restraint lanyards deteriorate with age and use, regardless of brand or type. The strength of the lanyard can easily be compromised be physical damage such as cuts, abrasion, wear and excessive exposure to dirt, dust, oil, grease, acid, moisture, UV and improper storage.

Leading Edge recommend that operatives and employers attend a training course that covers equipment inspection as part of their working at height training, enabling operatives and employers to inspect webbing, rope and wire lanyards including the metal hard-wear for the following:

· Cuts

· Abrasions

· Broken stitching

· Swelling

· Unusual patterns

· Fraying

· Burns

· Chemical damage

· Weld Spatter

· Discolouration

· Deformed and damaged hardware including distortions, cracks, corrosion and pitted surfaces.

Workers are being killed and seriously injured by equipment which initially passed the required safety standards.

Correct lanyard selection and use is a key component in both fall prevention and fall arrest and it is important to bear in mind that in these systems the connecting lanyard bears the greater forces during a fall. Leading Edge strongly recommends that both management and operatives receive training to assist them in making the correct choices when selecting and using lanyards.

Current Legislation & Applicable Standards

EN 363 - fall arrest systems

EN 354 - lanyards

8432:2005 - code of practice for selection, use and maintenance of personal fall protection systems and equipment for use in the work place

Leading Edge safety height safety courses and equipment are specifically designed for anyone whose job requires them to work at height and involves using the necessary safety equipment required to do this.

5 EASY WAYS TO SAVE THE PLANET

You can find additional info at the following links:

Click Here for more information
Click Here for more information

5 EASY WAYS TO SAVE THE PLANET

You can find additional info at the following links:

Click Here for more information
Click Here for more information

11 Steps to Restaurant Operations Manual Creation

Restaurant operations manual should be the principal tool of every franchisee, and should be presented by the franchisor on or before the franchisee starts his or her franchise operations.

Now, make sure that your franchisee will be offered with an easy-to-understand manual so that he or she can operate his or her franchised business the manner you want it to be. The gain with this kind of operations manual is that, you the franchisor will be able to regulate your business, products, or offered services regardless of whoever franchised it or wherever its location may be (the customers & patrons will encounter & enjoy the same kinds of services & products as well, regardless of wherever franchise they go).

A well-written manual will help both parties (the franchisor & the franchisee) a good deal of profit & a smooth ordered operation and will also have an bearing to prospective franchisee because they'll be given a glimpse of what to expect if they decided to franchise your product or service.

Now, let's direct our attentions to writing our very own operations manual (particularly, restaurant operations manual) because though there are free templates in the web right now (try looking for it using your favorite search engine), still it's more advantageous for you & your business if you do it yourself (from scratch, if it needs to beÂ…) because you are the only one who understands the ins & outs of your business & the desired outcome you want from it, unlike those who've written those free online templates who only have a generalized idea/s of a particular business operation (some of them having no experience at all about daily operations & flows of business or anything business related because they are only hired writers & what-notÂ…).

So, let us now enumerate the basic details to be included in your manual:


Introduction

-Within this section (call it whatever you wantÂ…), you should include a brief history of your business (answering the average WH & H questionsÂ…), the mission & vision statements, the list of staff & important personas with absolute contact to the business, etcÂ…

Daily Operations

-Incorporated in this section are the detailed opening & closing procedures, shift management, daily food preparation procedures, restaurant maintenance procedures, etcÂ…

Customer Relations

-This chapter will confer how to deal with customers appropriately without offending anyone of them

Food Service Sanitation

-The appearance and ambiance of your restaurant is important so make sure you list down how to make a clean & neat surroundings, especially the kitchen areas.

Restaurant safety

-This refers to succeeding the requirements for a safe & secure establishment

Employee Administration

-This part contains the detailed sketch on the process of hiring employees, company policies, employee orientation & training, maintaining performance standards, employee relations, etcÂ…

Food & Beverage Management

-This chapter should enumerate the dos & don'ts when it comes to food handling and of course, the proper attires of the servers, staffs, & crews.

