This report highlights the measures that have been taken to address the dangers posed by the dodge ball game in the school. In compiling the report, the main hazards were identified. The report also gives the strategies put in place to control hazards to reduce the risks of playing the game.
Hazards
The main hazards in the dodge ball game may include aggression between participants which can result to serious physical injuries. The aggressions not only cause injuries to players, but also to members of staff. The aggression can also arise from the spectators or the general public.
This form of aggression has the potential to cause psychological and physical problem to participants, spectators and members of staff in the school. Physical obstacle in the school compound can also be a source of hazard to all participants with a potential of causing serious physical injuries.
Poor preparations by players such as lack of warm up before engaging in the game potentially poses a risk of physical injuries to participants. To add to this, regular collisions between participants and injuries from equipment such as balls are a threat to both the players and officials. Wrong footwear, jewelry, glasses and poor behavior by players are also hazards that may risk the safety of the participants and the spectators.
Risk management strategies
Students need to be supervised at all times when they are playing dodge ball. Proper preparation before the game should be done and all players should ensure thorough warm up. No student should be allowed in the field of play without proper clothing and particularly the footwear should be right. All balls should be thrown at a height below the chest. Any ball aiming the head should be prohibited.
According to Keyes (14), to avoid injuries from the balls, soft balls should be used. All aggressive players should be removed from the field of play as a punishment. Officials should not condone any unruly behavior from the crowd. Any member of the crowd with such behavior should face a ban from attending future matches. Officials also have the duty to ensure the field of play is free from obstacles that are potentially dangerous.
First aid kits should be available at all times. Together with this, a team of well trained volunteers should be made available to administer first aid to all injured players. No jewelry should be allowed in the field of play. Each player should also be made aware of the disciplinary action that may be taken for any action that may pose risks to other players.
Drinks of all forms should be discouraged from the field and all officials should enforce this. The clothing should not have zips. Officiating staff should check to ensure only sportswear are worn by all the players. Dodge ball has number of positive outcomes. The training helps in the strengthening of muscles.
The game also help the body to improve on endurance and to increase in performance of the body, the body muscles also learn to coordinate well as one try to dodge the ball from time to time. The game also helps one to increase his awareness to the surrounding environment. It is also excellent for cardiovascular exercises, and also reduces stress level, anxiety and risk depression.
In conclusion, dodge ball game should be encouraged. However, all rules of the game must be adhered. Any bleach to the set down rules should be punished.
Works Cited
Keyes, Andy. The Complete Book about Dodge ball. New York: Authorhouse.2005. Print
House fires can occur due to many different causes, such as gas explosions or negligent handling of electric tools. Open fire sources such as cigarettes and candles are particularly dangerous because people sometimes fail to recognise their danger. Houses can be challenging to escape during a fire, which will often force firefighters to go in to save the residents. There are particular indoors fire behaviours such as flashovers and backdrafts, which can inflict severe damage on a firefighter who has to go near the flame.
These dangers supplement more mundane hazards such as smoke and its obstruction of visibility, which can lead to tripping. With that said, all of these dangers can potentially be addressed to some degree with specific training and equipment. As such, this risk assessment attempts to identify and evaluate all of the dangers present, then propose control measures.
Aim & Objectives
The purpose of the report is to highlight the dangers involved in indoors fire fighting and propose methods for alleviating them. It focuses on houses because they are somewhat frequent environments for fires to start. They are also more likely to have people and animals who have to be rescued inside compared to industrial facilities, which are often easier to evacuate. As such, the objectives of the report are to identify general fire-related dangers as well as those specific to houses and compare them to each other to understand their severity.
It will then propose solutions that can address most of these issues effectively and realistically. To do so, it will draw on the author’s practical knowledge as well as literature. As such, the report will be separated into three distinct categories, with a dedicated conclusion for the risks section.
General Dangers
Contact with fire is extremely dangerous due to the heat involved in it, which can lead to severe and potentially fatal burns with even short exposure periods. Moreover, as it heats the air around it, people can be hurt by staying near a fire for extended periods. Clothing increases the danger of contact because many varieties will catch on fire upon contact, further harming the person who cannot take it off in time.
However, firefighter uniforms are already designed with the intent of minimising potential contact with flames and being fireproof without sacrificing too much mobility. Members of the profession should still be wary and understand the dangers of fire, however, as the equipment does not make them immune to it. Overall, this hazard is a moderate one in terms of danger, as firefighters can typically withstand short-term contact without being harmed.
However, fire introduces the danger of smoke, which, while not particularly damaging to inanimate objects, is extremely dangerous to humans. Smoke can get into most locations due to its gas-like consistency and move considerable distances away from the open flame. It is also dangerous to inhale, and continued exposure can lead to asphyxiation. As with flame, firefighters have specialised equipment that lets them filter the air they breathe.
However, these tools do not operate perfectly, and firefighters can develop conditions such as asthma over time. However, they are still at risk, especially when trying to rescue a person without a protective mask. The person can lose consciousness, becoming an additional burden and forcing the worker to act fast to prevent their death. Overall, the various combined risks make smoke a severe hazard that should be minimised through whatever means are available.
House-Specific Dangers
Houses are confined spaces, often with somewhat narrow corridors and door frames as well as cramped room layouts. As a result, they can increase the dangers of a fire by creating an increased concentration of smoke and blocking pathways with fire. They also tend to be filled with flammable materials, such as wood and cloth, in both their construction and furniture. Often, fire can damage a house’s infrastructure and cause a part of it, such as a ceiling beam, to collapse.
Such events can be lethal if they occur while a person is in the danger zone, but they represent danger by further complicating the house’s layout in any case. Lastly, houses’ closed-off nature can mean that lighting issues occur, causing people not to recognise that they are inhaling smoke until it is too late. Overall, the risks created by the house environment are severe and highly life-threatening.
Confined space also creates some unusual fire behaviours that supply additional dangers for firefighters. Flashovers are fires that spread extremely fast as a result of the temperature around them surpassing the autoignition level.
Backdrafts are situations when opening a door leads to a blast of fire coming out of it and likely hitting the person who performed the act. Both of these events can create sudden and severe danger for the person with the potential of immediately causing severe harm despite protective equipment. Additionally, flashovers can suddenly close previously open paths and leave the person without an escape route, exposing them to further danger. These phenomena can occur with little to no warning, surprising the firefighter and giving them no time to react. As such, their low preventability and extreme danger warrant a designation of the risk as severe.
The combination of fire’s tendency to collapse flammable structures and smoke’s ability to obscure vision can create numerous tripping hazards in a house. Falling over is always dangerous due to the risk of trauma, particularly if the surface on which one lands is uneven. However, flames introduce several additional dangers that increase the overall risk. If a firefighter trips into a fire, they can sustain severe burns before they can get away.
Moreover, they can tip some other object over, potentially complicating the situation further. Even if the worker lands on a safe surface, their mask can crack, which can lead them to inhale smoke at a high rate and succumb to its effects. With that said, the possibility of tripping and its effects can be minimised through appropriate conduct, so the overall danger of this aspect should be moderate.
Electrocution is the final risk that will be discussed in this assessment, being one of the more obscure but also potentially deadly dangers. Fires can damage electrical infrastructure, which usually tends to disable it via events such as short-circuiting. However, sometimes, the damage can create an exposure that can electrocute an unsuspecting firefighter. The presence of electricity is often impossible to observe with the naked eye.
As such, the event can catch the worker unprepared and potentially be fatal. Electric fires are a particular cause of concern, particularly when the rescuers do not know what event started the flame. They are made worse by many conventional methods of handling fire, which can backfire on the firefighter. However, due to the rarity of such situations and the existence of electric fire management methods, the danger of electricity warrants a moderate rating.
