Deadly Higher Radon Gas Amounts - 3 Indicators Your Dwelling Has Them

By far the biggest source of radon is located all around and under your home in the soil, but this deadly gasoline can also current in the air, building supplies, and public and non-public drinking water supplies.

How is Radon Measured?

Given that radon is invisible and odorless it can only be detected and measured working with radon particular detection products and devices. Radon detectors are fairly common in the United States and Canada and can be obtained at most hardware stores and house building centers.

Most radon detectors are typically placed in a property for a number of days, and then sent to a lab in which your home's radon ranges will be analyzed and established. There are additional expensive designs of radon detectors on the industry that can be set up in your household by a expert. Whether a quick expression test that stays in the household for a very few days, or a prolonged phrase test that remains in the house for above 90 days. Whichever you favor!

Does My House Have Elevated Radon Ranges?

Radon tends to move through the soil, so any house owner with a dirt crawl space beneath their house, may be uncovered to the higher amounts of radon. On the other hand, houses with concrete foundations can also have higher ranges of radon. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends an action stage of 4. picocuries per liter (pCi/L).

This radioactive gasoline can enter a home through the smallest crack in the walls and floor of your home's basis, as a result of utility lines, and even drains and sump openings. Radon is not just limited to the basement or crawl area of your dwelling. It speedily travels upstairs into your main residing area.

What Are The Wellness Effects of Radon Exposure?

In accordance to the EPA, smokers who have been uncovered to radon have a bigger possibility of producing lung cancer. Having said that, radon induced lung cancer also kills lots of people who have in no way smoked or been hugely affected by 2nd hand smoke, all of us is at risk. However, studies have also demonstrated that children are at a larger overall health risk of creating health results because of to radon publicity, in comparison to grown ups.

What Are the Signs or symptoms of Radon Poisoning?

Research display that radon leads to some of the greatest numbers of lung cancer instances during the United States. A persistent cough, respiratory problems, hoarseness, breathing problems, and respiratory infections are all widespread indications of radon fuel poisoning.

Recognizing Radon Poisoning

Radon poisoning generally occurs the place there are superior ranges of radon fuel. This commonly happens when a man or woman is frequently subjected to badly ventilated crawl spaces, mines or basements.

Radon originates by way of a decaying method that releases little radioactive particles, and when inhaled can start to deplete lung tissue resulting in lung cancer.

How Do I Guard My Spouse and children Versus Radon Poisoning?

The United States Surgeon Normal workplace suggests that homeowners periodically examination their residences for radon in buy to stay on top of the situations. Radon amounts can adjust on a everyday basis due to the fact of improvements in soil composition, weather conditions, encapsulation, and a lot more. Have your residence examined and mitigated. If you have any suspicions or problems about radon induced lung cancer, be guaranteed to get tested for lung cancer.

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Harmful Effects of PCBs on the Body

Completely colorless to light, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)are a compound mixture of over 200 different congeners. PCBs are no longer being produced because of the harmful contaimination toxicity that can occur but at one time the mixture was commercially produced for electrical equipment like transformers and capacitors because of the ability for PCBs to act as insulators since they do not burn easily.

The manufacture of PCBs was stopped in the U.S. in 1977 because of evidence that PCBs build up in the environment and could cause harmful health effects. Items such as fluorescent light fixtures that were produced prior to 1977 may be a potential for PCB contamination.

What happens to PCBs when they enter the environment?

PCBs entered air, water and soil during their manufacture, use and disposal; from accidental spills and leaks during their transport; and from leaks or fires in products containing PCBs. PCBs can still be released to the environment from hazardous waste sites; illegal or improper disposal of industrial wastes and consumer products; leaks from old electrical transformers containing PCBs; also incinerating some wastes. PCBs do not readily break down in the environment and thus may remain there for very long periods of time. PCBs can travel long distances in the air and be deposited in areas far away from where they were released.

While water contamination can occur, many PCBs dissolve or stick to the bottom sediments or attach themselves to organic particles. Similarly, soil is another compound that PCBs bind to. PCBs are taken up by small organisms and fish and they are also taken up by other animals that eat these aquatic animals as food. PCBs accumulate in fish and marine mammals, reaching levels that may be many thousands of times higher than in water.

How might I be exposed to PCBs?

Exposure to PCBs may occur if old fluorescent lighting fixtures and electrical devices and appliances, such as television sets and refrigerators, that were made 30 or more years ago, are used. These fixtures, devices, and appliances may leak small amounts of PCBs into the air when they get hot during operation and also could be a source of skin exposure.

