STOPPING THE SPREAD OF GERMS (FLU)

Stopping the Spread of Germs (FLU)

Illnesses like the flu (influenza) and colds are caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs and usually spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The flu and cold virus is usually prominent during rainy season, and is typically known as "flu season." It is important to know treatment and prevention options, so that one can be prepared.

These are a few tips that can help prevent the spread of germs:

Avoid Touching Your Eyes, Nose, or Mouth-Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs can live for a long time on surfaces like doorknobs, desks, and tables.

Cover Your Mouth and Nose When You Sneeze or Cough: Cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Wash your hands every time you cough or sneeze.

Wash Your Hands Often: When available, wash your hands with soap and warm water, then rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces for 15 - 20 seconds. It is the soap combined with the scrubbing action that helps dislodge and remove germs.

When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. If using a gel, rub the gel in your hands until they are dry. The alcohol in the gel kills germs that cause colds and the flu.

Stay Home When Sick - Check with a Doctor When NeededWhen you are sick or have flu symptoms, stay home, get plenty of rest, and check with a doctor as needed. Keeping your distance from others may protect them from getting sick. Common symptoms of the flu include:
High Fever
Cough
Headache
Extreme tiredness
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (more common among children than adults)

Practice Other Good Health Habits: Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Practicing healthy habits will help you stay healthy during flu season and all year long.

BLUE ENERGY (OSMOTIC POWER)

BLUE ENERGY (OSMOTIC POWER)

Blue energy, sometimes called ocean energy, is a term for the method of generating electricity through the convergence of both fresh and salt water.


Blue energy extracted by osmosis, also called Salinity gradient power or Osmotic Power is the energy retrieved from the difference in the salt concentration between seawater and river water. Two practical methods for this are Reverse electrodialysis (RED), and Pressure retarded osmosis (PRO).Both processes rely on osmosis with ion specific membranes. The key waste product is brackish water (water that has more salinity than fresh water, but not as much as seawater)

Blue energy is only useful in certain geographical areas. The only way to create blue energy other than in a laboratory is at an estuary, where fresh water river currents and the saline tides of the ocean meet at the river’s mouth. Though the technology of blue energy has been understood for quite sometime, manufacturing the membranes was far too expensive to become a practical energy alternative. Recently, more economical membranes have been developed which will allow blue energy technology to begin being implemented in suitable environments. Currently blue energy is being used successfully in the Netherlands.

The environmental benefits of blue energy are invaluable. Blue energy does not emit greenhouse gases, the use of blue energy where possible will help to reduce global warming and other consequences caused by burning fossil fuels. In addition, blue energy does not take up a lot of space like energy grids do, and ecosystems are not negatively affected as they are with mining and drilling for example.

Words to Move on

Words to Move on

A Man is not finished when he’s defeated
he’s finished when he quits.

No person can be greater
unless he takes genuine joy in the success of those under him.

Excellence is not a Singular act, but a habit
You are what you repeatedly do.

Success is more attitude than aptitude.

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity.
The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty

Change is the law of life
& those who look only to the past or present
Are certain to miss future.

The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be
Continually fearing you will make one.

There are no secret to success. It is the result
Of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure”
Colin Powell

Everybody sooner or later
Sits down to a banquet of consequences

When you do the same things
The same way all the time,
Don’t expect a different result.

Always do right.
This will gratify some people,
And astonish the rest.

Maintaining open line of communication are a
Fundamental key to organizational excellence.
Take an extra moment to communicate
What you want and why you need it.

An acre of performance
is worth a whole world of promise.

Setting an example is not the main means
of influencing another, it is the only means
Albert Einstein

ASBESTOS EXPOSURE

ASBESTOS EXPOSURE

Asbestos is a silicate mineral, a fibrous, naturallyoccurring material of varying chemical compositions.Asbestos is used in well over 3,000 products includingbuilding materials and goods.

Severe lung disease can be caused by asbestos, such asasbestosis and/or cancer, through the inhalation ofexcess quantities of the fiber. It usually takesseveral years for symptoms of asbestos diseases tobecome apparent.NOTE: It is the Company's policy toavoid working in areas where employees may be exposedto asbestos at levels above the OSHA established PEL.When that is not possible, this section and SafetyProcedure SP-007 should be followed.)

The current allowable level of asbestos (PEL) in theair established by the Occupational Safety and HealthStandards is .2 fibers per cubic centimeter greaterthan 5 microns in length in an 8 hour tirne-weightedaverage. A short term (excursion) limit of 1.0 fiberper cubic centimeter of air (I f/cc) as averaged overthirty (30) minutes has also been established.