Financial Management

-Integrated in this section are: forecasting sales, accounting principles, opening accounting procedures, cash handling procedures, nightly accounting closing procedures, etcÂ…

Labor Management

-This refers to the proper handling of all labor force so the preferred objectives, incentive or bonus management can be achieved

Marketing

-The tips & tricks on how to produce customer interest for the service & foods being provided is discussed here

Restaurant Forms

-This refers to cook preparation sheet, customer complaint form, daily equipment maintenance form, accident/injury report form, inventory worksheet, kitchen checklist day or night, liquor order form, manager's log form, purchase order form, shift meeting notes, etcÂ…


That's it, that is all there is to it if you desire to write a complete operations manual!!!

Ultimately, you should always remember that your restaurant operations manual is an interactive & always changing type of manual -in short, always be set to update it once in a while or if the need arises so Happy writing & enjoy your franchising success!!!
http://www.franzoom.com/Articles/restaurant_operations_manual.html

How To Get A Tax Credit For Buying An Energy Efficient Garage Door

In these trying economic times, we are all looking for new ways to save a buck or two here or there. As it turns out, the recent stimulus bill signed by President Barack Obama came with some tax rebates for those folks looking to green up their homes. If you purchase and install a qualifying garage door during 2009 or 2010, you can receive up to $1,500 in tax credits. There are some conditions you need to meet, so keep reading to discover how this valuable tax rebate can be yours with the push of your garage door button.



While most people believe that the recent stimulus bill was written and signed to help create jobs to get the economy moving, there are actually several other aspects to the bill that can help put, or in this case keep, money in your pocket. The garage door tax credit can be claimed by anyone who purchases a garage door in 2009 or 2010. The rest of the qualifications are outlined below, but don't worry, when you get ready to invest in your garage door, the dealer should be able to tell you if your door qualifies. Many garage door makers are handing out certificates that guarantee your purchase will meet government standards.



According to the guidelines outlined in the stimulus package, the garage door you purchase and install must be insulated and it must be installed in an insulated garage. The door you choose must have a U-factor equal to or less than 0.30 (a U-factor is a measurement given to doors and windows that grade how efficient they are). The garage door must also have a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient equal to or less than 0.30. The garage door must have a way to control air infiltration and you should plan on using the door for five years or more. Finally, the government asks that the garage door be installed at the taxpayer's main residence, although the door doesn't have to be installed on an attached garage. Again, if all this sounds complicated, don't worry,both the manufacturer and the salesperson from the store where you purchase your garage door should have all the pertinent information for you.



While the total tax credit that you can receive from your door is $1,500, you may not qualify for the full amount. To calculate your tax credit, simply take 30 percent of the total material cost of your new door. Unfortunately, the cost of installation cannot be claimed. For instance, if you paid $2,000 for your new door, your tax credit would be $600. A tax credit is significantly better than a tax deduction, however, because it makes a greater impact on the total amount of tax you need to pay during that year. You will also be doing your garage, and possibly your entire home, a favor by choosing a product that is friendly to the environment.



If you have been putting off buying a new insulated garage door, now is the time to take advantage of this fantastic tax credit. Who knew going green would pay off so handsomely?





This article brought to you by Houston's Choice Overhead Garage Door Company Houston's Choice Overhead Garage Door Company has been in business for over 40 years and has become the number one choice for Houston's garage door needs. We specialize in repairs of existing and sales of new garage doors and garage door openers!

Video Source: Youtube

You can find additional info at the following links:

Click Here for more information
Click Here for more information

The Problem with Traditional Vegetable Gardening?

Traditional vegetable gardens require an enormous amount of hard work and attention - weeding, feeding and strict planting schedules. There is also the problem of seasonality, allowing beds to rest during the cooler months producing nothing at all. Then we are told to plant green manure crops, add inorganic fertilizers and chemicals to adjust imbalanced soils. It takes a lot of time, dedication and a year-round commitment to grow your own food the traditional way.

But does it really need to be that difficult?

Let me ask you this question. Does a forest need to think how to grow? Does its soil need to be turned every season? Does someone come along every so often and plant seeds or take pH tests? Does it get weeded or sprayed with toxic chemicals?

Of course not!