People can be exposed to PCBs by eating contaminated food. The main dietary sources of PCBs are fish (especially sport fish caught in contaminated lakes or rivers), meat and dairy products. Another way to become exposed to PCBs is through contaminated well water or air near a waste site. Employees may be exposed to PCBs. In the workplace during repair and maintenance of PCB transformers; accidents, fires or spills involving transformers, fluorescent lights and other old electrical devices; and disposal of PCB materials.

How can PCBs affect my health?

Acne-like skin rashes are a side effect of PCBs exposure in adults, for children, the side effects are much worse seriously affecting neurobehavioral and immunological changes. PCBs are known to cause cancer in animals.

The most commonly observed health effects in people exposed to large amounts of PCBs are skin conditions such as acne and rashes. Liver damage may occur in exposed workers and can be found when testing blood and urine levels. PCB exposure in the general population is not likely to result in skin and liver effects. Most of the studies of health effects of PCBs in the general population examined children of mothers who were exposed to PCBs.

Animals that ate food containing large amounts of PCBs for short periods of time had mild liver damage and some died. Animals that ate smaller amounts of PCBs in food over several weeks or months developed various kinds of health effects, including anemia; acne-like skin conditions; and liver, stomach and thyroid gland injuries. Other effects of PCBs in animals include changes in the immune system, behavioral alterations, and impaired reproduction. PCBs are not known to cause birth defects.

How likely are PCBs to cause cancer?

Few studies of workers indicate that PCBs were associated with certain kinds of cancer in humans, such as cancer of the liver and biliary tract. Rats that ate food containing high levels of PCBs for two years developed liver cancer. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has concluded that PCBs may reasonably be anticipated to be carcinogens (substances that cause cancer). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have determined that PCBs are probably carcinogenic to humans.

Is there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to PCBs?

Tests exist to measure levels of PCBs in your blood, body fat, and breast milk, but these are not routinely conducted. Most people normally have low levels of PCBs in their body because nearly everyone has been environmentally exposed to PCBs. The tests can show if your PCB levels are elevated, which would indicate past exposure to above-normal levels of PCBs, but cannot determine when or how long you were exposed or whether you will develop health effects.

Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health from exposure to PCBs?

The EPA has set a limit of 0.0005 milligrams of PCBs per liter of drinking water (0.0005 mg/L). Reports to the EPA of PCB spill or accidental releases of 1 or more pounds must occur. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that infant foods, eggs, milk and other dairy products, fish and shellfish, poultry, and red meat contain no more than 0.2-3 parts of PCBs per million (0.2-3 ppm). Many states have established fish and wildlife consumption advisories for PCBs.

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The KEY to surviving natural disaster is to be prepared!

Natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes can strike at anytime or any place without warning. They can destroy homes and businesses and even take lives. But the key to any sort of natural disaster, like earthquake or flood, or even a bioterrorist attack is to BE PREPARED.

The old Boy Scout Motto "Be Prepared" applies to virtually any situation. So being prepared means a lot of things and takes a lot of preparation. One thing you can do is create emergency survival kits. If you live in an area prone to earthquakes, prepare an earthquake survival plan and create a survival plan. What will you eat, where will you stay, how will you contact loved ones after the earthquake. Keep supplies of canned and dried food on hand, tons of water, along with plenty of batteries, and even a "go-bag" which has clothes and toiletries for each member of the family. An emergency kit is also good in areas with hurricanes, and flooding. Pack the kit with items you think you might need to last you and your family 3 to 4 days, which is usually the response time for emergency management services.

The kit should include canned food, water, radio and flashlights. It might be a good idea to put some books, and activities for small children to keep them occupied during down time and a deck or two of cards to keep the adults busy as well. Also make copies of important documents and seal them in a waterproof plastic bag to keep in the kit. This is just in case you have to evacuate your home because it was destroyed or deemed unsafe. Copies of important paperwork can speed along red tape processes.

One of the most important items to keep in an emergency survival kit is a first aid kit. A first aid kit can be as basic or extensive as you would like, but should at least have all the necessities such as bandages, antiseptic, gauze, and basic suturing kit. One of the most important survival elements that can not be found in the first aid kit is CPR certification. Every adult should know CPR. Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an important lifesaving skill that can help in any natural disaster situation. It can be used to prolong life until emergency services arrive, and performed properly it can save lives.

