Incident At Bhopal Essay Example For Students

Incident At Bhopal Essay Toexamine the events contributing to the tragedy at Bhopal, India and theirrepercussions and to draw conclusions based on these events. WhatHappened at Bhopal? Reading newspaper and magazine articles written immediatelyfollowing the events at Bhopal, it is apparent that it took some time forauthorities to determine the causes of the industrial accident. Speculationseems to have run wild for a time following the accident. Drawing from laterstatistics and information seems to be a more reliable method of determining themost likely scenario. Where various alternate feasible possibilities have beenpresented, we will try to include the most likely. At approximately midnight onDecember 3, 1984, an unexpected chemical reaction took place in a Union Carbideof India Limited storage tank. The storage tank contained methyl isocyanate,(hereafter referred to as MIC) a toxic gas used in the process of a pesticidecalled Sevin.(1) As part of the distilling process there was an extremely highconcentr ation of chloroform present. This caused corrosion of the tank. The tankbeing made of iron provided a catalyst for the reaction. A large amount of waterwas also introduced, approximately 120-240 gallons, which in combination withthe chemical, generated enough heat to start the reaction. The runaway reactionreleased an uncontrollable amount of heat and this resulted in 30-40 tons of thegas being vaporized and spread over approximately 30 square miles, killingthousands of people and injuring hundreds of thousands.(2) The lack ofinformation on MIC in 1984 made it a very toxic and difficult to controlsubstance, according to Meryl H. Karol of the University of PittsburghsGraduate School of Public Health. He says, Although nominally a liquid atroom temperature, methyl isocyanate evaporates so quickly from an open containerthat it easily turns into a colorless, odorless highly flammable and reactivegas I would hesitate having it in a laboratory. He also quotes the OHSAstandard for exposure to MIC during an eight-hour day as 0.02 parts per million,far lower than what many Bhopal residents were exposed to.(3) THE HEALTHAFFECTS of exposure to MIC is disastrous. At low levels, MIC causes eyes towater and results in damage to the cornea. At higher concentrations, musclesconstrict, and the bronchial passages have the equivalent of a severe asthmaattack.(3) Most of the deaths in India were due to this. Dr. Jeffrey P. Koplan,Assistant Director of Public Health Practice at the Centers for Disease Controlin Atlanta, who went to Bhopal to render assistance, said, There was edema,substantial destructionof alveolar walls, a ulcerative bronchiolus among patients at the severely crowded hospitals.(4) Serious damage to thecentral nervous system after three to four weeks, including paralysis, andpsychological problems have also been a result.(3) The long-term affects of MICexposure are equally disastrous. According to the Indian Council of MedicalResearch, at least 50,000 people are still suffering and new chronic cases ofasthma keep showing up as the population ages and 39% of the surroundingpopulation have some form of severe respiratory impairment.(5) Most of them willsuffer for the rest of their lives.(6) It is a conservative estimate that 5people die every week as a result of the Bhopal accident.(7) Anotherconsideration is that in a social class that maintains a living through physicallabor, inability to perform results in starvation.(8) Affects on women wereprofound. Out of 198 women living within 10 miles of the facility, 100 hadabnormal uterine bleeding.(1,5) Of the local women who were pregnant before theaccident, 43% mi scarried and 14% of the babies carried to term died within amonth. Socially, these women are considered unwanted by potential husbandsbecause reproductive disorders are so commonplace that they are seen assterile.(5) It is unknown whether chromosomal damage will affect futuregenerations.