Traditional vegetable gardening techniques are focused on problems. Have you noticed that gardening books are full of ways to fix problems? I was a traditional gardener for many years and I found that the solution to most problems simply caused a new set of problems. In other words, the problem with problems is that problems create more problems.

Let’s take a look at a common traditional gardening practice and I will show you how a single problem can escalate into a whole host of problems.

Imagine a traditional vegetable garden, planted with rows of various vegetables. There are fairly large bare patches between the vegetables. To a traditional gardener, a bare patch is just a bare patch. But to an ecologist, a bare patch is an empty niche space. An empty niche space is simply an invitation for new life forms to take up residency. Nature does not tolerate empty niche spaces and the most successful niche space fillers are weeds. That’s what a weed is in ecological terms - a niche space filler. Weeds are very good colonizing plants. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t be called weeds.

Now back to our story. Weeds will grow in the empty niche spaces. Quite often there are too many weeds to pick out individually, so the traditional gardener uses a hoe to turn them into the soil. I have read in many gardening books, even organic gardening books, that your hoe is your best friend. So the message we are getting is that using a hoe is the solution to a problem.

However, I would like to show you how using a hoe actually creates a new set of problems. Firstly, turning soil excites weed seeds, creating a new explosion of weeds. And secondly, turning soil upsets the soil ecology. The top layer of soil is generally dry and structureless. By turning it, you are placing deeper structured soil on the surface and putting the structureless soil underneath. Over time, the band of structureless soil widens. Structureless soil has far less moisture holding capacity, so the garden now needs more water to keep the plants alive.

In addition to this problem, structureless soil cannot pass its nutrients onto the plants as effectively. The garden now also needs the addition of fertilisers. Many fertilisers kill the soil biology which is very important in building soil structure and plant nutrient availability. The soil will eventually turn into a dead substance that doesn’t have the correct balance of nutrients to grow fully developed foods. The foods will actually lack vitamins and minerals. This problem has already occurred in modern-day agriculture. Dr Tim Lobstein, Director of the Food Commission said. "Â… today's agriculture does not allow the soil to enrich itself, but depends on chemical fertilisers that don't replace the wide variety of nutrients plants and humans need." Over the past 60 years commercially grown foods have experienced a significant reduction in nutrient and mineral content.

Can you see how we started with the problem of weeds, but ended up with the new problems of lower water-holding capacity and infertile soils. And eventually, we have the potentially serious problem of growing food with low nutrient content. Traditional gardening techniques only ever strive to fix the symptom and not the cause.

However, there is a solution! We must use a technique that combines pest ecology, plant ecology, soil ecology and crop management into a method that addresses the causes of these problems. This technique must be efficient enough to be economically viable. It also needs to be able to produce enough food, per given area, to compete against traditional techniques.

I have been testing an ecologically-based method of growing food for several years. This method uses zero tillage, zero chemicals, has minimal weeds and requires a fraction of the physical attention (when compared to traditional vegetable gardening). It also produces several times more, per given area, and provides food every single day of the year.

My ecologically-based garden mimics nature in such a way that the garden looks and acts like a natural ecosystem. Succession layering of plants (just as we see in natural ecosystems) offers natural pest management. It also naturally eliminates the need for crop rotation, resting beds or green manure crops. Soil management is addressed in a natural way, and the result is that the soil’s structure and fertility get richer and richer, year after year. Another benefit of this method is automatic regeneration through self-seeding. This occurs naturally as dormant seeds germinate; filling empty niche spaces with desirable plants, and not weeds.

Unfortunately, the biggest challenge this method faces is convincing traditional gardeners of its benefits. Like many industries, the gardening industry gets stuck in doing things a certain way. The ecologically-based method requires such little human intervention that, in my opinion, many people will get frustrated with the lack of needing to control what’s happening. Naturally people love to take control of their lives, but with this method you are allowing nature to take the reins. It’s a test of faith in very simple natural laws. However, in my experience these natural laws are 100% reliable.

Another reason that traditional gardeners may not like this method is that it takes away all the mysticism of being an expert. You see, this method is so simple that any person, anywhere in the world, under any conditions, can do it. And for a veteran gardener it can actually be quite threatening when an embarrassingly simple solution comes along.

