New South Wales labor laws mandates employers to look into their employees health, safety, and welfare at work; The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 is the principal statutory act that employers must work within in maintain the expected standards (Work Cover NSW).
In part 2, section 8, division the acts gives employer the duty to ensure that their staffs working condition and to some extent their social welfare like health.
According to the act, employers are expected to ensure that work stations do not offer any workplace risks; the work place environment should be favorable for living by human beings. Among the issues that the act proposes should be looked into is proper sanitation, veneration, safety exists, fire extinguishers among other parameters to make life bearable.
The act advises employers to not only work with local bodies to maintain the set standards but should consider the opinions and standpoints of their employees when setting safety measures. The act is of the opinion that a number of work place injuries can be avoided if employees abide to set regulations and work with their employees in that effect (Storey, 2004).
The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 is founded on international labor laws that require that employees should be protected from unhealthy and unsafe working environments; in Section 8 of Part 2, division 2, the act extends the requirement to other people within the premises of an employer.
According to the division, in the case that an organization has some other people apart from normal employees then employers are mandated to ensure that they are protected against any workplace related injury (Creighton and Rozen, 2007).
In Section 9 of Part 2 referred to as Duties of self-employed persons , employers are given the mandate to enact such appropriate measures that will protect any third person to be injured, health wise or otherwise by the conduct of his or her employees.
The part protect the society in general as well those people who are working closely with an organization; to make the definition clear, the act refers to visitors, students and contractors as other people within working environment who are not employees, they are categorized under the title non-employees.
When the non-employees visit a NSWFB workplace, the act requires that they need to be given safety rules, identification budges or other such gadgets, any protective gear, or any such equipments that can be used to reduce their chances of getting injured.
Non members despite having the gears and being well trained on how to remain save the act requires that in NSWFB workplace, they should be guided strictly and rules of restrictions within the company adhered to (Hofmann and Tetrick, 2003).
Section 10 and 11, mandates controller of working premises to ensure that machinery and any other properly that is under their control has been well vetted for safety; other than vetting the safety, they should ensure that they give such safety information that can assist in prevention of accidents or injuries.
The section separate the mandate given to controller of dwelling premises and those of working premises, those in the working places should have the power to control when the place will be opened, how and by whom, when the premises should be closed or exited and offer such appropriate methods to approach the same.
Like any other act in New South Wales, any person, whether natural or artificial, who goes against the requirements of the act, through an action or an omission is liable of an offence with the punishment there on as penalties.
Employers are on the receiving end where the act requires and emphasis that the need to consult their employees when it comes to issues of health, safety and welfare at work; in the event that the employer fails to do this, employees can enforce the law against the employer.
In section 68 of Part 5, division 2, the enforcement of the act is given to the local councils where at any one time the state can conduct an investigation to ascertain that a certain facility has what it takes to be called safe; when conducting the exercise, the act gives power to the investigator to appoint any person whom he or she thinks is capable of guiding the exercise to do so.
Failure to comply with this provision leads to an offence punishable by law. To make the law comprehensive, the following are some of the provisions provided in Part 2, sections 21, 24, 25, division 3:
Nobody within or without an organization should make people fear of an injury if the situation cannot be justified (Boyd, 2003).
Employees, employers, and non employees should not interfere with safety measures put by the company
Everybody should be willing to respond to a call of help; spirit of assisting each other should be reinforced within the company
Nobody should hinder another when the later has offered to give aid or prevent injury with work places.
In the process of implementing various policy instruments to keep up traffic safety in Oman, the policy analysts should consider various policy instrument alternatives. Problems involved in the implementation of a given policies should be considered to decide the most effective instrument which can be applied to end traffic problems in Oman.
Normally problems occur in the process of implementing various policies. For instance a policy may be inconsistent with the incentives of target people whose behavior is supposed to change. Secondly, a given policy instrument may not be in line with the interest of the policy makers who may be unwilling to carry out the policy.
In addition, adequate resources may not be available to put a given policy instrument into practice (David and Vining 294). Below are implementation scenarios for two policy instruments which can be applied to make sure that traffic safety in Oman is sustained.
Implementation Scenario for Rules
Rules in form of indirect information provision according to David and vining (87) can be the most proper rules when it comes to restricting certain type of people from offering specific service and allowing only specific trained people to offer a given service. Most accidents in Oman are caused by drivers, as a result formulation of rules which target drivers, motorists and bicyclists on roads are needed in Oman to check traffic problems (Abulbasher et al., 175).
Rules which address reckless driving, driving while drunk, safety belt violation, rules which prohibit young and old vulnerable drivers from using roads and those which make sure only licensed drivers are on the roads are needed in Oman. A variety of problems may arise during implementation of rules to tackle the above traffic issues in Oman.
To begin with, it may be very hard to enforce the rules on the people of Oman particularly on drivers who are the main target. Rules restrict the movement of people and force them to follow specific ways and abiding by certain rules is difficult for most people. A rule which forbids drivers from driving while drunk may not be followed by many people because it may be hard to detect these people on the roads.
After all traffic patrols are not always available on the roads to detect alcohol content using breathalyzer. Furthermore the act of monitoring drivers on roads may be tedious and this monitoring may only be applied in urban areas or in busy roads and in other areas drivers may not abide by the rule since they are not monitored.
Secondly a rule which prohibits young drivers and old vulnerable drivers from using roads may not be effective because it is almost impossible to restrict young energetic, ambitious youths from driving just like restricting old people from driving who may not be active and will always drive when they want to move from one place to another (Young Drivers 3).
As a result this kind of rule may be ignored by many. Imposing rules to check over speeding by drivers and generally reckless driving may not be effective because at times people will over speed when they are in rush and when they are sure that no traffic patrol is on the lookout. Most drivers ignore over speeding rules while others even resist arrest by traffic patrol as a result a rule which addresses over speeding in roads may not be followed by many.
Another problem which might arise in the implementation of rules in the process of ensuring traffic safety in Oman is the long and complex processes of rule formulation and development. Coming up with a rule takes time and requires contribution of various parties such as drivers, lawyers, and government representatives. All the people involved must come together to decide the most effective rule to be applied and this may take time.