Conclusion
Fire fighting is an extremely dangerous task in most circumstances, but its dangers are made worse in the highly flammable and confined environment of a house. Many dangers that emerge in such a situation can cause immediate and severe harm to the person. Moreover, the general long-term hazards of fire and smoke still apply and are made worse by the higher concentration. With that said, firefighters still have to go in and get into close contact with fire to rescue people. The case with open or industrial fires may be different, with them being able to address the issue from a safe distance. In general, house fires can be considered one of the most dangerous categories for workers. As such, all possible precautions should be taken to minimise the risks to which they are exposed.
Recommendations
To deal with the general dangers of fire, workers should wear extensive protective equipment and be well-trained in its use. They should have specialised portable tools that can address the most frequent hazards during a house fire, such as a hand axe.
When rescuing someone, they should take some basic help tools, such as a rudimentary filter mask, with them. Firefighters should know the general ways of stopping the spread of fire and minimising the concentration of smoke and apply them in practice. It will usually not be possible to do that alone, so excellent communication and coordination between team members are necessary. If someone gets hurt, the rest should follow an established and standardised rescue protocol. These instructions should help reduce the general dangers of fire while remaining applicable to house fires, specifically.
With that said, residences have many unusual and potentially unique factors that can surprise and disorient a rescue worker. As such, they should train for these particular environments and their unique hazards. The International Association of Fire Chiefs (2020) suggests applying ventilation to minimise the risks of flashovers and backdrafts, with transitional fire attacks being potentially effective solutions.
Concerning visibility and falls, firefighters should be trained to identify and avoid dangerous areas unless strictly necessary. Lastly, to avoid electrocution, they should wear insulated equipment and receive training to identify whether electricity is on in the house.
Reference List
International Association of Fire Chiefs (2020) Fundamentals of fire fighter skills and hazardous materials response. 4th edn. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett.
Colleen is at high risk according to the Missouri risk assessment; she had a total score of 9 which is in the range for High risk: A score of 8+. Colleen was 15 years of age at her first referral and had no priors according to local authority records. However, just recently she has received a prior or present referral for a felony assault; involuntary manslaughter and adjudicated delinquent. Prior to her assessment Colleen has been living in out of home placement. It appears that for now she has peer relationships (three homeless men) which are a strong negative influence. This is illustrated by Colleen testing positive for opiates and fabricating a Wizard of Oz excuse for her condition (walking through a field of poppies). There is a history of abuse/neglect as her dad abandoned the family when she was an infant, and Colleen’s mum has a history of drug abuse. This substantiates the conclusion that Colleen has experienced neglect, given that one of parents ignored their responsibilities to her, and the other had made lifestyle choices that are strongly correlated to child abuse/neglect. This question is difficult to answer as there is no information available about a known petition of DFS finding of probable case.
There is some evidence of substance abuse at this time for Colleen. At the time of her first arrest she was found to be under the influence of opiates so it is reasonable to assume that she may have moderate alcohol or drug abuse issues, or be developing some. Given her mum’s drug addition, Colleen may model her mum’s behaviors, such as self medicating to cope with life difficulties. There is no direct indication that Colleen has not attended school it is reported that she has recently been “traveling” with three homeless men, and that she has a habit of running away from her home with her Aunt. It is unlikely then that the young woman has been attending school regularly, and was recorded as having moderate problems in this area. It seems that her Aunt, as the current parent figure, has had a management style that is moderately ineffective. Colleen has run away several times, has been traveling with the homeless, appears to be missing school, and to be using a narcotic. At this point in time, Aunt Emily’s parent management is not able to provide the support and guidance that Colleen needs. Although Colleen does not have prior issues involving the police it seems that recently her behavior has become erratic and dangerous to others as well as herself. This change in general behavior may be because Colleen is in the adolescent development stage and be struggling with her identity and physical changes. Or it may be that young woman is experiencing social pressures that she is trying to cope with. Finally, Colleen’s mum is in a drug rehabilitation centre. This risk assessment does not inquire into possible reasons behind the high risk behavior, and it does not suggest possible interventions suited to a particular individual. Rather broad brush approach, for example, prior or present referrals is ambiguous here as Colleen was only recently arrested for use of narcotics and accidental homicide. On the Washington Risk Assessment scale Colleen scored an 8 on the Social History dimension and 6 on the Criminal History dimension, scoring her as at a Moderate Risk.
Xander at 17 appears to fall outside of the age groupings for the Missouri Assessment scale. As he has had prior referrals, including those for misdemeanor offences (e.g., purse snatching) Xander scored highly. His peer relationships are strongly negative as he has admitted to being a member of a local gang, and Xander appears to have severe problems with school attendance seeing as he has dropped out. His mum is not coping well with his conduct and has reported him to the police on occasion. However, there are no reports of alcohol or drug abuse, and it appears that he has not had a diagnosis for a mental illness. Also there do not appear to be any referrals for physical abuse against others or for felony offences. Xander’s score of 8 placed him in the High risk category for the Missouri scale.
Whereas on the Washington Assessment scale Xander scored 6 for Criminal History and 7 for Social History Risk, placing him in the Moderate Risk category. This scale takes into account Xander’s age. However his length of stay in Washington state is not made known for this assessment. The Washington scale provides scores also for misdemeanors, but also clarifies criminal offence referrals by using sub-categories, such as against-people misdemeanors and weapons referrals, which are not used in the Missouri scale.
The Washington scale is more comprehensive with regard to criminal referrals. The items in both sections are more difficult to score in the Washington version as the format makes the items somewhat ambiguous. However, the use of a matrix to score the Washington scale provides more categories for youth offenders to be assigned to, and so seems to have more flexibility as to what level an offender will be assigned. It appears that in this case there is a non-concurrent validity across the two tests as they yield a different level of risk. Although without running statistical tests it is unable to be said if the two tests do not measure the same things.
It appears at first glance that the Washington is more comprehensive in the quantitative information it seeks about the youth offender, however the Missouri looks quicker and easier to administer and score, so in theory would likely yield a more accurate rating. The advantage of the Washington scale is the inclusion of an age category above that of 16, the use of a decision making matrix for scoring, and the inclusion of a pre-screen attitude/behavior indicator to inquire into reports of violence and sexual aggression, perceptions of responsibility and pro-social values, and attitude toward use of aggression (verbal and physical) to solve conflict.
Additional information to more completely fill out the assessments would have included; how long have lived in their state, and if have travelled interstate; how long they have had their main friendships, who do they consider to be in their support network; do they feel that they achieve their personal goal and do they have any; rating of their attachment relationship with a significant adult carer; and to gauge a rating of their perceived self-esteem.
Suggested interventions for each case are as follows. Both youths need to make contact with a counsellor to determine if there is underlying emotional, personality or learning issues that may constrain their ability to function within society as teenagers. If needed long-term (over 6 months) counselling should be organised for each of them. It may also be of benefit for Colleen to attend a few group sessions for substance abuse if she discloses to the counsellor that her use is abusive. At the very least an alcohol and drug awareness workshop would aid her in making informed decisions. Colleen also needs to attend a Day Treatment centre to learn to find new ways to deal with conflict situations.
Xander would benefit from a mentoring program where he could be paired with a responsible and motivating peer, or adult. A mentor would enable and empower Xander to contact tutor services and to prepare for his G.ED. For example helping to plan what he needs to do, how to manage his time, how to record important contact information and how to source a variety of opinions and facts to make informed decisions. Xander would also benefit form some social skills programs that helped him to expand his support network and to make other friends that are not associated with gangs, such as an outdoor club, sports or volunteer program. His mum and he would likely also benefit from family counselling to help them to communicate and support each other better.
In conclusion, although the two scales have many similarities they also differ in key aspects such as; age appropriateness; comprehensiveness of data gathering; length, and scoring difficulty. The Missouri scale could be argued to score rather more rigidly, although this may be of benefit to “err on the side of caution” however it could also be too extreme and counterproductive is some cases.