(8) TOTAL EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT are not yet known. Approximately 1,600 animals died on the first and second days after theincident. This was a terrible environmental health risk. Eventually this problemwas solved by digging a giant one-acre mass grave. There was also damage to somevegetation, animal and fish species, but not to others. The Indian Council ofAgricultural Research is studying this.(1) A VARIETY OF FAILURES werecontributing factors in this lethal cloud of chemicals descending on thehelpless, uninformed public. These failures include design failures, maintenancefailures, operations failures, emergency response failures, communicationsfailures, governmental failures and last but not least management failures. In1982, a safety audit by the Union Carbide parent company revealed a number ofsafety problems. The conditions that did not measure up were problems with themanual controls of the MIC feed tank, unreliable gauges and valves, andinsufficient training of the operators. The Union Carbide of India divisionclaimed to have fixed all of these, but management never had auditors go backand confirm. Another inherent problem is that the storage tanks were too large. Legalize Marijuana misc EssayThe World Bank insists that projects receiving its loans comply with safetystandards. This includes complying with safer processes to replace morehazardous ones.(13) In 1985, Dr. Gareth Green of Johns Hopkins UniversitySchool of Public Health and Hygiene, remarked to the Journal of the AmericanMedical Association, I think we need more knowledge about the location andquantities of hazardous substances around the country. There needs to bedeveloped plans for dealing with problems should they occur.(4) Dr. Greencould not have foreseen the future any more clearly if he were psychic. It tookawhile, but in 1992, OSHA enacted the Process Safety Management Standard. PSMcovers such planning. IT MAY BE CONCLUDED that chemical process plants should belocated nowhere near residential areas, whether in the U.S. or abroad. Strategicsite location could have eliminated the occurrence at Bhopal almost entirely. The United Nations should have an equivalent department serving an OSHA-likefunction in third-world countries, with trade sanctions imposed on those who donot comply. The U.N. has been involved in many less humanitarian venturesrecently. Why not something purely protective in nature? It may also beconcluded that the value American chemical companies place on human life dependslargely on where the person lives and the penalties involved when lives arelost. BibliographyAvoiding Future Bhopals: In the Aftermath of Catastrophe, What Can We LearnFrom Historys Worst Industrial Accident? ENVIRONMENT, Vol. 27, Sept 1985,p. 6-13. (2)Environmental Surprise: Expecting the Unexpected. Kates,William. ENVIRONMENT, Vol. 38, March 1996, p. 6-7. (3)Fallout From a ChemicalCatastrophe. Peterson, Ivar. SCIENCE NEWS, Vol. 126, Dec 15, 1984, p. 372. (4)After Coping With Crisis, Medicine Ponders Sequelae. Marwick, Dr. Charles. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Vol. 253, April 12, 1985. (5)Persistently Toxic: The Union Carbide Accident In Bhopal Continues toHarm. Mukerjee, Modhusree. SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, Vol. 272, June 1995, p. 16. (6)The Fallout From Bhopal. Lepkowski, William. SCIENCE DIGEST. Vol. 94,Jan 1986, p. 52. (7)Union Carbide Officials Face Prosecution. Kumar,Sanjay. NEW SCIENTIST, Vol. 138, May 1, 1993, p. 8. (8)BHOPAL: 15thAnniversary. WWW.Corpwatch.org/Bhopal. (9)Bhopal: The Lesson Sinks In. THE ECONOMIST, Vol. 295, June 22, 1985, p. 91. (10)Permanent Scars of theBhopal Catastrophe. DISCOVER. Vol. 7, April 1986, p. 9. (11)What We CanLearn From Bhopal.Speth, James. ENVIRONMENT, Vol. 27, Jan/Feb 1985, p 15. (12)Gassed in Bhopal. THE ECONOMIST, Vol. 293, Dec 15, 1984, p. 12-14. (13)Poisoned Legacy. THE ECONOMIST, Vol. 293, Dec 15, 1984, p. 77-78. (14)Union Carbide; Not Us. THE ECONOMIST, Vol. 294, March 23, 1985, p. 78-79. (15)New Labor Report on Bhopal Plant. ENVIRONMENT, Vol. 27, Sept. 1985, p. 23. (16)Bhopal: Ten Years On. THE ECONOMIST, Vol. 333, Dec 1994,p. 78-79. Environment

