Sewhaa

Are You Prepared for an Earthquake?

Courtesy of JPS E-News--- Published 11, January 2012

Every year thousands of people receive serious injuries as a result of earthquakes.  We cannot prevent an earthquake from occurring but we all can do our best to be prepared if one does happen. This week is recognized as Earthquake Awareness Week under the theme, “Earthquakes can strike anywhere anytime. Be prepared there are no signs.”

The HSSE Department would like to share some earthquake safety tips that will help you to be prepared if an earthquake should strike while you are on the job.

•    Ensure that you are aware of the company’s earthquake evacuation plan. (This plan may be obtained from the HSSE department)

•    If you are indoors, stay put! Ensure that you move quickly to a safe location in the room such as under a strong desk, strong table or along an interior wall. Do not take cover near windows, large mirrors, hanging objects, large appliances or heavy furniture.

•    If there's no sturdy furniture nearby, kneel or sit close to the floor with your hands on the floor for balance, next to a structurally sound interior wall away from windows, shelves, or furniture that could fall.

•    Stay away from doorways as violent motion could cause the doors to slam against your body, crush your fingers or inflict other serious injuries.

•     If you are outdoors, move to an open area where falling objects are unlikely to strike you. Move away from buildings, power lines and trees.

•    If you are driving, slow down and stop on the side of the road. Avoid stopping on or under bridges and overpasses, or under power lines, trees and large signs. Remain in your vehicle.

•    Ensure that you cover the back of your head and your eyes at all times to minimize injury from flying objects.

•    It is always important to remain calm at all times.

•    Always be prepared for aftershocks, which may be stronger than the initial jolt.

•    Do not use elevators during or after an earthquake. The steps are always much safer.

•    If you smell or hear a gas leak, get everyone outside of the building immediately and report it to the safety personnel.

•    Make sure to check for injuries on yourself and your colleagues. Tend to injuries immediately and summon emergency assistance where necessary.

•    Be extremely cautious when opening cabinets, cupboards and closets in case items may have shifted during the quake.

•    Turn off or unplug all damaged appliances.

•    Keep all phone lines clear for emergency use.

Although nothing can stop an earthquake, careful preparation and planning can make a difference when it comes to protecting yourself and your colleagues’ from the effects of an earthquake. Let’s all work towards having a safer 2012 by being prepared.  

Safety Tip: Parking Lot Safety

After a long, hard day at work, safety may be the last thing on your mind as you drive out of the parking lot.  When your attention is caught between; what to cook for dinner and that long ‘Things to do’ list for tomorrow, you may take your personal safety and that of your co-workers for granted.

 

Today the HSSE Department wants to share some parking lot safety tips with you. You are being encouraged to practice these tips daily in order to avoid serious accidents.

 

1.    Absolutely no speeding. There have been several reports recently of persons speeding in some of our parking lots; there have also been some near-miss reports owing to speeding. Speeding in parking lots can cause serious and deadly accidents. Ensure that you follow the designated speed limit for the parking lot. It is recommended that you drive no higher than 5-10 mph while in a parking lot.

 

2.    Always watch out for pedestrians as you drive through the parking lot.

 

3.    Avoid cutting through empty parking spaces and lanes. This practice is extremely dangerous and may result in grave accidents.

 

4.    Obey pavement directional arrows, stipulated routes and cross walk markings. Failure to follow these rules may result in serious accidents.

 

5.    Ensure that you centre your vehicle in its parking space. Going over in another parking space will cause crowding and in the adjacent space and could result in the paintwork on your vehicle being scratched

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While parking your car and walking to and from the store, scan the area for suspicious persons. If you notice something out of the ordinary, choose a different area to park in and notify mall security.

 

Avoid parking by large vans. If there is a van parked next to your car when you return, enter your car from the passenger side.

 

Conceal all valuable items in your vehicle such as: cell phones, mp3 players, laptops, radar detectors, jewelry, etc. Lock your valuables in the trunk and out of plain sight.

 

When entering and exiting your vehicle, do it quickly. Avoid having your back turned while putting bags away in your car.

 

Be cautious of strangers asking for questions as you walk to or from your car.

