Using high pressure, the apparatus chases the red-colored artificial saliva fluid with test particles through a stretched mask. In this way, the researchers simulate the process of droplet infection. The method established at Empa is currently used by certified test centers to ensure the quality assurance of textile face masks, because a safe mask must meet demanding requirements: It must keep out germs, withstand splashing drops of saliva and at the same time allow breathable air to pass through.

Now the Empa researchers are going a step further: "Images taken using a transmission electron microscope reveal that a few virus particles manage to make their way into the innermost mask layer close to the face. However, the images do not always reveal whether these viruses are still infectious," says Peter Wick from Empa's "Particles-Biology Interactions" laboratory in St. Gallen.

The researchers' goal: They want to find out at which point a virus fails a multilayer mask during droplet infection, and which mask components should be more efficient. "For this, new analytical methods are needed to precisely understand the protective function of newly developed technologies such as virus-killing coatings," says Empa researcher René Rossi from the "Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles" laboratory in St. Gallen.

The new method therefore relies on the dye rhodamine R18, which emits colored light. Harmless, inactivated test viruses are used, which are coupled to R18 and thus become dying beauties: They light up in color as soon as they are damaged. "The fluorescence indicates reliably, quickly and inexpensively when viruses have been killed," says Wick.

Based on the intensity with which a mask layer glows, the team was able to determine that with fabric and hygiene masks, most viruses fail in the central layer between the inner and outer layers of the mask. In FFP2 masks, the third of six layers glowed the most - again, the centrally located layer trapped a particularly large number of viruses. The researchers recently published their results in the journal "Scientific Reports". These findings can now be used to optimize face masks.

"Surfaces with antiviral properties must comply with certain ISO standards, which entails time-consuming standard tests," explains Wick. The Empa researchers' fluorescence method, on the other hand, could be a simpler, faster and more cost-effective way of determining whether a new type of coating can reliably kill viruses, as a supplement to the currently valid standards. This would be of interest both for smooth surfaces, such as on worktops or handles, and for coatings on textiles with a porous surface, such as masks or filter systems.

Source: Empa

As of 2024, halon will be definitively banned in Switzerland as an extinguishing gas in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol of 1997. Until now, however, plants could continue to be operated. In 2019, the Chemical Reduction Ordinance was replaced in order to dismantle the plants within a usual period of five years or to dismantle them and dispose of them properly. Proper disposal of the halon takes place in special high-temperature furnaces so that there is no ozone hazard. All halon extinguishing systems are recorded in a register at the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (Uvek) and must be reported in the event of dismantling.

Nuclear power plants, aircraft and army vehicles continue to be exempt from halon disposal. Since nuclear power plants are not allowed to vent excess pressure to the outside, this regulation continues to apply. In the case of nuclear power plants, for example, there is still a need for a certain compulsory stockpile of halon. Roland Matthes, chairman of dry extinguishing systems (TLA) at SES, explains the situation with an example: "If a TLA is in operation that transports a gas into a room, an overpressure is created with the extinguishing gas. At the same time, the oxygen in the room is reduced, which causes the smoldering fire to go out. With halon, however, an overpressure relief cap is not necessary in principle. With the veteran extinguishing gas, a very low pressure concentration of 2 to 3 percent has been sufficient, for which no air pressure relief is needed."

Definite end for Halon
-1997 banned under the Kyoto Protocol.
-2003: Switzerland bans refilling.
-2019: Chemicals Reduction Ordinance of May 18, 2005
-Circa 92 tons of halon are still registered.
-Ban on halon extinguishing systems starting in 2019.
-After June 1, 2024, all halon extinguishing systems must be dismantled and disposed of.

When dismantling the halon systems, however, a lot of questions arise with regard to the properties. For example, the previous pipes can no longer be used due to a higher pressure rating. In addition, the aggregate states of the alternative gases are more "pressure-intensive," especially since current pipes can withstand pressures of up to 60 bar, whereas with halon a pressure rating of 24 bar satisfied the previous requirements.

If you now suddenly put a pressure network with 60 bar into operation with a 30-year-old pipe system, the old pipe system can prove to be critical, says Matthes. Another high demand is the re-routing when many old pipe systems are anchored, for example, under the thicket of many cables in large electrical cabinets.