This is a drawback in the process of dealing with traffic safety problems in Oman considering accidents occur frequently and a way of cutting down the number of accidents in Oman is needed at the moment. Under normal circumstance rules will take time before they are put into practice because they have to follow specific steps for ratifications.
Implementation Scenario for Government Provisions
Government provision is one policy instrument which can solve a lot of issues on traffic safety. The government can offer a lot of provisions in trying to improve road safety. One of the most important provisions a government can offer to improve traffic safety is the provision traffic education and important traffic information to the public.
This can occur through various means such as through television, posters, government press, roadsides posters, and issuance of leaflets by the government to the people and through government exhibitions (Abulbasher et al., 176). This information may be about use of a new traffic control system or information about climatic conditions in various parts of the country.
Another provision which the government can give to increase traffic safety in Oman is construction of better roads with wider pavements and flyovers for pedestrians and tunnels to cut traffic jam and make sure that there is fast movement of goods and people from one place to another.
Certain problems may arise in the process of implementing these provisions by the government to the people of Oman to improve traffic safety. Although the government may opt to improve infrastructure to cut the number of accidents arising due to poor infrastructure, improvement of infrastructure may not be achieved soon (Plant and Scott 23).
The government of Oman may not have adequate funds and may need extra grants from other governments and this may not be forthcoming. Even if the government has adequate resources, it may take several years before better roads are constructed in Oman because road construction will need labor, time and experienced engineers.
The government might choose to offer traffic education to the public through the social media, posters or through issuance of various publications. This information may be about weather in various areas in Oman or about unsafe roads. Most people neglect this information from social media.
Due to that only few people are able to get the information and follow the government precautions. Ignorant drivers may cause accidents and this ignorance is a problem in the implementation of government provisions and government should choose the most proper means of communication which will reach many drivers. Most of the provisions by the government of Oman for addressing traffic security maybe expensive.
For instance, installing a new traffic control system may be expensive for the government and may inconvenience drivers on the roads who are not conversant with the new system. The government may also incur extra cost of educating the public on how to use the new system. Collaboration by the government of Oman with various institutions which offer traffic education may also make the government to incur extra costs.
Works Cited
Abulbasher, Shahalam, Ali Galal, Charles Bakheit, and EmadFadhel. Factor Analysis: Traffic Accidents and Potential Causes A Case Study in Oman. National Engineering Conference on Roads, (2011).175-190. Print.
David, Weimer L., and Aidan Vining R. Policy Analysis: Concepts and Practice. Upper. Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. (2005). Print.
Plant, Joel B., and Scott, Michael S. Effective Policing and Crime Prevention. A problem Oriented Guide for Mayors, City Managers and Country Executives. Center for Problem-Oriented Policing. US Department of Justice. Washington DC. (2009). Print.
Young Drivers: The Road Safety. Organization for Economic Corporation and Development. (2006). Web. https://www.itf-oecd.org/
Security is an issue that directly influences the lives and wellbeing of the worlds population. Taking into consideration that global politics can never be referenced without mentioning security, it is essential to properly theorize it. This paper will argue that the proper balance between realist and constructivist approaches to security issues could help to better analyze and confront todays and tomorrows threats.
It will explore the different approaches to theorizing security and will discuss major safety concerns of modern societies around the world. The first section of this paper will examine the perception of the concept of security. The second part will describe the United Nations Security Council and its main functions. The following section will analyze the security concerns of different social groups. The remaining part of the paper will describe various theoretical approaches to the issue of security.
The Concept of Security
Large numbers of people are being affected by the following security-related issues: displacement, being denied education, rape, imprisonment, torture, starvation, and healthcare among others (Parker 1999). The concept of security is often discussed in newspaper columns and politicians speeches. The Internet is also rife with security-related content. Many nations focus on the issue of human safety by preparing for the possibility of a military threat. This aspect of security is associated with the questions of acceptable life quality, economic privation as well as the fundamental human rights (Williams 2012).
It can be argued that the perception of the concept of security is markedly different among various groups of people. Scholars studying international relations describe security as the process of threat alleviation that is aimed at saving cherished values (Williams 2012). The concept of security can only be understood through the process of systematization of the past and interpretation of the present. Moreover, it could help people to acquire the power of influencing the future (Williams 2012).
Security is a productive force that ensures the reality is actionable as well as intelligible in a certain way. The state of being free from danger is so important that the government of Zaire under Mobutu Sese Seko dedicated a huge portion of its budget to promote security instead of prioritizing other areas such as education and health (Menkhaus 2014). A similar scenario occurred during the Arab Springs: the governments of the countries involved in revolutions invested in security and started to control street riots instead of putting more emphasis on the future prosperity of their countries (Roberts & Zaum, 2013).
In some cases, security carries a lot of political clouts when it comes to the competition for government resources. The study of the concept of security started during the Second World War and has been a highly disputed territory of scholar discourse since then. Moreover, it is widely considered to be one of the most essential areas of international relations (Williams 2012).
The United Nations Security Council
The United Nations is an organization that was created after the end of the Second World War. It is composed of about 193 member states and significantly contributes to the promotion of international cooperation (De Wet 2004). The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of its branches. It is among the most influential bodies in the world and is comprised of fifteen associate countries, five of which are permanent members of the body (Buzan 1997).
The United States, China, the United Kingdom, France, and Russia are constant affiliates of the council. The rest of the ten slots are filled with nonpermanent members who are always elected into the UNSC to serve a two-year term (De Wet 2004).
Even though all the members have a right to vote for any resolution, the permanent associates have veto rights which they can use for influencing a decision of the UNSC (De Wet 2004). According to the councils charter, the primary objective of the organization is the maintenance of peace and security of the world; therefore, it can be argued that it is the most powerful and authoritative body that has ever existed (De Wet 2004).
The UNSC is partially concerned with shaping the political systems in various countries since they are responsible for determining the existence of any threat to the peace and security of the world. The organization helps to resolve political disputes between conflicting countries amicably and peacefully (Roberts & Zaum, 2013). The body also wields the power of imposing sanctions on various nations for the use of military force. It can also initiate restoration of peace and international security with the help of the military involvement in armed conflicts. The UN charter presupposes several options for conflict resolution that are available to the UNSC (Roberts & Zaum, 2013).
