26 Apr 2018

The Energy Revolution in Latin America

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The Energy Revolution in Latin America

Energy Revolution

Latin America leads the world in clean energy. In 2014, according to the International Energy Agency, Latin America produced 53 percent of its electricity from renewable sources compared with a world average of 22 percent.
For 7 months Costa Rica was powered entirely by renewable power, and Uruguay was very close in doing the same.

How has Latin America made so much progress towards using renewable energy?

Latin America’s move towards a clean energy solution on solar and wind is driven by the environment which they live and the reality of the economic situation in Latin America.
Over 34 million people in Latin American lack access to electricity and as the population grows the gap between those with power and without will only widen.
Many countries in Latin America still depend on fossil fuels for their power generation. However, Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia and Argentina have all seen oil output decline.
This trend, combined with government budgets constrained by the cost of fuel subsidies, has encouraged private investment in clean energy generation in many of the region’s countries.

What is pushing this clean energy revolution?

Higher living standards and the rise in demand for power from a growing population has spurred the government to increase energy generating capacity. Targets have been set for renewable energy and financial incentives for solar and wind suppliers have been set. The mountain ranges, surrounding Islands and grasslands are ideal for producing wind energy and it is readily used in Latin America, for instance in 2014 wind captured 84 and 86 percent of renewable energy investments in Brazil and Mexico.

What can we expect in the future?

The future of wind and solar power looks strong in Latin America. As James K Alford notes, “Today, 19 countries have legislation in place that set targets for the percentage of renewable electric power on which the country will rely in 10, 15 or 20 years.” These range from 25 to 100 percent.

The great strides Latin America has made in the renewable energy landscape shines a light on Africa and the great potential for growth we have on this continent.

Sources:
https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/Latin-America-Monitor/2017/0212/Latin-America-leads-the-way-in-clean-energy

 

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About Barry West

I am a software developer.

20 Apr 2018

Press Release: JG Afrika’s water management interventions help alleviate pressure on Cape Town’s strained water system

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Press Release:

A school in drought-stricken Cape Town has reduced its water use by more than 90% and will continue working with JG Afrika to further mitigate its reliance on a strained municipal water-supply system.
The leading firm of consulting engineers and environmental scientists commenced work on the first phase of the school’s water-management project in November 2017 and completed it in December that year.
Initial measurements of the success of the water-saving interventions were undertaken between January and March 2018.
Already exceeding initial expectations, a further decision was taken by the school board to work with JG Afrika in rolling out similar programmes at its two other learning institutions in Cape Town.
Benjamin Biggs, a civil engineer and urban water-management specialist at JG Afrika, has been involved in the project since the baseline assessments were undertaken at the school. He will also participate in the larger rollout of water-saving interventions at the other institutions.
Biggs says that it is important to first focus on reducing water use before looking to supplement municipal supply with alternative sources.
“We were able to implement immediate measures at the school that would yield outstanding results early on. Our experience in several other projects has demonstrated that this upfront work can play an important role in mitigating, or even eliminating the need for more costly and longer-term measures,” he says.
Importantly, this step also helps drive changes in water-use behaviour in a water-scarce country, and Biggs compliments the client for the proactive efforts already taken to use water efficiently before it implemented a larger demand-side management programme.
About 400 people, including educators, administrative staff and students participated in the initiative, starting with basics such as flushing toilets sparingly and reporting water leakages.
JG Afrika saved an additional 80% to the already low drought use by focusing on reducing high-use applications at the school.

These interventions were selected based on the findings of the baseline assessment, which combined historical information including utility bills, as well as physical inspections of the plumbing fixtures and equipment.
The outcome was used to model water flows to understand end-use quantities for various applications and determine the site water balance, which is the flow of water in and out of a system. This allowed JG Afrika to identify high impact areas to address and assess possible solutions to reduce municipal water use on campus.
Prior to the programme, the school sourced as much as 1 064 kl/month from the municipality, with up to 70% of this water used to flush toilets in the ablution blocks.
As part of the first phase of the programme, all toilet flushing devices were replaced with water-saving mechanisms, and similar interventions were taken at other existing plumbing fixtures, including leaking washbasin taps.
As part of this full turnkey service, JG Afrika works closely with select installers and plumbers, which were placed on standby during the baseline studies to ensure swift turnaround times.
Moreover, all of the water-saving technologies deployed in the programme have been tried and tested by the team of water experts at the JG Afrika office.
These include the mechanisms that facilitate a quick and cost-effective means of retrofitting existing toilets to provide immediate water savings of up to 60%. This is in addition to the aerators that are used to limit flows through the taps, reducing water use from 10-15 l/min to only 1 l/min in bathrooms.
Another technology implemented in many of the initial phases of JG Afrika’s other projects is low-flow showerheads that provide as much as a 50% reduction in water use without forgoing the comfort of conventional fittings.
“We first ensure that we have identified all of the available so-called ‘low-hanging fruits’ available to us. Importantly, many of these technologies can be installed without having to make any major refurbishments to an existing building and can therefore be installed at a minimal cost to the client. This is a major consideration for JG Afrika on all of its water-management projects,” Biggs says.
The next phase of the programme will entail installing a rainwater-harvesting system with treatment at the school. Water tanks are used to store harvested rainwater where after is it treated and pumped for use in applications, such as toilet flushing, irrigation and topping up the swimming pool.

