Effective and responsible management of solid wastes is one of the most challenging issues faced by companies operating in the developing world, as discussed in a previous blog post – Garage, Garbage Everywhere – A Primer on Solid Waste Management. As a result, the issue of hazardous waste management is near the top of the […]
Lead Exposure in the Workplace – Is This Really a Problem and Who is at Risk?
Occupational health issues are typically ignored by the vast majority of workers and businesses operating in developing countries, especially for those issues where exposure to toxins may take years to exhibit symptoms. There are multiple reasons for this, including behavioural, cultural and socio-economic. Regardless of the reason, the result is the same – workers are […]
Fakes and Worker Health and Safety – A Hidden Killer!
We are likely all aware of reports that off-spec, counterfeit and inferior quality medicines are being sold to developing countries (if not check out this article by Newton et al for a good overview of the problem). We have also probably read reports of certain pesticides, which are not permitted for use in industrialized countries, […]
Littering and Site Housekeeping… Or, Why Are We Slobs?
An experienced HSE auditor can visit an industrial or commercial facility and within the first few minutes come to a reasonable conclusion as to whether or not he or she might expect to find significant HSE issues at that particular site. A site that is well organized and free of clutter, debris and litter inevitably […]
Garage, Garbage Everywhere – A Primer on Solid Waste Management
Over the last twenty years I have travelled extensively across Asia and visited countless industrial facilities, including those in primary (extractive), secondary (manufacturing) and tertiary (services) sectors. Regardless of the sector, one of the greatest challenges faced by these companies – and also one of the most commonly overlooked and poorly managed – pertains to […]