They include, but not limited to, authorized military operations, peacekeeping operations, and numerous diplomatic and economic sanctions (Roberts & Zaum, 2013). In the recent past, the UNSC has made a lot of decisions regarding crisis intervention to resolve various security threats 70 percent of which were posed by member states, non-member states, and terrorists (Roberts & Zaum, 2013). The majority of the resolutions adopted by the organization in 2015 were focused on addressing the issue of the proliferation of nuclear weapons and facilitating dispute resolution between various countries in Africa and the Middle East (Roberts & Zaum, 2013). Therefore, the UNSC is considered the guardian of the worlds peace and stability (Roberts & Zaum, 2013).
Prioritizing Security
Different countries define and prioritize security according to the size of their economies and the level of threat posed by particular issues (Sagan 2010). A wide variety of social and financial factors are being considered during the process of security agenda-setting (Amer, Swain & Ojendal 2014). The governments have to approach the issue of security from different vantage points to determine the specific categories of objects, subjects, and values requiring protection (Peace Studies 2013).
However, it is worth noticing that the citizens of all countries play a key part in determining the security agenda for their nations. Each individual sets their security priorities that are significantly influenced by sex, age, gender, religious beliefs, race, nationality, class, place of origin, what they want to see happen in future, or where they want to go (Williams 2012).
The perception of security is shaped by individuals fears, concerns, and anxieties. Some of those feelings are shared by the majority of people in a particular society; others are peculiar to particular individuals. It is necessary to remember that the political implications of fears and concerns of various social groups have different significance. Moreover, threat agendas and their priorities are being set by a significant number of people sharing similar attitudes toward particular security issues.
Therefore, it is only logical to conclude that an issue that has been deemed a threat by the UNSC will have much more significant consequences for world politics than the threat agendas constructed by Uganda National Security Council. The same could be applied to small groups suffering from HIV/AIDS versus entire African countries devastated by the disease. The massive inequalities of power and influence that exist across individuals and groups in modern world politics present significant methodological problems for students of security. Given the power disparities between people, it is only reasonable to ask whether security agendas should be focused on both the powerful and the powerless or cater to only one social class (Williams 2012).
Security in Africa
Security remains a major concern for many African countries even today (Menkhaus 2014). The historic referendum on self-determination of South Sudan in January 2011 divided the nation of Sudan into two independent countries (Menkhaus 2014). The results of the referendum were endorsed by the Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir who visited the capital of South Sudan and promised to help with the celebration of the birth of the new nation (Menkhaus 2014).
However, only six months after the proclamation of South Sudan independence, the two countries started having significant disagreements related to the border security issues (Menkhaus 2014). In April 2012, the Peace and Security Council of the African Union got involved in the dispute and helped the conflicting parties to de-escalate the situation thereby significantly decreasing the threat of a major-scale civil war and reducing security concerns of the people living on the Sudan-South Sudan border (Menkhaus 2014).
Somali is another war-torn country in Africa. It has entered the third decade of state collapse exacerbated by the conflict between a militant group Al-Shabaab and the African Union Mission. Even though the peacekeeping forces tried to reduce the disruption to the civil and political life of the country, they created another dimension of security concerns for the people trying to live peacefully amid a civil war. (Menkhaus 2014).
Security Theories
The views and theories surrounding security are crucial in two respects: they help explain the historical sequence of events in terms of conflict and war as well as predict the future to determine the right course of political action (Hettne 2010). Therefore, it can be argued that the study of conflicts and wars is essential for international politics because it helps to recognize future security threats at both state and global levels.
According to Williams, realist theory views security in terms of the military potential of a state and its chances to survive against other nations attacks thereby taking a pessimistic view of international relations (2008). Even though its proponents have some minor disagreements over the idea of cooperation, they all share the view that the character of international dealings between states never changes in any significant way (Williams 2012).
However, considering that the focus on the security of a single nation lies at the foundation of realist theory, it can be argued that it is no longer relevant in a modern world associated with a web of cooperation between different states. Wendt and other critics of the theory point to the relationship between Australia and New Zealand that challenge the factual accuracy of the realist approach to politics and national security (Williams 2012).
The constructivist theory provides a broader view of the security concept and its effects on world politics. Unlike realists that operate on the assumption that flawed human nature has led to historical massacres and abuses of power in international relations, constructivists do not confine all historical events to military motives and their outcomes. Therefore, it can be said that constructivism is more relevant in todays world that shifts the meaning of social interaction and its role in politics. However, it is worth noting that the constructivism theory has its pitfalls associated with a large number of variables in the analysis of political events (Williams 2012). Consequently, the right balance between the two theories will allow analyzing the worlds security issues most effectively.
Conclusion
Security is an issue that directly influences the lives and wellbeing of the worlds population and is essential to analyzing world politics. The perception of security is markedly different among various groups of people and is influenced by factors such as sex, age, gender, religious beliefs, race, nationality, class, and place of origin among others. Even though there is no consensus on the right approach to the issue of security, it is still crucial in two respects: they help us explain the historical sequence of events in terms of conflict and war as well as predict future outcomes to determine the right course of political action. Therefore, it is necessary to find a proper balance between realist and constructivist approaches to security theories to confront todays and tomorrows threats most effectively.
Reference List
Amer, R, Swain, A & Ojendal, J 2013, The security-development nexus, Anthem Press, London.
Buzan, B 1997, Rethinking security after the Cold War, Cooperation and Conflict vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 5-28.
De Wet, E 2004, The chapter VII Powers of the United Nations Security Council, Hart Publishing, Oxford.
Hettne, B 2010, Development and security: origins and future, Security Dialogue, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 31-52.
Menkhaus, K 2014, Vicious circles and the security development nexus in Somalia, Conflict, Security & Development, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 149-165.
Parker, C 1999, New weapons for old problems: conventional proliferation and military effectiveness in developing states, International Security, vol. 23, no. 4, pp.119-147.
Peace Studies 2013, in P Williams (ed.), Security studies: an introduction, 2nd edn, Routledge, New York, pp. 124-137.
Roberts, A & Zaum, D 2013. Selective security: war and the United Nations Security Council since 1945, Routledge, Abingdon.
