text:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is torture?
Q. What are the effects of torture?
Q. Why is torture wrong?
Q. What does CVT do?
Q. Where does CVT work?
Q. How many torture and war survivors does CVT care for each year?
Q. Where do most torture and war survivors in the Twin Cities come from?
Q. How do torture and war trauma survivors hear about CVT?
Q. What are CVT's public policy priorities?
Q. How is CVT funded?
Q. What is New Tactics in Human Rights?
Q. How can I help?
Q. What is torture?
A. Torture is a deliberate and systematic dismantling of a person's identity and humanity through physical or psychological pain and suffering. Torture's purpose is to destroy a sense of community, eliminate leaders, create a climate of fear and produce a culture of apathy. The most common forms of torture reported by CVT clients are beatings and psychological torture. There are an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 torture survivors in Minnesota and 500,000 in the U.S. The United Nations definition of torture is contained in the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Q. What are the effects of torture?
A. Torture can lead to multiple disabling conditions that interfere with even the most basic functions of daily life. Symptoms can include chronic pain in muscles and joints, headaches, incessant nightmares and other sleep disorders, stomach pain and nausea, severe depression and anxiety, guilt, self-hatred, the inability to concentrate, thoughts of suicide and posttraumatic stress disorder. Torture and war trauma survivors can become immobilized by their feelings and symptoms, unable to function within their communities or contribute to their family's well-being.
Q. Why is torture wrong?
A. Torture is not an effective means of interrogation and does not yield useful or truthful information. It is, however, a highly effective means of controlling populations. Torture and war trauma also affect five basic human needs: the need to feel safe, the need to trust, the need to feel of value (self worth), the need to feel close to others, and the need to feel some control over one's life.
Q. What does CVT do?
A. CVT provides care for torture and war survivors and their families. CVT trains local mental health paraprofessionals in the countries it serves. These counselors can contribute to the long-term mental health needs in their country and act as advocates for human rights. CVT provides technical assistance and training to torture survivor rehabilitation centers in the U.S. and around the world to strengthen each center's mental health services, organizational management and financial stability. CVT conducts research on and evaluation of rehabilitative care for survivors to determine the effects of torture and the most successful treatment. CVT engages in public policy and public education initiatives to prevent torture and to increase government support for torture rehabilitation programs in the U.S. and abroad. CVT directs the New Tactics in Human Rights Project and manages HealTorture.org.
Q. Where does CVT work?
A. CVT provides care for torture and war trauma survivors and their families at CVT's Healing Center in St. Paul, Minnesota; for Somali refugees in the Dadaab refugee camps in northern Kenya; for Iraqi and Syrian refugees living in Jordan.; for refugees living in Nairobi, Kenya; and for Eritrean refugees in refugee camps near Shire, Ethiopia.
Q. How many torture and war trauma survivors does CVT care for each year?
A. In St. Paul a team of care providers works each year with approximately 250 survivors and 700 family members of survivors who receive some kind of support services. In the international locations CVT provides care to about 1,800 survivors through group and individual counseling.
Q. Where do most torture and war trauma survivors in the Twin Cities come from?
A. The majority of new clients to our St. Paul Healing Center come from Africa. Many CVT clients are well-educated and were leaders in their home communities. Several were tortured for their political affiliation.
Q. How do torture and war trauma survivors hear about CVT?
A. Many survivors hear about CVT through word of mouth in the community and referrals by health care, legal and community services organizations.
Q. What are CVT's public policy priorities?
A. To learn about CVT's public policy priorities, visit the Advocacy page.
Q. How is CVT funded?
A. CVT is funded by earned revenue from program services and government contracts and by contributions from foundations, individuals, corporations and the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.
Q. What is New Tactics in Human Rights?
A. Through our New Tactics in Human Rights Project, CVT promotes tactical innovation and strategic thinking within the international human rights community. Through a vast network of workshops, publications and online discussions, local activists can share strategies and tactics that have worked elsewhere and apply them to new regions or issues.
Q. How can I help?
A. To learn more about how you can make a difference in the lives of torture and war trauma survivors, visit What You Can Do.


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|Guest Column from Representative Tony Burkley
|Sunday, January 27, 2013 6:47 PM
Guest Column from Representative Tony Burkley
A Welcome from the Ohio Statehouse
I have happily called Northwest Ohio home for most of my life, so it was an honor to be selected to represent Defiance, Paulding, Van Wert and part of Auglaize counties. I look forward to all of the hard work ahead and encourage the people of the 82nd House District to keep in touch with my office to provide feedback and opinion for what needs to be done for our region and the state as a whole.
The responsibility is not to be taken lightly, and I am joining a group of people who have laid the groundwork over the past couple years that I believe is moving the state in the right direction. By taking moves such as eliminating the estate tax and putting in place policies that will hold government agencies more accountable, Ohio is becoming friendlier to business, as evidenced by the more than 120,000 jobs created in the state since January 2011.
But everyone knows the job is not complete. There is still a long way to go, which is why I pursued the seat in the 82nd District. My more than 40 years of private sector experience have taught me a lot about what it takes—both from business and government—to create jobs. Needless regulations hinder businesses from hiring workers because, often, the regulations impose additional costs on the business. It takes people from many different backgrounds to look at all angles of an issue, and I am eager to offer my insight from a small business perspective.
The 82nd District has a lot to offer to the people of Ohio, particularly in agriculture and other related industries, which is why I was honored to be appointed to the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. The issues that will be debated in that committee will have a direct impact on Auglaize, Defiance, Paulding and Van Wert counties.
Please do not hesitate to contact my office at any time regarding state matters. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Ohio's 82nd House District and look forward to working with you to affect positive change for the state.
Rep. Burkley may be reached by calling (614) 466-8114, e-mailing firstname.lastname@example.com or writing to State Representative Tony Burkley, 77 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Updated Nov 23, 2012 - 9:03 am
Pac Mentality - What to look for in Week 13
There's still that little matter of what team will represent the North in the Pac-12 Championship Game next Friday. For most of the season, that seemed like a foregone conclusion, with Oregon running roughshod over their competition. But kudos to Stanford, who found a way to keep the Ducks out of the end zone in a 17-14 upset win that brought chaos to the conference race and uncertainty into the BCS Championship picture.
Cal's season (and Jeff Tedford's coaching tenure) have already ended, but there's plenty of football on the schedule this week. Let's dive in.
Ranking the Week 13 Games:
6. Utah at Colorado - The Utes will try and avenge their bitter loss from a year ag...ah, who cares?
5. #25 Washington at Washington State - It's a rivalry game, and a bitter one at that. But there's very little doubt about the winner of this game. Can somebody explain to me how the spread is only 13 points?
4. Arizona State at #24 Arizona - Arizona's offense is clicking again, thanks to the running of Ka'Deem Carey, who has 570 yards over his last two games. After being ranked highly all season, ASU's run defense is now 68th in the country -- and that's even after Washington State managed a single net yard against them. If the Sun Devil rushing defense from the first half of the season reappears in Tucson, this could be an interesting matchup.
3. #8 Stanford at #17 UCLA - The Cardinal are still flying high from their win over the Oregon Ducks last week, no doubt. But they still have business to tend to in the form of UCLA. David Shaw's team needs a win to wrap up the Pac-12 North, and beating UCLA will be no easy task. The Bruins have averaged over 48 points in their last four wins.
2. #5 Oregon at #15 Oregon State - The Ducks tasted their own blood for the first time in a long time last week, losing to Stanford, and they're faced with another tough task this week. Oregon State is 8-2 and undefeated on their home turf at Reser Stadium. The Ducks also need a win to keep alive any hope of winning the Pac-12 North. It's amazing how the outlook has changed for the Ducks in just a week's time.
1. #1 Notre Dame at USC - Hey, there's only one Pac-12 matchup with BCS title implications (realistically) -- so the 84th meeting of these two rivals gets the nod as the best game of the week. Redshirt freshman quarterback Max Wittek has predicted a USC win...will his bravado prove to be prophetic?
Here's what to watch for in Week 13...
� How well will Taylor Kelly take care of the football? - ASU head coach Todd Graham has preached "100% ball security" all season long, and when quarterback Taylor Kelly has heeded those words, ASU has been perfect. In the Sun Devils' six wins, Kelly has 17 touchdown passes and zero interceptions. In their five losses, Kelly has tossed just 8 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Arizona's defense has intercepted 10 passes this season.
� How will Kenjon Barner bounce back? - After exploding for a school-record 321 yards rushing in a win over USC, Oregon's Barner has been bottled up. Against Cal and Stanford, the senior has rushed for 131 yards on 41 carries (just 3.2 yards per carry) and doesn't have a run longer than 12 yards. Getting #24 untracked won't be easy against an Oregon State defense that ranks 14th nationally against the run.
� Can Stanford contain Johnathan Franklin? - Franklin has been outstanding for UCLA this season. He's second in the conference in rushing with over 1,400 yards and has eight 100-yard games this season. But running against Stanford can be tough sleddings...just ask Kenjon Barner. Stanford is 2nd in the country against the run. Only Alabama is better. Advantage: Stanford.
� Is Max Wittek full of hot air? - He held a clipboard the whole season, but Max Wittek thinks he's the answer for the Trojans to beat the top team in the country. Never mind the fact that USC has been the biggest disappointment in the country and haven't beaten a ranked team all season long. Wittek and USC will have to earn whatever they get. The Irish are sixth in total defense and tied for first with Alabama in scoring defense.
- Arizona State moves up multiple spots in the AP and Coaches' Poll
- Sun Devils preparing for Lobos' triple option
- Former ASU running back Marion Grice released by San Diego Chargers
- Pac Mentality Week 1: Is Cal headed back to relevancy?
- Carl Bradford, Marquis Flowers highlight list of local products who made NFL rosters
- Jeff Van Raaphorst, Sun Devil Football Color Analyst - Friday August 29Doug and Wolf talk to Sun Devil football color analyst Jeff Van Raaphorst.
- Doug Haller, AZCentral Sports - Thursday August 28Doug Haller predicts the Sun Devil offense won't play much after halftime of tonight's game.
- Bickley Blast - Thursday August 28Which Valley football team will win more games this season, the Cardinals or the Sun Devils?
- Larry Scott - Pac-12 commissioner - Wednesday August 27Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott believes the Pac-12 will continue to rise and get stronger.
- Ray Anderson - ASU athletic director - Wednesday August 27ASU Athletic Director Ray Anderson prepares for his first ASU football season.


