Newsletter #19: Saving Water, Legionnaires' Disease, REACH

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Accepta Newsletter: Issue 19

Welcome to issue 19; this month we feature a number of articles including a guide on reducing costs through minimising water use, an FAQ on Legionnaires' Disease, news on a new chemicals database plus our regular business skills tips.

If you find our newsletter useful please pass it on to friends and colleagues. And if there are any subjects you'd like to see included in future issues please e-mail me at sdooner@accepta.com.

********************

In this issue:

Reducing Water Use: Saving Money Through Waste Minimisation.
Business Skills - How To Deal With Difficult People.
Information About Legionnaires' Disease.
Business Skills - Why We Often Don't Hear What People Say!.
Euro Focus - Chemicals Database To Clarify Impact Of REACH.

********************

Reducing Water Use

Saving Money Through Waste Minimisation

While water costs may appear insignificant, the true cost is considerably higher than the basic charges for supplying water and discharging effluent. Pumping, maintenance, capital depreciation and treatment costs should also be considered, as well as the value of lost materials.

Inappropriate use of water could cost a company 1% of its turnover, with half being technically and cost-effectively recoverable. Minimising the ‘hidden costs’ alongside water purchase costs and effluent charges would save GB£10 000/year for a company with a GB£2 million annual turnover.

This Good Practice Guide outlines a systematic approach to reducing the costs associated with water use and wastewater disposal. This procedure, which can be incorporated within existing management systems, stresses the importance of:

involving all members of staff from senior management to plant operators;
developing a clear, easily understood plan;
determining the true costs of water consumption and wastewater generation;
identifying all water inputs and outputs;
drawing up a water mass balance;
allocating annual water consumption between major users;
brainstorming to generate water saving ideas;
implementing all feasible options;
maintaining savings.

The Guide also explains that reducing water consumption is both compatible and consistent with reducing contaminant concentrations. The approach needed to minimise water consumption successfully is also applicable to reducing contaminant levels in wastewater and may produce additional cost benefits.

The potential cost savings and other benefits of reducing water consumption are highlighted in a series of Industry Examples........more

For your complimentary copy of this excellent guide please e-mail sdooner@accepta.com quoting the full title of the document.

********************

Business Skills

How To Deal With Difficult People!

When dealing with people, be ready to react to the actions of different personalities…….here are some examples:

The aggressor….who is intimidating, hostile and loves to threaten.

Here’s what to do….listen to everything the person has to say. Avoid arguments and be formal, calling the person by name. Be concise and clear with your reactions.

The underminer….who takes pride in criticism and is sarcastic and devious.

Here’s what to do….focus on the issues and don’t acknowledge sarcasm. Don’t over react.

The unresponsive person….who is difficult to talk to and reveals his or her ideas.

Here’s what to do….ask open-ended questions and learn to be silent – waiting for the person to say something. Be patient and friendly.

The egotist….who knows it all and feels and acts superior.

Here’s what to do….make sure you know the facts. Agree when possible and ask questions and listen. Disagree only when you know you’re right.

********************

Information about Legionnaires' Disease

What is Legionnaires' Disease?

Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia. It was named after an outbreak of severe pneumonia which affected a meeting of the American Legion in 1976. It is an uncommon but serious disease.

The illness occurs more frequently in men than women. It usually affects middle-aged or elderly people and it more commonly affects smokers or people with other chest problems. Legionnaires' disease is uncommon in younger people and is very uncommon under the age of 20.

About half the cases of legionnaires' disease are caught abroad. The other half are the result of infections acquired in the UK.

How do people get it?

The germ which causes legionnaires' disease is a bacterium called Legionella pneumophila. People catch legionnaires' disease by inhaling small droplets of water suspended in the air which contain the Legionella bacterium. However, most people who are exposed to Legionella do not become ill.

Legionnaires' disease does not spread from person to person.

Where does it come from?

The bacterium which causes legionnaires' disease is widespread in nature. It mainly lives in.........more

For your complimentary copy of this excellent guide please e-mail sdooner@accepta.com quoting the full title of the document.

********************

Business Skills

Why We Often Don't Hear What People Say!

If you want to really listen to what others have got to say, make sure you’re not a:

Mind reader – you’ll hear little or nothing as you think, “What is this person really thinking or feeling?”

Rehearser – your mental rehearsals for, “Here’s what I’ll say next” will filter out the speaker!

Filterer – sometimes called selective listening – hearing only what you want to hear.

