April 2003 Newsletter for Applied Inspection, NDT / Non-destructive Testing specialists

THE APPLIED INSPECTION

NEWSLETTER

Issue No. 104 - April 2003

FROM THE EDITOR

New Brochure
Applied Inspection now has received its new eight page sales brochure from the printers. The brochure reviews the range of services that the company now offers. 'Glossy' brochures are available from all Applied Inspection locations, or it can be downloaded in *.pdf format from the company website home page at www.appliedinspection.co.uk.

Joke of the Month - 'Men Put Downs' selected by Dawn Andrews at Chesterfield

Why do men like smart women?
Opposites attract.

How is Colonel Sanders like the typical male?
All he's concerned with is legs, breasts and thighs.

What's the best way to force a man to do sit ups?
Put the remote control between his toes.

Why did God create man before woman?
Because you're always supposed to have a rough draft before creating your masterpiece.

There are many more similar Men Put Downs on the Entertainment section of Applied Inspection's website. Go to www.appliedinspection.co.uk/entertainment.

PERSONNEL

Welcome
To Claire Orme, Financial Administrator at Burton. Claire's years of experience and financially orientated background will be a huge asset to Applied Inspection.

Overseas - Alan now off to Athens
Alan Bartlett returned from Tehran, Iran, after running several successful training courses. He flies to Athens, Greece, on 30 March to carry out a training course on Ultrasonic Rail Axle Testing.

Goodbye
To Ben Lyon who is moving to Newquay, Cornwall. We wish him all the best for the future.

Baby Boy for Hayley
Congratulations to Hayley Brown at Burton who gave birth to a baby boy on Monday 24 March at 8.30 pm. Baby Reece weighed in at 7lb 15oz and mother and son are well.

More Congratulations
To Steve Wilkes who passed the 'European Computer Driving Licence'. He passed the following modules: Basic concepts of information technology, using the computer and managing files, word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation, and information and communication.

The National Lottery
Dawn Andrews at Holmewood and Keith Dashper at Ossett run the Applied Inspection lottery syndicate. There are currently 33 members who each pay Ł1.00 per week (stopped at source) which is put on the Saturday lottery. Anyone who is not a member, and who would like to join, should contact Dawn or Keith.

Our winnings to date are as follows:
1995 - £160.00 (40 weeks)
1996 - £297.00 (52 weeks)
1997 - £220.00 (52 weeks)
1998 - £251.00 (52 weeks)
1999 - £290.00 (52 weeks)
2000 - £270.00 (53 weeks)
2001 - £382.00 (52 weeks)
2002 - £330.00 (52 weeks)
January 2003 - £20.00 (4 weeks)
February - £0.00 (4 weeks)
1 March - £20.00
8 March - £0.00
15 March - £0.00
22 March - £10.00
Any errors in the above list will be corrected as soon as possible.

QUALITY & TRAINING

Standards and Specifications
BS EN 12517: 1998, Non-destructive testing of welds - Radiographic testing of welded joints - Acceptance levels, has been amended (Amendment A1:2002).

NDT Training
The answers to the questions on Eddy Current Testing in last month's NEWSLETTER are as follows:

1) D 2) A 3) B 4) A

Here are some more questions, this time on Magnetic Testing:

1. An advantage of magnetic rubber is that:

     A. It can be used on non-ferromagnetic materials.
     B. It can be stripped off the surface and examined using magnification.
     C. It is a very rapid test method.
     D. The materials used are less expensive than dry powder.

2. A critical problem was found where fatigue cracks were initiating from the roots of a threaded hole. Which of the following should be used if available?

     A. Magnetic rubber and DC magnetic yoke.
     B. Filling the hole with a wet suspension and using a borescope.
     C. X-ray.
     D. Eddy current bolt hole probe.