Combined with those actions undertaken during the first phase, the system will reduce the school’s reliance on municipal water supplies by up to 95%.
This strategy is in line with JG Afrika’s approach of first reusing all available water on site before abstracting from the groundwater aquifers.
The entire system can be installed in less than a month and therefore, can be operational ahead of the wet winter period in the Western Cape.
Depending on rainfall levels and irrigation requirements in summer, the school may pursue a third phase that will allow for water savings in excess of 95%. This entails installing a borehole on site to replenish stores of harvested water in the tanks.
The combined three phases will result in cost-savings of R150 000 per year under drought water restrictions and R450 000 per year under pre-drought conditions, while the school will be able to recuperate its investment in three years.
While cost savings have provided a major incentive for pursuing sustainable practices in the past, the severe arid conditions in many parts of the country have played a large part in motivating the importance of water management.
Biggs says that demand-side management (DSM) projects are now being viewed as a necessity, similar to those energy-efficiency programmes that were implemented during previous periods of load-shedding in South Africa.
Moreover, it has elevated the importance of water in sustainability programmes. In the past, water, energy and waste management were often undertaken in isolation of one another.
“Water is now being treated as a resource, as opposed to only a right by responsible South Africans. At the same time, policymakers have realised the need to explore solutions that provide the resilience they need for drought periods such as these. This is demonstrated by new policies and legislation in Cape Town that promote decentralised alterative supply systems to augment centralised infrastructure that do not have the flexibility to cater to increases in demand, or arid climates,” he says.
Biggs reports to both the municipal infrastructure and sustainability divisions of JG Afrika’s Cape Town operations. Headed by Chris Wise and Sally-Anne Käsner, these divisions continue to experience a high demand for their combined skills and capabilities.
JG Afrika’s key differentiator is its multi-disciplinary skills and capabilities that has allowed for a multi-disciplinary approach to water-management. This is applied on all of the company’s projects that span single buildings through to large university campuses and towns.

Each site is unique, and the experts’ water-sensitive designs consider all of the various components of the urban-water cycle, as opposed to the isolated approach taken on so many water-management programmes in the past.
This is also in line with the firm’s focus on providing a diverse source of supply and, in so doing, increasing resilience.
Emphasis is also placed on matching the quality of the water to suitable applications. Biggs says that this is also a significant departure from traditional thinking in South Africa where high-quality drinking water is still being used to flush toilets and for irrigation purposes.
In addition to working closely with academic institutions to apply the latest theoretical studies in practice, JG Afrika’s team of experts applies extensive experience and learning as well as using insights from international best practice, in its designs. This includes experience from countries, such as the United Kingdom, United States, Australia and Singapore, which all have policies and regulations in place that guide the efficient use of their water resources.
Biggs says that he is also proud of the part that JG Afrika has played in its own DSM programme at its office in Pinelands.
“We practice what we preach,” says Biggs. “As early as 2011, JG Afrika implemented in its own DSM programme at its office in Pinelands, and weekly readings confirm that we have reduced our water consumption by nearly 70% simply by installing low-flow taps and showers, waterless urinals and efficient toilets and irrigation. We will be taking further steps in the short-term to enhance this performance.”

 

About George Harris

I started my incredible journey at Leads 2 Business in 2006. I am the Content Director, custodian of an amazing research team responsible for unearthing hidden gems of information.

19 Apr 2018

History of Green Energy

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History of Green Energy

Green energy comes from renewable or natural sources. Green energy, then, is any source of power that is sustainable and not excessively harmful to human health or the environment. A strict definition would include water, wind, tidal, wave, solar & geothermal heat. A more expansive definition would include nuclear power, biomass (wood, crops & algae), biofuel (ethanol & biodiesel) and biogas (natural gas).
Throughout recorded history, humans have searched ways of putting energy to work for them. The quest for faster, easier, and more efficient ways of meeting the needs of a growing human population has led to increasingly high energy demands. The resources currently used for generating energy are running out and the pollution created by the use of these (non-renewable) resources are causing significant damage to the planet's eco-systems. For these reasons, people have started looking at green (renewable) energy sources to reduce pollution while meeting their energy needs.

Biomass
The oldest known use of renewable energy, in the form of traditional biomass (wood) to fuel fires, dates as far back as 790 000 years ago. However, the use of wood for fire did not become commonplace until about 300 000 years ago. Biomass is an industry term for getting energy by burning wood, and other organic matter. Biomass most often refers to plants or plant-based materials that are not used for food or feed.
Burning biomass releases carbon emissions, but has been classed as a renewable energy source, because plant stocks can be replaced with new growth. It has become popular among coal power stations, switching from coal to biomass in order to convert to renewable energy generation without wasting existing generating plant and infrastructure.
Unfortunately, using biomass as a fuel produces air pollution in the form of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, NOx (nitrogen oxides), VOCs (volatile organic compounds), particulates and other pollutants at higher levels than traditional fuel sources such as coal or natural gas. Pollution created by combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels, and biomass, called Black Carbon, is possibly the second largest contributor to global warming.
10% of the world’s energy is produced from Biomass.