Hong Kong is one of the unique administrative regions of China that operates independently as a country since 1997, following the agreement between the region and mainland China to function as “one country, two systems” (Albert, 2019). The government of the People’s Republic of China granted the region autonomy for self-governance in all sectors except defence and foreign affairs. Consequently, Hong Kong has the freedom to carry out executive, judicial, and economic functions until 2047 (Chiu, 2018). The leader of the Hong Kong government is the Chief Executive, who can be impeached by the Legislative Council. The Chief Executive appoints the judges who serve in the Judiciary (Albert, 2019). Since gaining sovereignty, the country’s economy has grown tremendously, mainly due to its connection to the world’s second-largest economy. Hong Kong has become a global financial and shipping hub leading to its ascendancy to become the world’s second freest economy in the 2020 index (Focus Economics, 2020). Additionally, the GDP has grown steadily over the years, making the country one of the most attractive destinations for foreign investors.
Hong Kong’s Financial and Economic System
Between 1961 and 1997, when the country gained independence, its GDP grew by a factor of 180, while the per Capita GDP increased 87 times over the original value (Lee et al., 2019). The Coastal Metropolis is a primary conduit for goods getting into mainland China (more than 13% of all Chinese imports go through the ports in Hong Kong) (Chiu, 2018). In 1998, when the Hong Kong stock market was on the verge of collapsing, the government bought stocks worth more than US$ 15.3 billion to cushion its currency and to revive its ailing economy (Lee et al., 2019). Historically, the city-state has liberalized the private sector by giving the most important sectors of the economy a free hand. To date, the agriculture, services, and industrial sectors enjoy particular freedoms, which allow stakeholders in various industries to drive the economy of the metropolis. For instance, business start-ups in the country are allowed to operate without a license, regardless of the nature of their legal operations (Chiu, 2018). The only requirement for setting up a business in Hong Kong is to ensure that the business owner follows a simple business registration process.
Since gaining its sovereignty, Hong Kong has built a capitalist mixed service economy as well as the world’s best business environments. The firms operating in the metropolis pay low taxes, and there is minimal government intervention in the markets. Consequently, the country’s economy has grown to become the 35th largest economy globally, and its stock exchange is the 5th largest (Lee et al., 2019). As of December 2018, the country had a market capitalization of US$3.87 trillion, and the current Gross Domestic Product (PPP) is $480.5 billion (Focus Economics, 2020). The country’s GDP has been growing steadily for five years before the 2019 recession that occurred in the wake of political and social unrest in the metropolis. Government expenditure has formed 18% of the country’s GDP for the last three years, while budget surpluses have averaged 4% of the country’s output in the same period (Focus Economics, 2020).
One of the primary sources of government revenue is the trans-shipment of cargo through the city-state’s ports. The country was the 10th largest cross-border trading unit in 2017 in terms of imports and exports (Lee et al., 2019). More than 40% of the goods passing through its ports originate from PR China. The country’s role as a conduit for products in the state has made the region’s airport the busiest in the world in international cargo handling. However, the agriculture sector is not a significant contributor to the economy since there is minimal arable land in the metropolis. This sector contributes a paltry 0.1% of the GDP since most of the farmers focus on growing flowers (Lee et al., 2019). Consequently, almost all of the food consumed in the country is imported from other countries.
Hong Kong’s Political System
The city-state’s administration consists of three main arms of government, the executive, the judiciary, and the legislative council. After the “one country, two systems” agreement of 1997, the country adopted the Basic Law of Hong Kong as the regional constitution (Albert, 2019). The Chief Executive is the leader of the unique administrative region and can serve in that capacity for a maximum of two five-year terms. Hong Kong’s head of government has to win a nomination process that involves an election whose voters are 1,200 local and government leaders (Albert, 2019). However, he/she can only assume office after being appointed by the state council and the Premier of China.
The executive has the mandate of enacting and enforcing the law in the region, and its head is responsible for appointing the executive council members. The chief executive has the authority to dissolve the legislative council and to enact regulations that would restore peace in emergencies. On the other hand, the legislative assembly has the power to enact laws, to approve the budget, and to impeach the leader of the country. Each of the 70 members of the council serves on the board for four years after being elected from either a geographical or a functional constituency (Albert, 2019). The judiciary comprises of the lower courts, which are answerable to the Court of Final Appeal. The region’s leader appoints all the judges who serve in the Hong Kong judiciary.
The two functions that were not granted to Hong Kong in the 1997 agreement are the defense and the foreign affairs dockets. The Hong Kong garrison is tasked with protecting the public from external threats, but it is comprised entirely of soldiers from mainland China (Albert, 2019). The military has no provisions for Hong Kong residents to enlist in the army. China’s ministry of foreign affairs handles the region’s foreign affairs. However, the city-state retains the power to foster independent cultural and economic relations with other countries.
Hong Kong’s Economic Stability
In the last quarter of 2019, even before the outbreak of the Corona Virus global pandemic halted many operations in the metropolis, the region’s economic activity plummeted faster than any other time in over a decade (Focus Economics, 2020). Fixed investments in the area and household consumption both declined in 2019, chiefly due to the political standoff between the protestors and the Hong Kong administration. The protestors consider Beijing’s tightening grip on the region’s political activities as a threat to the city-state’s sovereignty (Focus Economics 2020). Economic analysts have projected a recovery due to Beijing’s reluctance to intervene in the protests after the impact of the airborne coronavirus halted the riots.
Since the beginning of this year, various metrics prove that the economy of the region is ailing. The purchasing managers’ index went (PMI) up to 34.9 from 33.1 in the previous month (Focus Economics, 2020). This downturn indicates that the business environment of Hong Kong’s private sector is continually deteriorating. Many businesses in the region have declined in new orders, and the employment levels have reduced the PMI index of the 1st quarter implies that the city-state’s economy has fallen deeper into recession.
Fig 1: Hong Kong PMI March 2020 (Source: Focus Economics, 2020)
Similarly, February’s retail sales volume has declined by 46.7% of the sizes posted in 2019 (Focus Economics, 2020). Consumer confidence has fallen, and there have been virtually no tourist arrivals due to the coronavirus outbreak. When the average volume of retail sales is adjusted from December 2019 to February this year, the statistics show an 11.7% decline (Focus Economics, 2020). Further, the retail sales are expected to plunge even further, but economic analysts predict a recovery once the government reopens its borders.
Fig 2: Hong Kong Retail Sales by Volume, 2020 (Source: Focus Economics, 2020)
Generally, the region’s economy is undergoing a recession, but the trend is expected to reverse and return to normal once the country’s borders have been reopened. The political unrest and the tension between Hong Kong and Beijing are expected to subside, considering that there are no more protests due to the fear of contracting the deadly Corona Virus (Focus Economics, 2020). Additionally, the global pandemic has seen the city-state’s government close its borders to tourists to avoid a health crisis. However, once the situation normalizes, many expect the country to regain its appeal to investors.
Hong Kong’s Trade Relationship with America
Currently, there is a healthy trading partnership between the United States and Hong Kong. In 2018, America was the 2nd most significant trading partner of the Asian city-state as bilateral trade increased by 8.1% in the same year (Chiu, 2018). In that year, the state of Hong Kong was the United State’s 42nd most crucial source of imports. Also, Hong Kong is the country with which the world’s largest economy enjoys the most prominent trade surplus (which amounts to over US$31 billion) (Lee et al., 2019). Additionally, US nationals are one of the most prevalent foreign presences in the state as there were close to 21,000 of them residing in the metropolis in 2018, and the number of US visitors stood at 1.3 million that year. Not only are there more than 60 large US companies that are represented in Hong Kong, but also there were 290 regional headquarters of American multinationals in Hong Kong in 2018 (Chiu, 2018). Moreover, the metropolis is an essential nexus for merchandise trade between the world’s two largest economies. Finally, Hong Kong does not violate foreign companies’ intellectual property rights and protects all workers through international labor legislation.
