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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 August 2019

Xueyan Yang, Changxi Ma, Changfeng Zhu, Bo Qi, Fuquan Pan and Chengming Zhu

For the purpose of reducing the incidence of hazardous materials transport accident, eliminating the potential threats and ensuring their safety, aiming at the shortcomings in the…

2737

Abstract

Purpose

For the purpose of reducing the incidence of hazardous materials transport accident, eliminating the potential threats and ensuring their safety, aiming at the shortcomings in the process of current hazardous materials transportation management, this paper aims to construct the framework of hazardous materials transportation safety management system under the vehicle-infrastructure connected environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The system takes the intelligent connected vehicle as the main supporter, integrating GIS, GPS, eye location, GSM, networks and database technology.

Findings

By analyzing the transportation characteristics of hazardous materials, this system consists of five subsystems, which are vehicle and driver management subsystem, dangerous sources and hazardous materials management subsystem, route analysis and optimization subsystem, early warning and emergency rescue management subsystem, and basic information query subsystem.

Originality/value

Hazardous materials transportation safety management system includes omnibearing real-time monitoring, timely updating of system database, real-time generation and optimization of emergency rescue route. The system can reduce the transportation cost and improve the ability of accident prevention and emergency rescue of hazardous materials.

Details

Journal of Intelligent and Connected Vehicles, vol. 2 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2399-9802

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2001

M.S. Aini, A. Fakhru’l‐Razi, M. Daud, W.M.N. Ibrahim and S.K. Tangavelu

Notes the recent increase in interstate shipments of hazardous materials, by road, in Malaysia following rapid expansion in the manufacturing sector. Although there has been no…

3025

Abstract

Notes the recent increase in interstate shipments of hazardous materials, by road, in Malaysia following rapid expansion in the manufacturing sector. Although there has been no major accident involving transportation of hazardous materials, the high rate of road accidents has raised great concerns concerning motor vehicles carrying hazardous goods and petroleum products. Determines the emergency preparedness and response plans of the transportation companies. Data were obtained from management and drivers, and the results revealed that the companies did not have a proper management system of safe transportation, had inadequate training of personnel, and the transport vehicles were not provided with appropriate tools and equipment for emergency response during mishaps. The drivers lacked general awareness and principal knowledge of hazardous material emergency response. Suggests that there is an urgent need to stipulate legal requirements for hazardous material transportation in Malaysia.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 10 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 June 2010

Tun Lin Moe

Following a natural disaster the cleanup process usually takes place before reconstruction or rebuild can actually be implemented. Effectiveness of cleanup process determines the…

1412

Abstract

Purpose

Following a natural disaster the cleanup process usually takes place before reconstruction or rebuild can actually be implemented. Effectiveness of cleanup process determines the possible level of speed for implementing rebuild and reconstruction process. This paper aims to focus on providing guidelines to help plan for future natural disaster management.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyses a cleanup process after Hurricane Katrina in terms of governing policy, implementing process, problems associated with process, priorities for cleanup, and politics.

Findings

The study finds policies governing the cleanup process, problems associated with the cleanup process, priorities areas in the cleanup work and politics of the disasters.

Research limitations/implications

The research focuses only on three states where Hurricane Katrina hit, namely Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

Practical implications

This paper explains policies governing the cleanup, the process, the prioritized work areas, associated problems, and politics of disasters. The analyses of the study provide lessons which can be learned. They also provide grounds on which guidelines for effectively managing the cleanup process for future similar events can be generated and set.

Originality/value

This paper provides guidelines on the process and politics of cleanup, which can be applied to future comprehensive plans for cleanup process.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 19 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 June 2019

Holly Carter, Dale Weston, Charles Symons and Richard Amlot

In the event of a hazardous chemical release incident in the UK, affected members of the public would undergo improvised and interim forms of decontamination (the “Initial…

Abstract

Purpose

In the event of a hazardous chemical release incident in the UK, affected members of the public would undergo improvised and interim forms of decontamination (the “Initial Operational Response” (IOR)). To enable members of the public to take recommended actions quickly, the Home Office and National Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Centre have developed the “Remove, Remove, Remove” pre-incident information campaign. This is designed to raise awareness amongst a broad range of people with a public safety role, as well as members of the general public. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Public perceptions of the utility of “Remove, Remove, Remove” pre-incident information materials were assessed using focus group discussions and questionnaires.