Wind
The second oldest usage of renewable energy is harnessing the wind in order to drive ships over water. This practice can be traced back some 7 000 years, to ships in the Persian Gulf and on the Nile.
The use of windmills was traced back to the 10th century in Persia, then spread to India, China and eventually north into Europe. This technology proved extremely useful for farming, as water could be pumped from streams or lakes to irrigate crops, as wind power was widely available and not confined to the banks of fast-flowing streams.
Wind-powered pumps drained the polders of the Netherlands, and in arid regions such as the American mid-west and the Australian outback, wind pumps provided water for livestock and steam engines.
With the development of electric power in the 20th century, wind power found favour in remote areas far from centrally-generated power. Today wind powered generators operate in every size range between tiny plants for battery charging at isolated residences, up to 8MW sized offshore wind farms that provide electricity to national electrical networks. By 2014, over 240,000 commercial-sized wind turbines were operating in the world, producing 4% of the world's electricity.

Solar Power
The first evidence of solar energy usage dated back to 7th century BC when magnifying glass materials were used to start fires and later in 3rd century B.C., the Greeks and Romans were known to harness solar power with mirrors to light torches for religious ceremonies.
In the late 1700’s scientists had success using sunlight to power ovens for long voyages. They also harnessed the power of the sun to produce solar-powered steam boats.
The discovery that selenium had photoconductive potential in 1873, lead the way to the discovery 3 years later that selenium creates electricity when exposed to sunlight. A few years later in 1883, the first solar cells made from selenium wafers was produced.
The first Silicon Solar Cell was developed in 1953 which was used to power the first US Satellite in orbit four years later. With the price of manufacturing solar panels prices dropping rapidly in the 1970’s, many countries were investing in this new technology and by 1981 the first large scale Solar-Thermal Power Plant (Solar One – producing 10MW) begins operation which uses a method of collecting power was based on concentrating the sun's energy to produce heat and run a generator.
Solar energy has had exponential growth in the last few years producing just over 1% of the world’s energy.

Water
About 2 200 years ago the Europeans used water energy to initially power mills to crush grain, full cloth, tan leather and eventually smelt and shape iron, saw wood, ground spices and carry out a variety of other early industrial processes.
The power of a wave of water released from a tank was used for extraction of metal ores in a method known as hushing. The method was first used in 75 AD. It later evolved into hydraulic mining when used during the California Gold Rush. The use of water power gave way to steam power in many of the larger mills and factories.
Hydropower provided the energy to transport barge traffic up and down steep hills using inclined plane railroads. As railroads overtook canals for transportation, canal systems were modified and developed into hydropower systems.
Technological advances had moved the open water wheel into an enclosed turbine and in late 1870’s the first commercial scale Hydroelectric Plant went into operation.
The world's largest generator of renewable clean energy (hydroelectric plant located on the border between Brazil and Paraguay) has produced more than 2.4 billion MWh since it started operating in 1984. Approximately 75% of the Brazilian energy matrix, one of the cleanest in the world, comes from hydropower.
By 2015 hydropower has generated 16.6% of the world's total electricity.

Biofuel / Biogas
Biomass can be converted to other usable forms of energy like methane gas or transportation fuels like ethanol and biodiesel. Rotting garbage, and agricultural and human waste, all release methane gas – also called landfill gas or biogas. Crops, such as corn and sugarcane, can be fermented to produce the transportation fuel, ethanol. Biodiesel, another transportation fuel, can be produced from left-over food products like vegetable oils and animal fats.

Hydrogen
The discovery of electrolysis during the early 1800’s was an important historical step in the development of hydrogen energy and the development of the hydrogen fuel cell in 1838. The infamous Hindenburg incident in 1937 highlighted the dangers of this highly flammable gas and appropriate containment. The US developed Hydrogen Fuel Cells to generate electricity for Apollo and Gemini Space missions in the 1960’s.
The rise of the automobile started in the early 1900’s, with volume production taking off in the 1920’s. 10 million vehicles were produced in 1950 (we should reach the 100 million production mark in 2018) and with it the insatiable need for oil. The reliance on fossil fuels as well as the environmental pollution caused, see governments target vehicles as mayor polluters, which in turn triggered investigations the world over in search of greener technologies to power our future cities and infrastructure.
Hydrogen as a fuel replacement is seen as the ultimate solution for vehicles as the resulting emissions is water.