God was not needed in the creation of the earth

World renown British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, in his new book "The Grand Design," puts forward his argument that God was not needed in the creation of the earth. Co-authored with U.S. physicist Leonard Mlodinow, Hawking says a new series of theories made a creator of the universe redundant.

 

He confidently argues that "Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist,"

 

In 1988 he gained global recognition after publishing the book "A Brief History of Time." In his 1988 book Hawking acknowledged that there would have been a God behind the creation of man and this earth we call our own. Comments that he has recently made now suggest that he has being having second thoughts about religion.

 

Hawking started to suffer a disease called neuro muscular dystrophy. His sufferings started since the age of his early 20’s and has being progressing steadily to the point where he is almost paralyzed.

Born on  January 08, 1942, he paid great interest in the fields of Applied mathematics
Theoretical physics,  Cosmology. 

After receiving his B.A. degree at Oxford in 1962, he stayed to study astronomy. He decided to leave when he found that studying sunspots, which was all the observatory was equipped for, did not appeal to him and that he was more interested in theory than in observation. He left Oxford for Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he engaged in the study of theoretical astronomy and cosmology.

16-y-o girl arrested over ammunition find

As reported by the Jamaica Observer on June 29, 2010.

A 16-year-old girl has been arrested and charged with illegal possession of ammunition following the seizure by police of 207 assorted rounds on the second day of the curfew imposed in Clarendon.

A further 52 males were taken into custody, all of whom are still being interviewed. One of them is a wanted man and is being further interviewed before charges are made.

The curfew, which began 2:00 pm yesterday, will remain in place until 2:00 pm tomorrow.

The boundaries of the curfew are north along a dirt track on the bank of the Rio Minho in the vicinity of the Salvation Army Church to the top section of Overline Farm district using an imaginary line.

South along Oliver Drive from the car wash to a dirt track in Long Gully.

East along Sevens Road from the telephone booth to the intersection of Sevens

Estate Road in the vicinity of John Crow Lane.

West along a dirt track from Long Gully using an imaginary line to the top section of Buzz Rock.

During the hours of the curfew persons within its boundaries are required to remain inside their premises unless otherwise authorised in writing by the ground commander.

$75M mansion near Orlando selling 'as is'

This post on Yahoo.com today caughht my attention. I just cant see hoow it is that some people have so much money to the point where they dont even know the use of or how to use it.

Take a look at the post and let me know how you feel about it.

WINDERMERE, Fla. – The brochure promises a "monument to unparalleled success."

The 90,000-square-foot home for sale outside Orlando has 23 bathrooms, 13 bedrooms, 10 kitchens and three pools. All that and more for $75 million "as is."

The catch? It's not finished.

Nicknamed "Versailles" by owner and timeshare tycoon David Siegel, the mansion hit the market recently as the largest home for sale in the United States. Construction was halted last year to save money in a recession that proved particularly hard on Siegel's industry.

The home also has a 20-car garage, a bowling alley, an indoor-roller rink, a movie theater, a video arcade, a fitness center, a baseball field and two tennis courts.

But the mansion's interior has no carpet, tile or interior walls.

As you travel the length and breathe of Jamaica you are able to see signs of the same thing. Buildings that have for years being unfinished and inhabitable. I wonder many times what is it that these people are thinking. Can their builders not estimate what their clients can afford?

Signs and symptoms of Drug Abuse

Depending on the actual compound, drug misuse including alcohol may lead to health problems, social problems, morbidity, injuries, unprotected sex, violence, deaths, motor vehicle accidents, homicides, suicides, physical dependence or psychological addiction.

There is a high rate of suicide in alcoholics and drug abusers. The reasons believed to cause the increased risk of suicide include the long-term abuse of alcohol and drugs causing physiological distortion of brain chemistry as well as the social isolation. Another factor is the acute intoxicating effects of the drugs may make suicide more likely to occur. Suicide is also very common in adolescent alcohol abusers, with 1 in 4 suicides in adolescents being related to alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse is also associated with increased risks of committing criminal offences including child abuse, domestic violence, rapes, burglaries and assaults.

Drug abuse, including alcohol and prescription drugs can induce symptomatology which resembles mental illness. This can occur both in the intoxicated state and also during the withdrawal state. In some cases these substance induced psychiatric disorders can persist long after detoxification, such as prolonged psychosis or depression after amphetamine or cocaine abuse.