The best way to learn to perform CPR properly is take a CPR certification class through a qualified CPR training program, like www.CPRAEDCourse.com. They have qualified instructors in an online training environment to produce nationally certified CPR certification classes. Anyone with the potential to be in a natural disaster, from flood, to earthquake, from hurricane to tornado should be CPR certified and prepared. An online CPR classes, like those available at www.cpraedcourse.com can help you "Be Prepared."

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Nature versus Nurture

The nature vs. nurture debate is one of the biggest debated issues in the child development theory. Which has more bearing on a child’s development, environment or genetics? This debate is “of the degree to which environment and heredity influences behavior” (Feldman, 2003) and whether “a child’s development is governed by a pattern built in at birth”, which is Nature, or whether it is shaped by experiences after birth”, defined as Nurture (Bee, 2000). No theorist has quite yet determined which of the two define a person’s actual behavior style, their have been many disputes whether one theory has the most influence, but no actual determination of the best theory. The Nature vs. Nurture debate has brought most theorists, researchers and teachers, to ask, "Why are people the way they are?" We wonder: Were we born that way? Were we injured by someone or something? Is it cultural? Did our parents raise us that way?” (Thurber, 2003).

Nurture theorist feel that children learn as they grow and develop their personalities based on what they have learned throughout their life or the environment that they were raised in. It is impossible for one to grow up and not be influenced by their environment. “Recent behavioral genetic research has shown that genetic propensities are associated with individual differences in experiences and thus, what may appear to be environmental effects can reflect genetic influence” (Gilger, 2001). Advocates of the Nurture theory feel that learning is a step by step process that is acquired though out a child’s life. Psychologist Robert Feldman (2000) explains, “Environmental factors play a critical role in enabling people to reach the potential capabilities that their genetic background makes possible. Had Albert Einstein received no intellectual stimulation as a child and not been sent to school. It is unlikely that he would have reached his genetic potential” (Feldman, 2000). Nurture is the basis for figuring out the question of why we become who we are.

The importance of one’s environment is recognized as early as the gestational stages of life. Pregnant women are advised to use caution while they are expecting because of the idea that the intrauterine environment can affect the unborn child positively or adversely. Pregnant woman have to make sure they receive proper nutrition, exercise carefully, and not smoke or use drugs. These are precautions that are taken in order to control the environmental impact on the fetus. Environment affects our behavior even in the early stages of our lives (Feldman, 2000).

While many parents would like to believe that the type of environment that they create for their children will determine what type of person their child will grow up to be, many behavior psychologists would disagree. Since the late 1800’s scientists have been perplexed by this issue and have conducted studies on siblings, identical twins and fraternal twins in efforts to determine which factor has the most bearing on the molding of a child’s brain. Studies have consistently shown that as much as 50 percent of all temperamental and behavioral tendencies are determined by genetics (Glass, 1999). These traits include extroversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, conscientiousness and openness to experience. IQ studies show the most genetic influence of 80 percent (Glass, 1999).

Studies of twins separated at birth and raised in different environments show that the twins still end up more alike than many would predict supporting the argument that genetics play a large role in personality development (Glass, 1999). Most behavioral scientists will admit that all behavioral traits are partly heritable (Pinker, 2003). Twin studies have also revealed differences in twins reared in the same environment. One twin may be shy, while the other is extroverted. This finding shows that genes are not everything and that there are other factors that determine one’s personality that can not be explained by family environment (Pinker, 2003). Some scientists feel that the other factor that influences a child’s behavior is the unique environment that children create for themselves (McEluwe, 2003). The unique environment includes the peer groups that children seek out. For example, smart children will seek out the brainy group while aggressive children will seek out the punks. However, some scientists will say that the decisions a child makes in determining their unique environment are also determined by their genetic makeup, strengthening the argument of Nature being the prevailing influence on personality makeup (McEluwe, 2003).

Although behavioral scientists have determined that genetics play a large role in personality development, they have yet to determine how genes interact to determine a particular personality trait. What scientists have found is that there does not appear to be a single gene for a particular trait, but that genes show their effects by working together in complex combinations (Pinker, 2003). For example, there is no single gene for musical talent. Whether a child will be musically inclined will be determined by the way that child’s genes interact with one another. Some parents would like to believe that by creating an environment rich in music while the child is young will develop the child’s talent towards music. However, despite assumptions like this, there is no evidence that shows long term effects of growing up in a particular environment (Pinker, 2003).

