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An Assessment of the Availability and Effectiveness of Safe Systems of Work (Ssow) In Minimising Occupational Accidents in Manufacturing Companies in Zimbabwe. A Case Study of Kango Pvt Ltd.
No full textDespite the rigorous review of laws in Zimbabwe and practices in individual companies, accidents are still high. The researcher, therefore, sought to assess the availability and effectiveness of Safe Systems of Work in minimizing occupational accidents. In this study the researcher’s main objective was to assess the availability of SSoW and to find out how effective were the available SSoW. The effectiveness of SSoW was dependent on the blending of SSoW with job descriptions and their regular review. Companies claim to be aware of the practices that cause accidents and those hat mitigate them, but accidents are still rife. Therefore, the researcher felt that there is a link between the availability and effective use of SSoW with accident occurrence.
This study adopted a mixed research approach that focused on both qualitative and quantitative data analysis. On quantitative approach hypothesis testing was conducted through chi-square test to produce generalizable conclusions. Questionnaires, interviews with managerial employees and observation of achieved SSoW and job descriptions were used to collect data. Data was then presented in the form of graphs, pie charts and tables.
From the data gathered it was found that companies lack holistic and integral approach systems in their efforts to minimize work related accidents. Despite the fact that SSoW were provided, these lacked adequate monitoring and review and employee involvement in their development and reactive review. Jobs which are administrative in nature also seem to be given less attention when it comes to accident issues, the reason being the wrong perception that they are safe.
The hypothesis test revealed that the blending of SSoW with job descriptions coupled with their review has an effect on accident minimization as the computed p-value was found to be lower than the significance level alpha = 0.05, at 0.006. The research therefore concluded that there is lack of an integral approach to accident minimisation in manufacturing companies.
From the research findings the researcher recommended that manufacturing companies should adopt a more systematic approach in their provision and use of SSoW if the SSoW is to be effective. It is only through the proper development, provision, use, monitoring and review of SSoW that accidents can be minimised.,Lupane State Universit
An investigation into the effectiveness of community service sentencing option as a rehabilitation tool: a case of Bulawayo.
No full textZimbabwe introduced penal reforms in its criminal justice system in 1994. These reforms were prompted by pressure over continuous use of prisonisation as the preferred means of punishing wrongdoers. That is how Community Service Orders, a non-custodial measure, as an alternative to imprisonment came into being. Community service is embedded in the reformative theory of punishment and was seen as a sustainable approach to develop reintegration of offenders into their communities, reassure reconciliation, as well as reduce recidivism, the challenges of overcrowding and the high costs to taxpayers and government in maintaining prisoners. This study was based on the overall objective, which to investigate the perceived effectiveness of the community service programme as a rehabilitation tool in Bulawayo. Offenders, victims and their families as well as members of the judiciary were interviewed, in addition, possible recommendations for the effective implementation of community services are given that can contribute to its success and sustainability if put into operation by relevant stakeholders. The study was qualitative in nature and relevant information was gathered through, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires and literature review was conducted to come up with theoretical framework and background to the study. Data was analyzed using content analysis method. The study findings were that the community service programme has been accepted by the community for reconciliation and reintegration process of the offenders into their societies. This is despite the perception by some members of the community that the sentence is a soft option. The study findings also revealed challenges which are: an existing discord between stakeholders which require urgent attention to address cases of recidivism, inadequate funding and management structure headed by a principal community service and a dysfunctional district committee
The Contribution of Bulawayo City Council’s Vocational Training Centres towards Youth Empowerment: a case of Tshaka, Makokoba Ward 7