A protracted withdrawal syndrome can also occur with symptoms persisting for months after cessation of use. Benzodiazepines are the most notable drug for inducing prolonged withdrawal effects with symptoms sometimes persisting for years after cessation of use. Abuse of hallucinogens can trigger delusional and other psychotic phenomena long after cessation of use and cannabis may trigger panic attacks during intoxication and with use it may cause a state similar to dysthymia.

Severe anxiety and depression are commonly induced by sustained alcohol abuse which in most cases abates with prolonged abstinence. Even moderate alcohol sustained use may increase anxiety and depression levels in some individuals. In most cases these drug induced psychiatric disorders fade away with prolonged abstinence.

Drug abuse makes central nervous system (CNS) effects, which produce changes in mood, levels of awareness or perceptions and sensations. Most of these drugs also alter systems other than the CNS. Some of these are often thought of as being abused. Some drugs appear to be more likely to lead to uncontrolled use than others.

JN E-Update: Jamaica Debt Exchange Programme (JDX)‏

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	JN Group Joins Recovery Efforts in Haiti Resources of the JN Group and its overseas offices are being mobilised for the recovery efforts in Haiti, following the devastation of that country by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake. Jamaica National has launched an 'I Support Haiti' initiative for members of the public to make contributions to the recovery effort. The account number is 10272794 in the name JN Recovery Fund. Earl Jarrett, General Manager, JNBS, expressed sympathy to the survivors. “We want to reach out to the Haitians in their time of need. Haiti is our second closest neighbour; therefore, we are concerned about the restoration efforts and will be doing our part to help.”  You can make a donation to the JN Recovery Fund for Haiti via LIVE by JN. Log on to LIVE by JN Select the Payment option on the left, then click on Single or Multiple payments. From the category drop down menu, select Donations. Under the company drop down menu, select JN Recovery Fund for Haiti. In the Contract/ Invoice option box, enter the account number. Indicate the amount of money you want to donate. Check the pay box and click continue. Each contribution will make a difference. Dear JNBS Member: Re: Jamaica Debt Exchange Programme (JDX) The Government of Jamaica has negotiated an Agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to access a US$1.25 billion loan. The 27-month loan agreement is expected to trigger another US$1.4 billion in funding from the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank. In addition to the global financial crisis, Jamaica has suffered from years of low growth. Without access to its normal international credit markets, and in view of the decline in the core bauxite/alumina export sector, major financial reforms are now necessary to put the economy on the path to sustainable growth. Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, told the country recently that without the IMF Agreement, Jamaica would be faced with “a catastrophe,” as the exchange rate would continue to soar, followed by the cost of living. Elements of the IMF programme involve sacrifices for all Jamaicans. The public sector will be restructured and its wage bill frozen over the next two years; Air Jamaica will be divested; revenues from property taxes will be increased; and a Central Treasury Unit will be established to monitor the management of the national debt. The single most important reform is the Government of Jamaica Debt Exchange Programme (JDX) which is expected to save the country approximately $40 billion in interest. This involves recalling some $700 billion of domestic government bonds, with interest rates ranging up to 28 percent. Jamaica is paying out $182 billion in interest costs, and an agreement on the Debt Exchange Programme is an essential part of bringing the economy on track, as well as finalising the IMF Agreement. All local financial institutions holding domestic Government of Jamaica bonds were requested to exchange them for new bonds that will carry lower interest rates and extended maturity dates. The Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) will honour its existing agreements on member investments for the periods specified and at the rates initially agreed. This, despite the fact that the rates on government instruments supporting these investments will be adversely affected. In addition, while we are already subsidizing our mortgage rates with interest income from Government of Jamaica securities, a slight reduction in these rates is being considered, at this time. Members should note, however, that the current policies are expected to result in lower inflation levels, which have the effect of boosting the real return on investments, thus easing the impact of the lower interest level over the long term. We will continue to provide our members with additional information through a series of meetings to be held across the island and updates on our website; and, our Customer Service Representatives will be available to discuss these matters with you. At the same time, our entire management team and staff members are prepared to work harder to enhance the efficiencies of our operation; and we assure you that, "We'll help you find a way.” Yours sincerely, Earl Jarrett, CD, JP General Manager