Currency Exchange Rates
The exchange rate between the currencies of the two countries has remained relatively constant in recent years, with one US dollar fetching 7.75116 Hong Kong dollars. In other words, one HKD is worth 0.129013 USD (Chiu, 2018). The constant rates indicate a healthy trading relationship between the two countries.
Risks of Investing in Hong Kong
Despite an otherwise excellent business environment, there are a few risks associated with investing in the metropolis. The main ones include:
The current geopolitical issue is affecting normal business operations, and the situation is likely to be a persistent problem due to the country’s proximity to China (Lee et al., 2019).
Hong Kong’s economy is excessively reliant on the financial sector, which would pose a problem during periods of economic downturns (Chiu, 2018).
The rent for properties and offices is high.
The workers in the metropolis demand significantly high wages than employees in the neighboring countries.
Comparative Advantage of Investing in Hong Kong
Some of the comparative advantages that the area holds over other countries include free trade policies and favourable tax measures. Further, its position as the gateway to the most significant production base in the world (China), economic stability, an adequate infrastructure, and one of the world’s best financial systems (Focus Economics, 2020). Additionally, international labor laws protect the workers in the country, and foreign companies’ intellectual property rights are protected.
Viability of Investments in Hong Kong
While investing in Hong Kong today would result in massive losses for investors, it is hardly a good time to spend anywhere else in the world due to the global corona pandemic. However, the ongoing political unrest is a legitimate source of concern. On the other hand, setting up a business in the coastal metropolis will be a desirable proposition after the effects of the corona pandemic have subsided. The region’s government has proven in the past that it will take all the necessary actions to stabilize its economy and to attract foreign investors. Currently, the metropolis is home to more than 7.5 million people, most of whom are Han Chinese (Albert, 2019). The state has a residential population density of close to 100,000 people per square kilometre (Chiu, 2018). Whereas Cantonese is the first language, more than half of the inhabitants can speak English. Both factors are a huge boost for American investors since their businesses will have plenty of customers, half of whom can speak English.
Additionally, due to the highly effective transport and utility infrastructure present in the area, investors should not worry about moving their merchandise into, across, and out of the metropolis. According to recent statistics, more than 90% of daily commuting occurs via public transport, which eases congestion in central business districts (Chiu, 2018). Additionally, the locals use smart, contactless cards on their way to and from work on buses, trains, ferries, and other means of transport. Also, most of the energy is generated locally, and more than 92% of the households are connected to broadband internet (Lee et al., 2019). The main challenge facing the local population is access to safe drinking water.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Despite considerable political unrest in Hong Kong in recent months, as well as the coronavirus pandemic, the unique administration region of China is still one of the best investment locations in the world. The metropolis has shown considerable resilience in the wake of these recent setbacks. The country has a robust banking system capable of weathering this recession, which will restore the waning consumer and investor confidence.
Fig 3: Banking Statistics in Hong Kong since 2014 (Source: Focus Economics, 2020)
The bedrock of the economy is the services sector, and investors should focus on the provision of privatized services in education, health (especially assistance to the elderly and the disabled), tourism, and technologies that will conserve the environment. The services sector employs the bulk of the local population, implying that labor will be readily available.
Fig 4: Employers in Hong Kong per Sector (Source: Focus Economics, 2020)
To sum up, despite the current turbulent economic times, all the pointers indicate that the country’s economy will recover, and investors from the United States should take advantage of the excellent trading relationship between the two countries. Not only is it easy to run a business in the metropolis, but American investors will have access to the Chinese production base. In that way, they will not worry about their intellectual property rights being violated.
References
Albert, E. (2019). Democracy in Hong Kong. Council on Foreign Relations. Web.
Chiu, S. W. K. (2018). City states in the global economy: Industrial restructuring in Hong Kong and Singapore. Routledge.
Lee, F., Tang, G., & Tsang, C. K. (2019). Financialization and generational differences in the correlates of perceived importance of investment in Hong Kong. Social Transformations in Chinese Societies, 15(2), 161-177.
Governance is the ‘software which enables the operation of urban ‘hardware and must be designed to avoid devastating consequences to population and infrastructure from disaster risk. This report is a risk assessment analysis provided for the Qatar Civil Defence Department that is meant to identify hazards from local and external environments and evaluate service provision by the ministry. Identifying threats is a key aspect to mitigating them and directing appropriate responses as well as preliminary community engagement that ensures protection and preparedness of the population.
Scope
According to the United Nations Development Programme, risk governance or management is how public authorities, civil servants, and civil society coordinate at national and regional levels to manage and reduce disaster and climate-related risks. This includes “identification, assessment, management, and communication” of risks and how relevant information is collected, analyzed, and decision-making is made (“The Arab Cities Resilience”). Furthermore, risk management ensures that proper mechanisms are in place and institutions have the available capacity and resources to prevent, prepare, manage, and recover from disasters.
The scope of this report will identify entities and frameworks for disaster response. Then, utilizing the 5WH methodology, various disaster threats and responses will be analyzed including fire, natural disaster, hazardous materials, and how emergency services manage these risks. These are believed to be the most prevalent and consistent risks from the perspective of internal civil defense. The strategic objectives and preparation of Integrated Risk Management Plans (IRMP) will be discussed.
Framework
The General Directorate of Civil Defence as it is currently known is a department under the State of Qatar Ministry of Interior. It consists of operations, prevention, procurement, and administrative affairs departments. Its primary functions are to implement rules of civil defense as well as creating and executing plans for civil defense procedures with relevant ministries, members, and community stakeholders. The department focuses on internal security on providing firefighting, rescue operations, ambulance, and civil defense activities and services. This can range from direct responses during disasters to security coverage, training, simulations and evacuations, and evaluation of engineering safety and hazardous materials (“General Directorate of Civil Defence”).
In 2006, Qatar introduced the National Command Center (NCC) for a coordinated response to local and national emergencies. Equipped with the latest technologies and capacities, the NCC can use real-time information to direct responses. The NCC uses a technology known as the Unified Geospatial Infrastructure (NJM) a web0based geographic security system that hosts all relevant geographic and tabular data in a geodatabase.
The NCC is responsible for the entire emergency workflow beginning with receiving calls to tracking location, and dispatching the necessary response using its data on critical infrastructure, location of hazardous materials, and availability of response vehicles. The NCC united the services of the Emergency Service Centre, the Ministry of Interior (Civil Defence), Internal Security Forces, and the Hamad Medical Corporation which operates ambulances (Ebrahim & Osama).
In 2017, Qatar issued the Doha Declaration on disaster response which updates the national strategy on disaster risk management. It aligns with Qatar’s Sustainable Development Strategy, the Arab Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (ASDRR), and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction introduced by the United Nations. These promote international and regional collaboration and communication as well as the utilization of scientific input and technology. The Sendai Framework which the Civil Defence department uses focuses on 4 priorities:
Understanding disaster risk – all dimensions of vulnerability, capacity, exposure, and hazard characteristics;
Strengthening disaster risk governance – coherence of national and local frameworks, laws, and regulations as well as clearly defined roles and responsibilities;
Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience – using structural and non-structural measures to enhance the resilience of communities and their assets, including but not limited to innovation and growth as well as instruments to save lives and infrastructure;
Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response – ensuring capacity for effective response and recovery. The recovery process and risk reduction measures should be prepared and publicly shared ahead of time to ensure effective response (“Chart of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction”).
