Essay about Bus 499 - 1941 Words

Nike Inc. BUS 499 Strayer University Identify the company’s mission, vision, and primary stakeholders. Nike was founded by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight. The two men met when Bowerman was coaching track and field at the University of Oregon and Knight was a middle distance runner on his team. After earning an MBA from Standford, Knight returned to Oregon and approached Bowerman with an idea to bring in low priced, high-tech athletic shoes from Japan to compete in the United States athletic shoe market. With a handshake and a five hundred dollar investment by both men, Blue Ribbon Sports was born in 1964. BRS began importing shoes from Onitsuka Tiger, with Knight making sales at high school track meets and Bowerman†¦show more content†¦The largest single apparel factory Nike has contracted with accounted for approximately 7% of total fiscal 2011 apparel production (Nike Annual Report). Producing product overseas puts Nike at risk of overseas sourcing, manufacturing, and financing. Nike buys and sells to different countries using different currencies. The currency rate fluctuates very often and Nike, at times could take a loss. This is a risk most companies cannot take. Nike has the ability to produce materials, import product and sell product in international market during a time of disease outbreaks, terrorist attacks, and military conflict. With these risks there are few companies who can afford to take these risks (aflorzak.com). This also proves no new threat for Nike. Threat of substitute product is any company can make an athletic shoe. Puma, Adidas, and Reebok all produce athletic shoes and apparel. These companies are Nike’s top competitors. They try to develop alternative brands to eliminate Nike from the market. Nikes utilizes trademarks on nearly all of their products and believe having distinctive marks that are readily identifiable is an important factor in creating a market for their goods. Nike identifies their brands and the company distinguishes their goods from the goods of others. Nike considers NIKE ® and Swoosh Design ® trademarks to be among their most valuableShow MoreRelatedBus 4991670 Words   |  7 PagesBUS 499 The Learning and Growth Perspective, Module 4 Session Long Project Dr. William Muraco As one of the four perspectives of the Balanced Scorecard, the Learning Growth perspective focuses on how the organization must learn and innovate in order to achieve the set goals. It is the root of the balanced scorecard and requires nutrients to grow. It develops intellectual capital and empowers employees as part of the relationship to the vision and strategy portion of the BSC. LearningRead MoreBUS 499 Essay710 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿ TUI UNIVERSITY NAME BUS499 MODULE #1 SLP 1. NAME. Johnson’s Human Resource Management Consultant 2. MISSION. 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Credit AmEx, DC, Disc, MC, V. In a city that doesn t know the meaning of restraint, Bellagio is positively demure. One of the first hotels to package luxury at all levels, Bellagio boasts lavishly appointed standard rooms (3,005 inRead MoreNew York City : A New Place For Couples1596 Words   |  7 PagesComplimentary breakfast and in room coffee is provided for all the guests and while you are staying in the city, take the opportunity to see some of the other sights. All Loops Double Decker Bus Tour Choose your accommodations for the weekend from one of the many that listed with All Loops and then jump on their Double Decker Bus Tour 48 Hour Pass and take in New York City in a way you never imagined. 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The Motivation For Volunteering Is Not Always Based On...

