WHS Policies for Occupational and Safety Health Act- myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theWHS Policies for Occupational and Safety Health Act. Answer: In an organization, the primary duty of care lies upon the persons who carry the business undertakings or the PCBUs. The PCBUs are conferred with the responsibility to ensure that the employees of the organization are acting in compliance with the workplace safety and health policies and procedures of the organization (Gray et al., 2014). The workplace Health and Safety policies in Australia imposes certain duties on the persons who exercises control over the workplace such as persons who are responsible for operating fittings, fixtures or plant. Law further imposes duties on the directors, officers, workers and the other staffs within the organization. In the Bounce fitness organization, according to section 19 of the Occupational and Safety Health Act 1984, the duty of the PCBUs to exercise duty of care is not only restricted to the employees but also to all other persons who may become subject to risks resulting from the conduct or omission of the PCBUs. The primary duty includes duties with respect to the actual physical workplace ensuring safe workplace condition and safety of fixtures, fittings, plants and machines used within the workplace (Sekendiz et al., 2014). Although a gym operator has several providers such as personal trainers, still the gym operator is often considered as a PCBU with respect to health and safety of the personal trainers and the clients of the independent contractors. The employer must ensure that the employee, staffs and other staffs of the organization are not exposed to hazards and he must take every reasonable measures to reduce or eliminate the hazards identified within the workplace that may res ult in injuries. The gym operator owed a duty of care towards the workers, which includes the employees, contractors, volunteers, and the workers of the contractors. According to Division 2 clause 1.4 of the Occupational and Safety Health Regulations 1996, the employers of a workplace is responsible for matters over which he is entitled to exercise control and for the works done by the employer and his employees within the workplace. The duty of care of the employer is also restricted to employee and other persons who shall be affected for any conduct or omission on part of the employer and his employees. Section 20 of the Act requires the employees to take reasonable care to for ensuring his or her own safety and health at work and avert any conduct or omission that might cause injury to the other person within the workplace (De Lyon, Neville Armour, 2017). The employees committing breach of the duty shall be liable for gross negligence and shall be imposed fine of $2500 for first offence and $31250 for second offense under section 20A of the Act. The breach of employers duty shall entitle the employer to be liable for Level 4 penalty. According to Division 2 clause 5.3 of the Regulation, it is imperative to determine hazardous substances within the workplace to prevent any injuries resulting from such substances. One of the primary duties of an employer is to promote consultation and co-operation between the employees and the employers. The employers are required to co-operate and consult with health and safety representatives with respect to health and safety matters. Consultation process is essential for maintaining and providing a health and safety workplace within the organization (Gray et al., 2015). The participation of the employees is essential in the consultation process as the employees are aware of the risks that are associated with the workplace of the organization. The consultation process can be conducted in two ways- the PUBCs will inform the employees about the safety policies and procedures of the organization. The involvement of the employer and employee enables to identify the hazards associated with the organizational workplace and enables the employers to assess the hazards to minimize or eliminate the risk of harm arising from such hazards. The other consultation process includes representation of the Health and Safety representatives where the workers are consulted regarding the health and safety issues that the workers and employees usually face within the workplace. The workers are consulted while any changes are proposed to be made within the workplace (Landsbergis, Grzywacz LaMontagne, 2014). The consultation process ensures the employees that they are an important part of the decision-making process of the organization. In case, any risk has been assessed within workplace, clause 5.22 of the OHS Regulation states that the Centre Manager of Bouncer Fitness is required to ensure that monitoring is done properly and a record is maintained to document such monitoring. The persons who are likely to be affected from the hazards identified within the workplace shall be informed about the result of such monitoring of the hazardous substances. Under clause 5.23(1) of the Regulation, in case the health of any person is likely to be affected due to the exposure of the person to the hazardous substances within the workplace, the manager must conduct medical surveillance of such employee by a medical practitioner. Bounce Fitness has a strict monitoring safety system that has been developed which the Monash Injury Research Institute has confirmed to be effective to the extent that it prevents the occurrence of serious injury while carrying out exercises within the workplace. The general safety rule highlights the risks that are associated with the workplace as the terms and conditions before the clients commence the exercises. In order to prevent the clients from sustaining serious injuries while exercising on the trampolines, safety rules and regulations are clearly posted at the entrance of the trampoline courts, which are regulated and enforced by the floor staffs. In case of any changes, the same are clearly posted within the workplaces at conspicuous places to be visible to the staffs and the clients of the organization. The clients of the organization are provided with adequate trainings and information with respect to workplace health and safety legislations and policies and procedures of the organization (Holt Allen, 2015). The staffs of the Bounce Fitness have significant experiences in the field of gymnastics and sports and other associated activities like spots coaching and circus related performances. Trained trampoline professionals who have been given adequate training in First Aid and CPR monitor the trampoline courts within the