Whichever side of the nature vs. nurture debate one favors, one can not entirely exclude one side over the other. Research has shown evidence that both a child’s genetics and environment will have some influence on that child’s personality development. This debate is not new. Philosophers have explored both sides of the debate for centuries. Recent studies show that many traits are heritable, however the question of whether genetics or environment have the most bearing on a child’s development still perplexes theorists. There is also the question of how many heritable traits remain dormant due to a child’s environment. Although there are convincing arguments for the importance of each factor, it must be recognized that both environment and genetics will ultimately have some bearing on a child’s development. As adults responsible for our youth we must take whatever measures we can to ensure that our children are given the best possible environment to cultivate their young minds to their highest potential.

References

Bee, H. (2000). Child and Adolescent Development (9th ed.) [e-text]. Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing.

Feldmen, R. (2000). Essentials of Understanding Psychology (4th ed.). Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts.

Glass, J. (1999, December). Nature vs. Nurture. Parenting, 13, 156.

Gilger, J. (2001, November/December). Genotype” Environment Correlations for Language-Related Abilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 34 (6), 492.

Pinker, S. (2003, January 20). Are your genes to blame? Time, 161, 198.

McEluwe, C. (2003, December 30). Nature-Nurture debate; Slate asserts personality decided by inherited traits. The Charleston Gazette. Pp. 5A.

Thurber, C. (2003, January/February). Nature and Nurture: Human Behavior. Camping Magazine, 76 (1), 32.

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Ten Critical De-Escalation Skills

Being able to de-escalate one's own and the anger of others is an important skill to have in business. Hopefully, this is not something the reader deals with on a regular basis but unfortunately most people in business encounter either their own anger or the anger of others more frequently than they would like.

In order to be successful at de-escalating anger, a person must understand and become skillful in the following areas.

Prevention Steps:

1. Recognize that anger is a choice of a wide range of behaviors that could be used to get what one needs in a situation. It is a behavior that has benefit for its user. Anger can get people the attention they need, help them escape things they don't want to do, help them gain control over another person or situation, or pump them up when they are feeling small and insignificant.

2. The person interacting with the angry person must identify his or her own emotion at any given point in time. If the helping person is also experiencing anger, then that person will not be very effective assisting others to manage theirs.

3. When potential interventionists are experiencing anger, they must be able to change what they are doing or thinking to get their emotions under control or seek the assistance they will need to manage the situation.

4. Perform a quick self-assessment. A potential helper must ask the following questions. Can I avoid criticizing and finding fault with the angry person? Can I avoid being judgmental? Can I keep from trying to control the other person into doing something he or she doesn't want to do? Can I keep myself removed from the conflict? Can I believe that the people using anger have the right to make decisions and choices about how they meet their needs and that they have within them the ability to make those decisions? Can I try to see the situation from the angry person's point of view and understand what need or needs he or she is trying to satisfy? And finally, can I remember that my job is to place the healing of relationships as my primary concern?

If the listener can't answer these questions in the affirmative, then he or she will need assistance in managing the person who is expressing anger.

5. Recognize early warning signs. Many incidents of anger could be prevented if those who are around a person about to become angry notice the subtle change in the person's behavior. Quiet people may become agitated; while louder, more outgoing people generally become quiet and introspective. Paying attention to these subtle changes and simply commenting on the change could help the individual talk about things so he or she wouldn't have to become angry.

Prevention goes a long way. However, there still will be times when you don't notice the early warning signs or when your first encounter with the person occurs when they are already in an angry state.

Also, it's possible that you will do everything right in this prevention phase and angry people will still choose anger as their best chance for getting what they want. When any of these situations occur, the listener will need to employ one or all of the five de-escalation skills.

Intervention Steps:

6. Active listening is the process of really attempting to hear, acknowledge and understand what a person is saying. It is a genuine attempt to put oneself in the other person's situation. More than anything, this involves LISTENING! Listening means attending not only to the words the other person is saying but also the underlying emotion, as well as, the accompanying body language.

By simply providing a sounding board and a willing ear, a person's anger can be dissipated.

7. Acknowledgement occurs when the listener is attempting to sense the emotion underlying the words a person is using and then comments on that emotion. The person may say something like, "You sound really angry right now!" By acknowledging and really trying to understand what the angry person is feeling, that person becomes able to release a lot of the aggression.

8. Agreeing---often when people are angry about something, there is at least 2 % truth in what they are saying. When attempting to diffuse someone's anger, it is important to find that 2 % of truth and agree with it.

When someone is angry and the listener attempts to reason with the person, his or her efforts will be largely ineffective. When the listener agrees with the 2% of truth in the angry person's tirade, he or she takes away the resistance and consequently eliminates the fuel for the fire.