Oedipus Tragic Flaw Essay Example

Oedipus Tragic Flaw Essay Oedipus’ Gratification Famous author C. S. Lewis once said: â€Å"A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and of course, as long as you’re looking down, you can’t see something that is above you. † This quote correctly authenticates Oedipus’ tragic flaw in the Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. Beyond other factors, Oedipus’ pride through out the story blinds him from seeing many things that eventually lead us to believe his prevalent tragic flaw of all was his pride. First, Oedipus failed to believe Tiresias when he accused him of being the reason why Thebes was suffering. You are the unholy polluter of this land. (353) Oedipus gets angry at Tiresias after he protests that he is telling the truth. He also goes on to say: â€Å"I say you slew the man whose slayer you seek. † (381) This quote admits that Tiresias did indeed inform Oedipus of his actions. Oedipus declines to realize the connection between this comm ent and his personal knowledge of killing a man. Oedipus believes that because he saved the city such things could never happen to him. â€Å"But if I saved this city, it does not matter. † (466) He is full of pride and doubts all of Tiresiaus’ accusations. Secondly, Oedipus’ dignity always caused him to look down on people who were trying to help him. When Tiresiaus is accusing him of his actions, he mocks the fact that Tiresiaus is blind. â€Å"You have no strength, blind in your ears, your reason, and your eyes. † (391) This confirms the point that Oedipus felt that became Tiresaius was blind, his judgment was not valid. Next, at the beginning of the play when the priest is talking to Oedipus he says: â€Å"Again now Oedipus, our greatest power, we plead with you, as suppliants all of us. (Cite) The word suppliant implies a person who basically begs for help from God. This quote demonstrates the priest asserting the idea that the people of Thebes almost worship him due to his use of the word â€Å"suppliants. † In response to this, Oedipus calls the citizens â€Å"pitiable children†. (Find quote and cite it ASAP. ) Oedipus’ speaks to the people of Thebes as if they are so inferior to him. His pride makes him feel as if he should be worshiped. Lastly, Oedipus’ pride leads him to make very ludicrous decisions. We will write a custom essay sample on Oedipus Tragic Flaw specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Oedipus Tragic Flaw specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Oedipus Tragic Flaw specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer

Swot Analysis of Lux free essay sample

SWOT analysis is a basic, straightforward model that provides directionand serves as a basis for the development of marketing plans. Itaccomplishes this by assessing an organizations strengths (what anorganization can do) and weaknesses (what an organization cannot do) inaddition to opportunities (potential favorable conditions for an organization)and threats (potential unfavorable conditions for an organization). SWOTanalysis is an important step in planning and its value is oftenunderestimated despite the simplicity in creation. The role of SWOTanalysis is to take the information from the environmental analysis andseparate it into internal issues (strengths and weaknesses) and externalissues (opportunities and threats). Once this is completed, SWOT analysisdetermines if the information indicates something that will assist the firm inaccomplishing its objectives (a strength or op nternal Analysis The internal analysis is a comprehensive evaluation of the internal environments potential strengths and weaknesses. Factorsshould be evaluated across the organization in areas such as: y Company culture, image y Organizational structure y Key staff y Access to natural resources y Position on the experience curve Y External Analysis An opportunity is the chance to introduce a newproduct or service that can generate superior returns. We will write a custom essay sample on Swot Analysis of Lux or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Opportunities canarise when changes occur in the external environment. Many of thesechanges can be perceived as threats to the market position of existingproducts and may necessitate a change in product specifications or thedevelopment of new products in order for the firm to remain competitive. Changes in the external environment may be related to: y Customers y Competitors y Market trends y Suppliers y Partners y Social changes y New technology y Economic / Political environmen Operational efficiency, capacity y Brand awareness y Market share y Financial resources y Exclusive contracts y Patents and trade secrets Analysis is instrumental in strategy formulation and selection. It is astrong tool, but it involves a great subjective element. It is best when usedas a guide, and not as a prescription. Successful businesses build on their strengths, correct their weakness and protect against internal weaknessesand external threats. SWOT Analysis helps in strategic planning infollowing manner-a. It is a source of information for strategic planning. b. Builds organization ¶s strengths. c. Reverse its weaknesses. d. Maximize its response to opportunities. e. Overcome organization ¶s threats. f. It helps in identifying core competencies of the firm. g. It helps in setting of objectives for strategic planning. h. It helps in knowing past, present and future so that by using past andcurrent data, future plans can be chalked out. SWOT PROFILE OF LU STRENGTHS1. Strong Market Research (door to door sampling is done once a year in Urban andRural areas). 2. Many variants (Almond Oil, Orchid Extracts, Milk Cream, Fruit Extracts, Saffron,Sandalwood Oil, and Honey to name a few). 3. Strong sales and distribution network backed by HUL. . Strong brand image. 5. Positioning focuses on the attractive beauty segment. 6. Dynamically continuous innovation of the product and brand rejuvenation  ± newvariants ( Aromatic Glow and Chocolate Seduction and Lux White Spa body wash) and innovativepromotions (22 carat gold coin promotion  ±  µChance Hai ¶). 7. Perceived to have high va lue for money (strong brand promotion but relatively lower price which is a winning combination in the popular segment). 8. Though it is in popular segment, it is having mass appeal/market presence across allsegments (15% of the soap market captured by Lux (sales / volume) 9. Unique advantage of having access to resources and assets of HUL. WEAKNESSES1. Lux is mainly positioned as beauty soap targeted towards women, hence it lacksunisex appeal. 2. Usage rate/ wear rate is high and is generally mushy and soggy. 3. Some variants like the sunscreen, international variant did not do well in the market. 4. Certain advertisements like the recent one with Shah Rukh Khan resulted incontroversial interpretations of the message of the advertisement and lead to some lossof focus (of message of the advertisements). 5. Stock out problems replenishment time is high in semi-urban/rural areas. OPPORTUNITIES1. Soap industry growing by 4% in India. 2. Beauty segment ¶s Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) is very high. Anindication of this is that Fair and Lovely ¶s segment is increasing at a fast rate Lux mustreinforce its presence in the beauty segment. 3. More promotions like price-off and samples. 4. Retentive strategy required as the soap segment is in the mature stage of its productlife cycle. 5. Line extension  ± probably with more variants catering to the beauty segment likenatural, herbal soap etc. 6. Liquid body wash is currently in the growth stage  ± Lux should come out with morevariants in this segment. THREATS1. New entrants/local competitors/MNCs would increase the competition (Camay, P;G). 2. High internal competition  ± Pears also catering the beauty segment (also from HULstable). 3. Excessive dependence on beauty segment makes Lux vulnerable to changingcustomer tastes. 4. Technological change makes the existing products obsolete  ± Lux should focus ontechnological innovations like Body Wash. Conclusion It is not simply enough to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, andthreats of a company. In applying the SWOT analysis it is necessary to minimizeor avoid both weaknesses and threats. Weaknesses should be looked at in order toconvert them into strengths. Likewise, threats should be converted intoopportunities. Lastly, strengths and opportunities should be matched to optimizethe potential of a firm. Applying SWOT in this fashion can obtain leverage for acompany. As can be seen, SWOT analysis can be extremely beneficial to those whoobjectively analyze their company. The marketing manager should have roughoutline of potential marketing activities that can be used to take advantage of capabilities and convert weaknesses and threats