Geothermal Heat
Earth's geothermal energy originates from the original formation of the planet and from radioactive decay of minerals. The geothermal gradient, which is the difference in temperature between the core of the planet and its surface, drives a continuous conduction of thermal energy in the form of heat from the core to the surface.
It's clean and sustainable. Resources of geothermal energy range from the shallow ground to hot water and hot rock found a few kilometres beneath the Earth's surface, and down even deeper to the extremely high temperatures of molten rock called magma.
To produce geothermal-generated electricity, wells, sometimes a mile (1.6 kilometres) deep are drilled into underground reservoirs to tap steam and very hot water that drive turbines linked to electricity generators.
The world's first Geothermal District Heating System was built in the late 1880’s which lead to the way to the world's first Geothermal Power Plant is built in 1921.
Geothermal energy is generated in over 20 countries but produces less than 1% of the worlds’ energy.

Nuclear
Barely a decade after the Second World War where nuclear power was first used as a weapon of mass destruction, the first commercial Nuclear Power Plant begins operation in 1957. This type of energy production was hailed as the future of green energy as it produces no emissions. However ongoing costs as nuclear waste remains on-site and must be secured, as well as potential clean-up costs from a nuclear incident remains its bugbear.
Several incidents: 1979 - Three Mile Island in the US; 1986 - Chernobyl in the former Soviet Union & 2011 - earthquake off coast of Japan create widespread public opposition to nuclear power.
However, as some countries have or are in the process of decommissioning their nuclear power plants, others are still building new nuclear stations. Nuclear currently produces 14% of the worlds’ energy.

Future
Our reliance on fossil fuel since the 19th century has been a major cause of global warming and pollution of our planet. Public support as well fossil fuel divestment from the wealthy has been placing huge pressure on governments to change their ways.
Fortunately, the future of green energy is looking optimistic as many countries are investing billions into renewable energy development such as energy efficiency programs, energy storage technology, electric grid modernisation, advanced battery development, carbon capture, and other greenhouse gas reduction technologies.

The investment we're making today will create a newer, smarter electric grid that will allow for broader use of alternative energy whilst saving our environment.

Sources

https://www.studentenergy.org/map?gclid=Cj0KCQiAzrTUBRCnARIsAL0mqcxrrvwXnN4nCshRa6pmflRCfI47gbaAopgBrnZPgx0LfwFwIPpdUkIaAndIEALw_wcB
https://alternativeenergy.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000015
http://www.scienceclarified.com/scitech/Energy-Alternatives/The-Development-of-Energy.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_wind_power
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomass
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/geothermal-energy/tech.html
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/geothermal-energy/

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About Brandon Le Roux

I joined Leads 2 Business in February 2005 as an Account Executive. I was promoted to Sales Manager in February 2007, and to Sales Director in November 2012. I manage the Sales, Telesales & Retention teams nationwide. I’m passionate about our company & staff, as well as the great opportunities we bring to our subscribers.

12 Apr 2018

Water Conservation

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Water Conservation

Water Conservation

What is Water Conservation?

Water conservation includes all the policies, strategies and activities to sustainably manage the natural resource of fresh water, to protect the hydrosphere, and to meet the current and future human demand.

As simple as it sounds and as much awareness as there is out there about water conservation, how many of us are really being proactive about saving this life source?

Devastation hit the Western Cape when they had that dreaded day zero looming. What can we do to avoid this going forward? It’s as simple as starting from home because every drop counts… and this for sure has truth behind it.

Here are some simple tips on how we can conserve water in our homes:

Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. We don’t realise how much water is actually wasted when the water is left running and we are busy trying to reach every one of our 32 pearly whites for those of us that have that many left.

Take shorter showers.
So, instead of reflecting on the origin of life and the universe for 25 minutes rather take a “one song” shower. Sing your favourite song in the shower and try to finish before it ends, even better leave out the chorus.

If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s…you know the rest! I won’t get too descriptive.

Fix your leaks – give the plumber a call…

If you are not a plumber you could attempt DIY but then again this could make matters worse, not only will there be more water wastage but it will cost you even more.

So don’t be a cheapskate and don’t let your wife get the thrill of saying “I told you so!”

– Use a shower bucket, you know how we always waiting for the water to heat up and all that water is going down the drain rather stick a bucket under the faucet and use the saved water to flush the toilet or water your plants.

– Save water and shower together!

They always say save the Best for Last…

– Save water Drink Champagne. 

These are just a few tips that you can use to conserve water.

You may ask, why should we? Besides the glaring fact that water is life, here are a few more benefits to water conservation:

– Saves you money… cha-ching! Yes, your pocket can benefit as well as the rest of humankind.
– Protects drinking water resources
– Reduces the need for costly water supply and new wastewater treatment facilities.
– Maintains the health of aquatic environments.
– Saves energy used to pump, and treat water.

The shortage of water can have devastating consequences –
Not enough water for farmers to produce food, feed their livestock and that in turn puts their livelihood at risk as well as impacts the prices of those good in the market.
Less water also means sewage does not flow, and mosquitoes and other insects breed on stagnant, dirty water. The result is deadly diseases and other infections.