9. Apologizing is a good de-escalation skill. I'm not talking about apologizing for an imaginary wrong. I am talking about sincerely apologizing for anything in the situation that was unjust. It's simply a statement acknowledging that something occurred that wasn't right or fair.

This can have the effect of letting angry people know that the listener is sincerely sorry for what they are going through and they may cease to direct their anger at the person attempting to help.

10. Inviting criticism is the final of the de-escalation skills. In this instance the listener would simply ask the angry person to voice his or her criticism of the listener or the situation. The person intervening might say something like, "Go ahead. Tell me everything that has you upset. Don't hold anything back. I want to hear everything you are angry about."

This invitation will sometimes temporarily intensify the angry emotion but if the listener continues to encourage the person to vent his or her anger and frustration, eventually, the angry person runs out of complaints. Just let the angry person vent until the anger is spent.

Even when using the above ten skills, there may be a rare occasion when the listener is unsuccessful in the attempts to decrease the other person's anger. The listener's safety should be the primary concern. The listener should not get between the angry person and his or her only means of escape and shouldn't allow the angry person to block the listener's only means of escape.

Anyone intervening in an emotionally charged situation should always have a plan or an established way to get help if needed and remember to always stay calm. An angry person is generally someone capable of getting out of control. When out of control people sense they are intimidating and scaring others, it can increase their sense of power and control, resulting in an escalation of the situation. The helpers must stay calm and act as if they are in control of themselves and the situation.

Should you want Coaching for Excellence to provide staff development for your employees in de-escalation skills, simply contact Kim at 708-957-6047, email her at Kim@CoachingforExcellence.biz or log on to the website at http://www.coachingforexcellence.biz.

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Canadian Regulations and MSDS Authoring Software

By both Canadian and American law, hazard information pertaining to harmful chemicals must be transmitted on Material safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) that must be distributed to the customer at the time of first shipment of the product. Although regulatory laws may appear universal among the two countries, there are different regulatory companies which chemicals within each country, regardless of whether they are in transit, need to comply with. MSDS authoring may become confusing at this point, as it is nearly impossible to know every countries guidelines, therefore purchasing a current MSDS authoring software is strongly recommended.
According to Canadian federal regulations, chemical manufacturers and importers are required to update material safety data sheets within three months of learning about new or significant information pertaining to the chemical's hazard potential. It is mandatory for a company to update any pertinent material safety data sheets a minimum of every three years, according to Canada's WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems) standards. The WHMIS supplier MSDS and label requirements are more prescriptive than those set out under the U.S. OSHA HCS. If there is no new information on a particular controlled product within three years, the product information and MSDS must be checked, signed and dated in an effort to comply with all regulations.
Within Canada, all information, including hazard symbols, which must be disclosed on a WHMIS supplier label must be translated in both English and French and must be enclosed within a "hatched" border. For companies who are not aware of this process a MSDS authoring software will provide details.
Many companies attempt to avoid proper MSDS authoring by simply providing the information on the internet, however this practice is not appropriate in every situation. Making a MSDS available on the internet without ensuring that the purchaser is able to access this information does not comply with federal or global regulations. According to WHMIS, using the internet to transmit MSDS would be acceptable if the supplier is able to prove that the purchaser has downloaded the complete and correct MSDS, the MSDS sheet was obtained at the time of the sale of the controlled product or chemical, and the downloaded material safety data sheet file is readable. For companies interested in using the internet for MSDS authoring, MSDS authoring software will make this process quick and easy, saving the company potential problems. In an effort to satisfy federal regulations, written confirmation may be provided to the supplier from the purchaser specifying that the above conditions have been met.
When new information becomes available for a chemical, controlled product, an ingredient in that product, the supplier must revise the MSDS. All revisions must be made before selling the product; however it is not mandatory for a supplier to send a revised MSDS to a previous customer in the absence of a subsequent sale to that customer.

After the MSDS authoring has been finalized, chemical manufacturers and importers must obtain a material safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical they produce or import. Employers must also have a material safety data sheet in the workplace for each hazardous chemical which they use.

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Canadian federal regulations pertaining to MSDS authoring are different than the U.S.A. regulations. For more information on global regulations or if you are looking for MSDS authoring software, contact MSDS Compliance.