Equipment of Marks Spencer Essays

Equipment of Marks Spencer Essays Equipment of Marks Spencer Essay Equipment of Marks Spencer Essay Equipment of Marks Spencer and the machinery would increase in productivity as well as the performance and reputation of the business. Marks Spencer would need to have the latest equipment and machinery in order to carry day to day activities correctly. Marks Spencer would use equipment and machinery such as self check-out machines, electronic tills and trolleys to carry products. The machinery in warehouses would be used in order to make items to the highest possible quality.These machines would need to be updated regularly so that they would not break down and cause day to day activities to slow down. Ultimately, if machinery and equipment are looked after and updated regularly then this means Marks Spencer would be able to operate effectively; customers are likely to buy their items and products which would eventually increase in sales and profit. If customers are going to be happy due to the service provided because of good machinery and equipment then they are likely to stay with Marks Spencer by visiting their stores regularly which would mean Marks Spencer’s reputation will grow over time and once again the sales and profits will increase.In addition to this, Marks Spencer stores have got employed security guards which make a store a safer place to work because there is an instant access to help. Having security is important for marks Spencer because products and items have security tags attached to them on the electronic bars; therefore, if people decide to steal a product or an item the alarm is going to go off at the entrance of the store which would mean that a customer has stolen something. Therefore, security guards will take care of this and make sure that the thief does not run away. In addition, CCTV cameras take great care of being secure at work as well. CCTV cameras operate all day through in Marks Spencer recording everything that is going on. Eventually, having security guards and CCTV cameras increases in performance of Marks Spencer as the employees will feel safe and happy at work and as a result carry out tasks to the best of their ability.Marks Spencer normally has quite big buildings that consist of two, three or even four floors, especially in shopping malls. In addition to this, if there are separate floors such as four floors building it allows Marks Spencer to set a particular floor for particular products and items. For instance, one of the shopping malls in Plymouth has got Marks Spencer store of four floors; the first being men clothing, the second is women clothing, the third is lingerie and fourth floor is children clothing and toys, home ware and the cafà ©. Besides, as the floors are quite big in terms of space, this allows Marks Spencer to have room in order to display a range of styles of the products.If Marks Spencer is able to display a large number of products this means that the performance is going to be increased because as the products are promoted the customers that walk around the store would see the product or an item and might get interested. Customer is likely to be attracted by the product because of the suitable displaying of products in Marks Spencer and as a result they would purchase it. In addition, customers that walk pass the store, might see the display of products in the shop windows of Mark Spencer and this would attract them to come in to the store to look at the product in more detail. Therefore, as customers are likely to buy more products due to displaying this is likely to increase sales and make a higher profit. If the business makes higher profit then this would increase the performance of Marks Spencer.Eventually, human, physical and technological resources have a big impact on Marks Spencer as a business. However, the inability that could to use these resources effectively could appear and this will cause many problems and difficulties rather than advantages

Walmart Foreign Expansion Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Walmart Foreign Expansion Case Study - Essay Example The company adapted practices to fit the nature of Mexico market before transforming the market culture of American practices. However, the company has been criticized for bribery cases in the establishment of outlets in Mexico involving the executives. The company has fought these allegations through internal investigations as well as inviting other authorities not only for Mexico but also other markets which promote Walmart’s reputation. The company faced difficulties in penetrating the Japan market due to strong government protection for the local firms. The company has adopted some local practices that have promoted growth through acquired local firms. The same is observed in the China’s market that where company has adopted labor practices and considerations for customer tastes and preferences. The company has however failed in the Germany and Korea markets due to failure of adapting practices in accordance to the nature of markets in these countries. For instance, in Germany, the company disregarded labor practices and failed to hire locals to enhance management. The company also failed to improve the quality of the products and items offered. Walmart could not succeed in other countries by adopting its wholesome merchandising strategy. This is because the global markets present different factors that are not observed in the American market. Different countries have varied cultures, economic conditions and other factors that shape tastes and preferences of the locals. Firms that would succeed in these markets should satisfy the customer needs and therefore a flexible merchandising strategy is appropriate for use to promote success. Following this, Walmart would apply part of its marketing strategy that is valid for to a country and adopt other local practices to the company’s strategy. Failure to apply flexible marketing strategy, the company would experience