 

So let’s all work together and Conserve Water to make a difference.

 

Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_conservation
https://www.care2.com/greenliving/20-ways-to-conserve-water-at-home.html
http://www.ecotechwater.com/Health/Water%20Consevation.html

 

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About Sharika Raman

I have worked for Leads 2 Business from January 2015. I started in the Leads 2 Quotes Department for Directory, in January 2020 I was promoted to the Deputy Head of Department for Leads 2 Quotes and in July 2021 I was promoted to the Accounts Department as a Debtors Administrator. I enjoy time with my family creating memories, I like to socialize but also enjoy time to myself so I try to keep a balance by indulging in some quiet time when I can. I see myself as a realist, amazing wife and awesome mom…I am sure my family would agree.

5 Apr 2018

Does Load shedding cost your business money?

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Does Load shedding cost your business money?

Since the reinstatement of rolling blackouts, businesses big or small, as well as customers, have suffered alike. Most businesses are left handicapped for hours. With Eskom being the supplier of 95% of our power, it has become a prerogative that businesses consider alternative power generating sources. Some places go two days without electricity, where stage 1 blackouts suddenly became stage 2 blackouts.
NERSA (National Energy Regulator of South Africa) reported that during the period of 23 days of load shedding in 2008, the SA economy lost an estimated R50-billion, which is almost R2.17-billion per day. With load shedding expected to worsen in years, it is time for businesses to buckle up, especially as small businesses make up a significant percentage of the GDP (Gross domestic product).

According to research, small and medium-sized enterprises make up 91% of formalised businesses. This shows that the survival of our economy rests on the performance of small to medium business enterprises. In order to help prevent the economy from being severely affected by the effects of load shedding, businesses must come up with survival strategies.

There is a serious impact on those industries that need continuous electricity supply for their production.

“It is difficult to cost the financial impact of load shedding ahead of time due to uncertainties about how often it will occur; however the city has identified certain risks in terms of:

– The direct stress on infrastructure elements, such as substations
– The risk of water pumps not being able to provide pressure to higher lying areas, and/or not filling reservoirs adequately, thus risking the availability of water. The cost is lower service to our residents and/or having to spend money on larger pumps and larger reservoirs
– The risk that if sewer pumps are unable to operate there would be overflows into our streets and rivers. The cost is the health risks and clean-up costs, and/or the need to provide standby generators
– Traffic light disruption can cause traffic disruptions if the problem is widespread in a particular area. The direct cost is the economic impact. The other cost is the need to provide uninterrupted power supplies at each intersection.

Furthermore, as people take steps to protect their needs through alternative energy supply, we will see a gradual decline in electricity sales, and therefore a smaller pool of people paying the rates that fund the distribution network’s maintenance.

The cost of maintaining the grid does not decrease in proportion to each customer that converts to alternative energy sources. This could make our current system of electricity supply unsustainable economically.
There are three ways to evaluate if load shedding is negatively impacting your business.
It is important to evaluate how load shedding is affecting your business and how to work towards finding the best solution to keep your business running when the power goes out. When evaluating your business, you will need to look at these three key loss areas; customers, money and time. Puzzled why just these three? Simply because these are your business’ most valuable assets.

• Are you turning your customers away?
Most shops have to shut during load shedding – to the detriment of their customers as well as their cash flow. Every time a customer approaches your business and is turned away because you cannot service them, you inconvenience them as a result. Coupled with a decrease in sales, an inability to cater to customers decreases the value of your business. Also, the reason for shut down is the prevention of theft, which causes the business much more loss.

• Is your business losing money due to damaged stock?
If you run a business that has machinery or refrigeration to keep produce fresh such as a restaurant, butchery or frozen yoghurt shop, it will be a challenge to not throw out stock due to load shedding. Businesses such as Deli’s amongst many that rely on suppliers for produce; stock delivery is severely impacted as there are serious health hazards and implications involved in delivering stock that is damaged. There is inter-dependency between businesses that are interrupted by power cuts and sums up to major monetary loss. Having alternative power is now a necessity for every business.

• Is productivity diminished due to lost time?
In today’s world, many businesses rely on electricity-dependent machines which can be a downfall when customers want to transact with cards. The majority of customers prefer to make use of credit cards, debit cards and prepaid cards, it is important that you start thinking of ways to not miss out on these sale opportunities. Mobile payments may help your business to switch from barely breaking even to making as much money as you can during these crunch times. Another time-related issue your business may be faced with is a lack of productivity due to wasted time sitting doing nothing during the scheduled load shedding periods. If your employees are not being productive, lost time will directly impact your profit margins.

On a positive note, your business can be saved.
Start thinking of ways to minimise the effects of load shedding and save your business from major financial risk. These are crunch times for businesses but there is a way out. Thinking smart, creatively and remaining calm can get your business back to where it needs to be; the top. Once you have identified the risks, you will be able to build a load shedding contingency plan specific to your business’ needs and stay powered.