workplace of the organization. Moreover, the staffs are acknowledged with the rules and guidelines that are applicable for trampoline exercise, which the trained professionals also enforce. The staffs of the organization encourage and enforce the one person per trampoline for preventing any form of accidents or injuries. The organization provides adequate training to the staffs to exercise additional care to children under 6 years of age prevent adult jumpers from jumping within that area to prevent any form of injuries arising from such activities. The training and instructions provided to employees of the organization are adequate to ensure that the clients do not attempt any activity beyond their skill. Risk assessment is conducted to identify any risks associated with the exercise training services and an implementation of the control measures shall enable the organization to minimize or reduce such risks (Burke Noumair, 2015). The hierarchy of control measures includes eliminating, substituting, isolating, engineering, using of administrative and personal protective equipment. Under the circumstances of the case, the most appropriate way of controlling the risk arising from the use of stock trolleys is the use of administrative control measures, which includes the following measures: warnings or signs that would infirm the clients and other workers as well about any default in the trampoline or other exercise machines; adequate training should have been provided to the staffs and trainers to ensure safety and health of the clients of all age. Pre-start checks should be commenced before permitting the clients to use the exercising machines or sources. Identification of Risk/Hazards Assessment of Risks/ Hazards Control measures Issues relating to qualifications or trainings of staffs Low Requires proof of Minimum qualification of staffs Identify and implement any additional training required Health risks in health training High The clients must comply with the rules and regulations of the Bounce Fitness centre Injuries due to poor maintenance of machines Considerable The centre must ensure that all the machines and equipments are well maintained and are serviced on a regularly First aid response to injuries Moderate A reporting and documentation procedure should be implemented in case of injuries; A first aid kit should always be available within the workplace Exposure to hazardous substances Low A hazardous substance register should be updated and hazardous substance should be replaced with safer materials Hazards on floor like loose carpets, tiles, causing trips or slips Significant The contractors, trainers and the clients are required to wear appropriate footwear and clothing while they enter the fitness centre Source: Cooper Quick, 2017 Presentation attached with the word document. The safety policy of Bounce Fitness is available on the following link https://bounceinc.com.au/our-safety-policy#/ According to Part 3 division 1 Clause 3.1 of the OHS Regulations, the employer of any organization must identify any hazard that is likely to affect any person within the workplace and assess the risk of harm is likely to cause to such person and have regards to the means through which the hazard may be reduced or minimized. According to clause 3.5 of Part 3 Division 1, if an employee makes a report of hazard to the employer, the employer must conduct an immediate investigation with respect to such report. Under the given circumstances, an employee of the Bouncer Fitness reports about a hazard associated with an incorrect setup and a use of a piece of fitness machinery, it is the responsibility of the center manager to investigate the machine under clause 3.5 of the OHS Act. In order to ensure that the default in the machine does not result in injuries to the staffs and clients of the organization, the machines should be re-set up in the appropriate manner. The part of the machine, which has a default in its use, should be replaced or adequate signs or warnings should be placed at a conspicuous place, which would be clearly visible to clients and the staffs within the workplace. This would be an administrative form of control that would enable the organization to minimize or eliminate the risk of harm that is likely to arise either from the use of the defaulted part of the machine or from the incorrect setting up of the machines. The centre manager has a primary duty to ensure health and safety within the organization. Reference List Benach, J., Vives, A., Amable, M., Vanroelen, C., Tarafa, G., Muntaner, C. (2014). Precarious employment: understanding an emerging social determinant of health.Annual review of public health,35. Burke, W. W., Noumair, D. A. (2015).Organization development: A process of learning and changing. FT Press. Cooper, C. L., Quick, J. C. (Eds.). (2017).The Handbook of Stress and Health: A Guide to Research and Practice. John Wiley Sons. De Lyon, A. T., Neville, R. D., Armour, K. M. (2017). The role of fitness professionals in public health: a review of the literature.Quest,69(3), 313-330. Gray, S. E., Keyzer, P., Norton, K., Dietrich, J., Sekendiz, B., Coyle, I., Finch, C. F. (2015). The Role of Equipment, the Physical Environment and Training Practices in Customer Safety Within Fitness Facilities: the Perspectives of Fitness Industry Employees.Journal of Fitness Research,4. Gray, S., Keyzer, P., Dietrich, J., Jones, V., Sekendiz, B., Norton, K., Finch, C. (2014). The development and application of an observational health and safety audit tool for use in Australian fitness facilities.Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport,18, e4. Holt, A. S. J., Allen, J. (2015).Principles of health and safety at work. Routledge. Landsbergis, P. A., Grzywacz, J. G., LaMontagne, A. D. (2014). Work organization, job insecurity, and occupational health disparities.American journal of industrial medicine,57(5), 495-515. Landsbergis, P. A., Grzywacz, J. G., LaMontagne, A. D. (2014). Work organization, job insecurity, and occupational health disparities.American journal of industrial medicine,57(5), 495-515. Sekendiz, B., Gass, G., Norton, K., Finch, C. F. (2014). Cardiac emergency preparedness in health/fitness facilities in Australia.The Physician and sportsmedicine,42(4), 14-19. Takala, J., Hmlinen, P., Saarela, K. L., Yun, L. Y., Manickam, K., Jin, T. W., ... Lin, G. S. (2014). Global estimates of the burden of injury and illness at work in 2012.Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene,11(5), 326-337. The Occupational Health and Safety Act 1984 (Western Australia) The Occupational Health and Safety Act 1999 (Western Australia)

William Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew Essay Example For Students

William Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew Essay William Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew raises many important issues, reflecting the context of the times it was composed and their values. In its modern 20th century reproduction, 10 Things I Hate About You, many of these issues are appropriated into different and also similar values and themes with the same relevance it has in the society.  The Taming of the Shrew is one of Shakespeares earliest comedies, focusing on courtship and marriage, while also sharing the essential characteristics of a romantic comedy disguise, deception, slapstick humour and a happy ending. The concerns of married life and in turn the roles of men and women in the society, would have been particularly relevant to English audiences of the Elizabethan times. We will write a custom essay on William Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now An important issue regarding Elizabethan marriages of mainly upper class society would have been the motives behind these: that being money, land and power. In the play, Baptista chooses the suitor to his daughter Bianca by their offer of wealth.  Tis deeds must win the prize, and he of both  That can assure my daughter the greatest dower  Shall have my Biancas love. (line 331, Act II, Scene 1). Thus, what you own and acquire in a marriage pre-determined the outcomes of marital disputes in such a society. However, 10 Things introduces a more suitable and readily accepted theme love. The thought of marriage for wealth and power and purchasing a wife, today, is something greatly frowned apon. In the film, the payment of Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) to date Katherina Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles) was seen as something extremely offensive and wrong, while Bianca freely chose her date out of attraction and love. This illustrates the changed values and nature of relationships between men and women since the 16th century. It seems that Shakespeare confirms the traditional view that men should dominate and that women should submit to their authority in his play, The Taming of the Shrew. All the characters, excluding Katherina, appear to agree on the assumed social roles of gender and that her shrewish behaviour is unacceptable. Yet, in the end she had transformed and even gave a speech proclaiming female submission and male dominance. thy lord, thy king, thy governor  Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper,  Thy head, thy sovereign; (Line 146, Act V, Scene II)  However, in the film appropriation, male dominance is reduced to an equilibrium and alternatively focused on the strong positive womens roles. Although the father, Walter (Larry Miller), still has responsibility and authority of his daughters, it is different to the Baptistas prerogative. The father is playing a paternalistic role. The daughters fall as victims of the power the father possesses and the rules he determines and enforces. Yet this power is minimised in the film and he becomes the spectator in his daughters lives. You know, fathers dont like to admit it when their daughters are capable of running their own lives. It means weve become spectators. Bianca still lets me play a few innings. Youve had me on the bench for years. He says to Kat. This suggests the ways and levels that parents have come to understand of accepting individuality and independence of their children, where in the film, the father finally accepts Kats independence and approves her studying at Sara Lawrence. In many Shakespearean works, the father is often entitled to give his daughter away in marriage to whoever he prefers. Since patriarchal values have since then been abandoned and today, we adopt the idea of equality of the sexes and the shifting roles of women in a society. Shakespeares audience expected the idealised woman to be acquiescent, passive and below their husbands foot. However, Bianca from 10 Things is admired not for these reasons. .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b , .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b .postImageUrl , .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b , .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b:hover , .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b:visited , .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b:active { border:0!important; } .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b:active , .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uc7e949f2e010e1d3aa6d326bb419280b:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: What use of the supernatural does Shakespeare make EssayAlthough adopting the identity as the ideal woman empowers both Biancas with popularity, the definition and values of ideal has ever since changed as the film illustrates the perception of ideal young women as beautiful and fashionable. Hence, Kat in 10 Things, is marginalised for being rebellious, difficult and different, Why should I live up to peoples expectations and not my own., who was unlike the Taming Katherina who possessed none of the submissive attributes. She was branded as a shrew a name, in the Patriarchal society, used to indicate a domineering, sharp-tongued woman or those who resist the assumed authority of their husbands.  Not only is the freedom that Kat acquires in the film is particularly significant, but the degree that she submits and conforms is also relevant. In the Taming, Katherina was tamed from a wild Kate to a Kate  Conformable as other household Kates. (Line 269, Act II, Scene 1)