By utilizing Bowlby’s attachment theory to break down and better understand individual involvement or lack of involvement in volunteering, and then separating their individual motives into the six categories refined and developed by (Clary ET AL. 1998) from the functional theorizing of Katz in 1960 and Smith in 1956, in Understanding and Assessing the Motivation for Volunteering. We can examine how these two support systems compliment and interplay in the minds of potential support providers, and gain a better understand what motivates people to volunteer and who actually benefits more from the act of volunteering the volunteers or those they serve. Attachment theory will give a clearer understanding of the egotistic motives behind†¦show more content†¦Initially Bowlby saw the primary attachment figure as the mother; however he later added the father, siblings, and other family members or other people directly involved in our care as secondary figures. This system is activated when we feel the threat of separation from these attachment figures. By initiating a response referred to as attachment behavior, which initially takes the form of crying. If the caregiver is nearby and responsive to our needs, we feel secure and function normally. However, if the caregiver does not respond we will continue to display anxious behavior until our attachment figure returns and responds or our needs (Blakely Dziadosz, 2014). This anxious behavior referred to by Bowlby as attachment style, is a reaction to signals received from the attachment behavior system exhibited by us in our expectations, needs, emotions, and social behaviors as we mature (Mikulineer ET Al. Attachment style was first studied by Mary Ainsworth in 1978 who determined the primary features of secure attachment style, as well as the features of two insecure attachment styles, anxious ambivalence, and anxious avoidance. A third attachment style referred to as disorganized was added by Main Solomon in 1990 (Blakely Et Al 2014). These differences in can be measured equilaterally to determine an individual’s capabilities and motives for volunteering. Secure attachment facilitate altruistic helping behavior aimed at benefiting another person, even if thereShow MoreRelatedEthical Egoism Reflection Paper1739 Words   |  7 Pagesoneself; seeking or concentrating on ones own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others.† Others defined it as â€Å"caring only for oneself.† Clearly, the term selfish has a strong, negative connotation; however, does a selfish person always disregard others? In this class, although we are only 5 weeks in, each week has challenged me to think more critically. Some weeks challenge me to choose a side when I’m usually in the middle. 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(The)(Jim)(Davis)(Case) Morin−Jarrell †¢ Driving Shareholder Value I. Valuation 229 229 253 279 1. The Value−Based Management Framework: An Overview 2. Why Value Value? 4. The Value Manager Harvard Business Review Finance Articles Eclipse of the Public Corporation 308 308 323 323 330 330 Article How I Learned to Live with Wall Street Article Second

Resolution of Matter into Pure Substances free essay sample

The purpose of this laboratory was to determine how different substances have different solubilities in a given solvent. This was accomplished using the method of chromatography. The solubility of each substance was first determined by dropping a drop or two of each on a line drawn 2 inches above the bottom of a piece of paper. Then the paper was lightly bent in order to tape both sides of the paper leaving about a 4 centimeter gap so that the sides of the paper are not touching. The paper was then put into a beaker of a hydrochloric acid, ethanol, and butanol mixture, being sure that the paper does not touch the sides of the beaker, and then topped. After the eluting solution has risen to within two centimeters of the top of the filter paper, the paper was removed from the beaker, dried, and was stained with a staining reagent solution containing potassium ferrocyanide and potassium iodide. We will write a custom essay sample on Resolution of Matter into Pure Substances or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This reagent forms colored precipitates or reaction products with many cations, including all of those used in this experiment. The distance of which the spots moved were determined by calculating the Rf value of each substance. The Rf value is determined by following formula: This experiment was successful overall, given a few errors. This experiment was done twice due to the paper having pen ink marks which interfered with the movement of the substances in the first experiment. During the second trial, it was a little difficult to measure the distance the substances traveled because multiple drops of each were dropped right above each other rather than on top of each other. By the end of the experiment, the distance traveled by each substance and the color changes of each substance was still clear and was able to be measured and recorded.

Logistics Management free essay sample