I have no doubt that this is the way we will be growing food in the future. It’s just commonsense. Why wouldn’t we use a method that produces many times more food with a fraction of the effort? I know it will take a little while to convince people that growing food is actually very instinctual and straightforward, but with persistence and proper explanation, people will embrace this method.

Why? Because sanity always prevailsÂ…

Â…eventually!

By Jonathan White, environmental scientist.
http://www.food4wealth.com/grow

You can find additional info at the following links:

Click Here for more information
Click Here for more information

10 ways to help the environment

You can find additional info at the following links:

Click Here for more information
Click Here for more information

Importance of a Hospital HVAC System

Hospital air conditioning and hospital ventilation systems are required to meet higher standards of performance and serve a greater function than those in standard buildings. A hospital HVAC system is probably the most vital application of HVAC technology in terms of human health, comfort and safety. Hospital HVAC system design presents unique challenges due to the level of demands placed on the it, the heating and cooling loads and the requirements for dependability and hygiene. A hospital air conditioning system also has the added challenge of integrating with a number of other complex systems not present in conventional buildings. In an emergency situation having an HVAC team who understands the unique requirements of a hospital HVAC system can literally be the difference between life and death for some patients.


Hospital Air Conditioning and Hospital Ventilation


In any building, part of the function of the HVAC system is to create a comfortable environment for occupants. There's no place where occupants can benefit more from comfort than a hospital. Like in other buildings, hospital air conditioning and hospital ventilation systems are tasked with controlling air temperature, air flow, air quality and humidity. In the case of a hospital HVAC system the importance of maintaining the environment goes beyond comfort. It's essential to the healing and recovery process. Hospital HVAC systems also work with in close coordination with specific medical practices. For example operating rooms have specific requirements that include pressurization and higher levels of air filtration in addition to temperature and humidity control. Other functions specific to hospital HVAC systems include:


• Emergencies Management-Hospital HVAC systems help to detect fires and eliminate smoke from exits and enclosures. Complex engineered smoke control systems may be needed to aid in pressurization control.


• Control of Infection-Hospital ventilations systems are one of many tools used to control the spread of disease within a hospital. Because hospitals and other medical facilities have elevated levels of pathogens, stringent controls are necessary for the safety of both patients and hospital staff.


• Control of Hazards-Medical facilities routinely produce fumes and chemicals that present health or safety hazards to patients and staff. Hospital ventilations systems are part of a filtration system that helps to control the concentration of contaminants to keep them at safe levels.


Hospital air conditioning and hospital ventilation requirements vary by facility. One thing that doesn't vary is the need for an expert HVAC team that understands the critical nature of hospital HVAC systems.

Safety in the Workplace: Be Rigorous, Not Ruthless

You may have read the book Good to Great, by Jim Collins. In his book he explains how many companies thought being good isÂ… well, “good enough.” In these times of constant change and global competition, it is important to always look for improvement --especially when it comes to safety.

Who wants to settle for “good enough” safety? In most cases, good means the company is willing to settle for an injury. “Good enough” safety means setting safety goals based on lagging indicators. (An example is to reduce lost time injuries by 10%.) Great safety means setting a rigorous goal of zero injuries. According to Collins, you want to be rigorous and not ruthless when growing your company. This same concept should also apply to safety in the workplace.

Is Your Safety Process Rigorous or Just Plain Ruthless?

Ruthless safety could be characterized as a company that tends to punish employees by verbally beating them over the head with the safety manual for getting hurt on the job. Don’t read this wrongÂ…every company must have a disciplinary policy to get the attention of employees who don’t understand the consequences of unsafe behavior. But to truly change behavior frontline leaders must always clearly identify the behavior required to prevent injuries. After all, the goal is “Nobody Gets Hurt.”

Rigorous safety could be characterized as clearly defined behaviors that workers are held accountable for that prevent known hazards from injuring them. If a worker continually proves that he or she has no intention of behaving safely, then disciplinary action must be taken. Rigorous safety means that leadership has the best interest of the employee at heart.