No full textCurrently, statistics portray that unemployment amongst the young people, globally, is higher than history has recorded and in some countries particularly in the developing world that number augments very quickly. If these young people are to find concrete jobs and contribute to their country's development, there is a need for skills training to build capacity that better suits the needs on the labour market. Thus education should not be viewed from a one sided element thus giving children the opportunity to attend formal education. However, it is about meeting young people’s needs for skills that will enable them to acquire a job and earn a living. The unfavourable economic situation in Zimbabwe has caused a massive retrenchment of workers and the group that has borne the most brunt is the youth. This has seen many young people losing their jobs, and in turn diverted their focus to Vocational Training which assures an income. This study was therefore designed to explore the Contribution of Bulawayo City Council’s Vocational Training Centres towards youth empowerment with Tshaka VTC in Makokoba Ward 7 as the case. Myriad sources were employed to complement the study. A stratified random sampling was used so as to get different insights from youths, BCC employees and parents. This was accompanied by Focus Group Discussions, interviews and questionnaires so as to get rich data. The research was both qualitative and quantitative. Pie charts and tables were used for data analysis. Majority of respondents were of the view that VTCs contribute towards youth empowerment hence becoming a necessary strategy to
curb youth demeanour within the communities and particular reference to Makokoba. Therefore, there is a need for policy makers to prioritise Vocational Education as its significance is being realised in all sectors from the local to international level
The search for peace, reconciliation and unity in Zimbabwe: from the 1978 internal settlement to the 2008 global political agreement
No full textThesis,This study is a critical examination of the complex search for peace, reconciliation and unity in Zimbabwe between the years 1978 and 2008, with a view to identify factors that have been blocking sustainable peace, national unity, reconciliation and development. It is a qualitative study which draws data from document analysis and oral interviews. The specific focus of the study is an analysis of the four peace agreements signed in this period namely; the 1978 Internal Settlement, the 1979 Lancaster House Agreement, the 1987 Unity Accord and the 2008 Global Political Agreement. Its central thesis is that coloniality in its multifaceted invisible forms is largely responsible for conflicts that have engulfed Zimbabwe and for compromising the chances of success of the four peace agreements. Coloniality has produced a ‘postcolonial’ leadership that has continued to practice politics in a violent, repressive, corrupt and unaccountable manner because of interpellation by the very immanent logic of colonialism that reproduces such inimical practices as racism, tribalism, regionalism and patriarchy. Theoretically, the study deploys de-colonial epistemic perspective in its endeavour to unmask and explain challenges to peace, unity, reconciliation and development in Zimbabwe. Finally, the thesis makes a strong case for pursuit of decoloniality as the panacea to conflicts and as an approach to conflict resolution and peace building that privileges decolonization and deimperialization so that Zimbabwe’s development goals could be achieved
The Effect of Paclobutrazol Application Time and Variety on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)
No full textAn experiment was set up to investigate the effect of time of paclobutrazol application and variety on growth, yield, and quality of potato in a greenhouse at 34∘C (±3) and 21∘C (±3) day and night temperatures, respectively, with 60% relative humidity. The experiment was set up as a 2 × 4 factorial design in a CRD with 3 replications. The first factor was potato variety and the levels were BP1 and Diamond. The second factor was paclobutrazol application time and the levels were 28 (Days After Planting) DAP, 35 DAP, and 42 DAP and no paclobutrazol applied (control). Early application of paclobutrazol reduced stem length, number of
tubers per plant, and sugar content of potato; furthermore, it increased starch content and yield compared to late application and no paclobutrazol treatments. Early application of paclobutrazol at 28 DAP is recommended in high temperature zones as it increased the yield by 108% and quality of potato
Quality assurance effectiveness: perceptions of students and lecturers on the quality assurance mechanisms employed in the PGDE programme at Zimbabwe Open University
No full textAbstract,At the time there was no meaningful economic growth in Zimbabwe most of the graduate youth found themselves joining the teaching profession. Consequently, at Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU), there was a sharp rise in the student enrolment in the Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE). The notable rise in student teacher enrolment in the PGDE programme was also attributable to the demand made by employer of teachers that all teaching staff should have a teaching qualification. At ZOU the sharp rise in the numbers of students studying the PGDE programme presented some problems in the effort to quality assure the programme. The study was conducted to determine lecturers’ and student views on the ways in which the quality assurance mechanisms were viewed as effective and not effective. Lecturers and PGDE students were purposively and conveniently sampled to take part in a case study which was conducted in the Midlands Region of ZOU. Questionnaires and a focus group discussion were used to generate data. The study established that several mechanisms were in place to quality assure the PGDE programme. Nonetheless while some of the mechanisms were opined as being effective in providing ways for further improvement, contact tutorial time was viewed as inadequate and Teaching Practice examining as lacking the external aspect by sister universities. The study recommended extension of tutorial time and external examining of the Teaching Practice component of the PGDE programme, inter alia