Few areas of business involve the complexity or span the geography typical of logistics. Logistics is concerned with getting products and services where they are needed whenever they are desired. Most consumers take a high level of logistical competency for granted. When they go to store, they expect products to be available and fresh. It is rather difficult to visualize any marketing or manufacturing without logistical support Modern logistics is also a paradox. Logistics has been performed since the beginning of civilization: it’s hardly new. However implementing best practice of logistics has become one of the most exciting and challenging operational areas of business and public sector management According to Council of logistics management: â€Å"Logistics is the process of planning, implementing and controlling the efficient, effective flow and storage of goods, services and related information from point of origin to point of consumption for the purpose of conforming the customer requirement†. Logistical management includes the design and administration of systems to controls the flow of material, work- in – process, and finished inventory to support business unit strategy. Logistics is the designing and managing of a system in order to control the flow of material throughout a corporation. This is a very important part of an international company because of geographical barriers. Logistics of an international company includes movement of raw materials, coordinating flows into and out of different countries, choices of transportation, and cost of the transportation, packaging the product for shipment, storing the product, and managing the entire process. Analysis of the figure of evolution of logistics [pic] Fragmentation 1960 This era was known as fragmentation because every thing that done was disintegrated Evolving Integration At this stage of time new concepts of Logistical management were evolving Total integration In the present scenario because of technological advances logistics has evolved as part of management Concept of Logistics The concept of logistics is fairly new in the business world. The theoretical development was not used until 1966. Since then, many business practices have evolved and logistics currently costs between 10 and 25 percent of the total cost of an international purchase. There are two main phases that are important in the movement of materials: material management and physical distribution; Materials management is the timely movement of raw materials, parts, and supplies. The physical distribution is the movement of the firms finished products to the customers. Both phases involve every stage of the process including storage. The ultimate goal of logistics is: To coordinate all efforts of the company to maintain a cost effective flow of goods. Word, ’Logistics’ is derived from French word ‘loger’, which means art of war pertaining to movement and supply of armies. A military concept, fighting a war requires: i. Setting of an objective ii. Meticulous planning to achieve the objective iii. Troops properly deployed iv. Supply line consisting weaponry, food, medical assistance, etc. maintained v. Plan should be such that there is minimum loss to men material Like fighting a war in the battlefield, the marketing managers also need a suitable logistics plan that is capable of satisfying the company objective of meeting profitably the demand of targeted customers. Inbound logistics + Material Management + Physical Distribution =Logistics Discussion of each and every term in this above summation i. Inbound logistics covers the movement of materials received from suppliers ii. Material management describes the movements of material components within a firm iii. Physical distribution refers to movement of goods outward from the end of the assembly line to the costumer. iv. Supply- chain management is somewhat larger than logistics and it links logistics more directly within the user’s total communication network with the firm engineering staff. It includes manufacturer and suppliers but also transporters, warehouses, retailers and customers themselves. Importance of logistics i. Transportation cost rose rapidly due to the rise in fuel prices ii. Production efficiency was reaching a peak iii. Fundamental change in inventory philosophy iv. Product line proliferated v. Computer technology vi. Increased use or computers vii. Increased public concern of products Growth of several new, large retail chains or mass merchandise with large demands very sophisticated logistics services, by pass traditional channel distribution viii. Reduction in economic regulation ix. Growing power of retailers x. Globalization The interrelation of different logistics element and their costs should be based on total cost rather than individual costs. The objectives of Logistics Operating Objectives In terms of logistical system design and administration, each firm must simultaneously achieve at least six different operational objectives. These operational objectives, which are the primary determinants of logistical performance, include rapid response, minimum variance, minimum inventory, movement consolidation, quality, and life-cycle support. Each objective is briefly discussed. Rapid Response Rapid response is concerned with a firms ability to satisfy customer service requirements in a timely manner. Information technology has increased the capability to postpone logistical operations to the latest possible time and then accomplish rapid delivery of required inventory. The result is elimination of excessive inventories traditionally stocked in anticipation of customer requirements. Rapid response capability shifts operational emphasis from an anticipatory posture based on forecasting and inventory stocking to responding to customer requirements on a shipment-to-shipment basis. Because inventory is typically not moved in a time-based system until customer requirements are known and performance is committed, little tolerance exists for operational deficiencies Minimum Variance Variance is any