3. A long run production of piston pins and wrist pins were contracted for an aircraft engine. Cracking was found on the inside bore of these pins after heat treating. The manufacturer had a stationary magnetic particle machine but could not keep up with production to meet the contract deadline. He could reduce inspection time by using:

     A. AC.
     B. Residual magnetism techniques and additional inspectors.
     C. Magnetising coils and a through conductor.
     D. Higher current.

4. The magnetic particles are noticed to bunch in some fillet areas and stand on end on the edge of a part being magnetised. These observations indicate that the:

     A. Particle concentration is too low.
     B. Flux density is excessive.
     C. Flux density is too low.
     D. Magnetising current should be changed from AC to DC.

Quality at Applied Inspection
Applied Inspection has a number of statements relating to its position on that subject. They are Vision, Mission, Quality, Training, Health & Safety, Environmental, Equal Opportunities and Alcohol & Drugs.

These statements are contained in the Company Rules booklet, available at each site on the Notice Board, and the Health & Safety booklet, issued to all employees. In addition, from time to time we also publish the statements in the NEWSLETTER. Here is our Health and Safety Policy statement. We welcome comments and/or suggestions from staff in relation to any company policy statement. Please contact any director or e-mail us through the company web site.

Health & Safety Policy Statement
1. Our policy is to conduct all our operations with the health and safety of our employees as a prime objective.

2. The company's policy is to do all that is reasonably practicable to prevent injury to all its employees and to the general public.

3. The company has a responsibility to:

Comply with all statutory requirements.
Provide and maintain healthy and safe working conditions.
Provide adequate training and instruction to enable employees to perform their work safely and efficiently.
Make available all necessary safety devices and to supervise their use.
Liaise with employees or their representatives whenever possible in all matters relating to health and safety.
Review this health and safety policy annually, or whenever the need arises, whichever is the sooner.

Radiation Safety

Ensure that all "classified" personnel have had adequate training/instruction in radiation safety.

4. It is the duty of each employee to:

Comply with all statutory requirements.
Always work in a safe and efficient manner, ensuring the health and safety of him or herself and others.
Use protective clothing and equipment provided by the company.
Report incidents that have led or may lead to injury or damage.
Comply with the company safety procedures.
Assist in the investigation of accidents in order to prevent any future occurrence.

Radiation Safety

Make himself/herself available for medical examination and blood test by the Appointed Doctor as and when required by the company (classified personnel only).
Wear in a proper manner any dosemeter (TLD) or other radiation safety device provided for him/her (classified personnel only).

5. Arrangements for implementation of this health and safety policy are shown in the Company Rules (Health & Safety).

Thought for the month:

No obstacle is a barrier to a new beginning.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Hand Injuries
A review of Company accident record books has revealed that the majority of accidents suffered by Applied Inspection employees involve cuts and crush injuries to hands, often while cleaning components before or after inspection.

Hand protection is provided by the Company and the correct type of hand protection must be worn. Therefore when cleaning or handling components for inspection always wear gloves that offer protection against sharp edges (not latex gloves!).

HSE Notification of Site Radiography
HSE has issued us with a new Notice requiring us to provide HSE with 7 days advance notification of site radiography. This is no change to the existing notification period (7 days), but there is now a new single contact point at East Grinstead (Fax: 01342 334257) and HSE have issued a new form for notifications. From 5 April 2003 all notifications must be made to the single contact point at East Grinstead by fax, post or email using the new notification form.

CONTACTS

Holmewood, Derbyshire: Tel: 01246 851864 (3 Lines) Fax: 01246 852243
Burton, Staffordshire: Tel: 01283 515163 (3 Lines) Fax: 01283 539729
Ossett, W Yorks: Tel/Fax: 01924 270006 (2 lines)
Glasgow, Scotland: Tel/Fax: 0141 3355191
Internet Website: www.appliedinspection.co.uk

Published by: Applied Inspection Ltd., Holmewood, Chesterfield, UK. Editor: D K Thomas 26/03/2003

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