Control of the exposure to asbestos can take severalroutes. Substitute another product that will do thesame job; use personal protective equipment such asNIOSH-MESA approved respirators; use adequateventilation equipment before the fibers reach thebreathing zone of the workers; practice goodhousekeeping by removing accumulated and settled dustby HEPA vacuum cleaning; and wet the product toprevent expulsion of the dust into the air that theworkers breathe.

To prevent contamination away from the work place,clothes the workers wear should not be laundered athome. The clothing should be handled at the work placewhere workers are required to change to streetclothing and shower facilities are available.

Any employee that is exposed to asbestos fibers inexcess of the above specified limits will be notifiedin writing of the exposure as soon as practical butnot later than five (5) days of the findings.

Each employee exposed to airborne concentrations ofasbestos fiber in excess of the limits specified abovewill be provided with medical examination relative tothis exposure. The initial medical examination will begiven within 30 days of the initial exposure that willinclude as a minimum a chest roentgenogram, a historyto list symptomatology of respiratory disease, and thepulmonary function test to include forced vitalcapacity (FVC) forced expiratory volume at one second(FEV Sub. 1.0). These employees will also be givenannual medical evaluations thereafter.

Records shall be maintained of all medicalexaminations administered to employees. These recordswill be maintained for at least 30 years.

GANDHI JAYANTI (OCT-2)

“The purpose of education is to bring out the best in you”

Mahatma Gandhiji

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of peace and the Father of the Nation was born on 2nd October 1869 at Porbandar in Gujarat. Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated with reverence to mark the occasion of birthday of Mahatma Gandhiji. It is celebrated on October2, every year. The United Nations General Assembly announced on 15 June 2007 that it adopted a resolution which declared that October 2 will be celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence.

Gandhiji played a significant role in achieving independence for India from the British Empire with his simplicity and strong will power. He studied law in U.K and practiced law in South Africa. But he left his profession and returned to India to join the Indian freedom struggle. Gandhiji was a preacher of truth and 'Ahimsa'(non-violence).He started the 'Satyagraha' movement for the Indian freedom struggle. He believed in living a simple life and in 'Swadeshi'. He proved to the world that freedom can be achieved through the path of non-violence. Gandhiji is a symbol of peace and truth. On this day, the President and Prime Minister, along with other eminent political leaders, pay homage at Raj Ghat - the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi was not an emperor, not a military general, not a president nor a prime minister. He was neither a pacifist nor a cult guru. Who was Gandhi? If anything, Mohandas K. Gandhi was a constant experimenter. Spirituality, religion, self-reliance, health, education, clothing, drinks, medicine, child care, status of women, no field escaped his search for truth. His thoughts when appeared in the form of talk or article became official words of action with the masses of India. He was a man who did what he said and led an exemplary and a transparent life. Not many people can claim "My life is an open book". There were millions of Indians who treated Gandhi's suggestions as supreme commands and acted upon them (hence the name Mahatma). Born in Gujarat, fluent with Hindi and English, and residing in the minds of millions, Gandhiji was able to unite India like none other. An adamant idealist, courageous fighter, a deep thinker, and a great leader of men and ideas, it was possible for him to do that because he identified himself with struggles and pains of the common Indians. He quickly became the sole voice of the downtrodden and the exploited. They completely believed that Gandhiji understood their difficulties and would provide justice for them. Among Gandhiji's disciples were kings, royals, untouchables, rich, poor, foreigners, and women. When this selfless and pure man became leader of the nation, he gave a clear and unambiguous direction to the Himalayan problems facing India. Most important of them were poverty, religious conflict, exploitation, ignorance and colonization by the British.

BACKPACK SAFETY

BACKPACK SAFETY

Backpacks come in all sizes, colors, fabrics, and shapes and help kids of all ages express their own personal sense of style. And when used properly, they're incredibly handy. However backpacks that are too heavy or are worn incorrectly can cause problems for children/teenagers. Improperly used backpacks may injure muscles and joints. This can lead to severe back, neck, and shoulder pain, as well as posture problems.

To help understand how heavy backpacks can affect a kid's body, it helps to understand how the back works. The spine is made of 33 bones called vertebrae, and between the vertebrae are discs that act as natural shock absorbers.