Sagan, S 2010, Is nuclear zero the best option?, The National Interest, vol. 109, no. 2, pp. 88-96.
Williams, P 2012, Security studies: an introduction, 2nd edn, Routledge, New York.
Frequently, in healthcare realm, occupation health and safety is one of the workplace issues that have continuously received substantial attention in modern organizations. Unsecured organizations present enormous challenges including causing tension among workers that subsequently affect employee performance. However, none of the industries in the modern business world can prove resistant to hazards, given the unrelenting organizational challenges eminent nowadays. Therefore, this essay explores the aspect of occupational health and safety through the analysis the article: Workplace Violence: A Scourge across Diverse Industries by Laura Scott.
As the summary, the article principally discusses the concept of workplace violence as the major issue regarding occupational health and safety in health centers. Scott (2012) argues that despite all industries constantly reporting incidences of violence, workplace aggression is rigorous in social service institutions and healthcare settings. The document provides a comprehensive coverage of workplace violence that stretches from a continuum of organizations.
Following the convictions of Warren and Sem, Scott (2012) establishes underlying issues that account for increased risk to healthcare premises. It provides possible security management interventions that can protect health professionals from potential hazards and the impact of violence spillover.
Based on the article, the main issue covered by the author is workplace violence and necessary issues in security management with respect to healthcare settings. Scott (2012) postulates that violence is a universal industrial issue that affects performance of workers in organizations and subsequently influences the quality of services provided. Within the healthcare realm, the nature of the workplace greatly influences the extent of aggression, with emergency departments and waiting rooms being very vulnerable to workplace hazards. Scott (2012) identifies the perpetrators of workplace violence as hospital workers themselves, customers, and spillovers of family violence to workplaces and public areas. Predominantly, the article comprehensively discusses violence and security management from diverse industries with respect of common law.
In curbing workplace violence, the article provides several interventions that organizations may include in enhancing security for the at-risk workplaces. International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) provides a number of security management techniques and prevention programs that organizations can integrate to curb workplace violence in healthcare. The security management and occupation health and safety officers recommend risk assessment of the possibility of violence and provide possible measures and programs that may significantly assist in the prevention of their occurrence of workplace.
Nonetheless, these officials fail to provide interventions that match with specific violence within the healthcare. For instance, controlling violence from alcohol abusers and trauma patients is intricate and requires special attention.
Violence does not only affect workplaces, but incidences of aggression within the communities or societies have potential effects on social and economic order. Peaceful living is when humans enjoy maximum human security, as human safety significantly affects social interactions and economical stability of societies. Simple cases of violence normally trigger psychological problems including trauma to victims and aggression within families significantly influences the family association. Violence prompts confrontation and hostilities and simple communal feuds may result to uncontrollable assaults, the reason why cases of insurgence, intimidation are becoming international concerns.
In conclusion, workplace violence is among important organizational issue that is receiving substantial consideration in modern organizations, and in the healthcare setting, the issue appears in diverse discussions. Hostile workplaces intimidate healthcare providers, and make them lose focus; hence, putting the lives of patients in jeopardy. Waiting rooms and emergency departments are the places most vulnerable of violence where drug abusers, trauma patients and depressed family members may provoke violence. Therefore, there is the need for management and the occupation health and safety officer to integrate interventions that curb violence in healthcare settings.
Reference
Scott, L. (2012). Workplace Violence: A Scourge across Diverse Industries. Web.
In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court was to resolve the conflict between the right of citizens to personal integrity, enshrined in the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and the use of modern technology in the investigation of crimes. In particular, it was proposed to investigate the case using DNA samples. The central issue in the current situation is to determine the admissibility of DNA samples from people arrested for a serious crime and their use in the investigation of other crimes.
The Issue in the Case
Science and technology have always sought to help the judicial process, and legislators have eagerly accepted the tools they offer to combat crime and bias in the process. However, the use of such methods is expected to raise the question of legitimacy (Lamparello, 2017). A critical issue is whether the courts can violate the constitutional rights of citizens for sentencing. The case of Maryland v. King 569 U.S.435, discussed in the first half of 2013, was a textbook example that examined this issue.
The Facts of the Case
Achievements of technological progress tested Alonzo King, who was arrested on suspicion of armed attack in the first and second degrees. Following Kings arrest in 2009, the suspect obtained a DNA sample from the inside of his cheek and was sentenced to four years in prison for the attack (Guest, 2019). The forensic analysis revealed that his DNA matched the genetic material in the rape case. As a result, King was also convicted of rape, for which he was sentenced to life imprisonment. The suspect believed that the DNA withdrawal procedure violated his right to integrity and appealed to the Court (Guest, 2019). The Court of Appeals overturned the first instance decision, finding that possession of the DNA sample violated the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution because his right to privacy outweighed the interests of the state.
Alonzo King believed that DNA testing required a court order and a specific reason for the analysis. In his opinion, there was no such need in the current court case. In addition, King believed that DNA data obtained in one situation could not be used to investigate other circumstances. DNA samples might as well have been collected from any groups of people who had previously been suspected of committing crimes. The defendant noted, however, that although his DNA profile contained limited information, the authorities could retain the original DNA sample with which various tests could be conducted. The State of Maryland appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court and, at the same time, asked to suspend the entry into force of the act of the Court of Appeal.
The Finding of the Court
The Supreme Court station did not stand up to defend the perpetrator. The Court overturned the appeal decision and found the DNA sampling lawful and not inconsistent with the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Guest, 2019). Of course, this judges decision was risky, as a rather unpopular opinion incites debate. Colleagues of the U.S. Supreme Court judge did not accept his position, arguing that from this perspective, DNA samples could be used illegally when and where convenient (Guest, 2019). In the end, the verdict was handed down, and Maryland became among those states that recognize genetic testing as a forensic practice.
Related Case
Despite the widespread discussion, the court case of Maryland v. King, 569 U.S.435, is not the first of its kind to uncover the issue of privacy. The question of the admissibility of judicial authorities interference with privacy through technical innovations has already been raised before the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of the United States v. King. Jones, 565 U.S. 400 (Lamparello, 2017). In those days, the authorities attached a GPS navigator to the car of the nightclub owner, Jones. The tracker helped to find out about Jones movements, and then the authorities located a large shipment of money and drugs. As a result, the man was sentenced to life in prison. Nevertheless, the case of the United States v. King. Jones came to the U.S. Court, which, by a majority vote, considered that such interference with privacy was unacceptable.