Ergonomic: Human Factors and Work Design Principles

Ergonomics and human factors are terms often used synonymously. Both describe the interaction between the worker or operator and the work interface. Both are concerned with trying to reduce work stress in the work place. Ergonomics traditionally has focused on how the work affects people and how to fit the worker to the work. This focus includes assessing the workloads, physiologic responses to the workloads, anthropometrics and biomechanics. In contrast, human factors engineering traditionally has been more focused on the man-machine interface, or human engineering. In other words, how to make the process flow more efficiently with less human error. Human factors engineering, traditionally has focused on human size and behavior stereotypes relative to the work interface including the work area and equipment design.



Goals of Human Factors Engineering

The goals of human factors engineering are to reduce the potential for human error, reduce effort and enhance worker performance. The application of human factors engineering design to ergonomics in the workplace can range from product size and configuration to the execution of manufacturing systems. The goal of human factors engineering is to create a transparent interface between the workers and the tools and equipment that they use to construct products or provide services. By designing a worker-work interface that falls within the worker's physical and cognitive capabilities, and by reducing the exposure to risk factors, which may contribute to musculoskeletal injuries, work-related injuries and accidents will be minimized. In addition, work interfaces, when well designed will result in predictable human behavior patterns that will be routine and systematic, thus resulting in a reduction of human error and the enhanced quality and consistency of worker performance.



Population Stereotypes

Human factors design uses engineering psychology, the study of designing systems, based on the information processing capabilities of the human mind. Engineering psychology is based on the premise that human behavior is predictable, and as a result, uses this behavior to design the most efficient work stations with the least amount of potential for error. When a work interface is designed well, the work performed at this interface will be routine and consistent. This concept applies to all work activities, whether it involves the controlling of automated equipment or the creation of products on an assembly line. This is because the work interface is easy to read or interpret and there is little distraction or confusion that may result in worker error or injury. When a work interface is poorly designed, the interface is difficult to read or interpret and may be confusing for some workers. In this situation, there is a higher probability for the workers to perform less efficiently, by working harder and making more mistakes! In effect, performing less efficiently. Over time, this over working will cause fatigue and over stress the muscles and joints, thus lead to an increased incidence of musculoskeletal injuries. The consequences of injuries and errors on the production line are lower production rates and lower quality of the product or service.



In order to enhance worker performance, reduce worker stress and fatigue and at the same time minimize human error, the work interface must be designed in such a way that the work will be performed routinely and consistently. In other words, the work interface must be well designed. The design of work interfaces is really the design of how to transfer information. Information is transferred from the system operator via a control mechanism. Control mechanisms can include keyboards, computer mice, levers, buttons, switches, steering wheels, or cranks. Information is also transferred from a work interface to the worker. A worker reads a computer screen, sign or control panel and uses this information to adjust equipment, enter data, or monitor production levels. Performance is dependent on how fast and easy the information transfer process is. This level of performance can be enhanced if the controls operate as one expects them to, ie they follow population stereotypes.



Population stereotypes are based on outcome predictions. These stereotypes evolved from observing and studying human behavior outcomes in response to certain situations. Population stereotypes are based on the premise that people expect things to behave in certain ways when they are operating controls or when they are in certain environments. Population stereotypes are then used to design interfaces that result in predictable human behavior and safe and efficient work practices. This use of predictable human behavior or population stereotypes will also help to minimize human errors and thus enhance worker performance. Some examples of population stereotypes include the following:



• Color choices- Red signifies "stop" or "danger", yellow signifies "warning" "slow" or "caution", and Green signifies "go". Flashing lights tend to indicate "warning" or "alert".

• The "up" position of a switch signifies "on", the "down" position signifies "off".

• The "up " position signifies "start", the "down" position signifies "stop".

• Rotary controls are expected to turn clockwise for "on" positions, and counterclockwise for "off" positions.

Human Error

The goals of human factors engineering are to reduce the potential for human error, reduce effort and enhance worker performance. There are three types of human error, observed in the work setting. All three occur, and all three have the same outcome, which may be an injury, an accident, or reduced production rate and quality. The first type of human error observed in the work setting is the perception error. The perception error is when the worker or operator does not perceive or notice the warning or error indicator. This may occur if a worker expects to see a red light indicating "Stop" or "warning" but instead sees a blue light.



The second type of error that is observed in the work setting is an error in decision-making. The decision-making error occurs when the worker or operator is overloaded with other decisions at the same time. The operator must chose which decision to focus on, and chooses to ignore the warning. This may occur when a machine operator is given multiple machines to run and is not physically capable to attend all three machines at one time.