Dangerous and Natural Energy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Dangerous and Natural Energy - Research Paper Example However, the risk that is close to the highest magnitude and frequency lies next to areas with the highest risk. As per the map, the western seaboard experiences the highest hazard of earthquakes (USGS: Science for a Changing World, 2012). Considering that the pink color represent areas with the highest earthquake hazard, Seattle lies in the green area, which is third to the least risky area. However, there are maroon areas surrounding it meaning that earthquakes may be experienced from these areas reaching the area (USGS: Science for a Changing World, 2012). In the past seven days, according to the earthquake center, there has not occurred any seismic activity in the area. The closest earthquake activity that occurred in the past seven days was in Canada and not in the USA. There has been seismic activity in the USA that has occurred in most recently, and in some cases up to this month on the 2nd of June in California. On a global scale, seismic activity seems to occur offshore in the areas bordering the land. This is particularly so in the areas around Alaska, the west coast of the USA, as well as the West coast of South America. Among all these regions, there is consistency in the occurrence based on fault lines around the world. These are mainly to the west of Alaska, East of Australia and the western side of the South American continent. There are, also, several earthquakes occurring in continental shelves in areas such as Alaska, China and India. In addition, there are several occurrences in the Middle East, an area with not much seismic activity. In Japan, 46 kilometers East of Namie, a magnitude 4.7 earthquake occurred on 2 July 2012. It occurred in an area where two fault lines lie (USGS: Science for a Changing World, 2012). Living in a red area is difficult following the high risk involved. However, I would be willing to live in such an area as long as I know the full implication of exposing myself to such a hazard and the benefits that come with

The role and responsibilities of a subject leader in secondary school Essay

The role and responsibilities of a subject leader in secondary school - Essay Example Subject leaders are responsible for meeting the needs of all pupils in their area of work through planning that emphasises individual needs; through teaching that recognises the importance of clear learning objectives and high expectations for all pupils; through assessment that informs planning and learning; through close collaboration with other staff in devising and implementing individual education plans, and through the deployment of staff and resources as determined by pupils' needs. This places a particular responsibility on subject leaders to develop and agree systems and procedures with other members of the team. (Green, 2004) Effective leaders motivate and support all those efforts that are involved in teaching and learning in their subject or area of work. This includes recognising and acknowledging the contributions of others, building and maintaining a team with clear aims, clear goals direction and targets, and helping others and self to set and meet appropriate professional development targets. Leaders possess the responsibility for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of teaching and learning in their subject or area of work, in particular to help set targets for pupil and staff performance, and determine any priorities in relation to the subject or area of work. ... size of the school or college and in many smaller schools the head teacher may retain a major responsibility for monitoring and evaluating both pupil and staff performance. The subject leader still want to use evidence of pupils' achievement and start developing plans to set targets and looks forward for improvement. (Holden et al, 2000) Subject leaders need to be confident about and have expertise in their subject or area of work in terms both of knowledge and understanding and of pedagogy. Subject Leaders Accountability Subject leaders are accountable for performance within their particular subject area. They are accountable to pupils, parents, colleagues and the senior management team of the school in which they work. (Green, 2004) "Accountability" as the term is used today refers to the belief that teachers and schools should answer to the public for the academic achievement of students. Indicators are used to represent what and how much students have learned. Following this line of reasoning, it makes perfect sense to design assessments that can be used to measure student outcomes and to infer teacher and school competence from these reported outcomes. Consequently, accountability becomes operational through the administration of tests that serve as mechanisms to audit the performance of teachers and schools. According to Bernauer, "School leaders must effect certain school-level changes as a precondition for ongoing improvement, particularly in regard to the allocation of time; that is, in order for dialogue to be productive, it must not only be focused but also be a regular component of the school day. Adequate instructional time must also be available if the results of dialogue are to be effectively transformed and delivered in the classroom. While there