Advantages and disadvantages of the alternatives to halon

Asked what alternatives there are, Matthes says: On the one hand, inert, natural extinguishing gases such as nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide for oxygen reduction would be a possible solution. On the other hand, chemical solutions such as Novec 1230 (FK-5-1-12) would be an option. The Novec is stored in liquid form in the containers and cushioned with nitrogen. The nitrogen is used to transport the liquid extinguishing agent to the nozzle. Outside the nozzle, the extinguishing agent evaporates.

Personal hazards

Inert extinguishing gases such as nitrogen, inergen and argonyte (both product names) do not pose any direct danger to persons, since the residual oxygen content is above ten percent. In the case of CO2, however, there is already some danger, since the lung-filling gas can pose a hazard to persons from as little as five percent by volume in the room, since at least 45.2 percent CO2 is carried into the room during practically every extinguishing operation. A chemical extinguishing agent such as Novec 1230, on the other hand, does not pose a danger to persons due to the short-term chemical reaction, since the residual oxygen content after flooding is still 18 to 19 percent.

Flooding times and space requirements for stockpiling

Flooding times for inert gases can extend up to 120 seconds, or 60 to 120 seconds for CO2. In the case of a chemical reaction, the gas must fill the space within ten seconds due to the reaction, which presents plant operators with a major challenge. A key issue is the supply of the amount of gas available. For chemical gases, about ten containers of Novek are required. For CO2, about four cylinders of CO2 are claimed for the same amount of halon cylinders. Thus, for one cylinder of nitrogen, five gas containers would now be used. For argon, for example, six containers would have to be used. A main problem is therefore also the space requirement.

Test cycles of the pressure vessels

Since 2015, official container testing has been required for all containers with more than 3000 bar liters. It is currently mandatory to inspect the containers every ten years. They are reportable by the operator.

For this purpose, the containers are usually dismantled and tested individually. The current inspection interval of ten years is currently causing red heads among installers, especially at the TAK TLA of the SES. For example, a pressure vessel in a welding plant is loaded and unloaded on a daily basis. In contrast, a gas extinguishing system can stand in place for up to 40 years. Another paradox: The tanks would be permanently installed in a rack and pressure-monitored at a plant. Protection from the weather and sunlight is also guaranteed. In theory, not much can happen on the plant either, says Matthes.

Definite end for Halon

If a customer of an older plant has to carry out a cost-intensive container inspection, containers may be dismantled as a result, which cannot be the objective.

"When I took over as chairman at the SES at TAK TLA in 2017, the first thing I said was, we need to establish facts to be able to argue." As a result, SES statistics had to be adjusted to find out how many plants were actually inspected or dismantled each year. At the same time, they wanted to know how many vessels failed the test.

"Interestingly, our statistics have shown that last year, for example, we dismantled about the same number of plants out of 50 to 60 that were inspected. Only 1 percent of the approximately 600 to 700 containers did not stand up to inspection," says the TAK chairman. This is precisely the reason why discussions are still underway with the SVTI and Suva. We are looking forward to the results.

What can the operator do?
-Regular maintenance by a specialized company
-carry out inspection according to ADR and DGVV according to specifications
-modernize plant to newer technologies
-Merging protected spaces

The task of NBC protection is to protect the population, animals, the environment and property from nuclear (A), biological (B) and chemical (C) hazards and threats. NBC protection includes all measures to prevent the release of hazardous substances and to minimize the effects of such events. According to a Communication of the federal government, NBC protection has become more complex and confusing in recent years.

More complex hazards

An assessment by the Swiss Security Association (PP SVS) now shows that Switzerland is basically well positioned in NBC protection in terms of the legal basis, and that the structures, processes and instruments are also intact. However, the large number of hazardous substances, scenarios and actors poses an increasing challenge for NBC protection.

In some areas, the analysis revealed significant information deficits among the stakeholders involved. This is now to be countered with the creation of an exchange platform. The APAPC (ABC of the Confederation) body would form the missing counterpart at federal level to the already existing ABC coordination platform of the cantons (KPABC).

The missing link is intended to improve overall coordination in Swiss NBC protection and close an existing gap in NBC protection. The Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP) has been commissioned to implement the exchange platform. Under the lead of the FOCP, a performance profile of the civil defense in the NBC area is to be developed, also with the participation of the cantons.

Source: Bund/Editorial

The onset of winter in the lowlands can lead to difficult conditions on the road in many places. High humidity or fog usually create an additional film of moisture that becomes dangerous on the asphalt and at temperatures around freezing point. In such weather conditions, a particularly adapted driving style is called for.

