Body 115


Book Description

Chambers discusses the emotional search for the last piece in the puzzle of the King's Cross fire and the forensic investigation it took to solve it.




Fire Investigation


Book Description

Fire Investigation covers the concepts and theories used to determine a specfic fire has been deliberately or accidentally set. The author clearly explains the concepts needed to gain insight into a fire scene investigation, including the dynamics of the fire, the necessary conditions for a fire to start and be maintained, the different types of co




British Rail 1974-1997


Book Description

Britain's privatised railways continure to provoke debate about the organisation, financing, and development of the railway system. This important book, written by Britain's leading railway historian, provides an authoritative account of the progress made by British Rail prior to privatisation, and a unique insight into its difficult role in the government's privatisation planning from 1989. Based on free access to the British Railway Board's rich archives, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of the main themes: a process of continuous organisational change; the existence of a persistent government audit; perennial investment restraints; the directive to reduce operating costs and improve productivity; a concern with financial performance, technological change, service quality, and the management of industrial relations; and the Board's ambiguous position as the Conservative government pressed home its privatisation programme. The introduction of sector management from 1982 and the 'Organising for Quality' initiative of the early 1990s, the Serpell Report on railway finances of 1983, the sale of the subsidiary businesses, the large-scale investment in the Channel Tunnel, and the obsession with safety which followed the Clapham accident of 1988, are all examined in depth. In the conclusion, the author reviews the successes and failures of the public sector, rehearses the arguments for and against integration in the railway industry, and contrasts what many have termed 'the golden age' of the mid-late 1980s, when the British Rail-government relationship was arguably at its most effective, with what has happened since 1994.




Fires and Human Behaviour


Book Description

This second edition of Fires and Human Behaviour was originally published in 1990 and since the first edition in 1980 there continued to be considerable loss of life in small and large fires throughout the world. The most significant of these from a behavioural point of view was the Kings Cross underground station in 1988. This was a relatively small fire caused by inappropriate human actions. What appeared to remain timeless and of value ten years after the first edition was published were the details of what actually happens in fires and the psychological models that emerged from studying those details. This second edition was therefore edited to keep the original detailed case studies and to add information about some major incidents that had occurred since 1980.




Evaluation of Fire Safety


Book Description

Fire safety is a major concern in many industries, particularly as there have been significant increases in recent years in the quantities of hazardous materials in process, storage or transport. Plants are becoming larger and are often situated in or close to densely populated areas, and the hazards are continually highlighted with incidents such as the fires and explosions at the Piper Alpha oil and gas platform, and the Enschede firework factory. As a result, greater attention than ever before is now being given to the evaluation and control of these hazards. In a comprehensive treatment of the subject unavailable elsewhere, this book describes in detail the applications of hazard and risk analysis to fire safety, going on to develop and apply quantification methods. It also gives an explanation in quantitative terms of improvements in fire safety in association with the costs that are expended in their achievement. Furthermore, a quantitative approach is applied to major fire and explosion disasters to demonstrate crucial faults and events. Featuring: Full international coverage and a review of several major fires and explosion disasters. Presentation of the properties and science of fire including the latest research. Detailed coverage of the performance of fire safety measures. This is an essential book for practitioners in fire safety engineering, loss prevention professionals, technical personnel in insurance companies as well as academics involved in fire science and postgraduate students. This book is also a useful reference for fire safety officers, building designers, engineers in the process industries, safety practitioners and risk assessment consultants.