Improved flood estimation model for bridge and culvert design in Zimbabwe
No full textEconomics and risk minimization in the design of infrastructure that is vulnerable to flood damage often prove to be non-commensurate objectives. To economically minimize the risk of hydraulic failure of this type of infrastructure is a noble design objective. The hydraulic design of bridges and culverts in Zimbabwe is currently hinged on empirical algorithms of flood estimation. In a changing climate and changing land use environment, the current flood estimation method seems to under-estimate the design floods as evidenced by the increasing number of bridges and culverts being overtopped by floods. This paper discusses the several shortcomings of the current method in use and proposes a new consistent but robust computerized method of flood routing based on historical flow data and statistical analysis techniques. The methodological praxis and resultant design software are intended to substantively improve the flood estimation process, producing a more precisely estimated design flood. From the results obtained, the proposed new model is more conservative than the current method used by the Ministry of Transport (MoT) by an average factor of 1.4. At ungauged sites, or at sites where the stream flow data is inadequate in quantity and quality for Flood Frequency Analysis (FFA), it is recommended that a factor of safety of 1.4 be applied to MoT current flood estimates.,Zimbabwe Institution of Engineer
Synthesis and characterization of layered double hydroxides and their application in asprin intercalation
No full textAspirin delivery by layered double hydroxides (LDHs) was extensively studied due to the capacity of these solids to intercalate it and to control its release rate. In this work, LDH and LDH-aspirin hybrids were synthesized and characterised using UV-Vis spectroscopy. The FTIR results showed that LDHs were synthesized and that aspirin had been intercalated in ZnAl-LDH by reconstruction. In the drug release studies carried out in NaCl solutions of different concentrations and PBS, aspirin was released from the system by ion exchange as detected by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The morphology and composition of the LDHs was studied with the use of SEM and EDS techniques. This study, therefore concluded that aspirin may be intercalated in LDH and its release in different media may be controlled by intercalation in LDH
Extraction and characterisation of phytochemicals from white seringa (kirkia acuminata) bark extracts
No full textThe intention of this study was to extract and characterise phytochemicals with analgesic effect from Kirkia Acuminata bark extracts. Soxhlet extraction and Steam distillation were used for the extraction of compounds. Methanol,dichloromethane and hexane were used as solvents. Classes of phytochemicals were identified by qualitative tests and Thin Layer Chromatography using UV light.The qualitative tests of the phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, tannins to name a few. Alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and tannins were also observed on Thin Layer Chromatography. Menthol, catechol, 1,2 benzenediol 4 methyl, nitro phenyl salicylate, phenol dimethoxy,tau-cadinol,Isopropenyl,8 dimethyl, menthone and levomenthone were identified using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer.. The hexane fraction which is highly a non-polar solvent showed that very few phytochemicals were taken up in it.The polar solvents showed compatibility with the various chemical classes. The presence of these compounds gives Kirkia acuminataits characteristic property of being an analgesic. It thus finds application in the field of medicine
Dirac equation for the proton (II) -- Why fractional charges for Muster Mark's Quarks?
No full textPublished Article,The present reading is the second in a series where
we suggest a Dirac equation for the Proton. Despite its great
success in explaining the physical world as we know it, in
its bare form, not only is the Dirac equation at loss but fails
to account e.g. for the following: (1) Why inside hadrons
there are three, not four or five quarks; (2)Why quarks have
fractional charges; (3) Why the gyromagnetic ratio of the
Proton is not equal to two as the Dirac equation requires.
In the present reading, we make an attempt to answer the
second question of why quarks have fractional charges. We
actually calculate the exact values of the charges of these
quarks