Analysis
Fire
The biggest disaster risk for Qatar is universally considered to be fired, particularly in urban areas. In the last decade, the number of fires continues to increase in Qatar, with the latest available statistic placing the number of fire accidents at 1,922, almost 300 more than the year before. The majority of fires occur in urban buildings and vehicles (“The Arab Cities Resilience”). It is the crucial preventive function of the Civil Defence Department to issue licenses to commercial, industrial, and general infrastructure which ensures building fire safety.
In 2006, the Civil Defence Department implemented what has known as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) specifications for buildings, ranging from offices to luxury hotels and airports. In recent years, the regulations and their enforcement have become increasingly stringent. Civil Defence engages in periodic community outreach, for both private homes and businesses, spreading awareness about fire incidents and safety measures. Educating the public and conducting drills alongside providing direct access to firefighters, which are rarely seen outside responses is a vital community empowerment tool welcomed by the population (Mohamed).
Natural Disasters
Qatar is generally considered to be one of the safest countries on the planet regarding natural disaster probability, highly unlikely to be affected by earthquakes, storms, or flooding. However, due to rapidly changing global climate conditions, Qatar has an established Permanent Emergency Committee (PEC) that is responsible for disaster management. There is a National Plan for Emergency which details contingency plans. Periodic drills occur, overseen by the Civil Defence department to ensure the readiness of the state. There is also a regional observatory under the General Authority of Civil Aviation Administration which monitors earthquakes and natural disaster threats.
The PEC produced practical tools for the Ministry of Interior to implement for natural disaster preparedness where crisis plans are focused on tackling more potential scenarios such as the sea-level rise and surge storms. Risk mitigation activities recommended are creating or improving infrastructure to be more resilient, including disaster response plans into the school curriculum, conducting scenario drills, and improving urban infrastructure such as water drainage to reduce risk (Qatar – Government).
Hazardous Materials
This risk is significant for Qatar particularly due to its developed industries in oil and natural gas with several large facilities. The Civil Defence department has recognized and focused on this risk by creating guidelines for handling, transportation, and storage of hazardous substances. All locations with hazardous materials are tracked in a database while the ministry is aware of any potential contaminants or threats to public health that such locations may pose. Furthermore, the Civil Defence department has implemented a specific program at its Ras Laffan Emergency and Safety College (RLESC) in partnership with Qatar Petroleum focusing on training advanced safety professionals for the petrochemical industry (“The Arab Cities Resilience”).
Strategic Management
Qatar Civil Defence attempts to use strategic management by establishing a framework that combines the government agencies alongside private entities. The organization adopts an Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework that initially seeks to identify and assess threats. Based on these assessments, activities are enacted which meet strategic, operational, and compliance objectives. The rationale is established at each level to ensure good risk management and governance. Control assurances are utilized at various levels of risk governance and management, beginning with the NCC to the greater national strategy. Reviewing, updating, and communicating the risk management strategy and policy allows engaging an efficient and effective framework.
Whilst no information was found regarding Qatar’s approach to creating and implementing Integrated Risk Management Plans, it is deduced that these are enveloped in the general strategic framework discussed earlier. There is an increased emphasis on working with other parties and agencies to develop a working mechanism in providing a safe environment under international standards.
There is also an emphasis on prevention which is achieved with integrated systems of security as well as innovative licensing systems. According to Nasser Al-Taweel, the adviser to the Minister of Finance, the Civil Defence department is seeking to improve its risk governance based on four measures of time, cost, procedures, and quality. Currently, quality is the indicator that needs the most improvement and the Ministry is doing its best to reform the system and develop modifications to existing civil defense services (“Civil Defence to ensure highest standards of security and safety”).
Conclusion
Last year, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs noted that Qatar values sustainable development as part of its National Vision 2030. This includes preparation and response to natural and man-made disasters as a strong effort to preserve efforts in national development (Nabeela). This report presented various frameworks and strategic initiatives undertaken by Qatar and the General Directorate for Civil Defence.
While significant progress has been made in risk governance and preparedness, several tasks and challenges need to be addressed. However, existing systems are showing extraordinary promise in the identification, mitigation, prevention, and response to risks and disasters. Risk governance in the Kingdom of Qatar remains efficient, unified under the Civil Defense department, and technologically advanced.
Recommendations
The first recommendation is to improve response to disasters by ensuring proactive plans and coordination among agencies. Second, infrastructure needs to be strengthened, including greater regulation of fire safety and inspection. Finally, it is necessary to empower and work with local communities, improving the roles of women and youth as well as addressing the challenges of poverty.
These social concepts ensure unity and collaboration by building partnerships that limit risks and enhance potential responses to crises at the local level. It is optimal that Qatar achieves full disaster preparedness and has a well-developed, flexible, and constantly updated framework of risk management well ahead of its 2030 Vision objective. As new risks and threats may emerge, changes should be made in accordance.
Considering the importance of this topic, which the government recognizes in leadership with the Civil Defence ministry, costs may accumulate into hundreds of millions of riyal, particularly when it comes to updating infrastructure. However, funding for such projects and the Civil Defence department has only been increasing in light of international agreements and Qatar’s public dedication to risk governance both locally and in the region.
Works Cited
“Chart of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.” United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. Web.
Community correction agencies are increasingly becoming dependent on risk assessments in calculating the likelihood that an offender may re-offend. This trend is evident because of the increased cases of offences that necessitate the urgency in the development of quick risk assessment methods.
These risk factors are categorised into static and dynamic factors. The latter category refers to historical factors that do not frequently fluctuate such as gender, marital status, and the number of previous arrests. On the other hand, the former category refers to risk factors that can easily fluctuate in a short time and include substance abuse, mental health and criminal peers.
In this section, risk factors that are severally present in offender risk assessments are discussed and include; the number of previous arrests, substance abuse, and mental health (Murray, 1998).
Previous arrests/ Criminal Past
According to relevant sources, the criminal past of an offender is the best indicator that the offender may re-offend (Murray, 1998). For instance, an offender with a single past criminal offense is approximately 39% more likely to commit another offense in the future.
On the other hand, an individual with five past offenses is approximately 59% more likely to commit another offense (Lind, 2009). When an offender enters a correctional facility, the likelihood to re-offend increases; thus, the need to implement rehabilitation programs becomes inevitable.
Substance abuse
Approximately 80% of state and federal inmates are incarcerated for drug-related crimes, or have a past associated with alcohol or drug abuse. When offenders linked with substance abuse are sent to community supervision, the cycle tends to repeat itself (Murray, 1998). For instance, 30% of offenders show evidence of drug abuse within the first four weeks of release from correctional facilities, (Physicians and Lawyers for National Drug Policy, 2008).
Mental health
Another risk factor that is included in most offender risk assessments is the mental health of the offender (Murray, 1998). Relevant sources show that several offenders commit offences as a result of some form of mental illness. In June 2008, for example, 31% of all incarcerated adult offenders were discovered to be suffering from mental disorders.
It has been established that offenders suffering from serious mental disorders have a rate of recidivism of 46% (Lind, 2009). As such, the risk factor is introduced to help in determining the offender sentencing process.
How Community Correction Agencies use Risk Assessments
Depending on the nature of the offence, prior convictions, drug abuse, and other risk factors, community correction agencies apply various risk assessment procedures. The methods used are classified into actuarial instruments and clinical guides. They were designed to assist supervision staff in correctional facilities to address need factors, for example, high-risk offenders are put under more supervision than low-risk offenders. In this section, the methods by which community correction agencies use risk assessments are described below.
Pre-sentence Reports
Community correction agencies (CCA) use offender risk assessments to prepare pre-sentence reports (PSR) used by the courts in sentencing. As such, PSR reports give the offender risk information that aids courts in establishing the appropriate sentences (Bonta, Bourgon, Jesseman, & Yessine, 2005).
For instance, probation officers prepare PSR’s for high-risk offenders including their appropriate treatment recommendations. As compared to high-risk offenders, low-risk offenders may have less severe PSR with better treatment recommendations that would result in less severe sentences by the courts of law.