The Rationale of the Court for their Decision
The state and federal governments position, in this case, was that DNA dactyloscopy was no different from fingerprinting or photography. In other words, taking a DNA sample is nothing special compared to the rest of the analysis. However, such data could better identify other suspects and determine whether they had committed additional crimes. For this reason, DNA testing does not contravene the right to integrity.
Authors Opinion
Having examined in detail the case of Maryland v. King case, I concluded that it was not legal to take DNA for forensic analysis. Despite the prevalence of this method in the modern world, it violates the Fourth Amendment, which guarantees protection against unjustified searches and seizures. In the legal world, there is a rule that a suspect is innocent until proven otherwise. In other words, the task of the court is to establish guilt, but the suspect is innocent until proven guilty. The DNA sampling seizures do not correlate with and even contradict this fact.
Of course, in the modern world, forensic technology is improving with every new court case. One day, humanity will face the fact that genetic fingerprinting will be spread everywhere and for everyone. While agreeing with that, one should bear in mind the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. If there is a need to remove a DNA sample, an official order must be issued for it. Until then, the procedure is illegal, despite statements by individual judges.
References
Guest, C. (2018). DNA and law enforcement: How the use of open-source DNA databases violates privacy rights. American University Law Review, 68(3), 1015-1052.
Lamparello, A., & MacLean, C. E. (2017). Originalism and the criminal law: Vindicating justice Scalias jurisprudence and the Constitution. Akron Law Review, 50(2), 227-2.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) directly relates to Industrial Hygiene (I H) in various ways. Industrial Hygiene deals with health hazards within the working environments while OSHA lays down the laws and regulations regarding exposure levels. Officers from the two departments do enforcement. Compulsory occupational safety and health regulations are formulated by OSHA and are contained in its Acts. These requirements apply to workers in millions of workplaces in the US. In this case, Industrial Hygienists carry out environmental evaluation for potential health hazards on behalf of OSHA.
The process of putting regulations in place aims at protecting employees and follows extensive analysis of exposure levels to hazards. It also entails determining what controls need enforcement. Industrial Hygienists carry out this exercise since they have the necessary skills and expertise that is applied in recognition, evaluation, and recommendations of the controls. OSHA receives recommended standards that protect workers from toxic chemicals and other harmful physical agents from Industrial Hygienists. They are employed by OSHA to make sure that the well-being of workers is kept at the required levels.
Environmental stressors interfere with optimal productivity of employees. The four environmental stressors are noise, crowding, heat, and air pollution. They have negative effects on both human health and behavior. Noise, which is the unwanted sound, has several characteristics. They include pitch, intensity, and periodicity. The analysis of duration depending on whether it is acute or chronic is another feature along with the degree of personal control over noise (Barker, 1976). Its effect depends on high sound levels.
In population, the mental state of people that arises from the need of space in excess of the available supply is referred to as crowding. It is related to the measures of density within the available space or outside. Changes in the number of people occupying a particular space albeit for a short time can result into crowding. The internal human body temperature is kept at a range of 37 degrees Celsius. An increase of the same has harmful effects to the body organs and may lead to death. A change in environmental temperature affects the body temperature. This can be caused by changes in clothing, humidity, and acclimatization. The hypothalamus gland controls thermoregulatory system that is linked to the psychological effects of heat.
The cost of the effects of air pollution is very high. This is because pollution is a collection of various toxic agents. They include, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxides, and indoor pollutants. Air pollution affects majority of the US citizens. Industrial Hygiene department has considerable apparatus to examine the effects of stress resulting from the four environmental stressors. However, other areas such as the psychological effects of indoor pollutants still need a lot of research.
Fumes are gases or vapor, which have a strong smell usually dangerous to inhale. The gases may be pungent or not. They are products of industrial processes. The examples include carbon dioxide, sulphur IV oxide, Benzene, Butadiene, and Toluene. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hierarchy controls entail strategies that regulate unsafe work practices. The five hazard control strategies are;
Elimination
Substitution
Engineering controls
Administration controls
Personal protective equipment
NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. All the states are required by law to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as it has its compliance officers in all the states.
Reference:
Barker, M. (1976) Planning for the environmental indices. New York: Plenum Publishers.
Medication administration is highly important for the patients safety. It was estimated that medication errors are the most common type of mistakes in the healthcare system (Nanji, Vernest, Sims, & Levine, 2015). One of the reasons for such errors occurring in the wrong procedure of medication labeling (Mishra, 2014). To improve this situation, national standards for medication labeling were developed and introduced into the practice (The Joint Comission, 2015). Thus, drug labeling is the policy of medications, solutions, and container labeling which might lead to reducing the rate of medication errors in the nurses practice.
Medication Errors
The quality and safety of medical care, among other issues, highly depends on the accuracy of healthcare workers. Medication errors are commonly spread type of human-factor medical mistakes. According to About medication errors (2017), this type of error could be defined as any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the health care professional, patient, or consumer (para. 2). Frequently, nurses are considered to be responsible for these errors because medication preparation is a part of their duties (Smeulers, Onderwater, Zwieten, & Vermeulen, 2014).
The most frequent medication errors are mistakes with drug name, concentration, and time of its injection. A nurse should be especially attentive and careful in a case if medication preparation (drug dissolving with the appropriate solvent to the appropriate concentration), according to a physician prescription, is required (Smeulers et al., 2014). One of the possible reasons for errors during drags preparation and injection is wrong medication labeling or label absence (Mishra, 2014). Thus, medication labeling policy is a possible solution to improve the situation and to reduce the rate of errors.
Medication Labeling Policy
National patient safety goals were established by the Joint Commission (2015). The third goal was dedicated to medication safety, in particular, to the medication labeling procedure. According to the standards, all medications, prepared solutions, and their containers (syringes, basins, and others) should be labeled immediately after transferring from the original package and/or preparation. The label should include the medication name, concentration, and expiration date and time. All the unlabeled medications should be discarded (The Joint Commission, 2015). This policy directly affected the nurses work because medication preparation and administration are parts of nurses duties.