text:
By Anna Marie Hartman - bio | email
MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) - A controversial surgery stops dogs from barking forever.In the surgery, referred to as debarking or bark softening, severs the dog's vocal cords.Tony Gabrielli had his dog Buck debarked 11 years ago."There were a lot of squirrels and he would just bark and bark at them," Gabrielli said.Neighbors complained and called the police."I bought the bark collar, bought spray," Gabrielli said, "and when he'd bark, I'd squirt him and it didn't phase him at all."Giving up Buck was not an option for Gabrielli, so he took Buck to the vet to be debarked."I cried," Gabrielli said. "I was really afraid to do it, but I didn't feel I had any other choice."Gabrielli still gets choked up about it to this day."I was in the operating room when they did it. It was awful for me," Gabrielli said. "I'm thinking I need to apologize to him."Some vets do not advocate debarking but are not always opposed to it."I do see cases where it is really the best option left for these people," one vet said.Cutting a dog's vocal cords should always be an absolute last resort. Barking is a dog's barrier to germs and their main form of communication. If done improperly, scar tissue can form and dogs can have a bark that's louder and more annoying than the one they had before surgery.Buck was able to shake it off and bounce back, minus his bark."Even three days later, he was as frisky as can be," Gabrielli said.At the age of 14, or 98 in dog years, Buck has sired 22 litters.
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Thread: Art of the draft deal
Art of the draft deal
[size=18px]Art of the draft deal[/size]
By Gil Brandt
NFL.com Senior Analyst
(March 27, 2006) -- What goes around in the NFL does not always come around. That axiom, however, is true in the case of quarterbacks Rich Gannon and Brad Johnson.
In 1987, the Patriots and Raiders made a multi-pick trade on draft day in which New England moved down to get the Raiders' fourth-round pick. The Patriots used that pick to draft Gannon ... who eventually made his way to the Raiders and led them to Super Bowl XXXVII. (The Raiders, by the way, used the third-round pick they got from New England that year to select Penn State running back Steve Smith.)
Eventually, that 1992 trade involving Brad Johnson benefited the Bucs AND Vikings.
In 1992, Tampa Bay thought nothing of sending Minnesota its ninth-round draft choice in exchange for veteran linebacker Jimmy Williams. The Vikings used that late-round pick to select Johnson, who would later find his way to Tampa Bay in time to help them win Super Bowl XXXVII. Johnson returned to the Vikings in 2005 and should be the Week 1 starter in 2006.
These quirks of draft history prove one thing: Teams never know exactly what they're getting into when they trade draft picks. Still, that doesn't stop them from trying to make it as exact a science as possible.
The art of draft-day trades has evolved over the years. At the 1961 draft, it was as simple as 49ers coach Red Hickey walking over to the Colts table at the hotel ballroom where the draft was being held. "I'll give you one of our tight ends, Monty Stickles or Dee Mackey, in exchange for your first-round pick," Hickey proposed to Colts head coach Weeb Ewbank. In a matter of 10 minutes, Ewbank decided he'd take Mackey, and the deal was done. Hickey calmly walked back to the 49ers' table and then used the acquired draft pick to select quarterback Billy Kilmer.
Gil Brandt, center, was well prepared when Tampa Bay didn't take Tony Dorsett, right, in 1977.
That's the way most draft-day deals were done back then. Eventually, teams began to map their strategies well in advance. In 1977, for instance, when I was with the Dallas Cowboys, we and the Seattle Seahawks had worked out a deal for the second overall pick as early as 10 days before the draft. But it was contingent on the player we wanted -- Tony Dorsett -- being available. We were pretty sure the Buccaneers were going to take running back Ricky Bell with the first pick, but the trade was not consummated until Tampa Bay made its pick official.
More so this year than ever, we're going to see a lot of activity. (We've already seen some with the Jets-Falcons-Broncos three-way trade involving John Abraham.) Anytime you have a good number of quarterbacks projected to go in the first round, there will be more action -- and we could see three get taken in the first 10 picks this year.
If, for example, the Texans can move down from No. 1 to No. 4, they'll still be in great shape. They might not get who they want, but they'll be in the same plateau and save themselves millions of dollars.
You can be sure that much of the trade talk already has transpired. And to make things more of a science, teams have their own systems of "ranking" every spot in the draft. That way they can mix and match picks like a puzzle.
For instance, let's examine the 2004 draft-day trade between the Giants and Chargers. The Giants wanted Eli Manning, whom the Chargers took with the No. 1 overall selection. They got him, but they gave up their pick (fourth overall, who was Philip Rivers), a third-round pick in 2004, and first- and fifth-round picks in 2005. (San Diego took Shawne Merriman with New York's first-round choice last year.)
Was it worth it? For now it's too soon to really tell, but one way we can figure out who got the edge of this trade is to consult the following chart, which is one NFL team's value chart, obtained by NFL.com.
Click here for chart
According to this chart, the first overall pick is worth 3,000 points and the fourth overall pick is worth 1,800. The third-round pick the Chargers got, which they used on Nate Kaeding, was the No. 65 pick overall, worth 265 points. The first rounder they got from the Giants this year is No. 12 overall, worth 1,200 points, and the fifth rounder was 144th overall (San Diego traded it to Tampa Bay). That was worth 34 points.
Do the math, and for the 3,000 point pick the Giants got, they gave up picks totaling 3,299 points. That's not bad considering they unloaded two first-round picks plus two more picks for Manning's services.
Here's another example: In 2003, the Bears dealt the No. 4 overall pick to the Jets for their pair of first-round picks, Nos. 14 and 22. According to the chart, the Bears gave up a pick worth 1,800 for picks totaling 1,880. That's about as close to even as can be. The Bears used the picks on DE Michael Haynes and QB Rex Grossman while the Jets took DT Dewayne Robertson.
Of course, how these trades work out is another matter. And it often takes years to evaluate that sort of thing. But it's amazing to see how the process has evolved over the years. And you can be sure that when trades are consummated this weekend, more went into it than the 15 minutes between picks.
Art of the draft deal
"If at first you don't succeed, parachuting is not for you"
Re: Art of the draft deal
good read..thanks for postingPeople who see life as anything more than pure entertainment are missing the point.
Re: Art of the draft deal
Interesting article.
I've always felt that the draft chart is silly because the draft classes are so different from year to year.
In general I think the chart gives too much value to the top 5 picks, but that's just me.
Re: Art of the draft deal
That is pretty interesting. I hope that nothing comes of that wasted 7th rounder Toniu Fonoti. That would get me pissed.
Re: Art of the draft deal
"Williamson8211" wrote:
That is a pretty interseting article
There is more than 7 round of drafting??
I didnt know that
Another great sig by PPE!
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Re: Art of the draft deal
"Williamson8211" wrote:
That is a pretty interseting article
There is more than 7 round of drafting??
I didnt know that
Length of draft:
30 rounds in the 1940's & 50's
lowered to:
20 rounds in 1960
17 rounds in 1967
12 rounds in 1977
8 rounds in 1993
7 rounds in 1994What we've got here is failure to communicate.
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Re: Art of the draft deal
"mnwildfan79" wrote:
Interesting article.
I've always felt that the draft chart is silly because the draft classes are so different from year to year.
In general I think the chart gives too much value to the top 5 picks, but that's just me.Zeus wrote:
When are you going to realize that picking out the 20 bad throws this year and ignoring the 300 good ones does not make your point?
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Buffalo Bills
Kraig Urbik - #60 - G
|6' 5"/ 324 lbs.
|Hudson, WI
|Years played
|2009, 3rd round, 15th pick by Steelers
Bills appear clueless looking forward
Sunday was bad for the Bills as they lost 38-14 to the Jets, and the future doesn't look much brighter.
LT's 2 scores lead Jets in 38-14 rout of Bills
LaDainian Tomlinson had his best game in nearly two years, rushing for 133 yards and two touchdowns to lead the New York Jets to a 38-14 victory over the winless Buffalo Bills.
Bills release LB Mitchell
The Bills have reached an injury settlement with LB Kawika Mitchell, releasing him from the team.
NT Williams a rare bright spot for Bills
Kyle Williams doesn't receive much publicity, but he has been the Bills' best defender in 2010.
Report: Bills OLB Kelsay signs four-year deal
The Bills have signed OLB Chris Kelsay to a four-year, $24 million contract extension, The Associated Press reported Wednesday.
Bills sign QB Levi Brown
The Bills have signed QB Levi Brown, who was their seventh-round draft choice. He was cut at the end of training camp.
Bills cut QB Edwards
Trent Edwards, who was the Bills' starting QB in Weeks One and Two, was released Monday by the team.
Referee explains timeout confusion from Pats-Bills game
Referee John Parry explained to pool reporter Mike Reiss the back-to-back timeout calls by the Bills at the end of the first half that did not warrant a penalty.
Brady throws for 3 TDs, Pats beat Bills 38-30
The Patriots overcame Buffalo's stiff challenge for a 38-30 win Sunday, their 14th straight over the Bills.
Patriots-Bills prediction
PFW associate editor Kevin Fishbain expects the Patriots to rally back in a big way against the lowly Bills.
Patriots-Bills matchup of the day: Saturday
Patriots WR Randy Moss will have his hands full going up against CBs Terrence McGee and Leodis McKelvin.
Bills hope Whitner will make more big plays
Although he's solid against both the run and the pass, SS Donte Whitner hasn't been the impact player that the Bills had hoped he'd be when they drafted him in 2006, according to our AFC East Whispers.
Bills' QB carousel continues to spin
The Bills already have made one QB change in 2010 and might make another before the season is complete.
Bills next to vote for decertification
The Bills became the seventh NFL team to vote to decertify the union with a unanimous vote on Wednesday.
Patriots-Bills matchup of the day: Wednesday
The Patriots' front seven will need to stop the Bills' three running backs and force the Bills to score points with their league-worst passing game.
The Buffalo Bills have signed starting right guard Kraig Urbik to a four-year contract extension worth $13.3 million. A person familiar with the contract provided the length and monetary terms, and said the deal includes a $3.5 million signing bonus for this year. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the Bills did not disclose terms in announcing the move Tuesday.||||||| Urbik is completing his third year with the Bills, and is now locked up through 2016. He was eligible to become a free agent this offseason after signing a one-year tender in April. The Bills claimed Urbik off waivers in September 2010 after he was released by Pittsburgh. He has 26 starts at guard and center in 34 games with Buffalo.
Urbik is expected back for Sunday's game versus Houston.||||||| This is good news for the Bills and Urbik, who missed the last three games with an ankle injury.
Urbik returned Sunday against Houston.||||||| Urbik missed three games because of a right ankle injury.
The Buffalo Bills have retained the rights to offensive linemen Chad Rinehart and Kraig Urbik by tendering them contract offers Monday, a day before the start of the NFL's free agency period.||||||| Urbik started 13 games split between right guard and center last season. He's a third-year player, who completed his second season with the Bills after being claimed off waivers in September 2010.
The Buffalo Bills have placed guard Kraig Urbik on the season-ending injured reserve list.||||||| Urbik hurt his right knee in a 38-14 loss at Minnesota. Urbik started the game at right guard, but was hurt filling in at center after Geoff Hangartner hurt his right knee.