Inmate Classification
By the aid of a Classification Officer, inmates are interviewed and assessed in order to determine the housing assignments and custody status. The final assessment is reached at through critical scrutiny of past criminal records, inmates file and the initial interview session. “Out of the assessment, inmates can be assigned to any of the custody levels that include: Maximum Pretrial or Sentenced, Medium Pretrial or Sentenced, or Minimum Pretrial or Sentenced” (Baltimore County, 2011).
This defines the level of prison security at which the inmate will be put under which are; maximum security, medium-security and minimum-security respectively. Maximum-security prisons consist of closely monitored single cells while medium-security prisons consist of secure hostels supporting a maximum of 50 inmates each. Lastly, minimum-security prisons consist of unsecured hostels that correctional officers make planned visits to check for safety.
Identification of Appropriate Programs/Supervision
Community correction agencies conduct needs assessments on offenders to enable easier identification of the best programs that would effect change of behavior. Some of the items that are addressed during these assessments include; offender’s substance abuse, mental stability, and physical health.
Therefore, rehabilitation programs are scheduled for the offenders depending on the level of risk and their classifications in the above list. For instance, mentally ill offenders may be introduced to psychiatric programs; while, substance abusers put in drug rehabilitation programs (American Psychiatric Association, 2000).
Strengths and Weaknesses of most Risk Assessments
Risk Assessment Tools have constantly been in use on account of their ability to identify risk of harm and offender recidivism. Most of these tools are gauged according to ease of use, applicability and accuracy of their results.
On the contrary, different tools are believed to have weaknesses in terms of their complexity, lack of objectivity, and the inability to measure the risks associated with offenses (Webster, Rudiger, & Goran, 2002). All assessment tools are categorized under two broad sections namely; actuarial assessment and clinical decision tools as describe in the following paragraphs.
Actuarial Assessment
In this assessment, specialized actuarial instruments are used to assess the offender’s likelihood to re-offend through explicit rules for weighing each variable. In sexual offenses, for example, RRASOR assessment instrument is widely used (Hanson, 1997). This instrument comprises of four variables that include; prior sexual offenses, gender (male), age (>25) and extra-familial victims. In accordance to the rating scale, a close correlation to these variables meant a high-risk of re-offense.
Clinical Assessment
Unlike actuarial assessments, a clinical assessment helps the assessor to select from a range of risk elements that have been established empirically. The evaluator uses the information to provide a general estimate of the risk posed by the offender. The Sexual Violence Rating Scale (SVR-20) is an example of a clinical decision tool for use in sexual offences (Webster, Rudiger, & Goran, 2002).
Comparison and Conclusions
According to relevant sources, actuarial assessments present the most accurate results in the prediction of recidivism (Webster, Rudiger, & Goran, 2002). Furthermore, the assessment instruments present an easy way of accessing and analyzing offender information for faster solutions.
However, there are critics that the actuarial rating scales used for assessment are one-dimensional and may not reflect the actual level of offender risks. Furthermore, the level of superiority in the assessment method depends on the formulation of assessment questions. For instance, questions in different stages may result in different scores for the same assessment instrument used. As such, it is not true that a certain instrument will always provide the most accurate results for all scenarios.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Washington, DC.
Physicians and Lawyers for National Drug Policy. (2008). Alcohol and Other Drug Problems: A Public Health and Public Safety Priority. Web.
Webster, D., Rudiger, M., & Goran, F. (2002). Violence Risk Assessment: Using Structured Clinical Guides Professionally. International Journal of Reonsic Mental Health Services, 1(2), 44-49.
The three most important risk assessment and management practices are THIRA, TRAM, and BTRA. These practices help organizations find and deal with risks. THIRA’s main goal is to find and evaluate threats, like terrorism, and give a framework for managing risks. TRAM focuses on terrorism risk assessment and management, which includes figuring out how dangerous terrorism is and taking steps to stop it. Lastly, BTRA focuses on biological threat risk assessment. This lets organizations figure out how dangerous biological threats are and make plans to stop or lessen them.
Terrorism Risk Assessment and Management (TRAM)
Terrorism Risk Assessment and Management (TRAM) is a systematic approach to understanding, analyzing, and managing the risk of terrorist attacks. It involves developing an effective, comprehensive risk assessment and management plan to reduce the potential threat of terrorism to an organization or community (Akılatan, 2021). TRAM provides a framework to identify, assess, and manage risks associated with terrorism, and to create an effective plan to mitigate those risks. In addition, TRAM encourages collaboration among stakeholders, incorporating intelligence and risk management best practices. The goal of TRAM is to minimize the risk of terrorist attacks and ensure the safety of citizens and organizations.
Terrorism Risk Assessment and Management (TRAM) is a set of exercises used to mitigate the risk of terrorist attacks. The first exercise involves collecting information about potential targets, assessing their vulnerability to attack, and evaluating the threat posed by the possibility of an attack. The second activity is to identify potential terrorist targets and assess the risk of an attack. The third step in the model as reported by Akılatan (2021), “is the assessment of the Vulnerability.” The fourth task is evaluating the threat posed by the possibility of an attack. The final exercise is getting rid of the risk by using the mitigation approaches adopted.
There are different scenarios where TRAM model can be used to address the situation. The first scenario is when a terrorist organization has issued a threat to launch a violent attack against a given place such as a major city. Using TRAM, one of the initial activities will be to collect gather to determine the possibility of the attack. The second scenario is where a terrorist group has managed to infiltrate a country and they are planning coordinated attacks. In this case, the security agency will work together with other stakeholders to get the information. The third scenario is when A terrorist group has obtained weapons of mass destruction and is threatening to use them against a country.
Game theory is a branch of mathematics used to analyze strategic decision-making. It is often used to analyze the dynamics of situations where more than one party has something to gain or lose. In the context of Terrorism Risk Assessment and Management (TRAM), game theory can be used to analyze the risks associated with terrorism and the strategies that can be used to reduce those risks (Akılatan, 2021). Game theory can assist assess the risk posed by a particular terrorist group or individual, as well as the effectiveness of potential counter-terrorism strategies. It can assist determine the optimal level of security: the point at which the costs of increased security outweigh the benefits.
TRAM is designed to provide an exhaustive analysis of the potential risks associated with terrorist threats and activities. It is based on the principles of risk identification, assessment and management, and has been specifically designed to address the unique and complex nature of terrorism-related threats. TRAM is an effective tool for assessing and managing the risks posed by terrorism. It allows organizations to identify and assess the potential threats posed by terrorism and to develop strategies to mitigate those risks. Additionally, TRAM is designed to be flexible and adaptable to the changing threat environment.
While TRAM is an effective tool for risk assessment and management, there are certain weaknesses associated with its use. Firstly, TRAM is usually limited by the availability of data used for assessment. Many terrorist activities and threats are not publicly available, making it difficult to accurately assess the risk associated with a particular threat or activity. TRAM can determine risks after the fact, making it hard to proactively handle threats. TRAM relies heavily on subjective analysis of threats and risks. These assessments can be influenced by individual bias and preconceived notions, resulting in inaccurate risk assessments. It is costly to follow because an organization must devote significant resources to assessing and managing potential risks.
Biological Threat Risk Assessment (BTRA)
A Biological Risk Assessment (BRA) model is a structured and systematic approach to evaluating potential exposure to biological agents. It is designed to identify, quantify, and assess the risk associated with exposure to hazardous biological agents in a particular environment. The initial step of the model is to identify the biological hazard that have the potential to cause health risks. This includes identifying the source of the biological agent, the route of exposure, and the potential for exposure to occur. The other phase is to evaluate the potential exposure to the agents. This includes assessing the amount and duration of exposure, the likelihood of exposure, and the potential for the agent to cause illness or injury.