Comparison and Contrast Essay Topics For College

Comparison and Contrast Essay Topics For CollegeBefore a student chooses comparison and contrast essay topics for college, it is important to choose a topic that has general appeal. This type of essay will be judged on the basis of the quality of the writing, so it is important to choose a topic that will be enjoyable and interesting to read about. Even if a student knows that he or she will have to write the paper in several subjects, he or she should still choose a topic that he or she would find interesting.The student should choose essay topics for college that are not too esoteric. There are many students who do not have an interest in some of the more complicated subjects, such as philosophy or science. While a topic like this may seem interesting, it might not be appropriate for a student to take on if he or she does not have an interest in the subject.In addition to selecting a topic that he or she would enjoy, the student should choose comparison and contrast essay topics fo r college that are as varied as possible. A variety of topics may be chosen to be reviewed, but there should also be a variety of different topic choices. There is nothing wrong with choosing a topic that is familiar to the student, however. The student should be able to appreciate the writing if he or she has ever read the same type of essay before.As previously mentioned, the style of writing should be one of the comparison and contrast essay topics for college. The best style of writing for the essay would be a conversational style. This would mean that the writer is adding in some personal references that can help connect the essay to the writer's own life experience.Finally, the essay should be interesting. If a student cannot make a well-written essay interesting, then he or she should rethink the topic choice. Students who find the paper to be boring and uninteresting will tend to lose the essay and submit the paper without much effort.Comparison and contrast essay topics for college should be interesting, both from the student's point of view and from the reader's perspective. The student should feel free to make connections between all of the subjects that he or she is writing about. While some people prefer to have a more strict format in which they go over all of the facts, other people enjoy having more leeway. Some writers just prefer to make connections to other subjects and show the reader what they can learn from the connections.When selecting comparison and contrast essay topics for college, the student should select topics that are easy to read. While a certain amount of research is necessary for the essay, a student should avoid having to do too much research in order to write a well-written essay. As long as the information is properly presented, the student should be able to achieve his or her objective.Students should remember that comparing and contrasting essay topics for college should not be a difficult task. The topics should appeal to the student and the reader, and each should show the other side of the argument. By using this style of writing, the student will be able to take the essay to a different level and make the paper more interesting than before.

