Construction public client health and safety culture in Botswana : a pilot study.

This paper presents the preliminary findings of an exploratory pilot study into the health and safety culture of a public sector client in Botswana with a view to identifying aspects to be included in a larger broad-based national survey

A pilot study in Botswana's construction industry on designers' will and capacity to design for health and safety.

Designer's role on health and safety (H&S) performance improvement is a subject that has received much attention than any other aspect relative to the designer. However, much research has been on the incorporation of H&S in designs and how designers influence H&S. There is little research on the designer's will and capacity to contribute to H&S performance improvement especially in Southern Africa and Botswana in particular. This paper seeks therefore to highlight this aspect as a way of addressing one of the barriers to H&S performance improvement. The purpose of this paper is to present findings of a small pilot study conducted among construction designers to establish their will or motivation and capacity to contribute to construction H&S in Botswana. A questionnaire survey was conducted among construction designers to establish willingness and capacity to incorporate H&S in their designs. Findings on the will to contribute to H&S, relate to designers incorporating H&S in their designs, external influence to consider H&S and mandate from the client to consider H&S are presented. Designers' capacity relate to education and training and their experience on matters relating to H&S. The pilot study indicates an inadequate level of will and capacity for designers to consider H&S in their designs. A better H&S performance improvement can only be achieved with the designer's active participation. Results from the survey on designers' will and capacity highlight the importance of considering this aspect of designers. Designers' will and capacity is inadequate and it shows in their inconsideration of H&S in current designs. A proposal is made to look at ways to improve designers' capacity as well as ways to motivate them to consider H&S

Design of generalised Chebyshev lowpass filters using coupled line/stub sections

A new method for the design of distributed lowpass filters enables exact realisation of the series short circuited transmission lines which are normally approximated via unit elements in other filter realisations. The filters are based upon basic sections using a pair of coupled lines which are terminated at one end in open-circuited stubs. The approach enables realisation of transmission zeros at the quarter –wave frequency hence giving improved stopband performance. A complete design is presented and demonstrates performance in good agreement with theory

Safety performance evaluation of construction workers in Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract: The health and safety (H&S) of construction workers has been a subject of much deliberation and justifiably so, since construction workers are invaluable in construction processes. The paper presents findings on an assessment of safety performance of construction workers in the Gauteng province of South Africa. Methodology A field questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data regarding safety performance on sites. Participants were selected using heterogeneity and convenience sampling techniques. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 22 software. Mean values and standard deviation were computed. Findings The results of the study indicated that medical treatment beyond on-site first aid and limited work days were minimal among the participants. It was also found that poorer safety performance with regard to risk assessment before engaging in tasks and accepting any kind of work prevailed..

A pilot study on public clients' contribution to construction workers' health and safety in Botswana

Abstract: This paper presents findings from a pilot study conducted in two major construction public client organisations in Botswana on their contribution to construction workers’ health and safety

Critical planning considerations for PPP road project sustainability : a case study approach

Abstract: Road transport projects are complex and laden with risks and uncertainties which influence their success or otherwise; even more so, with projects involving the private sector. Private investors decide to proceed with projects based on projections of costs and benefits potentially accruing to a proposed project, which ultimately reflect the success or failure of the project. However, the risks associated with roads delivered through public-private-partnerships (PPP) are grave and if strategies are not put in place to reduce or mitigate the chances of their occurrence, the expected performance of the projects may not be realised. The current paper aims to identify critical feasibility considerations to ensure sustainability of PPP road projects. A thematic content analysis of extant literature and case study illustrations was undertaken. Journal and conference articles were sourced from databases including Academic Search Complete, ASCE Library, Google Scholar, Scopus, Taylor and Francis, Google and Science Direct. Findings revealed that joint decision-making and concessionaire selection procedure and considerations were the most important feasibility factors for PPP road projects sustainability. These factors should be taken cognisance of at the feasibility stage to ensure that mechanisms are put in place in order to realise expected project performance

Value-in-use sustainability factor as a driver for asset management of road transport infrastructure

Abstract: Infrastructure is critical in supporting economic security and societal wellbeing. A sound road network, for instance, is an essential part of any country’s socio-economic fabric. However, the development of sustainable road infrastructure has been largely driven by environmental requirements as well as economic necessity. The experiences and satisfaction of users and the consequent value ascribed to the usage of road infrastructure have not been accorded reasonable attention. The current study examines the concept of value attributable to road infrastructure through its usage. A review of related literature was conducted using articles from journals, conference proceedings and from databases including Google, Taylor and Francis, ASCE Library, and Science Direct. Synthesis was done using thematic analysis. The study found that value is attributable to the experience of users and this depends on the condition of roads. Hence, maintenance of roads is paramount to sustain value. A conceptual model for value-in-use sustainability of roads was developed. The study recommends that more attention should be given to the experience of users while making use of the roads, as opposed to the monetary value of the roads only. Moreover, consideration of users’ experience will invariably drive demand for travel and bring about increased monetary returns. Therefore, the study highlights the import of the value-in-use concept, and creates more awareness about the conditions that invariably contribute to this value and thus transport managers and policy makers need prioritise asset maintenance and management even during planning

Microwave bandpass filters using re-entrant resonators.

