THE APPLIED INSPECTION
NEWSLETTER

Issue No. 119 - July 2004

FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome to this month's NEWSLETTER. Its purpose is to keep everyone informed about what is going on at Applied Inspection in relation to staff, quality, health and safety and environmental issues. This month's health and safety article from John Morris (QHS&E Manager) gives advice on limiting exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). We welcome contributions from everyone for inclusion in the NEWSLETTER. Please feel free to send articles for inclusion to the Editor (Email: david@appliedinspection.co.uk). We also welcome any suggestions as to how the NEWSLETTER can be improved.

Joke of the Month

A couple of New Jersey hunters are out in the woods when one of them falls to the ground. He doesn't seem to be breathing; his eyes are rolled back in his head. The other guy whips out his cell phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps to the operator: "My friend is dead! What can I do?" The operator, in a calm soothing voice says: "Just take it easy. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead." There is a silence, and then a shot is heard. The guy's voice comes back on the line. He says: "OK, now what?"

(www.laughlab.co.uk)

PERSONNEL

Congratulations
To Ivan and Sally Hutson on the birth of their daughter Isabel Ruby on 26 May 2004. She weighed in at 8lb 14½ oz, slightly less than her sister Lucy weighed when she was born. Mother and daughter are fine.

Ian Donaldson Reaches 40 Years
Congratulations to Ian who reached the grand age of 40 years on 22 June 2004. He celebrated by playing cricket, followed by a drink or two!!!

Congratulations to Dawn
Dawn Andrews, office manager at Chesterfield, passed RSA Level 3 in Word Processing (Advanced) and RSA Level 3 in Text Production (Advanced). Her grade in both examinations was 'Distinction'.

Alan Bartlett Runs Training Courses in Greece
Alan made two trips to Greece to carry out Ultrasonic Testing (UT) training during June and July. He carried out specialist Ultrasonic Axle Testing (UAT) training of five operators on each trip. They had all received prior general UT training. Despite everything going on around them, the excitement of the European Cup football and the preparations for the Olympic Games, both courses were a great success. Welcome
To James Storie who started at Burton during June as Trainee NDT Engineer.

Goodbye
To Paul Goss and Teresa Geary. We wish them both the best for their future careers.

The National Lottery
Dawn Andrews at Holmewood and Keith Dashper at Ossett run the Applied Inspection lottery syndicate. There are currently 31 members who each pay £1.00 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)
2003 - £230.00 (52 weeks)
January - £10.00 (5 weeks)
February - £0.00 (4 weeks)
March - £10.00 (4 weeks)
April - £30.00 (4 weeks)
1 May - £0.0
8 May - £0.0
15 May - £0.0
22 May - £0.0
29 May - £10.0
5 June - £0.0
12 June - £10.0
19 June - £10.0
Any errors in the above list will be corrected as soon as possible.

QUALITY & TRAINING

Standards and Specifications
ASTM E 186 - 98, Standard Reference Radiographs for Heavy-Walled (2 to 4½ in. (51 to 114 mm)) Steel Castings, has been re-approved. It is now designated ASTM E 186 - 98 (Re-approved 2004). Editorial changes have been made.

Quote of the month

"Never look back unless you are planning to go that way."

Henry D Thoreau

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

1) C     2) D      3) C     4) A     

Here are some more questions, this time on Radiographic Testing / Radiation Safety:

1. The major component of scatter is the low-energy electromagnetic radiation produced by photons weakened in the:

     A. Photoelectric process.
     B. Compton process.
     C. Pair production process.
     D. Ionization process.

2. The increase in radiation passing through matter due to scatter in the forward direction is known as:

     A. Build-up.
     B. Reduction factor.
     C. Backscatter.
     D. Bremsstrahlung.

3. High-energy photons of 1.02 MeV or greater typically interact with matter by which on of the following:

     A. Photoelectric process.
     B. Compton process.
     C. Pair production process.
     D. Thermionic process.

4. In which of the following processes will some energy of the interacting photon be used to dislodge the electron from its orbit and the remainder used to give the electron kinetic energy?

     A. Photoelectric process.
     B. Compton process.
     C. Pair production process.
     D. Ionization process.

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 Alcohol and Drugs 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.

Alcohol and Drugs Policy Statement
1. The Applied Inspection policy on alcohol and drugs at work is designed to promote safe and sensible attitudes. Drinking at work is not therefore encouraged and the use of drugs is only permitted when prescribed by a doctor. Keeping either alcohol or drugs on the premises for consumption at work is strictly forbidden, as is being under the influence of drink or drugs whilst at work, or travelling to and from sites.

2. This policy applies to all levels in the organisation, and to any visiting contractors.

3. The company recognises that both alcohol and drug problems may be an illness and, as such, will be treated in the same way as other illnesses. In addition, it will take measures wherever possible to prevent misuse through education and raising awareness about their effects on work performance and health.

4. Any employee who has a problem, or thinks he may be developing one, should discuss it with his or her superior at the earliest opportunity so that appropriate action can be taken. For example, action can be taken to avoid situations where alcohol or drugs are available, or arrangements for counseling or treatment can be agreed. Failure to take action can result in exposure of other employees to unacceptable health and safety dangers, and disciplinary action in accordance with the company rules may be taken.

5. All managers and supervisors are required to ensure that strict confidentiality is maintained.

HEALTH & SAFETY

UV Radiation
The NRPB has recently published advice on limiting exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The main source of UVR is the sun but artificial sources could contribute significantly to total exposure levels. Artificial sources include welding equipment, blacklights, electronic insect traps and tungsten halogen incandescent lamps or mercury sodium discharge lamps.

UVR predominantly affects the skin and eyes. Short term effects are sunburn and arc-eye. Long term effects are skin ageing raising the risk of non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers, and corneal and conjunctival disorders of the eyes. UVR exposure may also contribute to the occurrence of cataracts.

A risk assessment has been carried out for Applied Inspection employees and is available from your supervisor. Please ensure you read and understand the risk assessment and carry out the measures to control your exposure to UVR.

Further information may be obtained from John Morris, QHS&E Manager.

CONTACTS

Holmewood, Derbyshire: Tel: 01246 851864 (4 Lines) Fax: 01246 852243
Burton, Staffordshire: Tel: 01283 515163 (4 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 23/06/2004

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