On an average day with wintry conditions, AXA records around 400 claims, the insurance company writes in a statement. In most cases, bad weather conditions can lead to twice as many accidents at once. From an outside temperature of 3 degrees, there is also an increased risk of slippery roads on bridges and forest aisles.

Check winter tires and choose adapted driving style

In addition, visibility is often poor due to rain, snow and fog, which can be an additional challenge for drivers. These hazards can be countered with sufficient distance and an adapted driving style or reduced speed. Fog in particular can thicken locally from one minute to the next, writes AXA.

AXA also writes: Many people sometimes do not switch directly to winter tires when the first snow falls. This is one of the reasons why the number of accidents on the roads suddenly skyrockets at the onset of winter. AXA urgently advises to mount winter tires by the end of October of each year at the latest. In addition, winter tires should be used that are no more than four years old and have at least four millimeters of tread.

AXA summarizes road traffic prevention in current weather conditions in nine tips:

• Check winter tires - at least 4 mm tread depth
• Have winter check in the garage
• Carry safety equipment, ice scraper and snow chains in the car
• Starting with feeling (especially on snow and ice)
• Drive with foresight, keep a safe distance
• Avoid abrupt steering maneuvers
• Choose a route adapted to the weather conditions
• Leave in good time and allow sufficient time
• Take regular breaks when traveling long distances

Source: AXA Versicherungen/Editorial Office 

There is still no provision from the federal government to set maximum temperatures indoors. While the upper limit for indoor temperatures in public buildings in Germany has already been lowered to 19 °C, many employers and employees fear negative health effects if it gets too cold in the office. The German Society for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (DGAUM) believes that lowering the room temperature is basically harmless for people without pre-existing conditions. However, the occupational health and safety institution considers fixedThe manufacturer is of the opinion that for certain activities, lower temperatures could lead to minor performance losses. In the event of pre-existing conditions or specific work requirements, clarifications would have to be made in this case.

No direct health effects

The DGAUM states that people without pre-existing conditions would not have to fear any negative health effects from a small reduction in room temperature. However, people with pre-existing conditions could face health problems, according to the WHO. Such pre-existing health conditions include, for example, a higher susceptibility to respiratory diseases, existing asthma symptoms, and high blood pressure.

Blood pressure rises in cold temperatures. However, cold air is a possible trigger for asthma symptoms only at temperatures below zero. In colder air, asthma would be undertreated, for example, and it would be advisable to adjust the medication or therapy so that the patient can better tolerate everyday thermal stimuli. However, lower temperatures can also have an impact on rheumatic diseases.

The DGAUM therefore recommends contacting occupational physicians if there is any uncertainty. Two aspects in particular are important. For example, the individual characteristics of the employee, such as rheumatism or anemia (a disease in which the number of red blood cells is low). In addition, it is also important to analyze the specific work requirements on site at the workplace.

Source: DGAUM/Editorial Office 

Samsung gave details about the next generation of graphics memory chips at a tech conference in San Francisco. GDDR7 is supposed to enable an increase in data throughput from the current 18 Gbps with GDDR6 memory to a whole 36 Gbps in the future.

In practice, 1728 gigabits per second should be possible with GDDR7 via a 384-bit bus. For comparison: Even Nvidia's current GeForce RTX 4090 currently only achieves a maximum of 1000 gigabits per second.

For the GDDR7 memory, Samsung relies on a signaling technology called PAM-3, which enables three bits per clock cycle, increasing the bandwidth to 50 percent depending on the operating frequency. PAM-3 is also supposed to be 25 percent more energy-efficient, which can prove to be advantageous in view of the power-hungry hardware of current graphics cards.

According to its own statements, Samsung, as one of the leading memory chip manufacturers, does not intend to reduce its investments despite the current difficult market situation for silicon chips. It plans to expand its production facilities in order to be able to provide around 50 percent more capacity for the production of all types of chips over the next five years.

After all, manufacturers of graphics cards benefit from the fact that the chips would not require new PCB boards, especially since the prices in the graphics card market are highly competitive anyway. However, it is still unclear when the first graphics cards with GDDR7 will reach the market.

Even more bandwidth in graphics cards will also have a positive effect on computing performance when using increasingly more complex algorithms in video surveillance impact. The field of application of artificial intelligence in video surveillance opens up a very broad spectrum, from early fire detection and car license plate recognition to people counting and prediction of possible thefts.