Design techniques for microwave bandpass filters using re-entrant resonators are presented. The key feature is that each re-entrant resonator in the filter generates a passband resonance and a finite frequency transmission zero, above the passband. Thus an Nth degree filter can have N finite frequency transmission zeros with a simple physical realization. A physically symmetrical 5 pole re-entrant bandpass filter prototype with 5 transmission zeros above the passband was designed and fabricated. Measured results showed good correspondence with theories

Sustainability indicators for a transportation infrastructure investor

Abstract: Sustainability of infrastructure has been a source of concern for ages. A panoply of literature exists on sustainability. However, few studies exist which focus on the sustainable outcomes which an infrastructure investor seeks when deciding to invest in a project. The current study reviews extant literature to identify factors which are indicative of sustainability, specifically to an investor. Transportation literature is focused on because of its economic nature and potentiality of returns to an investor. Studies in both international and South African context are included. Findings revealed that adequacy of funding, accessibility, safety and security, quality, reliability, environmental friendliness and strong institutions are desirable outcomes to an investor. These findings will assist in the development of strategies to ensure that infrastructure projects are financially and economically sustainable

Peasant farmer–raptor conflicts around Chembe Bird Sanctuary, Zambia, Central Africa: poultry predation, ethno–biology, land use practices and conservation

Los conflictos entre campesinos y rapaces alrededor del refugio de Chembe Bird, en Zambia, África central: depredación de aves de corral, etnobiología, prácticas de uso de la tierra y conservación Las rapaces prestan servicios ecosistémicos a las comunidades rurales de África: (1) depredando roedores, (2) regulando las poblaciones de serpientes dañinas, (3) configurando las creencias culturales y (4) formando parte de las atracciones turísticas. Sin embargo, los campesinos las relacionan con la disminución de las aves de corral, las profecías telepáticas y la brujería tradicional. En consecuencia, las rapaces son perseguidas por los humanos. Mediante una técnica de análisis cualitativo de contenido, analizamos la interacción entre los campesinos y las rapaces en zonas adyacentes al refugio de Chembe Bird. Nuestros resultados revelan las prácticas, actitudes y percepciones negativas que podrían poner en peligro de extinción a cinco rapaces en la zona de estudio. A fin de mejorar la coexistencia entre agricultores y rapaces, proponemos utilizar medidas transformadoras de carácter conceptual (por ejemplo, sensibilizar a las partes interesadas, garantizar el cumplimiento riguroso de la legislación relativa a las rapaces y proteger su hábitat, así como reforzar el capital social relacional) y medidas prácticas (como proporcionar cercados apropiados y aves de corral de fenotipos de alta resistencia).Los conflictos entre campesinos y rapaces alrededor del refugio de Chembe Bird, en Zambia, África central: depredación de aves de corral, etnobiología, prácticas de uso de la tierra y conservación Las rapaces prestan servicios ecosistémicos a las comunidades rurales de África: (1) depredando roedores, (2) regulando las poblaciones de serpientes dañinas, (3) configurando las creencias culturales y (4) formando parte de las atracciones turísticas. Sin embargo, los campesinos las relacionan con la disminución de las aves de corral, las profecías telepáticas y la brujería tradicional. En consecuencia, las rapaces son perseguidas por los humanos. Mediante una técnica de análisis cualitativo de contenido, analizamos la interacción entre los campesinos y las rapaces en zonas adyacentes al refugio de Chembe Bird. Nuestros resultados revelan las prácticas, actitudes y percepciones negativas que podrían poner en peligro de extinción a cinco rapaces en la zona de estudio. A fin de mejorar la coexistencia entre agricultores y rapaces, proponemos utilizar medidas transformadoras de carácter conceptual (por ejemplo, sensibilizar a las partes interesadas, garantizar el cumplimiento riguroso de la legislación relativa a las rapaces y proteger su hábitat, así como reforzar el capital social relacional) y medidas prácticas (como proporcionar cercados apropiados y aves de corral de fenotipos de alta resistencia).Raptors provide ecosystem services to African rural communities by: (1) preying on rodents, (2) regulating harmful snake populations, (3) shaping cultural beliefs, and (4) being part of tourist attractions. Peasant farmers, however, connect them with poultry depletion, telepathic omens, and traditional witchcraft. Consequently, raptors suffer human–induced persecution. Using a qualitative content analysis technique, we investigated the interaction between farmers and raptors in areas adjoining the Chembe Bird Sanctuary. Our results unravel negative perceptions, attitudes and practices that could threaten the extinction of five raptors in the study area. We propose the use of transformative cognitive measures (e.g., raising stakeholder awareness, ensuring stringent law enforcement for raptors and protecting their habitat, and strengthening relational social capital) and physical measures (e.g., providing appropriate fencing and poultry breeding of high resilient phenotypes) to improve the co–existence between farmers and raptors