text:
Events - Daily
|Friday, February 01
2/1 - Special Seminar (physical): Kerstin Blank, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Kerstin Blank - speaker's webpage
Institute for Molecules and Materials
Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Host: Haw Yang

Single Enzyme Kinetics: optical and nanoelectronic approaches

Single molecule experiments are now commonly used for monitoring conformational changes of enzymes. Despite the power of the single molecule approach to also investigate the kinetics of the catalytic reaction itself, the field of single enzyme kinetics is only about to leave the proof-of-principle stage. The ability of accurately recording the sequence of enzymatic turnovers is the crucial starting point for the construction of kinetic schemes [1]. Using the two well-characterized proteases α-chymotrypsin and thermolysin as model enzymes, I will present a fluorescence-based and an electronic approach towards a detailed analysis of their kinetics at the single molecule level.

The fluorescence-based approach utilizes fluorogenic substrates. Every catalytic event releases a fluorophore that is detected with a confocal fluorescence microscope. I will discuss the importance of the substrate design for obtaining accurate kinetic data [2,3] and show the applicability of this approach to investigate the pH dependent regulation of α-chymotrypsin activity. The nanoelectronic approach aims to detect the single enzyme turnover sequence using a carbon nanotube field effect transistor. This sensor reports on the CNT conductance that is influenced by changes in the local electrostatic environment around an immobilized enzyme [4]. After introducing the detection scheme, I will focus on immobilization methods [5] and highlight first results using the enzyme thermolysin.

[1] V. I. Claessen, H. Engelkamp, P. C. M Christianen, J. C. Maan, R. J. M. Nolte, K. Blank and A. E. Rowan. (2010) Single-Biomolecule Kinetics: The Art of Studying a Single Enzyme. Annu Rev Anal Chem 3:319
[2] T. G. Terentyeva, W. Van Rossom, M. Van der Auweraer, K. Blank and J. Hofkens (2011) Morpholinecarbonyl-Rhodamine 110 based Substrates for the Determination of Protease Activity with Accurate Kinetic Parameters. Bioconjugate Chem 22:1932
[3] T. G. Terentyeva, H. Engelkamp, T. Komatsuzaki, A. E. Rowan, J. Hofkens, C.-B. Li and K. Blank (2012) Dynamic Disorder in Single Enzyme Experiments: Facts and Artifacts. ACS Nano 6:346
[4] Y. Choi, I. S. Moody, P. C. Sims, S. R. Hunt, B. L. Corso, I. Perez, G. A. Weiss and P. G. Collins (2012) Single-Molecule Lysozyme Dynamics Monitored by an Electronic Circuit. Science 335:319
[5] L. Prisbrey, D. Roundy, K. Blank, L. S. Fifield and E. D. Minot (2012) Electrical Characteristics Of Carbon Nanotube Devices Prepared with Single Oxidative Point Defects. J Phys Chem C 116:1961

Frick Chemistry Laboratory, A81 · 3:00 p.m.– 4:30 p.m.


text:
A California state auditor blasted both state and federal authorities for performing sterilization procedures on female prison inmates without obtaining the consent of the women. According to State Auditor Elaine Howle, 144 tubal ligations were performed on inmates for the years 2005-06 to 2012-13, with more than a quarter performed…
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By Roy Greenslade, The Guardian
By Katie Halper
By The Conversation
By TBogg
Raw Story is a progressive news site that focuses on stories often ignored in the mainstream media. While giving coverage to the big stories of the day, we also bring our readers' attention to policy, politics, legal and human rights stories that get ignored in an infotainment culture driven solely by pageviews.
Founded in 2004, Raw Story reaches 9 million unique readers per month and serves more than 30 million pageviews.
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The perverted 70's sexperts at Alpha Blue bring you this collection of top heavy and tight young women looking to suck your cock while you tug on their oversized mounds! Dirty babysitters love to show off their fresh huge tits while they lick their girlfriends pussies or suck their dad's friends dicks. 14 films of fine filth include Exciting Young Teenagers, Busty Teenager, Ulla 18 Years, Big Blonde and many more! All digital film transfers with CD quality music soundtrack.