unexpected event that disrupts system performance. Variance may result from any aspect of logistical operations. Delays in expected time of customer order receipt, an unexpected disruption in manufacturing, goods arriving damaged at a customers location, or delivery to an incorrect location-all result in a time disruption in operations that must be resolved. Potential reduction of variance relates to both internal and external operations. Operating areas of a logistical system are subject to potential variance. The traditional solution to accommodating variance was to establish safety stock inventory or use high-cost premium transportation. Such practices, given their expense and associated risk, have been replaced by using information technology to achieve positive logistics Control. To the extent that variances are minimized, logistical productivity improves as a result of economical operations. Thus, a basic objective of overall logistical performance is to minimize variance. Minimum Inventory The objective of minimum variance involves asses commitment and relative turn velocity. Total commitment is the financial value of inventory deployed throughout the logistical system. Turn velocity involves the rate of inventory usage over time. High turn rates, coupled with inventory availability, means that assets devoted to inventory are being effectively utilized. The objective is to reduce inventory deployment to the lowest level consistent with customer service goals to achieve the lowest overall total logistics cost. Concepts like zero inventories have become increasingly as managers seek to reduce inventory deployment. The reality of reengineering a system is that operational defects do not become apparent until inventories are reduced to their lowest possible level. While the goal of eliminating all inventories is attractive, it is important to remember that inventory can and does facilitate some important benefits in a logistical system. Inventories can provide improved return on investment when they result in economies of scale in manufacturing or procurement. The objective is to reduce and manage inventory to the lowest possible level while simultaneously achieving desired operating objectives. To achieve the objective of minimum inventory, the logistical system design must control commitment and turn velocity for the entire firm, not merely for each business location. Movement consolidation One of the most significant logistical costs is transportation. Transportation cost is directly related to the type of product, size of shipment, and distance. Many Logistical systems that feature premium service depend on high-speed, small-shipment transportation. Premium transportation is typically high-cost. To reduce transportation cost, it is desirable to achieve movement consolidation. As a general rule, the larger the overall shipment and the longer the distance it is transported, the lower the transportation cost per unit. This requires innovative programs to group small shipments for consolidated movement. Such programs must be facilitated by working arrangements that transcend the overall supply chain. Quality improvement A fifth logistical objective is to seek continuous quality improvement. Total quality management (TQM) has become a major commitment throughout all facets of industry. Overall commitment to TQM is one of the major forces contributing to the logistical renaissance. If a product becomes defective or if service promises are not kept, little, if any, value is added by the logistics. Logistical costs, once expended, cannot be reversed. In fact, when quality fails, the logistical performance typically needs to be reversed and then repeated. Logistics itself must perform to demanding quality standards.

Global Warming and Planetary Dangers free essay sample

Pros cons on planetary dangers of warming, focusing on the need for balancing environmental economic needs. There are two arguments over the issue of global warming. One says there may be only mild, if any, increases in global and U.S. temperatures, while another says that scientists who do not recognize the significance and dangers of global warming are funded by the industry. This research examines these two arguments. First, the case for worrying about global warming is offered. Second, the case against getting over-alarmed is defended. Case for Worry The global climate?-considered the average weather, usually over a 30-year time period?-can be influenced by both natural forces and human activities. Climate change refers to any change in climate over time whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity..

Piper Alpha Case Studies Essay Example

Piper Alpha Case Studies Essay Example Piper Alpha Case Studies Paper Piper Alpha Case Studies Paper Abstract This research report is about the Piper Alpha Disaster that happened in 1988. Being one of the major oil production oil-rig in the UK, the accident that took place more than 20 years ago caught the attention of many, especially those in the field. The happening was largely due to the complacency of the supervisors as well as the safety measures of the management. Using the internet, academic journals and textbooks available, the research was conducted by referring to various sources of information regarding the incident. After the explosion there are many new prevention steps taken in this field of industry as well as new managing system of the offshore regulatory control. 1. Introduction 1. 