Conclusion:

• Load shedding is greatly destroying the economy.
• Some social factors like aggressiveness in people, restlessness, lack of concentration on work due to load shedding, etc are sometimes dependent.
• Load Shedding is disturbing the normal routine of people, business and causing economic disaster.

 

Sources:
http://www.fin24.com/Economy/Poor-load-shedding-plans-affect-businesses-20150128

What effect will load shedding have on South Africa’s economy?

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About Devika Suresh

I started at Leads 2 Business in January 2010 (12 Years ago). I am presently Deputy HOD of L2Q. I started in the Daily Tenders Bills department and worked my way up to the L2Q department.

29 Mar 2018

The History of Security

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The History of Security

Security must be one of the oldest and largest sectors in any industry. We are all so reliable on security, we can’t even say it is only for the individuals who can afford it, the sad reality is, it is a must in today’s world. But have we ever thought how security actually began?
The home alarm system as we know it today obviously wasn’t present during the Stone Age. Cavemen used other means of protection to keep predators at bay. Initially, they used branches and rocks and later on they created slingshots, bows and arrows.
As time progressed, domesticated wolves were used to protect homes. People would rescue abandoned wolf cubs and raise them to protect their possessions. Eventually, this leads to the guard dogs we know today.
In ancient Egypt, around 3150 BC, people would dig trenches around their dwellings, towns, and fortresses. These trenches, also known as moats, were filled with water and used to protect the people from intruders. With the growth of businesses and business ownership during the mid-1700s, people started using security guards to protect their properties. Royalty also used security guards for their personal protection. Today, the human touch is still used to offer protection.

One of the alarm systems that closely resemble home security alarms today was the electromagnetic alarm in the mid-1800s. This alarm was used by wealthy people to secure their possessions. Electromagnetic sensors were placed in doors and windows, and when an intruder crossed them, they would set off a loud alarm and scare off the intruder.
It wasn’t until after World War I that Americans really started prioritising safety and protection. People started using the services of door shakers, yes can you believe it? If you paid for this service, a guard would “shake” your door handle at nighttime, to make sure that it was locked, today I am afraid things will turn very ugly if someone had to shake your door in the middle of the night. Years later, in 1966, a nurse named Marie Van Brittan Brown invented the first video home security system and the ability to open a door with a remote control. Yes, you read right, a nurse! These were the first major developments leading to the home security systems we know today.

In the early 1800’s, there were no established law enforcement agencies or federal authorities to chase down outlaws across territorial lines. They were also inadequately equipped to go after criminals escaping the state or country which were responded to by the introduction of the security industry. The Vigiles Urbani who guard the city of Rome was said to be the origin of security personnel. Security guards were called “Watchmen” in the old days or middle ages in Europe.
The security industry that we know today was founded in 1850 by Allan Pinkerton with the establishment of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency based in Chicago. This swiftly became one of the industry’s largest and most prominent security agencies. One of the main clients of the agency were railroad operators or companies which were usual victims of crooks who robbed passengers and trains of cargo and personal items.

Security guards had a more comprehensive role aside from private policing which include investigating crimes, guarding railroad shipments, giving security advice to businessmen who became frequent victims of lawless criminals.
Regulation of the security industry commenced in 1915, wherein the state of California provides licensing and regulation of private security guards under the Administration of the State Board of Prison Directors. They said regulation was brought about by the increasing number of private security agencies and personnel mushrooming in the state and in the United States.


The private security industry in South Africa is an industry providing guarding, monitoring, armed reaction, escorting, investigating and other security-related services to private individuals and companies in the country. Over the years there has been tremendous growth in the private security industry, not only in South Africa but also in the rest of the world.
The private security industry in South Africa is among the largest in the world, with over 9,000 registered companies, 450,000 registered active private security guards and a further 1.5 million qualified (but inactive) guards; many times the available personnel than the combined South African police and army.
Studies have shown that South Africa had 2.57 private security personnel for every police employee. This is attributed by some to the country’s relatively high levels of crime to a lack of public funds from Parliament towards the South African Police Service (SAPS) or to an increasing trend in many countries towards government outsourcing of certain security functions. Others have suggested the number of high-wealth individuals in South Africa in comparison with the rest of Africa has led to the growth of the industry.

Like I always say “Safety starts with awareness, Awareness starts with you!”

Sources
https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Stone-Age/353814
http://freecourses.iimra.com/wp-content/uploads/large-icon-11.png
http://cngubaneinc.co.za/practice/forensic-investigations-unit.html

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About Christine Brooks

My journey started in 2015 with Leads 2 Business, as an Account Executive, and gradually grown to take the role of being the Client Liaison Officer (CLO) since 2018. Assisting in the delivery of our services and insuring our clients expectations and requirements are exceeded.

22 Mar 2018

What to do if you’re in a building on fire

by | posted in: General | 0

What to do if your're in a building on fire

About Elaine Cockcroft

I started working at Leads 2 Business in January 2016 and form part of the sales team as Account Executive based in Gauteng.