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Locked in Time
Belgian Urbex Photography
By Samir Younsi
This 74 pages book tells the story of some Belgian abandoned places like factories, car graveyards, amusement parks or even an abandoned train station.
All photographs are in color and printed on the finest paper quality
About the Author
Publish Date May 06, 2011
Dimensions Small Square 74 pgs
Premium Paper, lustre finish
Category Arts & Photography
Tags Urban exploring, Abandoned buildings, Abandoned places, Old buildings, Urbex, Architecture, Belgium, Buildings, exploration
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January Editors' Roundtable: The Roanoke Times on PTSD and hard questions
Our January Roundtable looks at "After the battle, Mike Sword's war within," by Beth Macy. In her story, Macy explores the death of a combat veteran in southern Virginia, tracing the effects of the loss on his family and asking what role PTSD might have played in how his life ended. The story, part of a multimedia project from The Roanoke Times, was edited by Carole Tarrant.
Laurie Hertzel
Senior editor for books and special projects, Star Tribune
One of the great challenges of narrative journalism is veracity. As you set the scene and build your character, you must remain absolutely faithful to the facts. What do you do if there are things you don't know? (There will always be things you don't know.) What do you do if the main character won't talk to you – or can't talk to you?
In Beth Macy's story, Mike Sword couldn't talk to her because Mike Sword was dead. And how he died, and why, are the crux of her powerful piece – even though the "why" is never entirely answered.
Macy's piece is admirable for many reasons. It's seamlessly written, it's rich in telling and heartbreaking detail, and it's well-reported. Most important, she tells only what she knows. The question that drives the piece is stated clearly in the second paragraph:
How did it come to pass that the 24-year-old, an expert marksman and former military cop, opened fire on police from Roanoke and Franklin counties in the early-morning hours of Feb. 29, 2008, provoking a shootout that ended his life?
It is a question that is never entirely answered, and yet the piece remains satisfying because Macy makes the wise decision to turn unanswered questions into a recurring theme. She poses questions, and she lets us know that the answers are a mystery.
What did Mike think about the roadside bombing that killed his friend? Nobody knows. He never talked about it.
Was he suffering from PTSD? Some think he was; others say he seemed fine.
The summer before his death, was he withdrawn and silent because, as one co-worker thought, he wanted to die? Or was he that way simply because that was his naturally quiet personality?
The night he died, did Mike panic when he saw the cops chasing him? Or was this what he had hoped for? Why was his truck loaded with guns and ammo? What was he doing at the strip club? Was he suffering from a flashback? Or was he suicidal?
Macy writes exactly as much as she knows, and no more:
Grainy video from the only dashboard camera working that night — shot from the cruiser farthest from Mike — offers no clues to his mindset, just the flinching of officers scrambling to duck for cover as Mike, a onetime turret gunner, fires on them.
Tom Huang
Sunday and enterprise editor, The Dallas Morning News
Beth Macy's story on the death of Mike Sword is a great example of using multiple sources (people and records) to write about a person who is no longer around to tell his story. By my count, Macy got at least 14 people to go on the record, including Sword's father and several relatives, Sword's Air Force colleagues and Roanoke-area law enforcement officials.
She got these sources to open up – enough to allow her to write a profile full of anecdotes and character details. Her reporting also made it possible for her to include a riveting description of Sword's last moments.
Here's what I think Macy got from each group of sources:
Sword's father, Graham, and other relatives help readers see what Sword was like as a child – adventure-loving, comfortable with camping and hiking in the woods, driven to play war games and paintball. His family also gives us glimpses of Sword later in life – particularly his struggles with Crohn's disease. And we learn about his lighter side – his love of "Napoleon Dynamite," Johnny Cash lyrics and prank calls.
Sword's emails, instant messages and photos help readers get inside Sword's head and see some of what he experienced in Iraq. As a good narrative reporter, Macy knew that interviewing Graham Sword wouldn't be enough. She needed to read Mike's emails and see his photos. Because of that, we get some powerful details, including the image of the aftermath of a roadside bomb that killed one of his fellow airmen. We also learn about how Sword witnessed a young girl getting run over by a military vehicle.
One key family source, Larry Blankenship, a Vietnam veteran, helps us understand that while his nephew didn't show any trademark signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, he had learned how to hide it. Through Blankenship, we learn that Sword sought counseling at the local Veterans Affairs Medical Center and that he filed a PTSD disability claim.
Sword's Air Force colleagues portray him as stoic and focused, serious and ambitious. We learn that he was reliable and worked hard, and that he had high ethical standards, once turning in a military contractor who pumped Air Force gas into his personal car. Through his colleagues and relatives, we get a sense that Sword must have felt crushed when the Air Force handed him a medical discharge, in part because of his Crohn's disease.
Law enforcement officials – including Lt. Chuck Mason, Officer Shaun Chuyka and Deputy Brian Garland – give Macy enough details from their recollections that she deconstructs most of what happened during the high-speed chase and 40-second shootout. She presents what she has found with such fairness and balance that we see the tragedy of Sword's death from the perspective of both family members and police.
Police reports, court records and police video provide supporting evidence of what happened to Sword. Again, Macy is thinking about how she can document her story beyond interviewing human sources.
One challenge that Macy faced was that Sword's widow, Kristi, did not give VA counselors permission to talk to the reporter. I presume that Macy was not able to get his medical records, either. She is upfront about this in her storytelling, and while it would have been nice to have that material, I don't think its absence weakens the story.
To prepare these comments, I compiled a list of Beth's on-the-record sources and include it here:
- Graham Sword (father)
- Court records (describing Sword's parents' divorce)
- Windsor Nevitt (sister)
- Quentin Floyd (shift supervisor at Andrews AFB)
- Sandra Mihovich (Air Force colleague)
- Mike's email and instant messages (providing details of his tours in Iraq)
- Mike's photos from Iraq
- Carleena Blankenship (aunt)
- Larry Blankenship (uncle)
- Kristi Sword (Sword's widow, interviewed by phone)
- VA counselors were not allowed to talk
- Shawn Godfrey (Salem postal supervisor)
- Lt. Chuck Mason (Roanoke County police)
- Officer Shaun Chuyka (Roanoke County police)
- Deputy Brian Garland (Franklin County officer who shot Mike)
- Dashboard camera video
- Police reports
- Tyler Putnam (hospital surgeon)
- Chris Wilson (fellow airman)
- Bill Cleaveland (family attorney)
I'd recommend Beth's story as a case study for any journalism instructor teaching a class on sourcing.
For more on this story, read our Q-and-A with Beth Macy. For full bios of the Roundtable editors, see our introductory post.
Is there a story you'd like the Roundtable to tackle? Send a link to us at firstname.lastname@example.com.
this entry was written by Andrea Pitzer, posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:49 pm, filed under editors' roundtable and tagged Beth Macy, Carole Tarrant, Laurie Hertzel, The Roanoke Times, Tom Huang. bookmark the permalink. follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. post a comment or leave a trackback: trackback URL.
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by Beth Macy on Edna Buchanan, sources in conflict, and stories too sad to tell – Nieman Storyboard - A project of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard on January 27, 2012 at 12:30 pm
[...] Explore Harvard's Nieman network Nieman Fellowships Nieman Lab Nieman Reports Nieman Watchdog Nieman Storyboard Skip to content AboutNieman FoundationContact UsNarrative DigestNotable NarrativesEssays on CraftSubscribeTwitter « January Editors' Roundtable: The Roanoke Times on PTSD and hard questions [...]