When a heavy weight, such as a backpack filled with books, is incorrectly placed on the shoulders, the weight's force can pull a child backward. To compensate, a child may bend forward at the hips or arch the back, which can cause the spine to compress unnaturally. The heavy weight might cause some kids to develop shoulder, neck, and back pain.

Kids who wear their backpacks over just one shoulder — as many do, because they think it looks better — may end up leaning to one side to offset the extra weight. They might develop lower and upper back pain and strain their shoulders and neck.

Also, backpacks with tight, narrow straps that dig into the shoulders can interfere with circulation and nerves. These types of straps can contribute to tingling, numbness, and weakness in the arms and hands.

Despite their potential problems, backpacks are an excellent tool for kids when used properly.

Look for the following before you buy that trendy new backpack your kid or teen

• Wide, padded shoulder straps – Narrow straps can dig into shoulders. This can cause pain and restrict circulation.
  
  Two shoulder straps – Backpacks with one shoulder strap that runs across the body cannot distribute weight evenly
  
  Padded back – A padded back protects against sharp edges on objects inside the pack and increases comfort.
  
  Waist strap – A waist strap can distribute the weight of a heavy load more evenly
  Lightweight backpack – The backpack itself should not add much weight to the load

To prevent injury when using a backpack, do the following:

Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain
muscles. Wearing a backpack on one shoulder may increase curvature of the spine

Tighten the straps so that the pack is close to the body. The straps should hold the pack
two inches above the waist.

Pack light. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 15 percent of the student's total body weight. (For example, the backpack of a child who weighs 40Kilo Grams shouldn’t weigh more than 4Kg to 6Kg).

Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back.

Bend using both knees, when you bend down. Do not bend over at the waist when wearing or lifting a heavy backpack.

Learn back-strengthening exercises to build up the muscles used to carry a backpack

You may need to adjust backpacks and/or reduce how much you carry if you:

struggle to get the backpack on or off
have back pain
lean forward to carry the backpack

If you have back pain or numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, talk to your doctor.

FUKUOKA MASANOBU

Fukuoka- The Man of "Do-Nothing Farming"

"The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops,but the cultivation and perfection of human beings."
Masanobu Fukuoka

Masanobu Fukuoka (Fukuoka Masanobu February 2, 1913 – August 16, 2008) author of The One-Straw Revolution, The Road Back to Nature and The Natural Way Of Farming, was one of the pioneers of no-till grain cultivation/ Do-Nothing Farming. His system is referred to as "natural farming", Fukuoka Farming, or the Fukuoka Method. In India, natural farming is often referred to as "Rishi Kheti."

Masanobu Fukuoka was in a small farming village on the island of Shikoku in Southern Japan. He was educated in microbiology and worked as a soil scientist specializing in plant pathology, but at the age of twenty-five he began to have doubts about the "wonders of modern agriculture science." He eventually quit his job and returned to his family's farm. From that point on he devoted his life to developing a unique small scale organic farming system that does not require weeding, pesticide or fertilizer applications, or tilling.

Fukuoka's agricultural approach is simplicity itself. Instead of planting seeds and transplanting seedlings as in traditional rice cultivation, he broadcasts clay pellets containing seeds on unplowed soil, sufficiently loosened by nature's own undercover agents, the earthworm and other such creatures.

The use of white clover reduces the amount of time the field is flooded for rice to one week. Weeds are allowed to sprout, controlled by nature's checks and balances, including natural predators, which also take care of pests. "Nature, left alone, is in perfect balance," asserts Fukuoka with a confidence that comes from personal experience. Each rice stalk yields 200 to 300 grains, which compares very favorably with the yield of other forms of cultivation; labor is cut to one-fifth.

He also grew vegetables and fruits for market using similar techniques.

In his 60's, Fukuoka sat down to document what he had seen and done. In 1975 his first book "One Straw Revolution" was released and has had a profound impact on agriculture and human consciousness all over the world. "One Straw Revolution" was followed by "The Natural Way of Farming" and then by "The Road Back To Nature."Since 1979, Fukuoka has been touring, giving lectures and sowing the seeds of natural farming all over the world. In 1988 he was given Deshikottan Award, and the Ramon Magsaysay Award. In 1997 he received the Earth Council Award.

To Masanobu Fukuoka, raising food is not necessarily the primary goal of farming.

“Why do you have to develop? If economic growth rises from 5% to 10%, is happiness going to double? What’s wrong with a growth rate of 0%? Isn’t this a rather stable kind of economics? Could there be anything better than living simply and taking it easy?”

- Masanobu Fukuoka
The One-Straw Revolution, 1978