It could be stated that this policy might reduce the frequency of medication errors. The clear standard procedure of labeling might be helpful in the nurses services quality improvement. However, another important issue should be considered. According to the standards, the procedure of labeling should be performed immediately. This procedure requires time and might decelerate a nurses work, which can be crucial in the case of an emergency. Therefore, it is essential to develop and introduce into practice the fast and efficient protocol of medication labeling (Nanji et al., 2015).
Conclusion
It could be concluded that medication errors are the most common in the healthcare system. Occasionally, these errors could lead to serious consequences for the patients health. The wrong procedure of drug labeling could be named as one of the reasons for these mistakes. Nurses are often considered to be responsible for medication errors because drug preparation is their direct duty. Therefore, to improve the quality and safety of nurses service, the standard procedure of drug labeling was developed. Medication labeling policy might be helpful to reduce the rate of errors. However, further improvement of the procedure efficiency should be provided.
Mishra, S. (2014). Diversity in prescription and medication errors. International Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Science, 4(4), 39-45.
Nanji, K. C., Vernest, K. A., Sims, N. M., & Levine, W. D. (2015). Bar code-assisted medication labeling: A novel system to improve efficiency and patient safety. International Journal of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, 1(1), 1-6.
Smeulers, M., Onderwater, A. T., Zwieten, M. C., & Vermeulen, H. (2014). Nurses experiences and perspectives on medication safety practices: an explorative qualitative study. Journal of nursing management, 22(3), 276-285.
The Joint Commission. (2015). National patient safety goals effective. Web.
What was the quality issue, and what was a safety issue? It goes without saying that the two mentioned issues are of great importance in providing appropriate and timely health care delivery. However, it is also significant to distinguish between them. In particular, it should be emphasized that safety issues concern various life-threatening factors such as acute pain or risk of myocardial infarction (Sullivan and Martin 381). In their turn, quality issues reflect the level of medical organization and staff professionalism (Aiken et al. 2). These issues cannot lead to death.
Let us discuss all of the issues enumerated in the case. Severe substantial chest pain is a safety issue as it might cause subsequent complications and even demise. The fact of numerous delays also relates to safety issues due to insufficient and untimely health care delivery (Wachter 394). Furthermore, a cardiac catheterization lab was not prepared for the procedure of angioplasty. At that time, the patient might feel worse, and it might be too late to carry out the operation (Weingart et al. 1).
Thus, the above is a safety issue. Moreover, interchanging the two completely different medicines of metformin and metoprolol, a pharmacist made an unpardonable mistake. However, it is also the fault of doctor G and his difficult handwriting. In case the mistake was not detected, the patient might be in a much more complicated condition. It should also be stressed that such handwriting corresponds to the issue of quality. It might be better if physicians have a more clear style of writing, as it is crucial to patients well-being.
The case under discussion states that a cardiologist on call arrived an hour later. It is undoubtedly both a quality and safety issue as it shows both life threat to the patient and unprofessionalism of the cardiologist. Finally, the fact that the patient survives with a moderate amount of heart damage and mildly symptomatic failure represents a quality of health care delivery, yet the outcome might be better in case of timely manipulations that were discussed earlier.
Which is more difficult to learn about or to document? In recent years, the most pressing public health concerns related to quality and safety issues. However, as might be seen from the above situation, the detection of them is not an easy process. It requires a comprehensive approach and coordinated work of all the medical staff. As a rule, it is more difficult to learn about quality aspects as they are more implicit rather than those of security.
The purpose of safety control of medical activity is to ensure the rights of patients to obtain the required volume of medical care in accordance with health care standards, treatment protocols, and other legal documents (Leeper and Lukuire 448). In other words, security issues involve vital aspects necessary to preserve the patients life. At the same time, the objectives of quality control are the detection of defects in the organization in the diagnostic and treatment processes.
Quality also takes into account the development and implementation of optimal management decisions aimed at preventing the occurrence of any defects. In order to ensure both quality and safety measures, it might be beneficial to use electronic health record systems (Middleton et al. 3). This approach would contribute to timely and comprehensive health care delivery enhancing caregivers performance in the corresponding fields. It becomes evident from the above observations that quality issues are more complicated and difficult to detect than safety ones.
Works Cited
Aiken, Linda, Walter Sermeus, Koen Van Den Heede, Douglas Sloane, Reinhard Busse, and Ann Kutney-Lee. Patient Safety, Satisfaction, and Quality of Hospital Care: Cross Sectional Surveys of Nurses and Patients in 12 Countries in Europe and the United States. BMJ 344. 2 (2012): 1-14. Print.
Leeper, Barbara, and Rosemary Lukuire. Quality. New York, NY: Elsevier, 2014. Print.
Middleton, Blackford, Meryl Bloomrosen, Mark A. Dente, Bill Hashmat, Ross Koppel, and Jiajie Zhang. Enhancing Patient Safety and Quality of Care by Improving the Usability of Electronic Health Record Systems: Recommendations from AMIA. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association 20.1 (2013): 1-7. Print.
Sullivan, June M., and Renee H. Martin. Patient Safety Handbook. 2nd ed. Chicago, IL: Jones & Bartlett, 2013. Print.
Wachter, Robert M. Understanding Patient Safety. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Medical, 2008. Print.
Weingart, Saul, Junya Zhu, Laurel Chiappetta, Sherri Stuver, Eric Schneider, and Joel Weissman. Hospitalized patients participation and its impact on quality of care and patient safety. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 23. 3 (2011): 269-277. Print.
Medical practitioners, researchers, and laboratory workers are required to comply with a wide variety of regulations to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their work. However, working in laboratory settings also requires staff to be aware of the dangers and concerns regarding their safety, as well as the correct functioning of the equipment. The application of safety practices in clinical laboratory settings is essential to guarantee the safety of workers, prevent damage to equipment and materials, and obtain certain quality certifications. Unsafe labs can result in the delay of research, damaged or destroyed equipment, regulatory fines, environmental damage, as well as injury and death of the personnel (UTA, 2017).