15 Mar 2018

The key role of Safety Officers

by | posted in: Construction Chat | 8

The key role of safety officers

Safety Officers and Their Functions:

Safety officer… Brrrrrr.… Just the mere words alone are enough to send cold shivers down any foreman’s spine.
This important professional can close down a construction site within an hour if proper safety and precaution measures are not adhered to.
They do, however, form probably the most vital part of the whole operation – And that is ensuring the safety of all personnel on site.

We all know how quickly and easily accidents can happen, especially on a dangerous construction site, where accidents are almost inevitable. These officers detailed, pedantic and precautionary planning is an essential part of ensuring the safety of everyone involved in the project.

 

Not to mention the financial losses that are incurred with the insurance claims which lead to more financial losses caused by delays and it just grows exponentially worse from there.

 

Reputations can be tested and destroyed, and the hardest hitting reality of it all…

People can die!

Remember the bridge that fell down over Grayston Drive in Sandton, Johannesburg, not that long ago? The first point of contact for the investigation was the Safety Officer!

Not sticking to the safety regulations is simply a lose-lose situation.

OK, now that I have scared everyone and put you all in a sombre mood, let’s get serious and highlight just some of the important functions of a Safety Officer.

1. Creating and Implementing Safety Policies:
The Safety Officer with the assistance of managers and construction workers determine what policies are needed to help employers reduce the accident-related costs and prevent losses
due to any decline in productivity. They then finalize these policies and are responsible for alerting workers about any changes and monitoring of compliance.

2. Workplace Inspections:
Safety Officers are responsible for inspecting the interior and exterior work areas to determine if there are any safety hazards. In these inspections, they look for any broken equipment, damaged or unstable equipment, slip-and-fall hazards and any other potential hazards. They also observe workers to ensure that the required personal protective equipment (PPE) is being worn and machinery is operated in the correct manner and that the employees themselves are adhering to the company’s safety policies.

3. Accident Investigations:
Should a workplace accident occur, a Safety Officer will conduct the investigation to determine why and how the accident happened. This includes questioning witnesses, accident site inspection and pictures may be taken of the scene for the comprehensive report he or she must write. They also then provide recommendations to prevent future accidents.

4. Training and Coaching:
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide training on multitudes of safety topics, ranging from fire prevention plans, hazardous materials handling to machine operations. Safety Officers need to identify training needs, develop the correct programs and then deliver these programs to the employees.

5. Last, but not least… Regulatory Compliance:
These standards have already been put in place by OSHA and Occupational Safety Agencies, and are a necessity on construction sites. This involves reviewing these already set out standards, implementing plans to meet those standards and follow all of the correct record keeping procedures.

So as you can clearly see, these professionals play an integral part of keeping you and your workers safe.

Their job is your well-being!

 

 

 

Sources:
http://work.chron.com/duties-safety-officers-13515.html
https://www.aiha.org/get-involved/…/IPRWG-SafetyOfficerResponsibilities.doc
http://www.claybrick.org/what-are-duties-construction-health-safety-officer
https://resources.workable.com/safety-officer-job-description
http://fspbusiness.co.za/articles/hse-representatives/your-health-and-safety-officer-has-seven-essential-responsibilities-are-you-familiar-with-them-7081.html
https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-a-construction-safety-officer-844595

 

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About Nikki Blake

I am an Account Executive in our Gauteng branch. I have been with L2B for almost a year now and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I am so passionate about people and being able to assist them grow their business with the use of our amazing system. It has not only given me an overwhelming sense of self fulfilment, but has also become my motivation to be the best person I can be each day. Thank you L2B and to all of our awesome clients!

8 Mar 2018

L2B Blog: Fire Risks

by | posted in: Construction Chat | 4

Fire Risks


Since the early dawn of man, the discovery of fire has brought us progress in every way. A discovery that has pushed the human race beyond grunting and digging for roots, catapulting us into the future. It has provided us with warmth, transport, cooked meals and a living environment that is far more convenient and healthy.
Fire brings a risk of injury and/or death. The importance of treating fire with respect and a mental presence is pertinent to everyone’s wellbeing. This article will give you an overview of some of the risks that fire brings.

Fire requires three elements to start; heat, fuel & oxygen. Stupidity might be added as a fourth for a safe measure as this seems to be a common factor. Examples of fire hazards will include but are not limited to: objects generating heat, faulty electrical equipment, overloading of power supply sockets, smoking, human error and negligence as well as meteorological events (lightning).

 

Hoarding is considered to be one of the major contributors towards fire hazards. Hoarding is defined as the persisted collection and accumulation with an inability to relinquish a large number of objects. Hoarding might include variable objects and materials that humans collect and store causing clutter that will be the fuel for any fire. The rule of thumb is that if you haven’t used it for two months then get rid of it. It is not worth getting your mono-brow or ponytail singed by fire as a direct cause of your hoarding.

Whilst the list of materials posing possible fire risks is endless, the common list would include: flammable liquids of all kinds, gas, and fabric etc. It is of value to know the flash point of flammable material that you might utilise and or store on your premises.