Source: Editorial office

Immediately before the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic, the Swiss Health Promotion Foundation commissioned a study on the effects of home office on well-being and productivity. The long-term study, which was conducted in collaboration with the University of Bern and the ZHAW was carried out, shows that the Covid 19 pandemic has significantly increased home office work.

Strengthening employees' resources is becoming increasingly important

According to the study, respondents worked an average of 0.54 days per week in a home office; in 2021, it was 1.47 days, and in 2022, it is still 1.36 days. However, the new way of working can be a curse or a blessing for some individuals. In general, the survey of 926 people shows that a sudden change from 0 to 100 percent can be an added stressor for people with many pressures.

For people with many resources, on the other hand, the way they work strengthens productivity. In a press release, the foundation emphasizes that it is therefore becoming increasingly important to strengthen employees' resources. An improved relationship between stress and resources has a positive effect on the health of employees. Even small improvements can usually have a positive effect on health.

It is also interesting to note that, according to the study, people who work from home save around 3.5 hours of commuting time per week. While home offices allow for quieter work, at the same time, many employees experienced increased isolation during the pandemic period in 2021. This affected over 46 percent of all employees and 52 percent of people who worked in a home office. In 2022, these numbers decreased again as measures were relaxed. Overall, according to the study, the people surveyed felt less socially isolated in 2022 than in 2021.

Source: Health Promotion Switzerland/Editorial Office

The three Swissgrid-certified companies Axpo, CKW and BKW will act as "poolers" on behalf of the federal government to set up a national virtual reserve power plant consisting of emergency power generators. To this end, they will bundle (aggregate) emergency power generators, which are voluntarily made available by their owners in return for compensation, to form virtual reserve power plants. This energy reserve can be called up by Swissgrid via remote control as needed.

The contracts with the three poolers run for four years and have a total contract value of around one million Swiss francs. Interested owners of emergency power generators with at least 750 kW output and other technical requirements according to Checklist can now register with one of the poolers. The pooler then takes care of the further steps, including the contractual details, according to the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC ). For this purpose, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) has approved standard contracts between poolers and producers so that the conditions are as equal as possible for all participants.

Emergency gensets to provide around 280 MW of power

As compensation, the owners of the emergency generators receive a provision premium, which covers, among other things, the costs for storage and transport of the fuel or the amortization of the plant by a fixed amount (10,000 francs/MW/winter). If energy is actually called up, there is also a delivery premium that covers all costs incurred for fuel, including a surcharge. There is also the possibility to offer the emergency power reserve outside the winter period on the control market. During the shortage periods, the annual runtime limit is also lifted for these plants.

The SFOE expects that in the winter of 2022/23, the pooled emergency generators will be able to provide about 280 MW of power as a national "backup power plant."

Source: DETEC

Knowledge of the environment is not found in any textbook, but is acquired solely through on-site work experience (e.g., in the hospital, at major events, at the train station ...). Accordingly, new employees must be carefully trained and familiarized with the most common scenarios.

Secondly, one must be aware that a great deal of "negative" but nevertheless important information is deposited with those employees to whom access is easiest (even if they do not have much power). The contact person of the threat or insult is often not the target person. Of course, all employees must be aware of this and enjoy continuing education so that they can pass on security-related information. In terms of safety, there is no hierarchy - all colleagues are very important and bear a great responsibility (e.g. also and especially the cleaning team). Threateners often turn to the reception or the secretary's office to intimidate managers. Threatening letters including their envelope (forensic evidence) must be kept in case of escalation. Anyone who discovers a threatening letter or blackmail should immediately put on gloves and put each sheet in a viewing folder, then photocopy them and forward everything to security. If threats are made over the phone, one should put it on speaker phone so that other employees in the office can listen in as witnesses. After that, you should write everything down as a memo as verbatim as possible and put it in quotation marks so that it is legally nailed down. This can be a handwritten note, it just has to be legible and comply with the form (place, date, time, signature). For example: The customer K., known to us, complained about the salesman V., that he had lied to her. She said at 10:30 a.m. today, 20.7.2022, at checkout 3: "Dä huere Siech chunnt dra." Signature Z., cashier morning shift.

Third, the channel of transmission must be taken into account. As a basic rule, the further away the perpetrator is physically, the less immediate danger he or she poses. However, this is only true for the moment. Anonymous messages on social media are written by people who are too cowardly to stand by their criticism. It becomes more threatening when a perpetrator privately scouts out the target and shows up at his or her home.