JN E-Newsletter: JN Branches Not Open to Public on Saturdays‏

JNBS Home | Feedback| Facebook Volume 3 Issue 4 - March 2010
			JNBS Half-Way-Tree
	Easter Opening Hours for JN Jamaica and Overseas Caribbean Nationals Prep For UK Elections Votes from the Caribbean Diaspora can influence the coming United Kingdom general elections, Dr. Joe Aldred stated during the first session of Caribbean Question Time (CQT) UK 2010 forum in London last month. Dr. Aldred was moderator of the first CQT forum, aimed at encouraging Caribbean people in the United Kingdom (UK) to play a greater role in the elections due there by June this year. Other sessions were held in Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol. read more Use Mortgage Options To Save Your Home - Wanica Purkiss Wanica Purkiss, Mortgage and Operations Executive Giving your mortgage company an early warning signal when you are experiencing difficulty making payments can help you keep your home, says Wanica Purkiss, Mortgage and Operations Executive at Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS). The country’s response to the global economic crisis is effectively compressing real incomes, making it harder for some to meet their mortgage obligations, Mrs. Purkiss said. “Despite these circumstances, we are generally able to help those who come in on time.” read more... New Rehabilitation Programme For Fort Augusta Michele Pollard Gonzalez, Senior Manager, Member Service and Quality Assurance, Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) examines the stoves and kitchenware donated to the Fort Augusta Correctional Centre for the establishment of a culinary arts programme. Joining her are (from left) Olga Golding-Byfield and Ruby Coke, members of the Women's Fellowship of the United Church of Jamaica and Grand Cayman; Superintendent of Corrections, Reuben Kelly and Reverend Raymond Coke. They were at Fort Augusta recently. The project was selected by the members of JNBS at the Society's historic 135th anniversary annual general meeting in September 2009. read more		JN Branches Not Open to Public on Saturdays Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) branches and JN Money Shop in Jamaica will be closed to the public on Saturday, April 3 in observance of the Easter holidays. However, as of April 10, JN Branches will no longer be open to the public on Saturdays. Members will continue to have access to services on Saturdays at all eight JN Money Shops, the JN Financial Centre at Loshusan, and the Society’s entire ATM network at branches and other locations across the island. They can also use their JN Money Transfer Cards to access remittances; as well as pay bills online at LIVE by JN. JN Hosts Lottery Scam Forum Minister of National Security, Dwight Nelson (right) discusses strategies being implemented by the government to address the lottery scam in Jamaica with Earl Jarrett (2nd left), General Manager, Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS), and MoneyGram International representatives from left: Dennis Wildsmith, Vice President, Anti-Fraud; Steve Higgins, Caribbean Regional Manager; and Juan Manuel Gonzalez, Manager, Compliance Review and Training. They were participants at a forum on the lottery scam in Jamaica, hosted by JNBS and its subsidiary JN Money Services Limited (JNMS), in concert with MoneyGram International, at the Terra Nova Hotel, on March 15. The forum was attended by representatives from the Ministry of National Security, the US Embassy, the Financial Investigation Division of the Ministry of Finance and Planning, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, LIME and the Department of Customs. ATM and Online Services Being Promoted at JN As the pace of doing business accelerates, and more people want to have access to funds at anytime, in real time, there is greater demand for Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and online banking services for ready cash and transfers, as well as improve time management. Against that background, JNBS is actively promoting the increased use of its ATM and Online services, Mr. Leon Mitchell, JN Group Marketing Executive, stated last week, (March 26). He said that these services are “cost effective,” and have been upgraded to facilitate improved access; and, therefore their use is being encouraged. “Jamaica National has expanded its ATM access in several branches; and has recently upgraded its online banking service, LIVE by JN, to provide enhanced bill payment facilities,” he pointed out. Norma (left) and Norman Jones, members of JNBS listen attentively to Michele Pollard-Gonzalez, Member Ombudsman and Senior Manager, Customer Service and Quality Assurance, JNBS, at the Regional Members’ Meeting held at the St. John’s Anglican Church Hall, Ocho Rios on March 9. Mr. Wendell Smith, Assistant General Manager, Management Information Systems and Operations, JNBS; and Deloris Jones, Sales and Business Development Manager, JN Fund Managers, discussed the effects of the Jamaica Debt Exchange Progamme with more than 120 members in attendance. Transaction Fees at Jamaica National Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) will be modifying its ‘no fees for transactions’ policy to include payment for some services. While the date of implementation is yet to be decided, Mr. Leon Mitchell, JN Group Marketing Executive, noted that the change will not affect all members of the Society. Those to be excluded are members who use the JN ATM Teller network as well as mortgagors, senior citizens, and persons with a minimum savings balance of $250,000.00 who conduct transactions at the branches. “Other members will be allowed up to five free, in-branch transactions per month, but will be charged $35.00 for each additional transaction,” he explained. He also stated that there will be no fees to lodge funds to JNBS savings accounts or to make loan payments.