1 Background The Piper Alpha was a North Sea oil production platform operated by Occidental Petroleum (Caledonia) Ltd. It accounted for around ten per cent of the oil and gas production from North Sea at the time. Located about 120 miles north-east of Aberdeen, The platform began production in 1976 first as an oil platform and then later converted to gas production (Drysdale Slyvester-Evans, 1998). For safety reasons, the modules were organized such that the most dangerous operations were distant from personnel areas such as the accommodation deck, but still this still one of the worst offshore oil disaster to date. 1. 2 The Happening The disaster began with a routine maintenance procedure. On the morning of the 6th of July 1988, a certain backup propane condensate pump in the processing area needed to have its pressure safety valve checked (Drysdale Slyvester-Evans, 1998). The work could not be completed by 1800 and the workers asked for and received permission to leave the rest of the work until the next day. Later in the evening during the next work shift, the primary condensate pump failed. None of those present were aware that a vital part of the machine had been removed and decided to start the backup pump. Gas products escaped from the hole left by the valve. Gas audibly leaked out at high pressure, ignited and exploded, blowing through the firewalls. The fire spread through the damaged firewalls, destroyed some oil lines and soon large quantities of stored oil were burning out of control. About twenty minutes after the initial explosion, at 2220, the fire had spread and become hot enough to weaken and then burst the gas risers from the other platforms. Many jump out of windows into the sea hoping to be picked up by safe boats but only 67 were saved in this fashion. 167 out of 229 people on board were killed, mostly died suffocated on carbon monoxide and fumes in the accommodation area. The generation and utilities module, which included the fireproofed accommodation block, slipped into the sea. The largest part of the platform followed it. The whole accident took place in 22 minutes. 1. 3 Purpose of the Report The purpose of this research is to examine the objectives and structure of the management of the Piper Alpha platform in the North Sea, UK. The operation and industrial processes of the platform will be carefully evaluated and to spot the risk or any areas overlooked that contributed to the accident. To identify the consequences of the accident (e. g. amage and costs) and the improvements in the management systems to prevent such disaster from happening again. 2. Management and Operation 2. 1 Piper Field Oil Platform The Piper Alpha oil production platform was a North Sea oil production platform in the United Kingdom operated by Occidental Petroleum Ltd. It began production in 1976 until 1988 where the disaster sinked the whole platform into the sea. First th e Piper Alpha platform functions as an oil platform and then later converted into gas production. 2. 1. 1 Management Four companies that later transformed into the OPCAL joint venture to obtain n oil exploration license in 1972 that lead them to discover the Piper oil field located north of England, beside Scotland. At the time of the disaster the Piper Oil field was accounted for approximately ten percent of the North Sea oil and gas production. The offshore oil and gas was a very new industry introduced to the United Kingdom very briefly 30 years ago. The naive government was seduced by the very promising reward of the industry, knowing that it’ll be high risk. The management disregarded adherence to certain safety rules. There were regulations, but enforcement was not there. The nation and corporate pride rendered everything in disaster. 2. 1. 2 Structure and Function A large fixed platform, Piper Alpha was situated on the Piper oilfield, approximately 120 miles (193 km) northeast of Aberdeen in 474 feet (144 m) of water, and comprised four modules separated by firewalls. The platform was constructed by McDermott Engineering at Ardersier and UIE at Cherbourg, with the sections united at Ardersier before tow out during 1975, with production commencing in late 1976 (Drysdale Slyvester-Evans, 1998). The west and east elevation of the topsides of the Piper Alpha platform are as shown in figures 2 and 3. Module A, the wellhead module was considered to be the most hazardous were arranged so to provide a maximum separation with module D, which contain various utilities and also the accommodation deck above. Module comprises of 36 wellhead which is used to control the flow of hydrocarbons and water from the well. Module B is the production where separation of oil and other fluids took place. From there, the oil will also be pumped into the main oil-line for transmission to Flotta. It contained the manifolds, test and main production seperators and the main oil line export pump. Module C contains the gas compression equipment whereby gas from the production seperators will be compressed for export ashore via the main oil line. In the early 1980’s, a gas conservation module had been installed at the 107’ level but at the time of the disaster this module was under maintenance and therefore gas was compressed and processed only in module C. 2. 2 Objectives of the Management Consider the situation prevailing in the North Sea ten minutes prior to the incident, the standard operating climate in the United Kingdom offshore oil and gas industry could be characterized as a mixture of greed, ignorance, complacency and the lack of concern for the danger that the individual faced. Though this has been long recognized, but the conveniently ignored fact was given approval by the government. It excluded the offshore industry from the provision of the Health and Safety at Work Act, and allowed the government safety inspectors under the Department of Energy of watch over it. 3. Industrial Processes . 