Connected Capital

 Organizations that embody this ethos rather than tack it on to products or advertising will be well positioned to prosper. And not many would quibble with the chance to do good with cash in the process of making a profit. So-called Impact investments (social and environmentally oriented) could hit $ 500 billion within the next five to 10 years, according to Monitor Institute "We're at a very nascent stage" in the industry's development, they say "We don't know how big this could get."

Already, private investment in green economy companies globally is estimated at over $ 1.25 trillion since 2007 which shows how investors and entrepreneurs are leading governments in promoting sustainable growth. In 2008 a tipping point of sorts was reached when more money was invested in new renewable power capacity than in new fossil fuel capacity.

In a broader context, harsh economic reality in the last decade has shown the consequences of not thinking critically enough about our behavior in business and of adopting a short-term rather than a long-term, stakeholder-inclusive approach. Around the world there is a growing awareness and discussion on notions such as "compassionate" and "connected" Capitalism, whereby companies need to address their social license and return to values. This is relevant in the banking sector and required in South Africa to address a range of social and community ills (poverty, unemployment, Aids, abuse, crime, inequality). The reality is that the sate cannot solve all the ills, many still a legacy of apartheid, and the vibrant entrepreneurial energy within the country needs to be ignited. This, together with an increase in conscious awareness of our impact on society and the planet will allow citizen to create their own change.

The awareness needs to be turned into action because it's not happening - a McKinsey study recently showed that companies are not taking a proactive approach to managing sustainability with only 30 percent of executives saying their companies actively seek opportunities to invest in sustainability or embed it in their business practices. When it is a policy it is often a separate department rather than part of the fabric of the business.

In South Africa over 90% of savers researched were positively pre-disposed to placing funds at a sustainable banking institution. This affirms a philanthropy report which showed that wealthy South Africa are the second most generous nation (behind the USA) when it comes to giving money, and rank fourth in volunteering their time to worthy causes (Barclay's Wealth).

Safe Working at Height Sure 100 %

Safety First in the Workplace

One of the great legacies resulting from the modern mining boom is that every action taken in the workplace is seen through the lens of safety. Australia can proudly boast that its workers operates in one of the most OH&S focused working environments globally.

This is not to create a deterrent in productivity but to ensure that everyone is protected from the workers in and around the mines though to the managers and executives examining protocols in terms of liability and impact to project feasibility. The era of 'at all costs' prospecting and production is over. However, not all safety standard are applied equally.

Government bodies such as Workplace NSW have identified the failure of the connection between harness and support system as the primary cause of several deaths and injuries in workplace scenarios that were completely avoidable if Height Safety Access regulations were followed.

Height Safety as a Key Area of Weakness

As safety standard are increasing, height safety is one of the key areas where further attention is needed. This is often not deliberate. it is an oversight as to when height safety risk control measures should b taken.

The current perception is that height safety applies just to all buildings but OH&S regulations nationwide have demanded that workers need to be secured when at height. As an example, OH&S Regulations 2001 requires personnel that carry out work above 2mtrs must be attached safety and securely to prevent a possible fall. This will apply often in a  variety of scenarios in surface and underground mining sites. Height Safety risk controls would apply to workers in or on top of mining shafts, the edge or an open cut operation or on any temporary structure.

However, the great majority of mine managers are unaware of the exact legislation they must follow and have personnel working in an unsafe environment. One of the biggest ongoing concerns is the education of safety requirements to people who are 'at risk' or manage those 'at risk' the implications are profound as injury or death is a worst case scenario that is completely avoidable. 100% safety should be the priority.

Sub-standard Installation of Height Safety Systems

Even the managers who endorse an installation of a height safety system are placing trust on the installer who may not be familiar with all the elements required to adequately create a secure 'at height' working environment. They need to know about the equipment uses, the composition of the host structure where the height system is fixed, the way it is fixed, the context of use, are all critical factors that determine the quality of the installation of the height safety system.

Rubber-stamped Self Certification

Australia Standard are a 'beast effort' to create continuity and consistency in an industry. When written into legislation like Work cover and OH&S Regulation 2001 it provides a framework for safety companies to operate in. However, the reality of the workplace is that 'at height' security is a non-core activity and only rudimentary training would be given on site. The contractors would then only recognise what they know and may easily miss what they don't in the event of an accident the liability will point back to the worker who certified the system ready for use. Workplace legislation that seems rigorous on the surface is undermined by the quality control standards of those that are applying it. Unfortunately, injury or death will often be the trigger that causes a review. A proactive approach is demanded.

Good Lead Supplier And Demand

Heavily used in industry and manufacturing, so if you took a look you'd find it "all over" your home and business.

But if you're not in manufacturing then what use would you have for it? The simple answer here is that there are lots of uses for lead, and the more you look, the more you'll find.

For instance, of all products available lead is indeed the heaviest, so it's excellent for any type of weight or counterweights solutions. Do you have something in your life the needs something heavy to hold it down or to balance it? Then your best choice would always be lead.

Not only is it heavy and compact but it doesn't corrode and is soft, which means you don't have to worry recyclable concrete or anything so commonly used for weight and counterbalance, if it should come to a point in time when you find that you no longer need it, you can convert it into real money. Now try that  with a concrete block.

So the next order is to find a lead supplier and not just any supplier but the best lead supplier. Like so many other things you can buy, there really is more to it than meets the eye when it comes time to buying lead.

Now, the last thing you want to do is to simply pick up your phone to call around and find a metal supplier that happens to stock lead. You would be far better served by going online to find a firm that specializes exclusively in lead and its ancillary products.

For starters you're always going to get a better price, and if you think that savings on a kilo of lead doesn't add up, you're in for a big surprise. Because lead is so heavy and dense, savings and losses on what you pay can add up quickly to big money. So unlike other lighter metals like, say aluminium, a little savings per kilo can really go a long way on final bill.

Services should also be a major consideration when you're deciding on where you're going to buy your lead. If you're buying a larger amount the shipping and handling will certainly make a huge difference.

A firm that specializes in lead will be able to offer you assistance in the area of custom shaping an pouring as well.

For example if you're considering using lead for ballast in a waterborne craft you may find that a firm that can pour or shape your lead will be a great help in getting the maximum effect in the lowest most convenient area of your craft.