5 Factors for Rigorous Safety Leadership

Leading employees to behave safely on the job is not an easy task. During our 15 years of experience of consulting with top executives on Workplace safety, we have had many leaders tell us that if they had known leading employees to behave safely on the job was so hard to do, they might have turned down the position of supervisor, foreman or lead. Yet, there is hope.

Leaders from the frontline can be effective by learning about dealing with these five human factors:

1. Expectations:

Unspoken, unrecognized expectations in the workplace can lead to job frustration, substandard safety performance, decreased job safety commitment and even high turnover. Understand that most employees expect to have a workplace free of hazards. Workers have varying expectations when it comes to factors such as autonomy, work/life balance, career opportunities, stability, structure, and teamwork. The key is to learn what expectations the individuals in your organization have and then work with them to meet or, in some cases, adjust those expectations.

2. Communication:

Being a superb safety communicator is difficult to accomplish. Think about the people to whom you communicate safety requirements on a daily basis. You will notice some are strong in certain communication skills, but weak in other skills. Learn everything you can about your communications style and how it affects others – what impact do you have? If you don’t usually get a positive reaction from those around you, take a course in interpersonal skills.

3. Innovation:

Change, whether anticipated or unanticipated, can be difficult. To innovate, grow and improve a safety culture requires individuals who are able to see the big picture. Accept that change is a part of life and learn let go of the past and embrace and apply new techniques, technologies, and tools when appropriate.

4. Organization:

Safety innovation cannot be done without teams of people dedicated to hitting the goal: A Zero-Injury Workplace. Leaders must be able to organize a team and motivate it towards the goal. Imagine everyone leading each other to the goal of a zero-injury workplace.

5. Appreciation:

Great leaders accomplish great things. Great leaders appreciate the people who make things happen. Understanding how one reacts to certain situations as a leader is vital to being a successful leader.

Get Rigorous for a Bright Future

Becoming rigorous about safety is hard work, but it is rewarding. When a company and its leaders commit to improving their effectiveness with rigorous safety programs, employees are more motivated to behave safely so they can home to their families every day without injury. After all, no matter what level you are in the company, the goal is “Nobody Gets Hurt.” That’s a goal everyone can live with.

Dating Your Coworker or Boss, Is This A Good Idea?

That’s a million dollar question! Dating your coworker or boss, someone you see at least five days a week, eight hours or more a day, why not? Well, that depends if dating your coworker will create problems in the workplace for you. Probably not a good idea to date your boss, this could cause problems for you down the line.

Imagine, you’re in the company cafeteria talking to your coworker that you date. Sally and John just walked into the cafeteria and they immediately start staring and whispering to themselves about the both of you. You know they’re talking about you because they look in your direction continuously while they whisper.

You and the coworker you date, feel very uncomfortable with Sally and John’’s reaction to you having lunch together. You think to yourselves that it may have been a mistake for you to have lunch together in the cafeteria where you work.

You’re now going to be the topic of your other coworkers conversation you believe, thanks to Sally and John who are known in the workplace as the king and queen of gossiping at your job. Both of you now wonder if the two of you should be dating and what were you thinking when you decided to have lunch together in the company’s cafeteria.

What type of problems could dating your coworker or maybe your boss cause? Well, what if you get into an argument at home or while you are on a date, when you go back to work you have to see that person almost everyday! If that person is your boss, then you could possibly loose that promotion you worked so hard for or maybe you have to walk on eggshells while you’re at work! This could make you feel very uncomfortable.

Or, if you’re getting along well with the coworker or boss you’re dating, your coworkers may think when they see you together that you may be getting special treatment. Especially if the boss you are dating favors you and gives you a promotion. This could cause a problem for the both of you.

If you just have to date your coworker or boss, consider keeping your personal relationship outside of the workplace! When you participate in this type of relationship, keep it professional in the office and personal outside of workplace. This is key in keeping the work place rumor mill to a minimum on having information about you and your coworker dating.

Only you will know if dating your coworker or boss will be a good idea for you. If you don’t believe this will cause a problem, then go for it! There are many people that have found their soul mates in the workplace. So do what makes you happy, after all you are in control of your own destiny and love life.