1 Operation Functions The Piper Alpha production level and deck support level are shown in figures 4 and 5 respectively. The oil platform started production in 1976 with about 250,000 barrels (40,000 m3) of oil per day increasing to 300,000 barrels (48,000 m3). A gas recovery module was installed by 1980. Production declined to 125,000 barrels (19,900 m3) by 1988. The OP CAL also built the Flotta oil terminal on Orkney Island, using the sub-sea pipeline to deliver the processed oil to the terminal. The terminal also acts as a terminal for some other oil platform like the Tartan and Claymore field. One thirty inch (0. 762 m) diameter main oil pipeline ran 128 miles (206 kilometers) from Piper Alpha to Flotta, with a short oil pipeline from the Claymore platform joining it some twenty miles (32 km) to the west. The Tartan field also fed oil to Claymore and then onto the main line to Flotta. Separate 46 cm diameter gas pipelines run from Piper to the Tartan platform and from Piper to the gas compressing platform some 30 miles (48 km) to the northwest. As mentioned in 2. 1. 2 structure and functions, module A, B and C are the main processing and production section. Module D located at the north face/ end of the platform consist of the control room, workshops, electrical power generation, the emergency diesel generator and some switch gear. The accommodation deck is also directly above module D. Module A-D were all separated by firewalls which were not rated for explosion over pressure (Drysdale Slyvester-Evans, 1998). The firewall between modules C and D was specified for a 6 hours fire rating while those between modules A and B and modules B and C were specified as a fire barrier of 4. 5 hours (see figure 4). At the time of the disaster, the hydrocarbon inventory within the production modules was approximately 80 tonnes, this mainly being located in module B and, in particular, within the two production separators. In addition, there was a further 160 tonnes of diesel located in tanks above module C. The location of the risers on the platform is shown in figure 5. Each pipeline had an emergency shutdown valve located in close proximity to its respective pig trap. Each valve was designed to be closed from the control room and provide a positive isolation of the pipeline from the platform. 4. Causes of the Incident 4. 1 Human Factors A number of human errors were identified to contribute to the severity of the incident including deficient analysis of hazard, deficiencies in permit to work system, inadequate training in this field of industry and emergency response procedure. There was a breakdown of the chain of command and lack of any communication to the platforms crew (Pate-Cornell, 1992). The Cullen report on Piper Alpha was highly critical of the management system in the company. Managers had minimal qualifications, which led to poor practices and ineffective audits. The workers on the platform were also not adequately trained in emergency procedures, and management was not trained to make up the gap and provide good leadership during a crisis situation. Other than that, Occidental Petroleum had regular safety audits of its facilities but they were not performed well. Few, if any, problems were ever brought up, even though there were serious issues with corrosion of deluge system pipes and heads and many other issues. When a major problem was found, it was sometimes just ignored. All these contributed greatly to the disaster. . 2 Design and Process Factors In the control room the monitoring panels were not clearly visible and operators could not tell were the alarms originated from during the explosion. The firewalls on Piper Alpha could have stopped the spread of a fire. They were however not built to withstand an explosion. The initial blast blew the firewalls down, and the subsequent fire spread unimpeded. The disaster would not have occurred if the pump where work was being done had been positively isolated when first detected the problem at night (Pate-Cornell, 1992). Isolation is not achieved by shutting a valve but requires means such as insertion of a slip plate or removal of a pipe section. Moreover, the emergency shutdown and backup valves were not in proper location where it is easily accessible in case of fire. Above all, there was no temporary safe refuge (e. g. a room that could withstand fire and have breathable atmosphere) on the platform to weather disaster of such kind. The escape and evacuation route was also very limited, causing much of the on board workers to die of suffocation. 4. 3 Roots Factors The main factors that cause this terrible incident would largely be blamed on humans. The overall attitude of the United Kingdom government and also the management were complacent and ignorant. There were many issues that were rushed over when delving into this industry, blinded by pride and the offer of high-tech sunrise industry. Regulations and rules set were just for legal purposes only, not really much enforced in the days. OPCAL invested a lot into this new technology. Thinking that so much had been invested and earned, they will obviously spend enough to make sure it won’t just lose everything so easily. There was a grim acceptance among the workforce that if a ? 