85% say abortion is morally wrong - In Jamaica

Most adult Jamaicans polled on the controversial issue of abortion said they agree that the practice is morally wrong, a survey conducted by Don Anderson has found.

According to the poll, when respondents were asked to state the extent of their agreement with the statement 'Abortion is morally wrong', 73 per cent said they strongly agreed, 12 per cent said they agreed somewhat, while nine per cent strongly disagreed and six per cent said they disagreed somewhat.

"The general consensus was that abortion was morally wrong," said the pollster. "Eighty-five per cent of all persons interviewed expressed this view.

"This suggests that this view was consistently held across all the various demographic groups, virtually to the same extent," he added.

The poll, commissioned by the Mustard Seed Communities - a member of the Ecumenical Pro-life Council - was conducted between June 4 and June 10 among 535 persons between the ages of 18 and 65 years.

According to Anderson, the poll has a margin of error of "plus or minus 4.5 per cent at the 95 per cent confidence level".

Mustard Seed commissioned the poll to encourage public discussion on the controversial issue ahead of a parliamentary debate likely to take place this year.

"A significant number of studies have been done, particularly in more developed markets, to guide the development of legislation in this regard," said Anderson, in giving a background to the survey. "In Jamaica, the debate has perhaps not been as intense, but the concerns no less.

"Parliament is likely to vote this year on this issue of legalising abortion. Such a decision, it is felt, should be informed by scientifically-gathered data."

A Joint Select Committee of Parliament has been contemplating the report of the Abortion Policy Review Advisory Group (APRAG) established in 2005 by former health minister John Junor with the aim of reducing what was said to be the high rate of maternal mortality in Jamaica.

But APRAG's recommendation that abortions be legalised has drawn fire from pro-life groups who argue that it is contrary to the law of God and militates against deeply-held values in Jamaica.

Wednesday: Are the media and the state sufficiently concerned about morality in sexual matters?

Source: The Jamaica Observer

Jamaican-Usain Bolt gets piece of Berlin Wall - huge piece

Usain Bolt gets piece of Berlin Wall - huge piece

The Canadian Press

Posted Sunday, August 23, 2009 11:05 AM ET

 

Berlin - Usain Bolt was honoured by the city of Berlin by receiving an original segment of the Berlin Wall - nearly three tons of it.

The Jamaican sprinter, who broke world records in the 100 and 200 metres, was presented with the piece of wall at a small ceremony Sunday, the final day of the world championships.

The 12-foot high section will be delivered to Bolt's training camp in Jamaica.

The piece of the wall, which divided communist East Berlin from West Berlin between 1961 and 1989, is decorated with a life-size painting of Bolt running on the blue track of the Olympic stadium and the words ``NEW WR'' - new world record.

Bolt set a world record in the 100 at 9.58 seconds and 19.19 in the 200.

"I will never forget Berlin,'' Bolt said at the ceremony. "Ich bin ein Berlino.''

The bear mascot of the championships is called Berlino, while the phrase "ich bin ein Berliner'' was used by former U.S. President John F. Kennedy during a visit to West Berlin.

Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit said Bolt had shown that ``one can tear down walls that had been considered as insurmountable.''

The Berlin Wall came down in 1989, as communism was collapsing in Eastern Europe.