Findings

Perceptions of the “Remove, Remove, Remove” campaign poster were generally positive, and the groups agreed that releasing this type of information prior to an incident occurring is a positive step. There was consensus that the poster contains useful information, and that members of the public would benefit from receiving this information prior to a chemical incident occurring.

Originality/value

The findings from this study have been used to inform the development of the “Remove, Remove, Remove” materials. These materials have been disseminated to all emergency services in the UK to further embed IOR principles, as well as to crowd safety professionals.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 28 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 April 2019

Ashish Dwivedi, Dindayal Agrawal and Jitender Madaan

Sustainability is an integrating concept and demands strategic attention in developing countries like India. Due to strict environmental regulations and ongoing government…

Abstract

Purpose

Sustainability is an integrating concept and demands strategic attention in developing countries like India. Due to strict environmental regulations and ongoing government sustainable policies such as “Namami Gange,” leather industries are extensively facing challenges to conform themselves toward these sustainable policies. The major challenge faced by leather industries is the exponentially increasing cost of adaptation to sustainable product and process. Under these operational constraints, survival of Indian leather industries has become a major challenge. In this context, this paper aims to identify and evaluate sustainable manufacturing policies. The key performance indicators (KPIs) based on triple bottom line of sustainability can assist leather industries that are about to initiate adopting sustainable practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper demonstrates the role of KPIs for evaluating sustainable manufacturing policies for leather industries in India. Initially, an in-depth literature review analysis has been carried out to identify indicators for evaluation of sustainable manufacturing policies. In this work, an integrated methodology has been developed to refine the priority map of the aforementioned KPIs based on consensus building among experts using Kappa analysis. Total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) has been used to demonstrate relationships which explain the significance of the KPIs. Further, Matriced Impact Croises Multiplication Applique analysis has been carried out to explore the relationships amongst KPIs.

Findings

Based on above analysis, identified interactive relationships among the KPIs will assist managers and decision-makers to incorporate effective sustainable policies in leather industries.

Practical implications

It is expected that these identified interactive interrelationships between KPIs will certainly facilitate the leather industry to achieve higher sustainable performance and competitiveness.

Originality/value

This study carries out an in-depth literature review analysis of sustainable manufacturing policies in leather industry. The author proposes an integrated methodology using kappa analysis, consensus building and TISM for evaluation of sustainable policies based on the literature review analysis and expert opinion.

Details

Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-4620

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2004

Martin Goosey

Increasing awareness of man's impact on the environment and pressure to behave in a more sustainable manner are encouraging both the recycling and reuse of materials and the…

2004

Abstract

Increasing awareness of man's impact on the environment and pressure to behave in a more sustainable manner are encouraging both the recycling and reuse of materials and the replacement of hazardous chemicals with more benign ones. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive and the Restriction on the use of certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) Directive, have recently been adopted into law with the specific intention of further encouraging these activities through legislation. In addition to these directives, there is a growing need to adopt sound design principles so that new products are created in a more environmentally acceptable way and that their environmental impact throughout their lifecycles is minimised. This paper gives an overview of this new European legislation and discusses its impact on the electronics industry. The potential benefits of adopting such an approach are outlined.

Details

Circuit World, vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0305-6120

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 July 2007

Simon Forge

The paper aims to examine the contribution of information and communication technology (ICT) to climate change, the origins of ICT unsustainability and explores some possible

2328

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to examine the contribution of information and communication technology (ICT) to climate change, the origins of ICT unsustainability and explores some possible remedies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on a variety of sources to survey the many problems of sustainable ICTs; their energy consumption trends; planned obsolescence; hazardous materials and hazardous disposal; and analyses the way forward.