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The main requirements are essentially that any risks to people's health and safety arising from the use of work equipment are prevented or controlled by:
These requirements must be met by employers, the self-employed and by people who have control over work equipment. There are also other more detailed requirements in PUWER, for example compliance with European Community requirements and the guarding of dangerous parts. There are particular provisions in PUWER relating to mobile work equipment, woodworking machinery and power presses.
Work equipment is any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at work, whether exclusively used at work or not. The scope of work equipment is therefore extremely wide.
Training must be sufficient to ensure that all people know how to competently use any equipment they use at work, without unnecessary risks to the health and safety of themselves or others. Training therefore depends on the task, and to what extent an employee already has relevant knowledge and experience. Individual training needs are likely to be greatest when a person is first recruited, although further training may also be required in any of the following examples:
In many industrial sectors, there are well-recognised standards for training, whether delivered in-house or by external providers. These are often accompanied by some form of competence assessment to help ensure minimum standards of attainment. However, for many simple tasks, on-the-job training, which is locally assessed and backed up with simple records, will suffice. There will also be a need for refresher training to ensure that skills don't decline. Again, the nature and frequency of refresher training should be sufficient to ensure ongoing health and safety, so far as reasonably practicable.
Yes. You need to be appropriately trained to prepare and check work equipment, but this doesn't always mean formal, certificated training. Often the work to prepare or check equipment prior to use can be carried out following manufacturer's instructions using basic skills and common sense. However, for certain types of equipment, there are well-recognised industry schemes that cover, for example, the mounting of abrasive wheels. There are also certain equipment-specific legal requirements (for example, the training of setters and people undertaking daily inspections on power presses, see: Safe use of power presses ACOP and Guidance).
Maintenance work should only be undertaken by those who are competent to do so, who have the necessary knowledge and experience to:
In some cases, workers undertaking maintenance on certain types of equipment should have specific training which is relevant to that work (eg where they may encounter asbestos).
There is no requirement to keep a maintenance log. However, it is recommended that employers keep records of maintenance for high-risk equipment. The law requires that, where a maintenance log exists, it should be kept up to date.
As an employer, you are legally required to provide safe equipment for use in connection with your work. Where the safe of equipment depends on the installation conditions or is exposed to conditions causing deterioration liable to result in dangerous situations, you must inspect your equipment to identify whether it can be operated, adjusted and maintained safely. Doing this on a regular basis can help you detect any deterioration and take action before it results in any health and safety risk.
In a few cases - such as power presses working on cold metal (referred to in regulation 33 of PUWER) - the law requires inspection of certain aspects at prescribed intervals. Further guidance is available in: Safe use of power presses ACOP and Guidance.
Inspection frequencies depend on the type of work equipment, its use and the conditions to which it is exposed. This should be determined through:
Different types of inspection include:
You should do what is necessary to ensure a reasonable level of safety with any item of work equipment.
Inspection procedures will differ, depending upon the equipment and the consequences of its failure. Inspections therefore need to be determined through risk assessment, which should take full account of any manufacturer's recommendations, the advice of others (such as trade associations and consultants) and other sources of information, such as published advice on health and safety. Inspection should be undertaken for the purpose of revealing any problems which will give rise to significant risk of injury. It is important that inspections concentrate on the safety-critical features, checking for general signs of damage and deterioration which could lead to significant personal injury.
The law requires that access to dangerous parts should be prevented, or the movement of dangerous parts stopped before a person enters the danger zone.
New machinery must be designed and constructed in such a way as to prevent risks of contact which could lead to accidents. Machinery must, where risks persist, be fitted with guards or protective devices. However, these objectives can't always be completely met (eg part of the blade of a fully guarded circular saw necessarily remains accessible).
Both PUWER and the Machinery Directive set out a common hierarchy of protective measures that should be met to state-of-the-art protective standards for particular products. Lesser protective measures are only permitted by the Regulations / Directive where risk cannot be either averted by design or controlled by permanent physical features (such as effective guarding). Lesser protective measures include:
There are many European standards outlining acceptable levels of safety for new machinery. However these cannot be applied retrospectively to pre-1995 non-CE marked machinery. For such older machinery, the relevant standard was BS 5304:1988 'Code of practice for the safety of machinery', the text of which remains available from the British Standards Institution as a Published Document (PD 5304:2005).
In some restricted circumstances, a safe system of work may be an acceptable alternative to guarding, but only following an adequate risk assessment which fully justifies why the normal safeguards cannot be used - and after all alternative measures have been put in place to ensure safety. This should be authorised by the person in overall control of the work. Additional training, higher levels of supervision and other protective measures will almost certainly be required and need to be documented. Adopting safe systems of work cannot simply be used as an excuse for not using the safeguards provided by the manufacturer.
This depends on various factors, including the nature of the medication and the task to be performed. The residual level of risk from operating some very well guarded machines may be so low that there is minimal risk of injury to the operator or others. However, in other cases - particularly with the use of lifting and mobile work equipment - a more cautious approach needs to be taken.
Advice should be sought from a medically qualified person (normally the person's own GP), particularly if the medication:
Where the safe use of work equipment depends on it not being overloaded, markings or other indications of a safe working load (SWL) will be required (for example, storage racking, some containers used to hold goods or vehicles intended for carrying materials). SWL marking is mandatory for lifting equipment and accessories subject to the provisions of LOLER.
LOLER (the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) apply to any lifting equipment used at work - including employees' own lifting equipment - for lifting or lowering loads, including attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting it. However, the Regulations do not extend to fixed anchor points that form part of a building or structure.
LOLER covers a wide range of equipment, including:
The Regulations also include lifting accessories, such as chains, slings, eyebolts etc. LOLER does not apply to escalators, which are covered by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations.
LOLER applies to work equipment used for lifting operations (ie 'operations concerned with the lifting or lowering of a load'). The Regulations also apply to the safe installation, marking and thorough examination / inspection of lifting equipment. These requirements must be met by employers, the self-employed and by people who have control over work equipment. The recording of examinations and inspections is also required by LOLER, and those conducting them have duties under the Regulations for reporting serious defects - both to the user and to the relevant enforcing authority.
Lifting equipment is any work equipment where the principal function is to lift and lower loads. This term also applies to any accessory used to attach or support the equipment doing the lifting. Equipment that lifts only as an incidental aspect of its main function (eg a pallet truck, or a system for conveying parts through an oven) is not considered lifting equipment.
A lifting accessory is any equipment used to attach a load to the lifting equipment, which is not a permanent part of the load (eg hooks, ropes, chains, shackles and eyebolts) or lifting equipment.
Regulation 8 of LOLER requires employers to ensure that every lifting operation is:
The term 'appointed person' is often used to describe the person fulfilling the role of the competent person, who should have adequate practical and theoretical knowledge and expertise in planning the lifting operations being undertaken.
When any fork lift is used to lift or lower loads, employers and others who may be in control of the lifting operation must ensure that it is planned, supervised and carried out in a safe manner. This doesn't mean a formal plan has to be prepared for every individual lifting operation but, where there is a significant change from standard practice, additional effort may be required to ensure lifting is carried out safely. For further guidance, see: Managing lift trucks.
LOLER requires that the lifting chains, forks, hoist mechanism (ie mast and cylinders) and fork attachments are subject to a thorough examination , either at 12-month intervals or as specified in the written scheme of examination. In addition, as required by PUWER, lift trucks should be maintained at all times for safety, with other parts (eg brakes and lights) being inspected at regular intervals, including essential daily pre-use checks.
You can do this as long as:
Where the lifting capacity of the machine exceeds one tonne, it should be equipped with a rated capacity indicator and boom check valves.
A non-integrated platform or man-basket must only be used in exceptional circumstances (eg emergencies), and only in accordance with the guidance in: Working platforms (non-integrated) on fork-lift trucks.
This is a complete and thorough check of the equipment and safety-critical parts, carried out at specified intervals by a competent person and concluded with a written report. The report must include the date of the thorough examination and the date the next one is due. It should also specify any defects that are / are about to become a danger to people. Where serious defects are identified, the competent person carrying out the examination must report this verbally to the dutyholder and then provide this information in a written report. A copy of the report must also be sent to the relevant enforcing authority.
Thorough examination of lifting equipment must take place every 12 months - or every 6 months if the equipment is used to lift people. Any accessories used in lifting should also be inspected every 6 months. These are the minimum requirements, where there is no formal 'examination scheme' drawn up by a competent person.
The competent person may impose a more rigorous examination scheme, for example when the lifting equipment:
In some cases, the period between thorough examinations may be extended under an 'examination scheme', where either deterioration will be very slow (eg when lifting equipment is only very occasionally used and stored in dry, non-corrosive environments); or when it is one of a very large number of identical items - where a sampling and inspection scheme may be more appropriate.
In addition to these scheduled examinations, equipment will require a thorough examination following:
Yes. Thorough examination of lifting equipment must be carried out in all cases, taking place every 12 months; or every 6 months when used to lift people, or for any lifting accessory. The examination intervals may differ, where there is a written scheme drawn up by a competent person, which may specify other intervals that may be shorter or exceptionally longer.
If your service included the fitting of any new parts covered by LOLER then a thorough examination must also be carried out before use. Thorough examination may also be required following any:
Yes. But the competent person undertaking the thorough examination should not be the same person who services / maintains the equipment, as they would be responsible for assessing their own work. A competent person should be sufficiently independent and impartial in order to make objective decisions. Although a competent person that undertakes thorough examinations is usually employed by a different company, they may be employed by the equipment user, provided they have sufficient independence to act impartially.
The term 'thorough examination' is used by a number of regulations concerned with equipment used at work, including:
In all cases, the purpose of the examination is to verify that the equipment remains safe for continued use. However, it is not a substitute for servicing etc, which must still be undertaken to ensure that 'work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair' (PUWER regulation 5).
LOLER regulation 9(3) requires that all lifts used at work are thoroughly examined by a competent person at least every 6 months if used to carry people, and at 12-monthly intervals if only used for moving goods, or in accordance with an examination scheme. Thorough examination should also take place if substantial or significant changes are made to the lift, or following exceptional circumstances (such as damage to / failure of the lift or its parts). This is in addition to normal inspections as part of lift servicing and maintenance. Other lifts used by the public should also be subject to similarly stringent requirements to ensure the safety of all users, and so meet the objectives of section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Thorough examinations must only be undertaken by a competent person - someone who is suitably competent to undertake such work. The term 'competent person' is used in law to distinguish from other people who may just undertake servicing, maintenance and associated inspections.
A competent person is someone who has appropriate practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of the equipment for which they act as 'competent person'. This knowledge and experience can help them detect defects / weaknesses and assess whether they will affect the continued safe use of the equipment.
The competent person must be sufficiently independent and impartial to make objective decisions. However, this should not be the same person who performs routine servicing / maintenance, as they would be responsible for assessing their own work.
A competent person may be employed by a separate company or selected by an employer from their own staff. They should have genuine competence, authority and independence to ensure examinations are properly carried out, so that any recommendations that arise can be made without fear or favour.
You must have lifting equipment examined in the following circumstances:
Yes. Machinery and accessories for lifting loads must be clearly marked to indicate their safe working loads (SWL). Where the SWL depends on the configuration of the machinery for lifting loads, the machinery must be marked to indicate its SWL for each configuration, or provided with such information which is kept with the machinery.
On chain and wire slings, the SWL should be marked legibly and indelibly on a durable tag or label attached to the sling; or marked on the ferrule or master link.
Where it may not be possible for the marking to show the SWL, there are other ways of 'indicating' the safe working criteria for the equipment. In some cases, a 'surrogate' marking may be acceptable, such as a capacity indicator on an excavator. However, colour coding alone to denote SWL is not normally acceptable, but can be a useful additional feature (eg of textile slings) and may be a key element in the marking of some equipment, such as access and rescue ropes.
Individual lifting accessories forming part of a specific item of lifting equipment (that is not disassembled after use and so remains part of that equipment), do not need to be marked.
However, the lifting equipment must be marked with a SWL rating that is suitable for all items in its assembly.
Further information is given in: Safe use of lifting equipment. ACOP and Guidance (see regulation 7 and paragraph 186 onwards).
The contents of a thorough examination report are specified by Schedule 1 of LOLER. There is no longer a defined format or form for such a report, provided that all 11 items listed in Schedule 1 are included.
Yes, but security measures should be taken to ensure the report cannot be tampered with, and you should be able to provide a written copy when necessary, such as on request by the relevant enforcing authority.
Before CE marking your product, you need to apply the conformity assessment procedure, as specified in the relevant EU Product Supply Directive. The basic process is to carry out a risk assessment, considering all the essential requirements relevant to your product and ensuring you have met them. Standards may help in meeting these requirements, with some standards giving a presumption of conformity to the Directives. As manufacturer, you have to declare the product's conformity with all relevant product supply Directives when you place the product on the market.
For much work equipment, you can carry out this procedure yourself, provided you have access to the necessary engineering expertise, although you may wish to use the services of a consultant. However, for some products - such as those listed in Annex IV of the Machinery Directive, and most lifts, much pressure equipment and all gas appliances - the use of a notified body is required. They will issue you with a certificate of adequacy or conformance. You can then apply the CE mark and issue the required Declaration of Conformity, quoting the notified body's name, address and unique identifier.