The flashpoint of a volatile flammable material is the lowest temperature at which the vapours of the material will ignite when given an ignition source. The flash point is often confused with the autoignition temperature, which is the temperature at which the vapour ignites spontaneously on its own without an ignition source. The fire point is the lowest temperature at which the vapours of the material will continue to burn after being ignited and the ignition source has been removed. The fire point is higher than the flash point because at the flashpoint more vapour may not be produced rapidly enough to sustain combustion. Flammable materials almost always have a Material Safety Data Sheet that will include information in regards to the particular materials flash/ignition point. It is of value to take the time to read and familiarise yourself with this data if you are inclined to handle the material in an environment that could cause it to ignite.

 

 Whilst it is common knowledge as to the danger linked to well-known flammable materials, the risk of fire is hidden in materials that we do not commonly associate with fire. Ordinary cake flour is one of these products. In its original solid form, it has no risk of ignition. However, when converted into a fine dust, the risk of ignition increases exponentially. Other organic materials that fall into this category will include but are not limited to: grain, starch, sugar, powdered milk, cocoa, coffee, and pollen.

Fireball spreads rapidly:
A cloud of flour is ignited:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, if waking up from a “Rip Van Winkle” coma with your favourite little dog named “Skippy” imprinted as a vague Bushman drawing on your kitchen wall doesn’t appeal to you, then rather don’t celebrate your perfect ginger-bread man biscuits by applauding yourself with a hand full of flour over your ignited gas stove.

Be aware and educate yourself on all aspects of fire.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_explosion
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_point

Examples of Fire Hazards in the Workplace

 

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About Richard Venter

I joined the property division as the Financial Manager in 2017 and oversee the management and investment aspects of all properties owned.

1 Mar 2018

L2B Blog: History of Hard Hats

by | posted in: Construction Chat, Construction Events, Did You Know, General, Safety | 0

.History of Hard Hats

History of Hard Hats

Hard Hats; a common symbol of the Construction Industry, but have you ever stopped to wonder about the History behind this safety accessory?

History

According to Prescot Valley Tribune, “The Hard Hat originated with Edward Bullard, a WWI veteran. He brought a steel helmet home after the war. This metal headgear was the inspiration to revolutionize industrial safety. Bullard’s father worked in the industrial safety business for 20 years and sold protective hats, but they were made of leather.

Construction of the Hoover Dam, which began in 1931 was the first project in which construction workers were required to wear Hard Hats. Later, in 1933, the construction site of the Golden Gate Bridge became America’s first “Hard Hat Area”.”

The first Hard Hats were made from:

  • Leather
  • Canvas
  • Steel
  • Aluminum
  • Fibreglass
  • Plastic
  • and finally today’s High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE).
Functionality

The function of the Hard Hat is pretty obvious. If worn and fitted correctly it provides limited safety from shock, perforation, fire, water and heat.

Hard Hats also provide a form of identification.

A wearer can use colour coded Hard Hats to differentiate between job titles/responsibilities:

  • White – Managers, Engineers, Supervisors/Foremen
  • Blue – Electricians, Carpenters and other technical operators (besides civil workers)
  • Green – Safety Officers
  • Red – Fire Fighters
  • Yellow – Labourers
  • Brown – Welders and workers with high heat application
  • Grey – Site Visitors

These colour codes are general and could change according to the Project.

Over time Hard Hats, like most things also need replacing. As a wearer, you should inspect your Hard Hats before each use.  Your support strap should also be replaced annually and the entire hat every five years. Hard Hats may also allow for the attachment of safety accessories; most noteworthy are face shields, respirators, hearing protection and work lamps.

Future

Today’s Hard Hat hasn’t changed much since the 1960’s and has become a staple of safety, but they may be getting an upgrade in the future.

According to Sourceable, “In Australia, RMIT has developed a system whereby sensors can be embedded onto safety glasses, helmets or boots and can monitor and inform workers of impending danger…”
Sounds really interesting, after all, technology is a part of our every day lives and why not safety too.
Industry leaders can achieve much by ‘upgrading’ the Hard Hat. For example, by monitoring and assessing stats you can take precautions; not only in the present but also in the future through behavior analysis. But this may also present issues; like how much monitoring is too much when it comes to privacy and tracking? What are your thoughts?

In conclusion, the future sure looks safe when it comes to Hard Hats. The History of Hard Hats was certainly an interesting topic to research and blog.

Finally

Do you have any Hard Hat stories or facts you’d like to share? Or do you frequently use one?

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_hat

https://www.pvtrib.com/news/2018/jan/26/ask-contractor-history-hat-protects-workers/

https://www.thenbs.com/knowledge/what-colours-are-safety-helmets-hard-hats-on-construction-sites

http://www.civilology.com/helmet-color-code-construction/

https://sourceable.net/smart-hard-hats-next-trend-construction-safety/

 

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To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit our Wiki site.
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About Sasha Anderson

Millennial Mom + wife living the hash-tag life. Remember: If You Fail - Fail Forward

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