The third type of human error seen in the workplace is an action error. The action error occurs when the worker or operator reacts to the warning, but does so incorrectly. This occurs when a worker activates the wrong control mechanism, or moves the control in the wrong direction. This error may be due to confusing or difficult to read control panels or control switches that are not consistent with expected outcomes. If a worker, turns a control switch down, expecting the machine to stop, but instead, the machine stayed on, or increased power, this is against the expected outcome stereotype, but this situation would still result in an action error. In order to control or minimize these human errors, work area design should be carefully laid out and very easy to read and understand.



Universal Design

The concept of Universal Design evolved from evaluating the types of human error observed in the work setting and by studying the stereotypical behavior of the human population. Universal Design is the concept of designing products or work environments that will be used by a variety of people, with a large range of physical and cognitive abilities, working in a wide variety of work situations. Universal Design was developed to reduce the types of human errors observed in the workplace as well as enhance worker productivity. This concept of universal design, or designing for the population, includes work design for those individuals with no impairments, as well as, for designing for those individuals with functional limitations or physical or cognitive impairments. The principles or goals of universal design include:



• Minimize confusion.

• Minimize complexity.

• Make essential information clear.

Summary

Concepts from human factors engineering, universal design and population stereotypes are used to modify or design work areas. In practical terms these engineering concepts can be useful to enhance human performance, reduce worker fatigue, facilitate safe and appropriate return to work for an injured worker and reduce human error.

How Workplace Harassment Lawsuit Plaintiffs Can Get A Lawsuit Cash Loan?

No-Risk Lawsuit Funding for Employment Discrimination Lawsuit Plaintiffs.



Employment discrimination lawsuit cash loan or settlement advance funding is a non-recourse cash loan provided to a plaintiff involved in an employment discrimination or workplace harassment lawsuit even before his/her lawsuit is settled or resolved.



Most of plaintiffs involved in employment discrimination or workplace harassment litigation or lawsuit do not realize that they can get lawsuit cash advance loan or settlement funding before their case settles. It is a contingent transaction in which cash loan is advanced based solely on the merits of a pending employment discrimination lawsuit. Lawsuit loan is paid back only upon successful verdict or settlement of the lawsuit. If the employment discrimination or workplace harassment lawsuit plaintiff loses case, the loan is never paid back to the lawsuit loan funding company.



What is Employment Discrimination?



In our country U.S., employment discrimination occurs whenever an employer or its representatives adversely single out employees or applicants on the basis of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion and a variety of other reasons.



According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), employers can not discriminate against you in any aspect of employment, such as:



Hiring and firing Compensation, assignment, or classification of employees Transfer, promotion, layoff, or recall Job advertisements Recruitment Testing Use of company facilities Training and apprenticeship programs Fringe benefits Pay, retirement plans, and disability leave



The EEOC reported that it received 82,792 job-bias charges from private-sector employment in fiscal year 2007, the highest number since 2002 and the largest annual increase (9%) since the early 1990s. The most notable increases were for race (12%), retaliation (18%), age (15%) and disability (14%) discrimination.



If an employee experience employment discrimination or workplace harassment then he/she has the right to go for a legal resolve by means of employment discrimination lawsuit or claim. Depending on the kind of discrimination, the lawsuit will be called as followings:



1. Age Discrimination Lawsuit, 2. Racial Discrimination Lawsuit, 3. Sexual Harassment or Discrimination Lawsuit, 4. Gender or Sex Discrimination Lawsuit, 5. Sexual Orientation Discrimination Lawsuit, 6. Disability Discrimination Lawsuit, 7. Religious Discrimination Lawsuit, 8. Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuit, 9. Workplace Harassment Lawsuit etc.



David vs. Goliath:



Mostly the legal battle between employment discrimination client plaintiffs and defendants is like a clash between David vs. Goliath. Workplace Harassment lawsuit cases are very complex to handle and to resolve and if it is against a major corporation their attorneys will be able to delay lawsuit judgment for years. Even if, law is on your side, deep-pocket defendants can buy time with legal ploys and delays, and maneuver to frustrate the plaintiffs. They exploit the cumbersome process of law.



You will agree that justice delayed is justice denied.



Most of the victims of employment discrimination may have lost their jobs. The plaintiff/victim has trouble paying his/her mortgage, rent, car payments, or other living expenses; while waiting for the settlement of the lawsuit. Many of them may be one or two payments away from foreclosures. They need cash money now.



How Employment Discrimination Lawsuit Loan or Settlement Advance Funding Helps?