Next, the nature of the inappropriate communication must be considered. Name-calling and insults serve to blow off steam and rebuild a damaged self-esteem of the perpetrator. They are not the same as threats. Emotions in the case of complaints are also not necessarily already an assault; it always depends on the exact circumstances.

Interventions to calm the situation and gather information

Every intervention has two functions: It should always de-escalate and it should - if possible - gather information.

In the case of disgruntled customers, for example, more information is needed. The displeasure may be justified, and the company would be doing itself a disservice if it were to turn away those affected. You can ask about this: "When did this upset start? What happened?" The when question is more purposeful than the why question because it refers to concrete events and perceptions. The "why" tempts further ranting because it also includes vague assumptions by the clientele. Haden Elgin's recommended book covers several forms of verbal abuse and how to respond (pp. 102-118).

If people are emotionally agitated, they should under no circumstances be met with "Please, calm down" or "Let's stay objective". These phrases come across as arrogant and fuel the conflict (Haas 2014). Between the lines, they imply that the customer is wrongly emotional, while the professional is above it and objective. Put simply: "I'm the boss here and you're crazy," no one wants to be treated like that.

A good response is worded in a way that is open to the possibility that the ranting clientele may have a legitimate concern. For example, the correct answer is: "I can see you're upset about the mask requirement." Other answers that keep the ball rolling are: "A lot of people think like you, but we still can't ..." After the explanations of the clientele, you can continue with: "I see your anger, I might not feel any different if I were in your shoes, but try to understand us too, we are only human." If someone is about to explode, you can bring them down by praising their self-control (as long as no objects have flown yet): "I notice that you are making a great effort to control yourself despite the very uncomfortable situation, and I appreciate that very much."

Finally, a temporary solution must be sought - depending on the justification of the concern. If it is justified, but you do not have time, you should choose a positive formulation so that the person does not feel devalued: "We take your concerns very seriously, so you'll get an appointment with customer service next week where they can describe it in more detail." In the case of problems that would be justified in a general sense (or theoretically could be) but cannot be solved by the company in charge, a two-part answer is good. "Yes, your concern is understandable socially (or in your situation, as the case may be), but we don't have the ability to implement it here now. Businesses have a lot less power than people think." In the case of persistent insistence on unrealistic requests, one should not hesitate to call the appropriate contacts with understanding, e.g.: "You'll actually have to contact the political party of your choice on that one, we can't change the law with the best will in the world", or with mental patients who come up with bizarre ideas: "This is beyond my expertise, and it goes more into the health area, I think you should discuss this with your primary care physician."

In the case of verbal threats, it is advisable to calmly ask for as much further information as possible. For example: "Mhüh ...?", and questioning facial expression or: "I didn't quite understand that now ...", or, "What are you trying to tell me?", or: "What do you have in mind when you say 'next time it will be knocking here'?" Of course, evasive answers then often come, but these also allow conclusions to be drawn, for example, whether the future is vague or whether physical violence is really imminent (more on this in Haas 2004 and 2009).

Of course, one does not have to let insults and discrimination go unchallenged or leave the victims out in the cold. There are appropriate responses that keep the ball rolling. Symbolically, they are like aikido, you take a step to the side and let the attack go nowhere, e.g.: "It is the case that many people think women are not very competent, but I am surprised that you think so." (Or, "But I don't share that view.") With boys, a pinch of self-irony sometimes helps. As a therapist in prison, I myself have already replied to such things: "That's right, we women also have smaller brains ...". Then, as a rule, a smile sets in and a certain self-reflection is set in motion. Racist attacks are currently a big topic. What do you do if you are affected? Again, there are several options. On the one hand, one can cultivate a self-confident approach to devalued terms so that they lose their old meaning and become positive. For example, the former swear word "gay" has been disempowered. On the other hand, historical examples can be cited, for example, people of color have been in Switzerland since the Stone Age - i.e., "pure whites" do not exist here. This is proven by the skeleton of an approx. 30 year old woman, which was found in Egolzwil LU in 1901, but could only later be anthropologically assigned with the skull masses (1924) - it resembles African and Melanesian skulls. At that time its age was estimated to be about 6000 years, but it has never been examined with modern methods. Under the influence of the Nazi era, it was internationally hushed up at the anthropological congress in London from 1934 on, and the local historical science has not bothered to change that until today (Haas 2020). When asked the intrusive question "Where do you actually come from?" or the N-word, one may sit back and refer to the prehistory of Switzerland. A "white race" with more "homeland claim" there is not here. Scientifically, there are no "races" at all (Jena Declaration), there are only external characteristics.