No. This only applies to those products that come under one of the relevant product supply Directives that require CE marking, for example:
Products that do not fall under these Directives - such as manually-powered machinery (except those used for lifting), tools and ladders - must not be CE marked.
Yes. When you combine a series of complete machines and / or partly completed machines so they operate as a single assembly line (ie under a single control system), you have to:
This must be done for the complete assembly line as a whole, even if each individual machine has its own CE mark. The technical file only needs to contain the design details and drawings of any control systems and other parts you've had to supply or modify, and the Declarations of Conformity / Incorporation for each of the items in the line.
In most cases, no. However, you need to ensure it is safe and continues to meet the requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER). Depending on the modifications, you may wish to get advice from the original manufacturer and will need sufficient engineering expertise for the type of modifications involved - you may need to bring this in if not available in-house.
However, the machinery will need full conformity assessment and a new CE mark where the modification:
A Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is a formal written statement by the manufacturer or their authorised representative, stating that the product meets all relevant product supply Directives (occasionally there may be several DoCs, one for each Directive). For details about the other information that must be included see the Declaration of Conformity page
The Declaration of Conformity and the nameplate on the product must contain the name and details of the legal entity taking fu ll responsibility for the product. If your trading name is registered to your company then it can be used. This can also be done if the product is made by another company. However, if your company name is on the DoC then you have to take on all the manufacturer's duties under the relevant Directive. These duties include supplying technical information on request to any European market surveillance authority, and being fully responsible for the product's design and user information.
A Declaration of Incorporation (DoI) is a formal written statement, very similar to a Declaration of Conformity. However, the DoI states that 'the partly completed machinery must not be put into service until the final machinery into which it is to be incorporated has been declared in conformity with the provisions of this Directive'.
The Declaration of Incorporation may only be issued for partly completed machinery, which cannot operate independently. It enables identification of the original manufacturer of the part and shows the customer that it complies, as far as it is able, with the Machinery Directive.
Instructions for the safe and correct assembly of partly completed machinery must be provided along with the DoI but the product must not be CE marked. When the customer has incorporated the partly completed machinery into a complete machine and CE marked the final assembly, they should place the DoI in their technical file.
If such items are supplied independently to customers, including other manufactures who use the items in their own products, they are considered as 'safety components'. Under the Machinery Directive, these must be CE marked and meet the conformity assessment requirements (as if they were machinery). The exceptions are where such components form part of a complete machine (in which case the machine's CE mark covers these items too); or if they are supplied as spare parts by the original machine manufacturer.
No. This file contains confidential information that the manufacturer does not have to release to their customers. However, manufacturers must supply full instructions for the safe use of the product, as well as certain other information, such as the noise and vibration levels of the machinery, and how to combine the item with other products (if this is envisaged).
European member state market surveillance authorities have the right to demand information from the technical file, but they have a legal duty to keep the relevant information confidential.
It depends on the product but you must CE mark work equipment that comes under the Machinery Directive and make sure it meets all of its essential health and safety requirements - even if it is only for your own use and you have no intention of supplying it to other parties.
EU product supply Directives cover products such as:
If any Directive is relevant to your product, then you (or, in some cases, your authorised representative in Europe) must meet all of the essential health and safety requirements of that Directive.
This must be done before you can place the product on the European market, or before you bring it into use for the first time. The essential health and safety requirements are laid out in each European Directive and copied into the UK regulations that implement each Directive. Failure to adequately meet these legal requirements may be a criminal offence, for which (in many cases) the courts can impose unlimited fines.
Before placing products on the European market, manufacturers (or their authorised representative) must:
By affixing the CE mark, the manufacturer is claiming that the product complies with all EU Directives applicable to that product. However, CE marking in itself does not guarantee safety, nor is it a quality mark. Intermediate suppliers and users of work equipment can rely on the CE mark giving a presumption of conformity with the relevant product supply Directive(s) (and compliance with regulation 10 of PUWER), provided that the product:
English versions of European standards are published by the British Standards Institution and copies can be purchased through the BSI website. Other European language versions may be available through the national standards bodies of other member states.
The titles of all harmonised standards that support one or more product supply Directives are definitively published in the Official Journal (OJ) of the European Union. A list of the these Directives (with details of their OJ references and links to the standards supporting them) is available on the European Commission website.
In themselves, most standards only provide guidance. It is the essential requirements of the relevant product supply Directive which must be met in law. However, where a manufacturer declares on the Declaration of Conformity compliance with a transposed harmonised standard, the manufacturer must meet its requirements in full. Full compliance with a transposed harmonised standard gives presumption of conformity with one or more essential requirements of the relevant Directive.
Manufacturers normally have to show how their particular product complies with all relevant essential requirements of the EU Directive(s) relating to it. This is done through conformity assessment - which can involve a detailed and complex assessment and the collection of significant evidence in a technical file.
However, where a product fully meets the requirements of a transposed harmonised standard written for that product, or an aspect of safety relevant to that product (eg the safety distances to dangerous parts as given in the relevant transposed harmonised standard), the standard may give the manufacturer a 'presumption of conformity' with one or more essential requirements. In other words, the manufacturer then does not need to show in as much detail how the product complies with the Directive(s). This often shortens and simplifies the conformity assessment process and requires less evidence to be produced for the technical file.
To do this, manufacturers must check that a standard can give a presumption of conformity and their product must be within scope of that standard. The basis on which a standard may give presumption of conformity must be verified (this is normally outlined in Annex Z of the standard but, to be sure, checks can also be made with the reference given in the Official Journal of the European Union, or through published listings).
The Machinery Directive which is implemented in the UK by the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, applies to almost all machinery and partly completed machinery. Certain other products (listed in Article 1 and defined in Article 2 of the Directive) also come within scope of the Directive in the same way as machinery:
However, some machinery-related products are excluded, under Article 1 of the Directive (eg fairground equipment, certain means of transport, certain electrical and electronic products). Other products may be excluded, where covered by another Directive (such as medical devices which are also machines).
Another key exclusion is machinery powered by human or animal effort. However, lifting machines operated by directly applied human effort remain in scope. For more details, see paragraph 32 onwards of the European Commission Guide to the Machinery Directive.
Many products and most machinery do not have to undergo third-party assessment, completed by a notified body. However, the conformity assessment of certain products requires independent assessment by a notified body, prior to the product being CE marked and placed on the market. This includes certain types of higher risk machinery, equipment and safety components, such as:
The notified body's assessment may take the form of type examination, quality assurance or other means - as specified for that product by the relevant Product Supply Directive.
This is a document indicating that, in the opinion of a third party (sometimes a notified body), a product is considered to comply or conform with (usually) a product supply Directive. This certificate should be retained in the technical file for the product. However, this is not to be confused with the Declaration of Conformity, which must be issued by the product manufacturer (or their authorised representative). The Certificate of Compliance or Conformance is not a substitute for the Declaration of Conformity.
Intermediate suppliers - for example distributors, agents, retailers and auctioneers - must supply safe and compliant products, with the correct documentation. Most new products come within the scope of one or more EU product supply Directives and therefore should:
However, if a product is only partly completed machinery (intended for assembly with other equipment), it should not be CE marked. For partly completed machinery, a Declaration of Incorporation should be provided instead of a Declaration of Conformity.
Products where CE marking is not required - which may be the case for second-hand products - are still required to be safe, so far as reasonably practicable, and accompanied by adequate information to enable safe use, under section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Where a relevant product supply Directive applies, you should ensure that products are CE marked, with user instructions in English and (in most cases) accompanied by a Declaration of Conformity. Partly completed machinery should not be CE marked and should instead be accompanied by a Declaration of Incorporation. Electrical equipment subject to the Low Voltage Directive should be CE marked with key information provided, but does not need to be accompanied by a Declaration of Conformity.
Where reasonable, particularly if you are involved in the assembly or installation of a product, you should also check for any obvious safety defects. Guidance on doing so is given in the Checklist section of HSE's: Supplying new machinery.
However, suppliers are NOT expected to:
If CE marking is not required for the product - which is the case with most second-hand / refurbished products, as well as any new ones not subject to a relevant product supply Directive - suppliers must comply with the general requirements of section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work Act:
'...to supply products that are safe and without risks to health when being used, set, cleaned and maintained and provide user information, so far as reasonably practicable'.
If the product is not CE marked but should be because it comes under a relevant product supply Directive, the person / organisation placing it on the European market (or bringing it into use for the first time in Europe), must comply with the requirements of the relevant Directive as if they were the manufacturer.
These requirements are implemented by national law and apply to both new and second-hand products not previously placed on the European market. However, if the product was originally placed on the European market prior to the implementation of the relevant Directive, it only needs to meet the requirements of section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
If you are just installing complete equipment supplied by a manufacturer, you should ensure it is installed correctly by following the manufacturer's installation instructions and specifications. In such cases, the equipment should be supplied to you CE marked with a Declaration of Conformity in the name of the manufacturer (or their authorised representative). You should ensure that any damaged or misplaced safety components are replaced (by the equipment manufacturer), and that the equipment is complete and in safe working order. If the item is lifting equipment, it will need to have a LOLER-specific thorough examination prior to first use, to confirm its safe installation. There are also specific requirements relating to the safe installation of gas appliances.
Where you build up the equipment from parts supplied by a number of manufacturers or make some of the components yourself, you will be classed as the manufacturer of the final product. For example, if you motorise existing manually operated gates, they become a new machine for which you are responsible. You will then need to follow the conformity assessment full requirements of the Machinery Directive, including:
Health and Safety at Work Act Section 6 of the applies to all second-hand products. It requires manufacturers (which may include those undertaking refurbishment), importers and suppliers to provide work equipment which is safe and does not present a risk to health, as far as reasonably practicable. This requirement includes the provision of instructions for the safe use of the equipment.
Section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work Act requires all products supplied for use at work - whether new or second-hand - to be safe, so far as reasonably practicable.
This includes the provision of adequate information to enable safe use and maintenance. CE marking and conformity assessment are not normally required as second-hand products have normally previously been placed on the European (EEA ) market, or put into service in the EEA.
However, second-hand products which have never been placed on the market or put into service in the EEA - such as imports from outside the EEA - may be subject to one or more European product supply Directives as they are 'new' to Europe. Also, products that are so substantially refurbished as to be considered 'new' because of additional risk, will also be subject to one or more European product supply Directives as if they were new.
No. If the work equipment is new, it must be sold safe and in compliance with the relevant European product supply Directive(s). If no Directive is applicable, the equipment must comply with section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSW Act). Even if equipment is second-hand, it still can't be 'sold as seen' if it is intended for use at work. All work equipment must be sold safe, so far as reasonably practicable. If originally CE marked, it should only be sold on for use in as safe a condition as when it was originally placed on the market, with a copy of the original instructions.
You may sell equipment in any state for scrap or spare parts, but this should be explicitly confirmed in the transaction record. Dealer-to-dealer and user-to-dealer transactions are not normally 'sales for use at work' and this should be explicitly confirmed in the transaction record.
However, for old non-CE marked work equipment, you may sell this (under section 6(8) of the HSW Act) in an unsafe condition, provided you obtain a written waiver from the purchaser - which essentially means they know what they have to do to, and agree to make the product safe before they bring it back into use.
Unless already CE marked, second-hand equipment only requires new CE marking when it is effectively new to the European market, meaning either:
Those hiring out equipment for use at work are considered as suppliers under section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work Act and so have broad responsibilities for the safety of the products they hire out. This includes (so far as reasonably practicable) pre-hire testing and inspection to ensure continued safety, and the provision of information.
Although they need to look for obvious safety defects (in terms of the initial safety of CE-marked equipment), those hiring out equipment do not have to go into the detailed design of that equipment or enhance its safety beyond the requirements of the relevant product supply Directive - provided the product is CE marked, accompanied by user instructions and, where relevant, a Declaration of Conformity.
Those hiring out work equipment also have responsibilities under PUWER (and if lifting equipment LOLER), in so far as they exercise control over that equipment (for example, ensuring the thorough examination of lifting equipment and other routine inspections have taken place at the required intervals). It may be appropriate for the user to organise the periodic thorough examinations (which should be by written agreement, particularly for long-term hire). However, unless part of the hire agreement, those hiring out work equipment can't normally be responsible for the day-to-day and other pre-use safety checks which should be undertaken by the user.
Before you buy it, think about:
This can help you decide what equipment may be suitable, particularly when buying standard 'off the shelf' items. If you are buying more complex or custom-built equipment, you should discuss your requirements with potential suppliers, who can advise you on the options available. When you place the order, specify in writing that the equipment must be safe, meet all relevant EU supply Directives and be CE marked.
Check the machinery is CE marked and accompanied by:
You should also check it is not obviously unsafe (eg missing guards), by assessing the risks that may arise from the way it will be used and maintained.