Dreamer – drifting off during a face-to-face conversation can lead to an embarrassing, “What did you say?” or, “Can you repeat that” moment!

Identifier – if you refer everything you hear to your own experience, you probably didn’t really hear what was said.

Comparer – when you get sidetracked assessing the messenger, you’re sure to miss the message!

Derailer – changing the subject too quickly soon tells others that you’re not interested in what they have to say.

Sparer – you hear what’s said but quickly belittle it or discount it. That puts you in the same class as the derailer.

Placater – agreeing with everyone you hear just to be nice or to avoid conflict does not mean you’re a good listener.

********************

Euro Focus

Chemicals Database To Clarify Impact Of REACH.

A database of chemicals marketed in the UK is to be developed by the Chemicals Industry Association (CIA) in preparation for the forthcoming EU REACH proposals, with the aim of filling a gap in industry knowledge.

A debate on REACH was held in January between industry and environmentalists in which the CIA Director, Business and Environment, Stephen Elliot, admitted that, at present, the industry was ignorant of what chemicals were on the UK market.

Mr Elliot said: “This database is being developed as a direct response to the question – how many chemicals are in the marketplace and therefore likely to be affected by REACH? The CIA [believes] the establishment of such a database is an essential step not just in terms of REACH, but also in terms of the industry’s commitment to sustainable development.”

The REACH forum provided industry and environment groups the opportunity to justify their stance on what is being hailed as the most important chemical legislation of the last 20 years.

Mary Taylor, of Friends of the Earth, who was also on the debate panel, welcomed the news of the database, saying: This could be a useful initiative… There is clearly a lack of knowledge about the exact structure of the ‘chemicals industry’ and downstream users in the UK too. This is causing uncertainty about the exact impact of the legislation.”

The CIA has said the database will contain information on all chemicals marketed in the UK by members of the Association.

********************

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		Accepta Water Treatment Speciality Chemicals Test Kits & Reagents Equipment Boiler Treatment Open & Closed Cooling Heating Biocides Chlorine Dioxide Precursors Reverse Osmosis Base Exchange Odour Control Liquid Polymers Effluent Treatment Flocculants Dry Polymers Scale control Corrosion Inhibitors Antifoams Water Hygiene Cleaners Toll Blending Own Labelling Speciality Chemicals Hard Surface Cleaners Sanitizers Chlorine Release Oil & Grease Removers Hand & Surface Wipes Descaling Chemicals Fuel Oil Treatments Oil Dispersants Test Kits & Reagents L8 Test Kits Chlorine Dioxide Test Kits Dip slides Incubators pH Meters Conductivity Meters Comparators