Life attitude and moral courage

These were some suggestions for practice, but not every sample set is equally suitable for all situations. Which intervention is ultimately adequate and specifically helpful must be decided by each person based on his or her intuition at the moment. Incidentally, it is helpful for one's own psychological well-being if one does not write off such episodes as a "disorder" or even as a "trauma," but rather as a sporting challenge. They are opportunities to acquire even more social competence. One learns it better and better and gains more and more calm and competent civil courage. Later, by the way, the unpleasant becomes an adventure, a life experience, or you can even laugh at the stories. The contrast makes life exciting and lets you really enjoy the relaxed and beautiful moments.

Further reading

• De Becker, G. (2017). Trust your fear: How our intuition protects us from violence. Munich: mvg Verlag.
• Haas, H. (2014). The animal in me. Dealing with situations of violence and threat from a neuro-psychological perspective. Kriminalistik, 68(1), 47-53 (www.zora.uzh.ch/id/eprint/91010)
• Haas, H. (2009). Progress analyses of domestic violence. In: Federal Ministry of Justice (ed.), Lebensform Familie - Realität & Rechtsordnung. Austrian Judges' Week Laa an der Thaya, May 26-30, 2008. FOJ publication series, Vol. 141: 121 (www.zora.uzh.ch/id/eprint/24915)
• Haas, H. (2004). Dangerousness assessment of threats. Kriminalistik, 58(12), 791-799 (www.zora.uzh.ch/id/eprint/97196)
• Haden Elgin, S. (2000). The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense at Work. New York: Prentice Hall Press.
• Jena Declaration (2019). The concept of race is the result of racism, not its precondition. (available free of charge at: bit.ly/3dcu4Ih)

Other sources

• Editor (Oct. 1934) Man. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland (bit.ly/3QBLXxR)
• Haas, H. (2020). Is there a skeleton in the closet of the Julius Klaus Foundation? Jahrbuch der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Familienforschung, 47: 221-264. (free download: bit.ly/3BxIVGN).
• Koller, R. (1935). Plastic reconstruction of the physiognomy of prehistoric humans. Anthropos 30(5/6), 857-858.
• Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 14.8.1934, about the anthropologists' congress in London in August 1934.
• Schlaginhaufen, O. (1924). "The results of investigations on anthropological material from Lake Wauwil". Mitteilungen der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft Luzern, Vol. 9 (bit.ly/3L41jdu)
• Schlaginhaufen, O. (1925). The human skeletal remains from the Stone Age of Lake Wauwil (Lucerne) and their position in relation to other anthropological finds from the Stone Age. Erlenbach-Zurich, Munich and Leipzig, E. Rentsch.

From small events with a few participants in one room to events with up to 2000 participants and stage and show acts with pyrotechnic effects as well as exhibitions with sensitive and highly insured art objects, the Congress House Zurich all be covered by an efficient and flexible security organization. In addition to the security requirements, the rigorous legal requirements in the area of personal protection must also be complied with. Aware of the complex operational requirements of congress operations, the Kongresshaus Foundation decided back in 2018 - two and a half years before the then planned opening - to have organizational security drawn up by an external specialist company.

Specific challenges of the congress business

There are practically no limits to the variety of events that can be held as part of the congress operation:

• General meetings of international corporations
• Concert events with pyrotechnics, associated with large numbers of people
• Art exhibitions with high insurance values
• Small events with discretion and personal protection

Limits of construction and technology

It was clear to all those involved from the outset that such a wide range of demands could not be met with structural and technical measures alone. On the contrary, the organizational structures and measures represent the central part of ensuring safe and legally compliant congress operations.

It quickly became apparent at the beginning of the cooperation that people counting systems, video surveillance systems or announcement systems can provide technical support at events. However, the real impact clearly comes from the personal presence of trained and specifically deployed personnel.