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/ Affiliate Blog
Welcome to the October edition of your monthly affiliate newsletter, containing the latest updates from Apex Hotels and our affiliate programme.
Just a reminder to all our affiliates that Amy is currently on maternity leave and Alan Garland will be able to answer any questions and provide assistance where needed. He can be contacted on 0131 441 0492 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Guests can enjoy experience our beautiful hotels with three fantastic city break offers.
Our London weekend room only offer lets Guests save your money for that must see show, visit world famous attractions such as St Paul's Cathedral or just take time to relax. Our weekend in London room only offer lets guests experience luxury 4 star accommodation from £89 per night.
View Offer: Apex Hotels Voucher Codes
Affiliate Code (replace !!!id!!! with your affiliate id):http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2263&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.apexhotels.co.uk%2Fen%2Foffers%2Flondon-weekend-rooms%2F
Edinburgh is a city to take your breath away; from its famous castle in the centre of town to its wealth of literary masters including JK Rowling. Our city breaks in Edinburgh offer is available seven days and starts from £49 per night.
Affiliate Code (replace !!!id!!! with your affiliate id):http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2263&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.apexhotels.co.uk%2Fen%2Foffers%2Fedinburgh-weekend-rooms%2F
Beautifully situated on the east coast of Scotland, Dundee combines a rich history and everything you would expect from a modern vibrant city. Our city breaks in Dundee offer is available seven days and starts from £59 per night.
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Did you know that there is an Apex Hotel currently rated in the top 10 in all three of our locations (London, Edinburgh and Dundee) on the world's largest travel website TripAdvisor? We are very proud of this fantastic achievement, as it shows that guests are genuinely happy with the service and value provided by our hotels and staff. We provide links to the reviews on our own website so that people can make an informed decision about which hotel is best for them. If you are promoting our hotels on your website, this is a great selling point to help convert those clicks into commissions for you!
View Reviews: Apex Hotels Reviews
Affiliate Code (replace !!!id!!! with your affiliate id):http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2263&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.apexhotels.co.uk%2Fen%2Fcommunity%2Fblog%2Fapex-hotels-on-tripadvisor%2F
It's always great to hear from our affiliates, so if you have any questions, requests or suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact Alan using the details below.
Alan Garland | Apex Affiliate SupportEmail: email@example.com: twitter.com/apexaffiliates