500 million platform would go up in smoke, there must be 5000 lifeboat or more than enough rubber dingy would save their life. Lifeboat were being guarded by unprepared crew, nobody took the safety aspect seriously (Bull, 2004). The whole industry and project was full of complacency, from the government to the management, to the workers. This killing attitude was reflected in their work procedures, precautions taken and even the building of the structure itself. 5. Consequences of the Effects of the Incident . 1 Health 229 people were on board and 167 were killed, including two men from the standby vessel. Many of those saved were also seriously injured. Other than that, most of the survivors were diagnose of having a long term psychological problems. They were reposted of having psychological and behavioral symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (Pate-Cornell, 1992). 28 of the survivors had difficulty in finding employm ent following the disaster, it appears that offshore employers the Piper Alpha survivors as bringers of bad luck. Family members and friends of the victims were also greatly affected on their psychological and social life. Other than the drawbacks on health, it was also accounted that the Piper Alpha survivors were stronger than before the disaster. They’ve learned to values things more, having a change of perspective and strengthening the family bond they have. 5. 2 Environment and Ecology The impact of the disaster on the environment was notable. Scientist showed that a highly toxic chemical that fell into the North Sea during the explosion would not have been completely burned up. Up to 5. 5tonnes of cooling fluid, polychlorinated bithenyl (PCB) went into to the sea, disrupting the marine life. The chemical was very resistant toward fire and decomposition quickly went into the food chain. Fishes caught in the North Sea were found to be contaminated with the chemical. The burning of the oil and gas on the platform produces great amount of harmful gases such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into the atmosphere. These gases could have contributed to the increasing green house effect and also air pollution. There was also oil spilled to the sea during the explosion. These oils contaminated the surrounding beaches, coastal areas and shallow lagoons. Some animals were totally wiped out due to the contaminated water such as the littoral crab. 5. 3 Costs The disaster costs a total insured lost of US$3. 4 billion. This is the worst offshore oil disaster. Not only does OPCAL lost the Piper Alpha platform, but the income that the platform generates every day. At the time of the disaster, the Piper Alpha platform produces 125,000barrels per day. The disaster led to insurance claims of around US$ 1. billion, making it at that time the largest insured man-made catastrophe (Bull, 2004). 6. Improvement and Prevention 6. 1 Design and Process There was a regulatory offshore installation control being implemented. The Offshore Installation Safety Case Regulations, a written document in which a company must demonstrate that an effective safety management (SMS) is in place on a particular offshore insta llation. Fire walls that can withstand explosion must be used instead of the normal fire walls to avoid explosion destroying the structure (Bull, 2004). There should also be protection against and mitigation of fire on the platform itself. Relying on outside assistance like the fire brigade is just too ineffective. The disaster would not have occurred if the pump where work was being done had been positively isolated. Isolation is not achieved by shutting a valve but requires means such as insertion of a slip plate or removal of a pipe section. Emergency shutdown valves and backup valves are essential to cutting off fuel supply in case of fire, so there must always be one at multiple point of the platform and also easily accessible. The temporary safety refuge (TSR) should have a breathable atmosphere and fire protection. Prevention of smoke ingress into TSR is available through smoke and gas detectors that initiate smoke dampers and prevent circulation of smoke throughout the TSR (Bull, 2004). More than one route to helicopters and lifeboats must be present at any given time to ensure evacuation of the platform in a crisis situation. To facilitate escape from a hazardous situation, luminescent strips and heat shielding provide visibility in smoke and protection from flames, respectively. Secondary escapes such as ropes, ladders, and nets are also available as backup for the more sophisticated escape methods. 6. 2 Human Resources Throughout the disaster there were too many informal communications. Communications between shift change was also lacking. A Permit-to-Work system was introduced, it is a system of paperwork designed to promote communications between all parties affected by the maintenance procedure done on the platform (Bull, 2004). Other than that, management systems in the company must highly qualify. Managers on Piper Alpha had minimal qualifications, which led to poor practices and ineffective audits, which should be avoided completely. To control such a system of high risk there should be someone who is highly qualified. Occidental Petroleum had regular safety audits of its facilities but they were not performed well. Few, if any, problems were ever brought up, even though there were serious issues with corrosion of deluge system pipes and heads and many other issues. When a major problem was found, it must be quickly attended. 6. 