Copyright 2006 Nocita Carter

Injuries caused by Vibrating Machinery

If you work around machinery or work with power tools, you could suffer a vibration injury. This is commonly called 'white finger' because the ends of the fingers and sometimes the entire finger goes white. It can also tingle and feel numb. People who are at greatest risk for this are construction workers, people who work in auto body shops, and those who are assembly workers, ground workers, mechanics, electricians, pipe fitters, polishers, and welders. White finger has been recognized as a legitimate disease since 1985 and is taken very seriously by many companies. Those who work in jobs where vibration injuries occur receive information about these kinds of problems so that they can lessen their chances of having difficulties with them. New regulations were put into place in 1993 when it came to health and safety in the workplace, and that has helped to reduce the number of white finger injuries.

Sometimes, vibration injuries can affect the entire body. Most often, however, it is only the hands and the fingers that are affected. One of the problems with this is that it stops people from working and also stops them from performing many of the basic tasks that they would do each day. Some people cannot receive any compensation, either, depending on when their injuries occurred and what kind of job they were in. Woodworkers, for example, do not receive compensation for injuries that occurred before 1991/1992 because the courts have ruled that companies did not know about the risk of injury until that point. This can be very frustrating to people who were in that profession before that time period and feel as though they were injured. safety regulations have been greatly improved, however, and those who suffer white fingers injuries now would be covered for these kinds of claims.

--
This article was written on behalf of the Vibrating tool helpline who offer accident compensation for white finger injury claims and raynauds disease related injuries

What Constitutes Racial Harassment and What Can You Do Against It?

Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, offensive conduct such as racial slurs, racial jokes, derogatory comments, or other verbal or physical behaviors based on a person’s race or color is prohibited and is considered racial harassment.

It does not matter if the act was done by a person of the same race, as long as the offensive conduct is aimed at an employee is based on his race, it would still constitute as a violation of the law.

It will be up to the plaintiff to prove that the said offensive act was consistently happening as a routine and the conduct resulted in an unreasonable abusive and offensive work environment that adversely affects the plaintiff’s ability to do his/her job.

Co-employee vs. Supervisor

Occasional incidents of offensive conduct by a co-employee based on race typically do not constitute a racial harassment case.

An act of a co-employee should really be offensive and consistent to affect one’s work. A single derogatory remark is not enough to create a hostile work environment.

However, if a supervisor or any person in the workplace who has significant authority over the employee says the same derogatory remark, the employee may take action against the said supervisor.

The effects of a remark from a co-employee and a supervisor are different from each other.

A derogatory remark or any offensive conduct based on race performed by a supervisor carries more weight compared to a remark or action from a person who is at the same level of the plaintiff because of the authority that comes with the position.

Being a target of harassment by a person of power in the workplace adds to the stress that the plaintiff experiences.

Employer’s Role in Preventing Racial Discrimination

Employers have a duty to their employees to keep the workplace free from racial harassment and discrimination.

• Employers should create and implement policies that will combat harassment and discrimination in the workplace. This should include the appropriate disciplinary actions that will be given to those who violate the policies.

• A grievance system should be in place so that there is an avenue for employees to complain about any offensive conduct that is based on race.

• Complaints and reports about racial harassment should be investigated.

• All employees should also be educated and made aware of the policies and the grievance system of the company.

What should an employee do?

Remember that the burden of proof is on the victim so it will be up to you to prove that the actions taken against you constitute racial harassment.

Here are some tips:

• Keep a record of every incident. Keep an ongoing journal of each incident and keep evidences like emails, voice mails, pictures, etc.

• Attempt to resolve the issue with the offending party by telling him/her how you feel about his/her actions and that he/she should stop.

• Know the company’s policies about racial harassment and the company grievance system. If the racial harassment continues, you can follow the protocols set by the company.

• If no actions are taken by the company and the offensive behavior is tolerated by management, then you can file a case of racial harassment with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Make sure to bring present the record and evidences you kept of the offensive conduct.

• Hire a racial harassment attorney to represent your case with the EEOC.