How to prepare for a final exam essays

How to prepare for a final exam essays Preparation is the key to success on the final. Experience has shown that students who have prepared for the final by completing all of their coursework achieve higher scores, Before preparation students should know what the exam will be, but alsoand more importantlyto keep it from becoming the center of your efforts. Read the texts for what they have to offerdo your best to understand them and bring your own experience to bear upon. Usually, every final exam includes two parts: the objective part and the subjective part. The best way to prepare for the objective portion of the final exam is to undertake a thorough review of the course content, particularly the primary text, with special consideration given to the learning objectives for each unit. You will also wish to review your assignments for the course, paying particular attention to any comments your tutor may have made. Additionally, the midterm exam is a good indicator of how well you remember the information. This will refresh your memory. As you work through the course you should have identified and strategized ways of dealing with your weaknesses. For the subjective part. There will be some short responses and full essay questions or just an essay. The final exam is cumulative, so not only the short responses but also the essay consist of questions in the whole course. You do have to show that you have understood the parts of it that you choose to discuss and that you can fit those parts into the basic scheme of the textsomething that must be done to provide context for quotations and perhaps as part of the rationale for the entire response. Write as simply and clearly as possible. Give any teacher a stack of exams, and the better grades will go to the ones that offer good content and sound style. A relatively brief, coherent, well-written and well-proofread essay is better than a rambling and vague one. Give thoughtful consideration to your testing envi...

Hera - Queen of the Gods in Greek Mythology

Hera - Queen of the Gods in Greek Mythology In Greek mythology, the beautiful goddess Hera was queen of the Greek gods and the wife of Zeus, the king. Hera was goddess of marriage and childbirth. Since Heras husband was Zeus, king not only of gods, but of philanderers, Hera spent a lot of time in Greek mythology angry with Zeus. So Hera is described as jealous and quarrelsome. Hera's Jealousy Among the more famous victims of Heras jealousy is Hercules (aka Heracles, whose name means the glory of Hera). Hera persecuted the famous hero from before the time he could walk for the simple reason that Zeus was his father, but another woman Alcmene was his mother. Despite the fact that Hera was not Hercules mother, and despite her hostile actions such as sending snakes to kill him when he was a newborn baby, she served as his nurse when he was an infant. Hera persecuted many of the other women Zeus seduced, in one way or another. The anger of Hera, who murmured terrible against all child-bearing women that bare children to Zeus....Theoi Hera: Callimachus, Hymn 4 to Delos 51 ff (trans. Mair)Leto had relations with Zeus, for which she was hounded by Hera all over the earth.Theoi Hera: Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. 21 (trans. Aldrich) Hera's Children Hera is usually counted single parent mother of Hephaestus and the normal biological mother of Hebe and Ares. Their father is usually said to be her husband, Zeus, although Clark [Who Was the Wife of Zeus? by Arthur Bernard Clark; The Classical Review, (1906), pp. 365-378] explains the identities and births of Hebe, Ares, and Eiletheiya, goddess of childbirth, and sometimes named child of the divine couple, otherwise. Clark argues that the king and queen of the gods had no children together. Hebe may have been fathered by a lettuce. The association between Hebe and Zeus may have been sexual rather than familial.Ares might have been conceived via a special flower from the fields of Olenus. Zeus free admission of his paternity of Ares, Clark hints, may be only to avoid the scandal of being a cuckold.On her own, Hera gave birth to Hephaestus. Parents of Hera Like brother Zeus, Heras parents were Cronos and Rhea, who were Titans. Roman Hera In Roman mythology, the goddess Hera is known as Juno.