	Accepta Newsletter: Issue 19 Welcome to issue 19; this month we feature a number of articles including a guide on reducing costs through minimising water use, an FAQ on Legionnaires' Disease, news on a new chemicals database plus our regular business skills tips. If you find our newsletter useful please pass it on to friends and colleagues. And if there are any subjects you'd like to see included in future issues please e-mail me at sdooner@accepta.com. ********************
	In this issue: Reducing Water Use: Saving Money Through Waste Minimisation. Business Skills - How To Deal With Difficult People. Information About Legionnaires' Disease. Business Skills - Why We Often Don't Hear What People Say!. Euro Focus - Chemicals Database To Clarify Impact Of REACH. ****************** Reducing Water Use Saving Money Through Waste Minimisation While water costs may appear insignificant, the true cost is considerably higher than the basic charges for supplying water and discharging effluent. Pumping, maintenance, capital depreciation and treatment costs should also be considered, as well as the value of lost materials. Inappropriate use of water could cost a company 1% of its turnover, with half being technically and cost-effectively recoverable. Minimising the ‘hidden costs’ alongside water purchase costs and effluent charges would save GB£10 000/year for a company with a GB£2 million annual turnover. This Good Practice Guide outlines a systematic approach to reducing the costs associated with water use and wastewater disposal. This procedure, which can be incorporated within existing management systems, stresses the importance of: involving all members of staff from senior management to plant operators; developing a clear, easily understood plan; determining the true costs of water consumption and wastewater generation; identifying all water inputs and outputs; drawing up a water mass balance; allocating annual water consumption between major users; brainstorming to generate water saving ideas; implementing all feasible options; maintaining savings. The Guide also explains that reducing water consumption is both compatible and consistent with reducing contaminant concentrations. The approach needed to minimise water consumption successfully is also applicable to reducing contaminant levels in wastewater and may produce additional cost benefits. The potential cost savings and other benefits of reducing water consumption are highlighted in a series of Industry Examples........more For your complimentary copy of this excellent guide please e-mail sdooner@accepta.com quoting the full title of the document. **************** Business Skills How To Deal With Difficult People! When dealing with people, be ready to react to the actions of different personalities…….here are some examples: The aggressor….who is intimidating, hostile and loves to threaten. Here’s what to do….listen to everything the person has to say. Avoid arguments and be formal, calling the person by name. Be concise and clear with your reactions. The underminer….who takes pride in criticism and is sarcastic and devious. Here’s what to do….focus on the issues and don’t acknowledge sarcasm. Don’t over react. The unresponsive person….who is difficult to talk to and reveals his or her ideas. Here’s what to do….ask open-ended questions and learn to be silent – waiting for the person to say something. Be patient and friendly. The egotist….who knows it all and feels and acts superior. Here’s what to do….make sure you know the facts. Agree when possible and ask questions and listen. Disagree only when you know you’re right. **************** Information about Legionnaires' Disease What is Legionnaires' Disease? Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia. It was named after an outbreak of severe pneumonia which affected a meeting of the American Legion in 1976. It is an uncommon but serious disease. The illness occurs more frequently in men than women. It usually affects middle-aged or elderly people and it more commonly affects smokers or people with other chest problems. Legionnaires' disease is uncommon in younger people and is very uncommon under the age of 20. About half the cases of legionnaires' disease are caught abroad. The other half are the result of infections acquired in the UK. How do people get it? The germ which causes legionnaires' disease is a bacterium called Legionella pneumophila. People catch legionnaires' disease by inhaling small droplets of water suspended in the air which contain the Legionella bacterium. However, most people who are exposed to Legionella do not become ill. Legionnaires' disease does not spread from person to person. Where does it come from? The bacterium which causes legionnaires' disease is widespread in nature. It mainly lives in.........more For your complimentary copy of this excellent guide please e-mail sdooner@accepta.com quoting the full title of the document. **************** Business Skills Why We Often Don't Hear What People Say! If you want to really listen to what others have got to say, make sure you’re not a: Mind reader – you’ll hear little or nothing as you think, “What is this person really thinking or feeling?” Rehearser – your mental rehearsals for, “Here’s what I’ll say next” will filter out the speaker! Filterer – sometimes called selective listening – hearing only what you want to hear. Dreamer – drifting off during a face-to-face conversation can lead to an embarrassing, “What did you say?” or, “Can you repeat that” moment! Identifier – if you refer everything you hear to your own experience, you probably didn’t really hear what was said. Comparer – when you get sidetracked assessing the messenger, you’re sure to miss the message! Derailer – changing the subject too quickly soon tells others that you’re not interested in what they have to say. Sparer – you hear what’s said but quickly belittle it or discount it. That puts you in the same class as the derailer. Placater – agreeing with everyone you hear just to be nice or to avoid conflict does not mean you’re a good listener. **************** Euro Focus Chemicals Database To Clarify Impact Of REACH. A database of chemicals marketed in the UK is to be developed by the Chemicals Industry Association (CIA) in preparation for the forthcoming EU REACH proposals, with the aim of filling a gap in industry knowledge. A debate on REACH was held in January between industry and environmentalists in which the CIA Director, Business and Environment, Stephen Elliot, admitted that, at present, the industry was ignorant of what chemicals were on the UK market. Mr Elliot said: “This database is being developed as a direct response to the question – how many chemicals are in the marketplace and therefore likely to be affected by REACH? The CIA [believes] the establishment of such a database is an essential step not just in terms of REACH, but also in terms of the industry’s commitment to sustainable development.” The REACH forum provided industry and environment groups the opportunity to justify their stance on what is being hailed as the most important chemical legislation of the last 20 years. Mary Taylor, of Friends of the Earth, who was also on the debate panel, welcomed the news of the database, saying: This could be a useful initiative… There is clearly a lack of knowledge about the exact structure of the ‘chemicals industry’ and downstream users in the UK too. This is causing uncertainty about the exact impact of the legislation.” The CIA has said the database will contain information on all chemicals marketed in the UK by members of the Association. ******************
	Please recommend Accepta's newsletter to a friend Thank you



You can UNSUBSCRIBE from this newsletter at any time by clicking here, inserting the word 'unsubscribe' in the message subject line and sending. Accepta Superior Water & Wastewater Treatment Supplies ©2004 Accepta