Even despite the safety policies, many labs handling potentially dangerous substances or equipment regularly report accidents and near-misses with regards to their security regulations (Sample, 2014). In the United Kingdom, there were several cases reported in 2014 that could have led to serious repercussions both for the laboratories and the communities. For instance, in the APHA lab based in Surrey, scientists who were handling anthrax have sent highly infectious samples to the nearby labs by accident, which posed a serious threat to the safety of their staff (Sample, 2014). A similar case happened at the CDC lab in Atlanta, Georgia, and received a lot of attention from the U.S. authorities (Sample, 2014).
The only way to avoid incidents, according to Sample (2014), is to ensure that the design of lab operations is safe and that all staff is adequately trained to adhere to all of the guidelines. Therefore, lab safety practices are essential in everyday lab operations and especially crucial if biohazardous materials or dangerous equipment are involved. Laboratory safety should be applied as a comprehensive policy at all stages of the lab processes and include all personnel that works in laboratory settings.
According to NCAT (2017), biohazards are infectious agents or hazardous biological materials that present a direct or indirect risk or potential risk to the health of people, animals, or the environment. These materials may include organisms and viruses that may be dangerous to humans, animals, and plants, such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites, as well as toxic agents that may have an impact on the living organisms or their environment (NCAT, 2017). The guidelines Such materials need to be handled with care to prevent damage. The safety guidelines regarding the use and transportation of biohazardous materials normally apply to recombinant DNA molecules, infectious or potentially infectious agents, such as human- or non-human primate-derived materials, cultures, and genetically modified cells, microbial agents, such as bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, and parasites, as well as biological toxins (NCAT, 2017).
Adherence to the regulations provides an opportunity to avoid damage to health and the environment, as well as to promote healthy working conditions and avoid issues with local or federal authorities (NCAT, 2017). Safety regulations for working with biohazardous materials are designed to ensure safe possession, handling, transportation, and manipulation of biohazardous materials (NCAT, 2017). It is usually required that all personnel working in the laboratory is provided with necessary training on the safety practices, obtains proper approval before working with such materials, and adheres to the security policy at all times during work, although specific rules may be in place in individual laboratories (NCAT, 2017).
Blood and body fluids may be a source of infection, including serious hazards, such as HIV, hepatitis B, and C (Blahd & OConnor, 2014). Incorrect handling of these materials may lead to a threat of exposure to infectious agents, thus putting the laboratory staff at risk. Universal Precautions is an approach that requires the staff to treat all human blood and certain human body fluids as if they were known to be infectious for HIV, HBV and other bloodborne pathogens (USDL, n.d., para. 2). One of the precautions that are applied during operations in laboratory settings is to wear gloves when handling items that contain blood or body fluids or could have been soiled with blood or body fluids (Blahd & OConnor, 2014).
Gloves decrease the risk of disease transmission, especially if the skin on the persons hands is damaged (Blahd & OConnor, 2014). Gloved should be changed after each use and hands should be washed each time the gloves are removed (Blahd & OConnor, 2014). Gowns or aprons, as well as masks and protective eyewear, are also necessary to protect eyes, mouth, nose, and the rest of the body from accidental exposure to infectious materials, for example, as a result of splashes or sprays of body fluids (Blahd & OConnor, 2014). Also, it is necessary to adhere to the same protective recommendations while giving first aid (Blahd & OConnor, 2014).
Sharps injuries are some of the most common injury types in clinical and laboratory settings: Between 2004 and 2013 a total of 4830 healthcare-associated occupational exposures to body fluid were reported in the UK, 71% of these for percutaneous injuries (Riddell, Kennedy, & Tong, 2015, para. 2). They may result from incorrect operation of certain equipment, such as scalpels, needles, and other sharp instruments. CDC (2015) states that these injuries are associated with the occupational transmission of hepatitis B and C viruses, as well as HIV and 20 other pathogens. However, most of these injuries are preventable if correct practices are in place to prevent and manage sharps injuries (CDC, 2015).
As part of the prevention program, it is necessary to promote the culture of safety, facilitate injury reporting, and create awareness of the necessary first aid procedures to be undertaken in case of an accident (CDC, 2015). The standard first aid procedure includes washing the surface carefully, stopping the blood, and applying a protective cover to protect the wound from being infected. However, in laboratory settings, it is also necessary to perform a risk assessment (Riddell et al., 2015). If a risk assessment showed a possibility of HIV transmission, post-exposure prophylaxis using antiretroviral drugs within the hour after injury could reduce the risk (Riddell et al., 2015) However, if hepatitis B could have been transmitted, administering hepatitis B vaccine to all healthcare workers can help to prevent the disease (Riddell et al., 2015). Other risks should be managed by prescribed prevention procedures.
The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is an important part of safe laboratory practices. The equipment, such as masks, gloves, and protective clothes, can be used to shield damaged skin from potentially infectious materials, thus avoiding the transmission of diseases in the workplace. Protection should be worn at all times during lab work and especially if biohazardous materials are being handled. Adequate use of PPE, as well as strict adherence to all safety regulations, is vital in ensuring safe working conditions for all lab personnel.
References
Blahd, W. H., & OConnor, H. M. (2014). Blood and body fluid precautions Topic overview. Web.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2015). About the workbook for designing, implementing & evaluating a Sharps Injury Prevention Program. CDC. Web.
North Carolina A&T State University (NCAT). (2017). Biological and Biohazardous Materials Safety Guide for Researchers. Web.
Riddell, A., Kennedy, I., & Tong, C. Y. W. (2015). Management of sharps injuries in the healthcare setting. The BMJ. Web.
Sample, I. (2013). Revealed: 100 safety breaches at UK labs handling potentially deadly diseases. The Guardian. Web.
United States Department of Labor (USDL). (n.d.). (Lack of) Universal Precautions. Healthcare Wide Hazards. Web.
The University of Texas at Austin (UTA). (2017). OH201 Laboratory Safety Training. Web.
Improving patient safety has been one of my priorities in life. Consequently, I have taken a great interest in projects that promote patient safety. Therefore, I introduced a change in my organization as a way of improving the quality of service to patients. Experience drawn from implementing change transformed me into a perfectionist. This paper will reflect on my experience in implementing change (Pavlovich 2007).