Aviation Psychology: Practice and Research


Book Description

In the well-established aviation system, the importance of sound human factors practice, based on good aviation psychology research, is obvious from those incidents and accidents resulting from its neglect. This carefully structured book presents an up-to-date review of the main areas in the field of Aviation Psychology. It contains current thinking mainly from Europe, but with input from Australia and North America, from specialists involved in research, training and operational practice. Spanning six parts, the book covers: Human Engineering, Occupational Demands, Selection of Aviation Personnel, Human Factors Training, Clinical Psychology, Accident Investigation and Prevention. Looking at the six parts - in human engineering, the reader learns about human-centered automation as well as human factors issues in aircraft certification. Results derived by job analysis methods are presented in the next part and serve as basic information in the design of selection and training programs. In selection, computerized testing or behaviour-oriented assessments are challenging approaches for personnel recruitment. Cost-benefit analyses in selection reveal convincing results, enabling organizations to save huge amounts of inappropriate training investment by the application of proper selection tests. The NOTECHS method is described which helps to assess CRM capabilities in training and can also be used to measure training effects in systematic validation studies. Although operational personnel in aviation are usually able to cope with stress more efficiently than other occupational groups, individual problems might develop as reactions to traumatic influences. Either a psychological evaluation or a proper treatment or both is then required as described in the 'Clinical Psychology' part of the book. The readership includes: aviation psychologists and flight surgeons, training, selection and recruitment specialists, instructor pilots, CRM facilitators, personnel managers, accident investigators, safety pilots, air traffic controllers, aircraft engineers and those dealing with human-machine interfaces.




Tolley's Handbook of Disaster and Emergency Management


Book Description

The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 modernised the UK’s approach to disaster and emergency management, taking into account the kinds of threats the country faces in the 21st century, including terrorist threats and threats to the environment. This third edition of the Tolley’s Handbook of Disaster and Emergency Management has been fully updated to cover the topics and themes reflected in the Act, and collates all the key components of disaster and emergency planning for both the public and the private sector, covering both man-made and natural disasters. Written from a UK practitioner’s point of view, using case studies and examples, it helps readers to understand and formulate disaster and emergency policies and systems for their workplace. Its practical approach will help organizations to ensure business continuity and safeguard the health and safety of their staff in the event of a disaster. The new edition has been updated in line with the latest legislation: * Civil Contingencies Act 2004 * Amendment to the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations * Corporate Manslaughter Bill




International Security Management


Book Description

This book offers a new look at international security management combining practical applications and theoretical foundations for new solutions to today’s complex security and safety challenges. The book’s focus on safety as a positive experience complements the traditional approach to safety as risks and threats. In addition, its multi-stakeholder, multi-disciplinary, international and evidence-based approach provides holistic and timely insights for the field. Topics raised in this book focus on the crucial questions of: Who is safety actually for? (and) How can sustainable safety solutions be jointly created? This book provides comprehensive insights into the latest research findings, practical applications and suggestions for dealing with challenges in international security management in integrated and sustainable ways, making it relevant reading for practitioners, as well as academics and students - with a view to obtaining thorough, first-hand knowledge from serving experts in the field. We explore new ways of working with citizens, police and policymakers in order to co-create safety. This book emphasises the importance of safety as a topic that matters for all. “Safety and security are basic pillars for the development of our society. However, the number of areas, actors and procedures involved in the management of the different elements composing the international security eco-system, its coordination and alignment, make it a challenging issue to resolve. This book provides a fresh new approach to this complex issue, in which we all have a role to play.” Fernando Ruiz, Acting Head of European Cyber-Crime Centre - Europol “A very timely analysis that brings a much-needed international perspective to the field of security management. The authors explore the challenges confronting security management in a complex and connected world and generate new ideas to support practice and inspire research.” Professor Mark Griffin; John Curtin Distinguished Professor, Curtin University; Director, Future of Work Institute “This book presents the role of International Security Management in the 21st century in an innovative way.” Dr. Christian Endreß, Managing Director, ASW Bundesverband - German Association for Security in Industry and Commerce




Electrical Safety Engineering


Book Description

Electrical Safety Engineering, Third Edition covers the scientific principles, legislation, guidelines, and standards of electrical safety. This book is organized into six parts encompassing 20 chapters. Part 1 considers the nature of electrical injuries, the mechanical causes of electrical failures, and electrical insulation failure. Parts 2 and 3 describe the mechanism of breakdown and failure of electrical equipment, as well as the concept of circuit protection, with emphasis on the earthing principles and double insulation. Parts 4 and 5 explore the principles and application of electronic and solid-state control systems, fires, and explosion hazards. Part 6 focuses on the industrial supply and distribution of current and voltage. This book will prove useful to electrical engineers, electricians, and technicians.