Findings

Highlights the unsustainability of many ICT trends, e.g. power consumption in data centers, and the extent to which ICT affects progress towards an economy's environmental sustainability.

Originality/value

This paper provides a novel approach to ICT sustainability, highlighting unsustainability of current software technology and related hardware trends, especially the threat of operating systems to planetary sustainability, as well as the growing power consumption trends in data centers.

Details

Foresight, vol. 9 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 March 2023

Rouhollah Khakpour, Ahmad Ebrahimi and Soroosh Saghiri

This paper aims to propose a stepwise method to improve the sustainability of manufacturing processes.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a stepwise method to improve the sustainability of manufacturing processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed approach is based on an extensive literature review and research around the environmental, economic and social pillars of sustainability in manufacturing firms. Considering the lean approach, the manufacturing processes are mapped in a value stream and analyzed through the extensive identified sustainability criteria.

Findings

The findings reveal the consumption and waste of natural and nonrenewable resources, through going beyond the existing boundaries and focusing on relevant derived production pieces and tracing to their origins. The findings also present the effect of the time value of money on sustainability by using the cost–time profile as a sustainability criterion. This research finds out the employees’ impacts on sustainability improvement through an effective focus on technical, cultural and personal aspects.

Practical implications

The research outcomes provide operations managers and decision-makers in the field of sustainability with a practical platform to comprehend and assess the factors contributing to the manufacturing process sustainability and to plan relevant corrective actions accordingly.

Originality/value

The extended view of sustainability criteria in this research as well as its visual-analytical approach will help practitioners to assess and improve sustainability in their operations in a more holistic way.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 14 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 September 2006

Pete Starkey

43

Abstract

Details

Circuit World, vol. 32 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0305-6120

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 September 2012

Erik Sundin, Kristofer Elo and Hui Mien Lee

The purpose of this paper is to explore how manufacturers can develop automatic end‐of‐life processes facilitated by product design methods, e.g. design for disassembly, recycling…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how manufacturers can develop automatic end‐of‐life processes facilitated by product design methods, e.g. design for disassembly, recycling and remanufacturing. Also to illustrate this kind of product and end‐of‐life process development while maintaining economic and environmental values. Here, the cases of toner cartridges and liquid crystal displays are the focus.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology for this paper began with a literature study within the fields of design for automatic recycling and remanufacturing. It also includes the research performed at two different industrial companies using automation in their end‐of‐life processes. These companies were visited and interviewed several times, in order to understand their processes and what current problems they have in automation and product design.

Findings

Design implications on the end‐of‐life have been explored, and in particular, three general product trends are in conflict with automatic disassembly: products are getting more complex and more heterogeneous; products are getting sleeker; and products are using more proprietary joints. In addition, the three industrial cases describe different problems in industry and how they can be tackled. Although many manufacturers have adapted the design principles of DFM and DFE, there is still much to improve when it comes to designing for the product's end‐of‐life processes. These kinds of adaptations should increase in importance over time as more and more products and components are remanufactured and/or material recycled. These kinds of adaptations will also encourage an increase of products passing through more resource efficient end‐of‐life options.

Practical implications

Manufacturers reading what design problems other companies are experiencing and what solutions can be found would facilitate their own businesses and willingness to start their own and/or improve their existing manufacturing business. This could then be in shape developing products for end‐of‐life processes which also would encourage them to start their own end‐of‐life process facilities.

Social implications

From a societal perspective, an increase in remanufactured products being placed on the market can increase the awareness and confidence of the consumers in non‐new products made from non‐virgin materials. This will increase the market for second‐life products and bring about economics of scale, which in turn will alleviate the problem of depletion of resources.

Originality/value

Most previous research in this area treats the different end‐of‐life processes separately; material recycling and product remanufacturing are but two examples. However, in this paper the focus is more on the overall view of end‐of‐life processes, along with examples of more specific and detailed end‐of‐life processes, such as disassembly and cleaning.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 32 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

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