Security organization

It was already clear from an economic point of view that the various organizational requirements could not be solved with the company's own personnel alone. The concept for the security organization chosen together with Kongresshaus Zürich AG is therefore based on three pillars with internal and external elements that can be combined and deployed depending on the event, security requirements or legal stipulations:

• Own internal security resources: The Kongresshaus Zürich AG provides a small staff core of competent and experienced security specialists who are responsible for security matters.
• External security resources: A central element of organizational security is the involvement of professional external security personnel. Various private security service providers with whom a long and well-established cooperation exists are used for this purpose.
• Customer's security resources: In addition to the elements of organizational security described above, the customer often provides its own security personnel for its events, who are familiar with the specific requirements of the Group as well as the Group management and no longer need to be specially trained and instructed.

In addition to the above-mentioned resources, depending on the type and risk assessment of an event, forces of the blue-light organizations police, fire department and ambulance are called up.

Consistent organization

In addition to the requirements of event security, the host is responsible for ensuring that, in the event of a fire incident, a medical emergency or a failure of the building services, the organizational means and resources are available to intervene quickly and effectively and to guarantee the legal requirements relating to personal safety at all times. These tasks are to be solved centrally and belong to the area of responsibility of the core security team. It is up to the building owner to decide whether he wants to solve everything with his own resources or with the support of external forces.

Practical example concert with pyrotechnic effects

For concertgoers, concerts and stage shows with well-known artists in combination with pyrotechnic effects are often a unique highlight. For the host and the organizer, the event begins months in advance with the clarification and determination of the event. In the organizational run-up to such an event, systematic steps and clarifications have to be taken:

• What kind of event is it?
• Are there specific risks?
• What clarifications need to be made?
• Are official clarifications and permits to be obtained?
• Can the event be managed with your own security resources?
• Which external forces have to be called in?
• What is possible and which wishes have to be renounced for safety reasons?

Conclusion

Structural and technical measures alone are often not enough to ensure event security. A flexible and lean security organization was implemented that can be specifically adapted to the varying demands of different events. Internal and external security personnel complement each other according to the situation. Events are examined in good time between the Kongresshaus Zürich AG and the organizer for possible risks and official approvals on the basis of checklists. Planning security is ensured in each case by coordinating organizational measures with the responsible authorities at an early stage.

Anyone taking on a management position for the first time may suddenly be confronted with additional management tasks in occupational health and safety. This is because companies usually delegate the relevant responsibilities and duties to their managers. In many cases, however, the duties relating to occupational health and safety are passed on hidden in the employment contract. The prescribed written form is usually maintained, but this is not ideal, according to Sieglinde Ludwig, an occupational safety expert at the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV). in a communication Cited.

According to the head of the "Health in the Workplace" department, "For reasons of transparency, companies should regulate the duties of managers in writing, regardless of the contract." It is best, she says, if these are already included in the job advertisement.

These tasks include the risk assessment of physical and mental hazards and the protective measures to be taken. Managers must also inform employees about these hazards and instruct them in the safe use of work equipment and work processes. In addition, companies should offer their managers advanced training courses at an early stage. In these courses, junior managers should learn how occupational health and safety works and how to carry out a risk assessment.

Source: DGUV/Editorial Office

If you leave the house too late on a winter morning and have to run to the bus, you shouldn't be surprised if you fall on your face. Public authorities are unlikely to be liable in this case. The same applies to car drivers: anyone driving at high speed in snowy conditions and without winter tires is responsible in the event of an accident.

Liability for accidents on private property

For the maintenance of private land is required in accordance with OR the respective owner is responsible. If maintenance is not ensured, the owner is liable for any resulting damage. But here, too, liability can be put into perspective. For example, if the letter carrier slips on a private property around noon, this can be blamed on the owner. If the incident occurs at 6 a.m., the owner probably cannot be held liable. However, the civil court at the respective location of the accident always decides on the specific case.

With the right preparation and a well-planned winter service, home maintenance managers can save their fellow citizens from painful experiences. That's why maintenance managers and municipalities should prepare for winter early.

Tips for housekeeping managers

• Keep track of weather forecasts and develop an alarm system (e.g., notification point at the janitor's office or at the reception desk).
• Make more patrols of your area. Stairs and ramps are particularly dangerous in winter.
• Create a priority list for snow removal and define the tasks and responsibilities of all parties involved.
• Ask residents and users of the property to notify you of any security breaches.
• Plan snow depots so that meltwater can drain away easily (e.g., near gullies).
• Remove leaves from paths. In combination with wetness and frost, this forms insidious slip traps.
• Clear the roofs of snow and ice so that avalanches and icicles do not occur.