Managing Organisation Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Managing Organisation Change - Essay Example In an organization equipped for complete learning, communication and structures within the company should be flexible and open - and in a way, Sanyo with Nonaka, could be said to be equipped in these aspects. The process for innovation through the changes that had been introduced, at least was steered towards a cyclical process where learning is continuous as opposed to being linear and discontinuous. 2. How did Nonaka try to revolutionize learning and change and how did this relate to incomplete learning Identify the levels of learning if any. Which typology/s of learning best describes the events in Sanyo While Nonaka introduced process and systems-related innovation to Sanyo, the changes that she tried to accomplish was only done on a horizontal plane, and did not account the vertical integration of the new vision for the company. The levels of learning were limited to environmental and behavioral directions or cues for the company. However, the leaning was in a way incomplete because the changes did not seep down to the very purpose of the company, that is specifically charting the unique role of Sanyo which has to do with the identity or mission of the company. A company needs to be rooted to its values and belief systems that it has developed over time - for example Sanyo is proud of its heritage as a maker of refrigerators and batteries as well being known in its markets for this. The learning was incomplete also by which Nonaka's team failed sufficiently to take into account the capabilities of the company or the question of how its core competencies will be aligned with the e nvironmental cues for change. Thus, some stakeholders did not fall into line in supporting Nonaka's vision for Sanyo. The typology of learning that fits within the case of Sanyo may that of the model of organizational change, by which changes are done in the structural level, but not with the culture and the strategy of the company. Learning through organizational change is quite focused through changing from without, and not from within which takes intro consideration the cultural aspects and belief system of an organization. This kind of learning by organizational change, as opposed to deeper levels of learning that comes with organizational development or transformation. 3.What has this case got to do with exploration and exploitation Explain. The case of Sanyo with Nonaka at the helm when she tried to make changes can be called to have made too much of a call for exploration and failing at decisive exploitation. Nonaka was on the right frame of mind when she took into consideration at the way the world has increasingly looked at environmentally conscious products and businesses as the wave of the future, not only because of the projected demise of oil-based fuel systems but because a value-based respect for the environment has been gaining ground with consumers. By aligning Sanyo with the new paradigm, potentially Sanyo was at the leading edge in terms of technology and with its new products. However, exploration needs to be balanced with exploitation or that which has to do with what the company's ability to improve and refine

An Analysis of the Significance of Guns as a Technology Essay

An Analysis of the Significance of Guns as a Technology - Essay Example Some of these groups had competed against each other for food and survival; those who lasted a bit longer managed to do so with the introduction of new technologies, the use of â€Å"advanced weaponry† through the use of javelins, spears, knives and arrows for big-game hunting. It may be right to say the first arms race among humans occurred between cavemen using wood clubs.1 Human societies progress and change over long periods of time through either of the two change processes: evolutionary and revolutionary change. The first is gradual while in the latter, it is a drastic change which entails an inflection point which is a break in the pattern of things. Inflection points are potentially disruptive, as what Andy Grove in giant chip maker of Intel pointed out, a change which people must embrace and adopt, in order to survive (Grove 105) because these points alter the existing paradigms and status quo and even risky at times. American sociologist William Fielding Ogburn descr ibed social change as either a material or non-material change (an example of material change was the introduction of the iron plow) or in the case of non-material change, the rise of capitalism and its opposite, communism. Discussion Many changes occurred as human societies and civilization progressed, which had in a way contributed greatly to our improvement. Ogburn traced social changes to introductions of new technologies, with three distinct phases in it, which are: invention, discovery and later, diffusion (Ogburn 77). Invention is the creation of something entirely new, such as a device. Discovery relates to the process of learning something that is totally new or ascertaining what is new as something that was previously overlooked or unrecognized. Diffusion is the spread of knowledge related to the invention and discovery to other groups of people able to use it. In this regard, gun technology underwent these three phases Ogburn had mentioned. Gun technology came about as th e direct consequence of the invention of gunpowder in China which changed weaponry to a great extent, in a sense people are now able to fight each other at some distance from each other, unlike before when they need to be in close proximity. This development has a profound effect on warfare, colonization, empire building, the spread of human civilization, religion and culture; the entire trajectory of human history has been in a way influenced by the discovery of gunpowder and the development of gun technology. Even today, modern societies are shaped to a certain extent by the use of guns in a violent manner, such as the rise of drug cartels and other organized international crime syndicates. Ancient Chinese had accidentally discovered gunpowder in their search for an elixir for immortality (the equivalent of the Fountain of Youth) but used this new-found formula for fireworks displays in attempts to drive away evil spirits but soon adapted its explosive power to the art of warfare in the use of artillery, and later on, in firearms and handguns. A diffusion of this knowledge was spread by the Mongols in their conquest of Europe and the Asian plain. It followed exactly the pattern of three phases as enumerated by sociologist Ogburn.2 Significance of Gun Technology – the invention and acquisition of gun technologies allowed the Western countries to dominate the world in the earlier