3 Safety and Health The workers on the platform were not adequately trained in emergency procedures, and management was not trained to make up the gap and provide good leadership during a crisis situation. Proper safety training should be given to all workers before working on any offshore platforms. Routine body check-up should also be carried out to ensure all workers on board are fit for duty at all time. In case of any accident, any offshore platform should always provide gas masks or smoke dampers installed in the platform to avoid toxic gas being inhaled by workers. To contain the oil spilled, facilities or standby ships must be ever ready to tackle any accident to minimize the damaged caused (Bull, 2004). 7. Conclusion The Piper Alpha disaster was clearly an accident of human errors. With a mixed of complacency and indifferent towards the needs for safety, there is no one to be blamed for that. It cost not only the company great losses but also the government and many innocent lives. On the other hand the accident caught enough attention to change a lot of regulations and attention towards safety at work, especially industry that involves dangerous working conditions such as oil and gas. Any other countries and companies started to have a strict enforcement on safety at work. Structures and designs of platform give more possible backup plans in case of accident. Nevertheless, the working attitude of a worker is the most important to ensure safety at any time, for it is the altitude depends on attitude, not aptitude. 8. List of References Bull, D. C. 2004, A critical review of post Piper-Alpha developments in explosion science for the Offshore Industry, HSE publications, Norwich. Centre Of RSK 2001, Piper Alpha Accident [Online]. URL: smd. mul. ac. uk/risk/yearone/casestudies/piper-alpha. html Drysdale, D. D. ; Slyvester-Evans, R. 1998, ‘The explosion and Fire on the Piper Alpha Platform, 6 July 1988’, A case study, Technical Note, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 2929-2951. Fire And Blast Information Group 2011, Piper Alpha [Online]. URL: fabig. com/Accidents/Piper+Alpha. htm Heaney, M. 2007, Lessons Learnt From The Piper Alpha Disaster [Online]. URL: ecademy. com/ node. php? id=80465 Learning from accidents, Kletz, T. , 3rd edition, Gulf Professional Publishing, 2001. Lees’ Loss Prevention in the Process Industries: Hazard Identification, Assessment and Control, ed. Mannan, S. , 3rd edition, Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann, 2005. Pate-Cornell, M. E. 1992, ‘A Post-mortem Analysis of Technical and Organizational Factors’, Learning From The Piper Alpha Accident, Technical Note, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 215-232. The Public Inquiry into the Piper Alpha Disaster, Cullen, The Honourable Lord, HM Stationery Office, 1990. Wikipedia 2011, Piper Alpha [Online]. URL: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Piper_Alpha

Worldview Integration and Reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Worldview Integration and Reflection - Essay Example According to the views of the positivists, the facts which generally originated from experiments as well as clarifications could be regarded as the actual truth and hence rejected all the discussions related to values as being worthless or non-cognitive chats (Harris, â€Å"A Summary Critique of the Fact/ Value Dichotomy†). Modern society is basically characterized by a sharp disintegration between the sacred and secular fields where both the aspects of work as well as business has been identified to be strictly secular. It is because of this fact, Christians are often found to exist in two separate worlds varying in terms of the private world of family and church as well as the public world. This dichotomy tends to pose a profound impact upon the personal lives of the people. It is to be mentioned in this regard that by identifying a universal perspective that combines the secular as well as sacred aspects into a single framework, it becomes easier to break free from dichotomies thereby limiting God’s power in the lives of people. It is quite significant to reject the division of life into a sacred sphere which has been restricted to worship and personal morality against the secular realm that comprises politics and other general aspects related to the public (Pearcey 20). 2. How Would You Make The Case That Christianity Alone Gives A Complete And Consistent Account Of Reality? The statement that Christianity relates to total reality implies that this religion provides a comprehensive perception of the world. This further implies that Christianity tends to offer the view of the world. It further signifies a biblical conversant view over reality. A worldview is almost similar to the mental map which guides human beings regarding the ways of living an effective and meaningful life. It is assumed that with the help of these views Christians are capable of comprehending and pursuing their faith in the world thereby, fulfilling the cultural consent (Pearcey 20). Nancy Pearcey states the fact that most of the Western cultures have been monitored by a dualism that tends to separate the public sphere from that of the private one. Such dualism has been known to demote the Christian worldview to the sphere of private values and holds no stake with regard to the public aspects where general strategies are made. Hence, it can be observed that Christianity has been incapable to spread over a wider arena. The chief reasons behind this have been the fact that Christianity in the public sphere has been evaluated in terms of rationality. Christianity usually depend more upon facts instead of focusing upon the related values. Christianity has also been threatened in the private sphere as people fail to strictly follow the doctrines of