The event-tree model is a type of risk assessment model used in biological risk assessment. This model is used to identify and evaluate the potential risks of a biological system or activity. The event-tree model is composed of a sequence of “events” or branches that represent different possible outcomes of a risk situation. Each branch is associated with a probability and an outcome (Zeng & Zio, 2017). The model is a useful tool in biological risk assessment because it can provide a visual representation of a system and its potential risks. This helps to identify and quantify risk factors and to identify potential control measures.
The Biological Threat Risk Assessment (BTRA) model is an effective tool for evaluating and managing risks associated with biological materials. It is comprehensive, taking into account the full range of potential risks associated with biological materials, including the potential for pathogen release, accidental exposure, and occupational health and safety risks. The BTRA model is highly flexible, allowing organizations to tailor the model to their specific needs. It can be used to assess a variety of biological materials, from laboratory reagents to living organisms. The model is easy to implement and does not require significant investments in infrastructure or personnel.
Biological risk assessments are often conducted using different methods and approaches, making it difficult to compare and contrast findings across studies. Without an established set of standardized methods, there is a greater risk of errors or inconsistencies in the results. It usually involve subjective decisions on how to interpret and use data, as well as how to weigh different factors. This can lead to bias and inconsistency in results, as well as a lack of reproducibility. Biological risk assessments are normally very complex and involve many variables that can interact in unpredictable ways.
Thread and Hazards Identification and Risk Assessment
Thread and Hazards Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) is a risk assessment tool used by communities to identify and prioritize risks and hazards posed to the community. This tool is used in emergency management to assess a community’s vulnerability to natural, technological, or human-caused disasters. The process begins by identifying the hazards and risks that may be present in the community (FEMA, 2019). This includes looking at existing infrastructure, population density, and the potential for natural disasters. After the hazards and risks have been identified, the next step is to assess the risk associated with each hazard. Once the risks have been identified and assessed, the next step is to prioritize the risks.
Community preparedness for Thread and Hazards Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) is an essential element in the overall homeland security strategy. The community should be able to identify and understand the threats, hazards, and risks facing a community is essential to effective community preparedness (FEMA, 2019). They should have the infrastructure, assets, and resources to help in understanding the potential impact of a hazard. Their knowledge in the vulnerabilities of a community and its assets is key to mitigating risks. Developing a comprehensive plan and strategy to address the risk is an important step in preparedness. Regularly testing and evaluating the preparedness of a community is essential to ensure the community is capable of responding to a potential.
Thread and Hazards Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) is a comprehensive approach to emergency management developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). THIRA offers a framework for gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data from a variety of sources. By engaging stakeholders from all sectors, emergency managers can ensure that their risk assessment is comprehensive and accounts for all potential threats and hazards. Through a proactive, risk-based approach, emergency managers can identify potential threats and hazards before they become a problem. The process is standardized and repeatable, ensuring that all steps are taken in the same order each time.
THIRA provides a comprehensive approach for identifying risk and mitigating hazards. It takes into account the political, social, economic, and environmental contexts of the area being assessed. It is designed to be adaptable to different situations and contexts. THIRA follows a systematic approach to identifying risk and mitigating hazards. The model is inclusive in its approach to identifying risk and mitigating hazards. THIRA is evidence-based and relies on data, research, and best practices. It allows for the identification of risks and hazards at a much lower cost than traditional methods of risk assessment.
THIRA does not provide a comprehensive assessment of threats, risks and hazards. It does not take into account the impact of external forces, such as economic, social and political factors, on the vulnerability of a community. It relies heavily on the specialist knowledge and experience of experts in certain fields. This can lead to an inaccurate assessment of risks and hazards, as well as an over-reliance on the opinion of these experts. The results of THIRA are often unclear and difficult to interpret. This can make it difficult to use the assessment to inform decisions or create strategies to reduce risks and hazards. Threads can be difficult to maintain and debug, as they need to be monitored and managed regularly.
Conclusion
THIRA, TRAM and BTRA are three important risk assessment and management practices that help organizations identify and manage risks. THIRA focuses on identifying and assessing threats, such as terrorism, and providing a framework for risk management. TRAM focuses on terrorism risk assessment and management, including the evaluation of risks associated with terrorism, and the implementation of preventive measures. Finally, BTRA focuses on biological threat risk assessment, allowing organizations to assess the risks posed by biological threats and develop strategies for prevention and mitigation. All of these tools are essential for organizations to effectively manage risks in today’s world.
References
Akılatan, T. B. F. (2021). Terrorism risks and threats assessment in west Africa: analyzing ECOWAS early warning system (Master’s thesis, ESOGÜ, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü).
Our city of Genericville is in a dilemma that is similar to the one faced yearly by numerous other communities. How does the city council strike a common ground between the problem of mosquitoes and its related ailments such as West Nile Virus with the impending health and environment effects due to the use of the Insecticide spray, Malathion? This paper presents the evaluation of the risk in using Malathion based on four-step risk assessment criteria to support my decision against its use in the city of Genericville.
The first step is hazard identification. This appertains to the evaluation of the potential health risks that may result due to contact with Malathion. Spraying the area with this pesticide may yield to some undesirable health problems.
More research ought to be devoted on the appropriate options of dealing with the problem of mosquitoes, which can transmit the deadly West Nile Virus (WNV). Are the hospitals in this city prepared enough to deliver treatment to individuals facing health problems due to spraying of Malathion if the council were to adopt the application of this pesticide throughout the city? Even though Malathion is toxic, a regular hospital is capable of treating its effects.
According to The Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (2009, para.5), it states that “exposure to very high levels of Malathion for a short period in air, water, or food may cause difficulty in breathing, chest tightness, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, blurred vision, sweating, headaches, dizziness, loss of consciousness, and even death.”
The second step is dose response. This appertains to the level of exposure of Malathion in association to its adverse health effects. At low concentrations, Malathion may cause side effects such as “sweating, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting” (Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2009).
At high concentrations, it yields to “coma, anxiety, abdominal cramps, and convulsions.” The extent of manifestations of the symptoms depends on the level of exposure to the pesticide. Efforts should be made in controlling these side effects regardless of whether the extent of exposure to these doses is in small or high amounts.
The third step in risk assessment of Malathion pesticide is exposure. This involves the quantity, frequency, and the period of exposure to this deadly pesticide. The extent of contact with Malathion in food and the atmosphere varies in the U.S depending on diverse modes of its application.
Some states apply this pesticide to treat its residents while others apply it to guard their plantations from destruction by insects. The people staying near areas where Malathion is used are more susceptible to exposure. People are exposed to Malathion residues either through direct contact with Malathion plants or consumption of these plants. The period of exposure to this pesticide, can extent for as long as seven days.
Even with adequate education to increase the pubic awareness of the exposure times, it is not realistic to consider its contact with humans impossible. Sprays of Malathion pesticide are often administered in climates that most of the times are hot and are breeding places for insects. This makes humans to be at high risk of exposure to this pesticide. Malathion degrades very fast, hence it is mostly used during the hot season, including during summer all across the United States.
The last risk assessment step is risk characterization. This involves gauging whether some people in the population are at high risk than others. People who seldom follow precautionary principles when dealing with Malathion are more susceptible to its adverse health effects.
The people working in the agricultural fields or other prone areas are at high risk of exposure to this pesticide than the people in the city. This implies that the workers who are actually spraying this pesticide are more susceptible to harm. The Environment Protection Agency has come up with measures to control the level of exposure of this harmful pesticide to humans (2009, para. 1). It has been mandated with the task of re-evaluating the chemical agent to ascertain its safety for use throughout this country.
