HSE
Towards a cleaner and beautiful environment
Vow!! What a nice view. You must be thinking while looking at the picture immediately below. It was taken from the newly built pedestrian bridge on a Friday morning as soon as it was installed for the use of residents in Tourist Club Area Abu Dhabi.
A casual walk that morning, and it’s beauty did not last long. I was really shocked to see the amount of garbage thrown on top of it.
Garbage items thrown carelessly everywhere. How is it possible to create an un-healthy environment so soon. That was my question? A few days passed and I found the amount of garbage increasing. As always, reacting to such issues, I tried to contact the relevant authorities. It didn’t turn out to be a waste of effort.
Report in Gulf News – Your Turn community report page.
In an hours time after my email to the Abu Dhabi Municipality authority, the area was totally clean and they were reciprocative to my added request of initiating appropriate guidelines and notices to warn general public of use and misuse.
Thank you Gulf News, THE NATIONAL, ABU DHABI MUNICIPALITY and WWW.ABUDHABI.AE.
It is a different view altogether and happier environment for the public. All the more, we know now, you are live and respond to the well being of the residents.
Do’s and Don’ts When Driving in Foggy Conditions
Do’s and Don’ts When Driving in Foggy Conditions
õ While driving under foggy weather, motorists should reduce the speed gradually and drive at a controlled speed that fits the circumstances.
õ Motorists should make sure that all the lights of the vehicle are in good working condition, the instructions read.
õ They should use low lights as the head lights reflect water drops in the fog, thus making visibility difficult.
õ Motorists are advised to switch on the fog lights if available in the car and be patient avoiding overtaking and changing lanes.
õ The motorists have been advised to follow the traffic signals on the road and drive at the right end of the road and not in the middle.
õ They have also been instructed to leave double space than usual between two vehicles and be vigilant and alert for any possible mishap.
õ While driving under foggy conditions, motorists should keep themselves away from any distractions like mobile phones etc.
õ Motorists should be careful in listening and pay attention to any warnings and the road.
õ While driving, make sure that the window panes and mirrors are clean and use vipers.
õ If the fog is thick, motorists should stop the vehicles away from the road and vehicular traffic and turn the hazard lights on.
õ Motorists are also advised not to stop the vehicle on the road or they could get involved in a mishap leading to a serious pile up.
õ Motorists are advised not to speed, even if the fog starts clearing as the fog can get thick again.
õ One should not try to speed by overtaking a slow moving car and keep an eye on the speed.
õ If a motorist realizes that he is speeding, one should reduce it immediately.
õ Motorists have been advised to use low beam lights in poor visibility conditions.
õ Before starting a journey, motorists are advised to listen to the weather forecast bulletin and the condition of traffic.
õ They are advised to cancel the journey until the situation improves, the instructions said.
courtesy: Khaleej Times
Gulf News bags environment award
By Emmanuelle Landais, Staff Reporter 06 January 2009
Dubai: The “Go Green” campaign has earned Gulf News a prestigious award for its coverage of environmental pollution, events and initiatives in the UAE.
The Outstanding Environmental Publication award will be presented to Gulf News next week as part of the Environment, Health and Safety Awards 2008 organised by the Ports, Customs and Freezone.
The newspaper has been recognised for its continuous efforts to create awareness about environmental issues. It carried articles on the environment and engaged in public outreach and dialogue with readers.
Gulf News Editor-in- Chief Abdul Hamid Ahmad said the award was appreciated and environmental issues here and internationally will continue to be reported on.
Gulf News initiated the “Go Green” campaign on the heels of its “Say No To Plastic Bag” drive, which supported the reduction in use of plastic in daily life.
During eight months of awareness-building within the community, jute bags were distributed to its readers.
Bangalore IT pros take survival training
Bangalore IT pros take survival training
BR Srikanth, Hindustan Times
Software professionals like Anoop Ramakrishnan, 24, and many others in the tech industry in Bangalore are picking up new survival skills — not to endure the economic gloom, but to survive a terror attack or a hostage crisis.
Following the recent terror attacks, techies are queuing up to be trained in anti-terror and hostage survival techniques being imparted as part of Krav Maga, an Israeli school of self-defence and combat tactics.