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Gator Bytes
Tag: Joel Segal
Riley Cooper officially passes on a pro baseball career to play in the NFL
- 11:52 am Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 by Post Staff
MOBILE, Ala. – Riley Cooper has twice been drafted to play professional baseball, but the former Florida receiver says football is truly where his heart is.
Cooper, in Alabama this week to showcase his talents in front of all 32 NFL teams at the Senior Bowl, told the Texas Rangers shortly after the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl that he will break his contract and instead pursue a professional football career.
"I was actually supposed to show up to my physical on Jan. 17," Cooper said. "But I said, 'I'm going to go football, that's what I want to do, so I appreciate everything you did for me, but I'm out.'"


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326 Melton Rd.Burns Harbor, IN 46304
Toll Free: 800-664-6638Phone: 219-787-5080Fax: 219-787-5088
A patented drainage system for brick masonry cavity and single wythe concrete masonry unit (CMU) construction includes a mortar dropping collection device and weep vents. Provides the solution for clogged weep holes by breaking up mortar droppings on two levels thereby allowing water to flow to the weep holes. Ensure walls breathe, drain and dry quickly.
Click here to SHOW products
NEW: The CavityComplete Wall System
PRODUCTTRADE NAMEDESCRIPTIONCONTENTThe CavityComplete Wall System for Steel Stud with Masonry Veneer has been engineered to bring together sophisticated, category-leading components that are completely compatible, code compliant and warrantied to work together to deliver outstanding performance- and bring system solutions to the next level for architects and contractors.
Mortar Net Solutions® is a proud partner in the Cavity Complete System.
CavityComplete Wall Systems Brochure
Cavity Wall
PRODUCTTRADE NAMEDESCRIPTIONCONTENTMortar Net® with Insect Barrier is the leading mortar dropping collection product providing the solution for clogged weep holes in masonry cavity construction.
Mortar Net® with Insect Barrier ensures masonry walls breathe, drain and dry quickly and efficiently.
Mortar Net® with Insect Barrier eliminates weep hole blockage from mortar droppings and ensures water that enters the wall will be directed to the weep holes. Mortar Net® with Insect Barrier is placed on top of the flashing inside the wall cavity where it catches and permanently suspends mortar droppings above the level of the weep holes. Its patented trapezoidal shape prevents mortar from forming a continuous dam and its shape, in combination with its 90 percent open mesh weave, allows water to rapidly and easily move through the material of the product to the weeps.
It also allows for proper air movement in and out of the cavity. This eliminates pressure differentials that force moisture into the cavity, thus promoting rapid drying of the wall.
Mortar Net's® with Insect Barrier efficient management of moisture migration eliminates efflorescence on interior and exterior masonry walls, prevents damage caused by freeze-thaw cycles and is the first step in preventing conditions that allow mold growth.Moisture in masonry veneer construction can cause damage. The best prevention? Proper construction. Residential HouseNet by Mortar Net® is your first step to a healthy home. From wet basements to spalling caused by water freezing and thawing in brick cavity walls, moisture eats away at the homes you build. It can also eat away at the health of the homeowner. Moisture breeds mold and mold can cause respiratory problems including asthma, allergies, infections.Patented TotalFlash® Cavity-Wall Drainage System Slashes Labor Costs While Boosting Moisture-Protection.
Mortar Net® USA has won top awards for its innovative products for controlling moisture in masonry construction, but their patented TotalFlash® Cavity-Wall Drainage System may be their most ingenious idea yet. They've taken all the most effective moisture-control methods used in cavity-wall construction, plus all the necessary installation equipment, and pre-assembled them right into handy, pre-cut panels of flexible flashing.
The labor savings are created by two main features of TotalFlash®: A. Since the basis of TotalFlash® is a pre-cut, 5-1/2-foot flashing-panel, masons no longer have to waste labor-time cutting clumsy rolls of flashing. They can just take each fully assembled panel out of the box and screw it into the back wall of the cavity, a process that can be done in seconds. B. With all components built right in, there's no downtime waiting for separate items to be delivered.
It all adds up to far lower labor costs, while providing much higher moisture-control than most systems being installed today. Furthermore, complete coverage is enforced by clearly-marked ap-joints.Mortar Net® Weep Vents are the easy way to ensure masonry cavity walls drain correctly and maintain their finished appearance.
Unprotected weep holes are easily blocked by insects or debris, resulting in damage from water buildup and improper air movement. Mortar Net® Weep Vents help ensure that weep holes stay open and that walls always breathe, drain, and dry quickly and thoroughly.
Mortar Net® Weep Vents are available in a choice of attractive colors to match the mortar or brick beings used, eliminating open holes and dark shadows.
Block CMU
PRODUCTTRADE NAMEDESCRIPTIONCONTENTBLOK-Flash® by Mortar Net® USA - A Unique Embeddable Flashing System for Single-Wythe CMU Construction -Blok-Flash® delivers the surest, most cost-effective control of moisture and mold-growth in exterior single-wythe CMU wall systems. It provides 10 times greater bond at the exterior bed-joint than a membrane through-wall system, with no water penetration, no by-pass, and rapid expulsion of moisture (see test data).
Blok-Flash® is a tough, lightweight, embeddable flashing system, suitable for use at all flashing/weep vent locations, including base of wall, above door and window openings, above bond beams, in parapet walls, and wherever flashing is necessary.
When moisture infiltrates the wall and flows down the vertical cores, Blok-Flash® intercepts it and diverts it to the exterior, quickly and effectively.The BlockNet® system by Mortar Net USA, Ltd. is the only product that reliably protects single wythe concrete block walls from damage caused by water infiltration. By providing an open path by which water can migrate to the exterior of the building while simultaneously preventing mortar droppings from blocking that path, the BlockNet® system allows the free migration of moisture from the interior of the block cells to the building exterior.
Stone & Stucco
PRODUCTTRADE NAMEDESCRIPTIONCONTENTWallNet prevents mold growth and moisture damage in stucco and stone veneered buildings resulting from blocked weep vents and improperly ventilated wall cavities.
Last Update: 2014-08-08


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ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota Senate has approved scaled-back revisions to state gun laws that do not include an expansion of background checks for gun purchases.
The Senate approved the bill Wednesday on a 58-9 vote. The bill fills gaps in databases consulted in present gun background checks by including older court records.
The bill is likely to disappoint gun control activists who came into this legislative session hoping for wider restrictions on access to guns. But efforts to implement wider background checks and other new regulations ran into trouble after Democrats from rural districts refused to get on board.
Sponsor Sen. Ron Latz says he removed all controversial provisions from his bill, and it won the backing of gun rights groups. The bill awaits a House vote.
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If you're planning on driving to or from John Wayne Airport this month, be prepared for slight delays on the south 55 Freeway.
The ramp leading into JWA from the south 55 Freeway was reduced to one lane today, and will remain squeezed through Saturday, Sept. 15. The lane closure was necessary to allow a work crew to continue work on a seismic retrofitting project.
According to airport officials, all passengers will be directed to the Departure/Upper Level roadway as they enter the airport. Drivers wanting to pick up passengers on the Arrival/Lower Level may continue to do so, but will first need to take the airport return loop to get to the lower level.
The airport recommends using the Departure/Upper Level for both picking up and dropping off passengers during this phase of construction.
For general information about John Wayne Airport, call 949-252-5200.


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- Home
- English Department
- Writing Resource Center
Writing Resource Center
Welcome to the site of the Writing Resource Center. It describes SUNY Cortland's Composition (CPN) and Writing-Intensive (WI) course requirements and provides students and faculty with a wealth of information about writing.
I hope the Writing Resource Center helps you with writing assignments and answers your questions about writing. I am always looking for ways to improve the site, so please send me your feedback. The Writing Resource Center is published by the SUNY Cortland English Department.
If you have questions or comments about the site, please contact:
Mary Lynch Kennedy
Distinguished Teaching Professor
Campus Writing Coordinator
Old Main, Room 115-B
Phone: (607) 753-2086


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Biden was speaking on the second day of security talks in the German city of Munich, where he is later due to hold talks on Syria with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Syrian opposition chief Moaz al-Khatib.
The US has provided "more than $50 million in non-lethal assistance to the Syrian opposition and are working alongside our partners to help them become more inclusive and cohesive," he said.
But he referred to recent comments by US President Barack Obama, saying, "We are under no illusions, the days ahead will continue to be very difficult but the opposition continues to grow stronger".
"President Obama and I, and nearly all of our partners and allies, are convinced that President Assad, a tyrant, hell bent on clinging to power, is no longer fit to lead the Syrian people and he must go," Biden said.
"We can all agree... on the increasingly desperate plight of the Syrian people and the responsibility of the international community to address that plight," he added.
He said it was "no secret" that Russia and the United States have "serious differences" on issues such as Syria.
SEE ALSO: The face of salvation when you're outgunned in the US Army >
SEE ALSO: The Military & Defense Facebook page for updates >


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Expired Property Listing
This property is disabled.
PARKER Colorado River Rental w/Ramp and Dock in Parker
- bedrooms 2
- baths 2
- sleeps 6
- pool no
- hot tub no
- pets allowed no
- type House
- community Big River
rates (USD)
/ night
$ 1,000 - $ 1,160 / week
$ 1,200 - $ 1,200 / month
vacation rental description
This 3000 square foot River house has been split into 2 separate units so it's available as a 2 bedroom/2 bath (rent the Upstairs or the Downstairs; Maximum occupancy 6) OR you may rent the entire 4 bedroom/4 bath House (rent both units of the duplex; Maximum Occupancy 12).
Each unit has a maximum occupancy of 6.
(one unit rented = 6 people)
(two units rented = 12 people)
Downstairs: 1 bedroom w/Queen bed, 2nd bedroom w/Queen, 1 Queen
sofa bed in living room, an extra toddler bed also available. Downstairs includes a garage and the large deck in front.
Upstairs: Master bedroom w/King bed, 2nd bedroom w/Queen bed, 1 Queen sofa bed in livingroom. Awesome view.
Beach/Boat ramp/Dock/Fire pit are all shared areas.
*Prices reflect one unit.
*Call or email for availability
Large view windows to watch sunrises and sunsets over the Colorado River.
Semi private boat ramp and dock for easy launching capabilities.
Semi private beach.
Semi private Fire pit on the beach.
Water temperature is much warmer than Laughlin/Bullhead area.
Safer river area than the Parker Strip for skiing, boating and family vacations.
*Because of the Headgate Dam between our property and the Blue Water Casino, you cannot boat to the Blue Water or anywhere into the 'Parker Strip' area.
1 mile to Parker for grocery shopping and restaurants, 5 miles to Blue Water
Casino and 35 minutes to Lake Havasu (by car).
**No phone calls after 730pm please
house rental amenities
Fireplace, Air Conditioning, Big Screen TV, DVD/VCR Combo, Full
Kitchen, Microwave, DW, Refrigerator, Blender, Coffee Maker, Cooking
Utensils provided, Linens provided, Washer, Dryer, 2 Car Garage, Gas
No Smoking
activities and attractions in Parker Arizona
Boating, Waterskiing, Jet Skiing, Rafting, Fishing, Swimming, Casino
Gambling, Hiking, Biking, Golf, Tennis, Basketball, Shopping,
vacation rental rates
Apr - Sept...$185/nt (3 night minimum)...$1000/week
Holiday.....$215/night (3 night minimum)...$1160/week (Holiday)
Oct - Mar....$1200/month
$100 Non-refundable cleaning fee
$300 Deposit required to make reservation
If PayPal/credit card used, add 4% to total