In summary, I would vote against the implementation of the use of Malathion in the city of Genericville since there is enough evidence to prove that this antidote is detrimental to the human life. As much as we should keep our city free from invasion of these insects, perhaps we can think of adopting other methods of achieving this; for example, using the natural pesticide ‘’pyrethrum” that is capable of controlling mosquitoes with no adverse environmental or human health effects (Sinclair & Pressinger, n.d).
Regardless of the fact that many cities across the United States have implemented its use, it is my strong conviction that we can control the invasion of these insects by education the residents of this city together with our visitors. All of us have to come to terms with the reality that we are not secluded in this ecosystem. My judgment may be harsh to some of the council members, but it is in order for us to consider all the economic, ecological, and social aspects before implementing the use of Malathion in this unique city.
While risk management and risk assessment have different goals, I believe that their aim is similar, because they both focus on reducing the potential risks for their customers, with the exception that risk management programs also have to focus on the financial side of the cases. Therefore, it is unlikely that there will be a conflict between the risk management and risk assessment if they are a part of one program. Many factors, inducing personal and organizational, are able to influence the risk outcomes for a patient; these factors need to be addressed by both programs in order to evaluate what measures and rules should be followed.
Moreover, uneducated staff and patients can potentially lead to incidents of malpractice lawsuits; here, risk management and its assessment are linked to each other again. While risk assessment can help with preventive actions, as well as patients’ and staff’s education, risk management is able to monitor the progress that is being made (or that it is not made). Nevertheless, the problem that might emerge is the funding between the programs, as both of them can require significant investment (Haimes, 2015). It needs to be decided which of the programs requires more funding and how this decision will influence the outcomes. Here the conflict between the programs can emerge. However, funding for the programs heavily relies on the context and the hospital where they are launched. If the hospital has a long history of successful risk management programs, it is more likely that it will receive the bigger part of the funding.
The problem of risk in the medical profession is common because certain medical activities and conditions present a higher level of risk compared to other industries. It seems reasonable to assume that physicians who treat mentally ill patients (i.e. psychiatrists) are the ones that should take part in the risk management program. Moreover, “many psychiatrists are likely to encounter a malpractice claim against them at some point in their careers” (Rogers, Neumann, & Myers, 2015). Thorough risk management will help them reduce the number of claims they might face. Some of the claims, however, concern inaccurately prescribed medications, false diagnoses or information given by the medical doctor, faulty equipment, etc. Nurse practitioners can reduce the risk by organizing their work environment and improving its physical design (Gimenes, Marck, Atila, & Cassiani, 2015).
This is needed because the challenges that nurses face during their working process can have an adverse impact on patients as well (Gimenes et al., 2015). Factors that can contribute to the present risk are look-alike medications and objectionable organization of tools and medications in medication rooms. Up to 33% of medical errors made during hospitalization and treatment are linked to the poor organization of nurses’ workplace (Gimenes et al., 2015, p. 5). Risk management programs can help nurses understand and evaluate the possible challenges and risks more precisely; moreover, they will also reduce the hospital’s costs and the amount of lost time spent on resolving of the problems.
References
Gimenes, F. R. E., Marck, P. B., Atila, E. G., & Cassiani, S. H. D. B. (2015). Engaging nurses to strengthen medication safety: Fostering and capturing change with restorative photographic research methods. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 21(6), 741-748.
Haimes, Y. Y. (2015). Risk modeling, assessment, and management. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.
Rogers, J. E., Neumann, C. L., & Myers, W. C. (2015). Commentary: Bringing order to chaos — how psychiatrists know the standard of care. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online, 43(4), 451-455.
Falls prevention is a significant part of geriatric health care because older patients are at a high risk of falls due to diseases, frailty, and aging factors (Holroyd-Leduc & Reddy, 2012). To decrease the number of falls in older people, medical professionals have to assess their clients’ possibility of falling. For this purpose, there exist a variety of evaluation tools focused on different aspects such as one’s gait, habits, previous falls, or age (Resnick, 2016). The Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) collects data about a patient to calculate his/her risk of injury. Another tool that can be used is the Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) – it incorporates several tasks to evaluate one’s balance. The combination of multiple tools can help to analyze the health of an older patient with Parkinson’s disease and develop suggestions for fall prevention.
Case Study
The patient under the pseudonym JK is a 75-year-old white male. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease eight years ago, but his condition started becoming increasingly worse recently as has been noted by his neurologist during the last visit a week ago. He has such problems as urinary and bowel incontinence, tremors, and difficulty walking. After his previous appointment, JK started to take medications that help relieve tremors. However, these and other symptoms continue to progress and affect JK’s everyday life.
FRAX Assessment
FRAX is a tool that evaluates the probability of fractures in older people in the next ten years after the assessment (Roux et al., 2014). There are twelve sections in the test, each having a question or a numerical measurement of the patient. FRAX incorporates a variety of patient characteristics, including one’s age, sex, as well as family and patient history of previous fractures (Roux et al., 2014). Moreover, it considers patient behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and medication use and inquires about the presence of osteoporosis and arthritis (“Calculation tool,” n.d.). The combination of these facts is used to calculate the risk of fractures. FRAX does not require patients to complete many tasks, making the test reasonably simple.
The second chosen tool is POMA which is performed in the form of 16 different exercises, where each of them is focused on a separate type of motion. The first portion of tasks measures one’s balance with such activities as sitting, arising, standing, nudging, turning, and sitting down (“POMA,” n.d.). The second part evaluates gait by asking the patient to walk and looking at his/her steps, path, and stance (“POMA,” n.d.). The test calculates the possibility of falls depending on the successful or failed completion of exercises and one’s confidence during their performance. This tool was selected because, in a contrast to FRAX, it appraises the patient’s actual movements. Also, it does not require many devices or items, apart from a chair.
Patient Assessment Results
According to the FRAX tool, the patient’s probability of fracture is low, showing a score below 7% (“Calculation tool,” n.d.). However, there exist multiple issues with this test. First of all, it does not include a history of previous falls or one’s previous incidents that did not lead to a fracture but were substantial. According to Roux et al. (2014), this lack of acknowledgment of other events decreases the reliability of results. Furthermore, one’s possible comorbidities that increase the possibility of falls are also not included. The patient has Parkinson’s disease, in which tremors and gait problems may cause falls. His condition puts him at high risk of damage and, therefore, increases the probability of fracture. JK’s incontinence problems are also not recognized in the test.
According to POMA, the patient is at high risk of falling. JK’s gait is shuffled – his steps are small and slow and increasing tremors disrupt his balance. His score after completing the tasks is 17 points, which the majority of points coming from his sitting balance. On the other hand, when the patient walks, his walking stance is unstable. In comparison to the previous test, POMA assesses the risk of falls, not fractures. It cannot predict what outcomes the patient’s falling incident will have. Nonetheless, this type of assessment presents visual evidence of the patient’s current condition.
Strategies to Reduce Falls
Parkinson’s disease progresses with time and is difficult to suppress. To reduce the risk of falls, the patient should follow the plan of care, take prescribed medications, and manage symptoms. Furthermore, JK should make some lifestyle changes and have a balanced diet. Exercising may help JK to increase balance and muscle strength, as well as improve his posture (Canning et al., 2015). While it does not directly impact the probability of falls, it positively influences one’s health. JK should also consider acquiring walking aids and equipping his house with some safety devices. Occupational therapy is another way to reduce the risk of falls and simplify everyday activities.
Conclusion
Assessment tools for falls probability focus on different characteristics of patients, their actions, and movements. One test may not provide a full picture for a patient or acknowledge all conditions and habits. FRAX tool uses information and patient history to calculate risks, failing to include many individual details. POMA uses actual evidence but does not account for the outcomes of falls. The presented case study considers a patient with Parkinson’s disease, whose incontinence, tremors, and gait problems increase the risk of falls. He should pay significant attention to his lifestyle and daily living activities to avoid falling.
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