They are being taught how to hold their nerve during a terror attack, ensure minimum injury, how to escape a fire, and avoid being trapped in a stampede during evacuation.
Said Anoop, software professional at Sasken Communications: “We are here to learn to minimise casualties through the concept of muscle memory — that is how not to panic but train our muscles to move quickly and save ourselves during an attack.” He has been urging colleagues and friends to take these lessons too.
Ditto with Ashish Puri, of Cisco Systems, who is also taking the training. “I have persuaded seven-eight colleagues to join these workshops,” he said.
Frank JW, the instructor and in-charge of Bangalore chapter of International Krav Maga Federation, said: “I am currently training 75 people in Bangalore. Most are from the IT industry.”
Frank said the training sessions are not intended to make “everyone a Superman” but to teach techniques that can come handy — like lying flat on the floor to escape bullets. At Rs 250 a person for two hours, the anti-terror survival model is certainly worth trying.
Things You Should Know
Things You Should Know
4 January 2009 KHALEEJ TIMES
RTA statistics show that the number of students in government schools is 28,108 in 92schools. Out of this, 63 per cent (17,651) of the students use school buses.
In private schools, 1,36,738 students study in 123 schools. Out of this, only 61 per cent (83, 798) students use school buses. Also, the number of buses in private schools is 1,934, while the number for government schools stand at 235.
The alarming fact is that 1,350 school bus drivers and 1,700 male and female attendants have not received any special training regarding transportation of students. Again, 613 school buses do not have safety belts in them. Around 27 per cent of Dubai schools do not have separate entries and exits for buses. There have been 81 mishaps involving school buses this year causing one death and six injuries.
Important School Bus Regulations
* All school buses have to be yellow in colour with the term ‘School Bus’ written in Arabic and English languages between the bus headlights, uppermost part of the bus, the rear sides and on middle of both sides of the bus. The name of the school or name of the operating company should also be mentioned.
* All buses should have an electronic ‘Stop’ arm on the external side just beneath the drivers’ door. Such an ‘arm’ comes out electronically and includes two red flashers which flash when the bus stops.
* The bus windows should open towards the upper side only and should not consist of any iron or steel bars. The windows should be tinted at 50 per cent.
* There should not be any foldable seats in the buses. The bus passageway should be empty without any obstacles. There should not be hand rests, ashtrays in or behind the seats.
* There should be adequate space for storing the bags. The spaces should be safe and in no way, should bags fall down in case of an emergency. The bus passageways must be covered by a layer of uninflammable and anti-slippery rubber. There must be electronic doors which can be open or closed only by the drivers.
* The maximum speed of the buses must not exceed 80km per hour. There must be a speed controlling system in the same connection.
* Seat belts must be available for all the seats. The buses should have fire extinguishers and first aid kit. The buses must have emergency exits according to the bus capacity with indicators and without any obstacles.
* Who Can be a School Bus Driver
The person should be a holder of a heavy bus driving licence and has to register and attend the training and test. He should be at least 25 years old with no criminal records. He must also submit a health certificate.
* The driver must speak either English or Arabic to pass the theory test conducted by the authority.
* The permit issued to a driver will be valid for one year after which needs to be renewed again. For this, he again has to undertake training and a test.
* The driver must wear a clean uniform and should not be eat or drink during trips.
All schools have to provide transportation for the students. Adequate transportation must also be provided to the handicapped students.
* Schools have to appoint an officer responsible for school buses. His contract details must be with the authority and the parents. Schools must also designate the student’s seat in each bus. The rear seats of the bus must be only for the female students. The front seats will be for males. • Schools must ensure that there is a maintenance schedule for each bus. The schools must also ensure that drivers are send to the training courses.
Now we can see jay walkers
The pedestrian over bridge in front of Abu Dhabi mall is getting ready. The wide road and speeding traffic, it was getting scary for all those who wanted to go across. Now that the bridge is ready, how can we change our hold habits. I am sure, we will get to see the newly derived group of careless pedestrians – i.e. jay walkers – crossing the road even if there is a beautiful bridge just near to them… Follow the rules and let safety be first.
A foggy morning in Abu Dhabi – 24th December 2008
A foggy morning today. I hope no major accidents around. Safety First and Drive Safely.
ClicksandWrites 
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