Implementing change project
My experience in implementing change was quite amazing. In fact, I enjoyed my time throughout the project. In addition, I learned valuable skills in implementing change. Throughout my life, I always sought to implement changes that would improve the quality of service provided to patients. In addition, I sought to implement changes that would improve patient safety. Moreover, I was always ready and enthusiastic about learning new ways of improving service delivery to my patients. My main obstacle in achieving change was the fact that I lacked the necessary tools and skills for effecting change. In fact, it is necessary to note that my reason for joining this course was to aid me in acquiring the necessary skills, knowledge, and tools to effect positive change in my organization. One of the problems that faced my organization was patient safety issues. For instance, our dental clinics had insufficient facilities and tools to provide quality service to patients; this affected patient safety in many ways. This program was therefore significant in providing me with the tools that focused on areas that required change in my organization. In essence, this program was essential as well as beneficial to me (Nilakant & Ramnarayan 2006).
Stages of implementing change
The process of implementing change occurred in four main stages namely topic selection, project planning, project implementation, and project evaluation. It is necessary to note that I learned a lot from each of these stages. In the first stage, I selected a topic that would work to improve compliance with infection control standards in our dental clinics. My aim was to ensure that our dental clinics comply with the internationally accepted standards on infection control. Moreover, my objective was to develop an infection control program that would improve the quality of service in the clinics. However, one of the challenges I faced in trying to achieve the objective was a limited time which could not enable me to develop the program. Nonetheless, our facilitator helped me to make my objective SMART (subjective, manageable, achievable, realistic, and time-related). The SMART objective I chose focused on improving infection control through staff training and staff education (CDC 2013).
The second stage involved project planning. Firstly, I went through relevant literature on the topic with a view to developing an effective plan. In addition, I conducted research on various sources to aid me in planning for the project. Conducting research on the project was helpful in introducing me to the best practices in infection control. Through research, I learned valuable information on infection control. Moreover, the knowledge I got from this stage enabled me to implement a system for staff education on infection control based on evidence-based practice. Furthermore, I learned to institute staff education on best practices in infection control. However, I also had diverging views based on varying information on infection control education. Nonetheless, I went through the project and I discovered that it gave the best approach. In this stage, I also learned to appreciate leadership support in projects. For instance, engaging leaders in the project enabled me to reach my project milestones easily.
Leadership also aided me with the necessary resources to plan my project. Interestingly, this stage enlightened me on the significance of teamwork in the change project. In fact, my team cooperated well with me throughout the processes of the project. In addition, teamwork was essential in improving my communication skills as well as interpersonal relation skills. I also learned to listen to others as well as communicate my ideas. It is worth mentioning that one of the members of my team helped by translating lecture notes as well as reading materials into the Arabic language; this was quite helpful to the Arabic staff. This was a special gift, which saved us the energy and resources we would have used to hire translators. In fact, the team members contribution made our work easier in educating Arabic staff (DuBrin 2007).
The third stage was on project implementation. This stage exposed the challenges faced in effecting change. Moreover, I realized that the key to changing an organization is to change its staff. However, it is necessary to note that I faced some resistance in effecting this change. For instance, some dentists thought that procedures in infection control would take long and hence affect interfere with their work. This was especially evident with mature dentists. However, despite these upheavals, we managed to succeed through effective communication and the use of authority whenever it was needed. It is also necessary to note that inadequate materials also hindered the effective implementation of the project. For instance, we asked for a weekly check on the reliability of our autoclaves to kill microorganisms but this did not happen effectively since we lacked the necessary materials to achieve it. In fact, despite my three letters that requested the materials we never got them.
The last stage involved project evaluation. At this stage, I noticed positive changes in the organization. This stage was quite enjoyable since we could observe the fruits of our labor. In fact, our staff made remarkable steps by following the standards we had adopted. Moreover, some participants amazed us by going beyond our standards. Despite insufficient time to go through the project, due to job shifts and family issues, support from the project team enabled me to complete it. In addition, my family was also instrumental in helping me to achieve success in the project.
Challenges
Managing time was quite difficult. In fact, at times I had to visit five clinics as well as evaluate staff performance. Moreover, I had to take a break from my job to supervise staff performance. Furthermore, I had to negotiate with suppliers over materials for the project. Therefore, I made several trips to the director of supplies to emphasize the importance of materials in enhancing patient and staff safety. This enabled me to secure some of the materials for the project. Initially, the director of supplies thought that use of glasses by staff assisting dentists was inconsequential. However, I outlined the dangers of not using glasses for staff safety (Robbins, Judge & Campbell 2010).
Benefits
As expected, the project introduced a change in the organization. Moreover, the project helped in strengthening the role of the infection control committee which was absent before the project. The project increased staff awareness on infection control in all departments of the organization. Moreover, we achieved our goal of adopting infection control standards. It is also necessary to note that we achieved 80 % compliance with the requirement to adopt four infection control standards this year alone. Moreover, the project helped to increase the number of materials to staff. For instance, we increased the number of handpieces to ensure that staff used one hand piece per patient.
Conclusion
The whole experience was beneficial to me in various ways. Firstly, the project enabled me to succeed as a departmental head in my organization. Moreover, I managed to develop a strong relationship with dental staff as well as external organizations that I interacted with during the project. The project improved my leadership and management skills. Moreover, I learned the significance of teamwork in projects as well as the impact of implementing change. I also learned to listen to staff ideas, which made them feel like they were part of the process of change. Listening to staff also enabled me to ease their problems, which strengthened us as a team. Furthermore, working in groups, during the modules, also helped me to listen to new ideas and feedback. I also learned that although it is usually difficult to welcome criticism, it helps to improve performance. I was also pleased to hear about how our action group members went about their projects despite the obstacles they faced. This helped me to overcome obstacles in the project. In essence, this experience was both valuable and enjoyable to me. Moreover, I now feel ready and energised to start a new change project in my organization.
DuBrin, J 2007, Leadership: Research findings, practice and skills. Houghton Miffin, Boston.
Nilakant, V & Ramnarayan, S 2006, Change management: Altering mindsets in a global context. Sage Publications Inc., London.
Pavlovich, K 2007, The Development of reflective practice through student journals, Higher Education Research & Development, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 281-295.