Baywood Publishing Co.

Motives for metaphor in scientific and technical communication.

Giles (technical communication, Georgia Southern U.) gives a thoughtful and scholarly presentation on the use of metaphor in scientific and technical disciplines. The author uses the current controversy over cloning as an example of why scientists should be aware of how they use metaphor to describe and explain science to the general public and how it can be useful in research. The book includes a historical examination of the use of metaphor and analogy in the research and explanations of discoveries by science icons such as Newton and Descartes. Topics also include re-introducing metaphor in technical communication classrooms and texts. The intended audience is professors and students of technical communication, technical communication professionals, and scientists and engineers. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Within REACH?; managing chemical risks in small enterprises.

As Europe restructures its regulations governing the management of chemical risks through Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) legislation, smaller enterprises must make adjustments in both procedures and understanding. Walters (work environment, Cardiff U.) reminds us that the legislation seeks to correct gaps in communication about risks, a situation which has proven to be a major problem in smaller firms. He assesses the possibility that REACH legislation will improve the safe management of chemicals in small firms as he describes past approaches to controlling workplace chemical risks, the regulatory approach of the European Union to chemical risk management in small enterprises, national regulatory strategies, the role of the occupational health and safety system, tools to improve chemical risk management, and the implementation of inclusive strategies. Particularly interesting is his chapter evaluating evidence about what works on the shop floor v. what regulations have ordained. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)