Employment discrimination lawsuit settlement advance funding provides plaintiff, the cash loan so that their attorneys have more time to negotiate the best possible lawsuit settlement for their pending employment lawsuit or legal claim. By offering appropriate lawsuit cash funding or settlement loans, a reputed lawsuit funding company enable the plaintiffs to resist financial pressure to take the first low ball offer made by defendants attorneys.



Once the plaintiffs involved in employment discrimination litigation dispute get interim lawsuit funding or loan, it can be used to cover credit card debt, mortgage payments, medical bills and other living expenses. By helping plaintiff client through a difficult period, lawsuit loan funding company also give the extra time to negotiate a larger settlement.



The practical value of available cash money is at maximum, when you are in financial distress.



Employment discrimination litigation process usually causes intense financial stress and mental anxiety under the best of circumstances. It can cause lot of financial strain from lost or reduced salary or wages or tapping into cash reserves. But employment lawsuit settlement loan or funding will ease or alleviate the pressure and will make it a less tedious process. The cash advance available from a lawsuit loan will make it easier or less difficult and will contribute financial strength to reduce the economic anxiety and financial problems.



An employment discrimination or workplace harassment lawsuit cash loan or settlement advance funding allows you to leverage the expected settlement from your case to obtain the cash you need now. Lawsuit cash funding or loan eliminate the need to accept a minimal settlement amount due to personal financial pressures, and get the fair and just settlements the plaintiffs deserve.





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About the Author:



Paul Sherman, The Lawsuit Money Man, is a Legal Funding Consultant. He offers free, professional, and independent advice to plaintiffs involved in employment discrimination or workplace harassment lawsuits, workers compensation claims, any type of lawsuits & attorneys to obtain Lawsuit loans. To apply for any type of Lawsuit loan funding, Workers Compensation claim funding, please visit: http://www.easylawsuitfunding.com

How to Choose a Baby Name

Your new baby needs a name to begin his journey into life. Read about the serious business of choosing the right name for your baby.

Getting ready to bring a new baby into the world involves a lot of preparatory work. Your baby needs his own clothes, accessories, toiletries, toys, etc. One of the most important requirements though is his own name. Your baby's name will identify him in a crowd and be a word which he will associate himself with for the rest of his life. Your child will not choose his own name. You, as his parent, will select it for him. With such an important decision to make for your child, deciding on a name for your baby should take into account the following factors.

Uniqueness:

Would you like your child to have a rare and unique name? Remember that this name will then make him stand out in a crowd. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. He will easily recognize when he is being called. At the same time, rare and complicated names have immense potential for misunderstandings and mistaken pronunciations. Teachers and caregivers may unintentionally mangle your child's name if they have difficulty speaking it aloud.

At the same time, do not give your child a name that is too common. Varsha regrets the name she gave to her son Anil. There were five boys with the same name in her son's class at school. Everyone kept getting confused. For the entire year, her son would proudly introduce himself as Anil B whenever he met someone. Even at home, he would only respond if she called him by the same name.

A good tip is to go for a blend of rare and common names. If you have a common surname, consider giving your child a slightly unusual name to make it easier for him in school and later on, at the workplace. On the other hand, if your surname is uncommon, give your child a reasonably well known name.

Heritage:

Your baby's ancestry and religion is a big part of who he is. Many parents name their child keeping these parameters in mind. It is perfectly all right to choose to name your child after a god or religious figure. Many religions also have guidelines as to how to go about naming your baby. Sometimes, you may like a name that does not fit into the traditional category. Do not be disheartened. Perhaps you can use it as a middle name. Another trend that is catching on is to name a baby based on Numerology. This is believed to help the child achieve success as he becomes older.

Many families also follow a tradition of naming children after elderly or recently deceased members of the family. Some people also tend to name the first-born son after his father and then suffix the name with 'Junior'. This creates a potentially confusing situation in the home. Merely calling your child Junior may seem fine at first but is that what you want him to be known as when he is thirty years old? It goes for choosing names of elderly family members. Your child will have to bear the brunt if you decide to stick him with a name that went out of vogue over fifty years ago.

Memories:

Some names may be associated with bad memories. Hence, it is best to avoid using them for your child. The name you select may be a nice name but if you had a nasty colleague with the same name, think twice. Are you going to be reminded of him every time you call out to your child? If there is a possibility of that happening, then discard the idea of using that name. Both parents must agree on this subject. If either parent is uncomfortable with a potential name, drop it. At the same time, do not press your partner for an explanation as to why he does not like the name.

Do not be browbeaten by other people when it comes to choosing your baby's name. After all, you are the child's parents. Ultimately, it is up to you and your spouse to choose a name that both of you are happy with.