THE APPLIED INSPECTION
NEWSLETTER

Issue No. 131 - July 2005

FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome to this month's NEWSLETTER. The purpose of the Applied Inspection NEWSLETTER is to keep everyone at Applied Inspection informed, particularly with regard to health, safety, environmental, quality and personnel issues. We welcome contributions from everyone for inclusion in the NEWSLETTER, and please feel free to make any suggestions as to how it can be improved. Contact information is at the end of every NEWSLETTER, and you can email us through the Website.

Joke of the Month

A man and a friend are playing golf one day at their local golf course. One of the men is about to chip onto the green when he sees a long funeral procession on the road next to the course. He stops in mid-swing, takes off his golf cap, closes his eyes, and bows down in prayer. His friend says: "That's the most thoughtful and touching thing I have ever seen. You truly are a kind man." The man then replies: "Yeah, well we were married 35 years."

Anon

PERSONNEL
Congratulations to Carl Ringrose and Kathryn
Carl's girlfriend, Kathryn, gave birth to a baby girl, Lucy Hannah Rose, on 31 May 2005 at 5.05 am. Lucy weighed in at 7 lbs 11 oz. Mother and baby (and Carl) are doing well.

Dawn Andrews - Update
We have reported Dawn's progress in recent months following her operation when she had an Ilizarov frame fitted to her leg. This was as a result of an accident on 3 January this year whilst walking in the Peak district. We are now delighted to report that she has had the frame removed. Dawn still needs to attend regular physiotherapy sessions, but the removal of the frame has improved her quality of life immensely.

Welcome
To James McCulloch who started at Glasgow during June. James is very experienced in NDT with over 20 years in the rail industry. He holds PCN (EN473) certification in Ultrasonic Axle Testing (UAT) and Magnetic Particle Inspection.

Congratulations
To Richard Johnson who passed PCN Level 2 in Ultrasonic Testing of Wrought Products.

To Roy Nichols who passed his 10 year recertification examination for PCN Level 2 Penetrant Testing (General).

The National Lottery
Dawn Andrews at Chesterfield 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)
2004 - £180.00 (52 weeks)
January - £20.00 (5 weeks)
February - £60.00 (4 weeks)
March - £20.00 (4 weeks)
April - £10.00 (5 weeks)
7 May - £0.00
14 May - £10.00
21 May - £0.00
28 May - £0.00
4 June - £10.00
11 June - £0.00
18 June - £0.00
Any errors in the above list will be corrected as soon as possible.

QUALITY & TRAINING

Standards and Specifications
There have been no changes this month notified by the BSI PLUS update system to the company's list of controlled documents.

Quote of the month

"Envy always involves a comparison - we envy that which we lack."

Kate Barrows

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

1) A     2) A     3) B     4) D

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

1. When testing a component, a flaw indication is strongest when the magnetic field is at:

     A. 190 degrees angle to the flaw.
     B. 90 degrees angle to the flaw.
     C. 99 degrees angle to the flaw.
     D. 45 degrees angle to the flaw.

2. The materials most strongly affected by magnetic fields are:

     A. Nickel based metals.
     B. Diamagnetic materials.
     C. Ferromagnetic materials.
     D. Alloys.

3. A curve drawn to show the relationship between the magnetising force and the strength of the magnetic field is called:

     A. Flux lines.
     B. Magnetic force.
     C. Hysteresis curve.
     D. Flow curve.

4. When the magnetic flux density in a material cannot be increased, this point is called:

     A. Residual.
     B. Magnetic flux.
     C. Saturation.
     D. Dilution.

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.

The 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 and related information in the NEWSLETTER. Here are our Health and Safety objectives. 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 and Safety Objectives
  1. Provide operatives with a safe working environment preventing injury to all company employees and to the general public.
  2. Comply with all current statutory and legislative requirements.
  3. Provide operatives with sufficient information, instruction, equipment, training and supervision to carry out the required tasks in a safe and efficient manner.
  4. Liaise with employees or their representatives whenever possible in all matters relating to health and safety.
  5. Ensure that all "classified" personnel have had adequate training/instruction in radiation safety.
  6. Continuously monitor and improve the effectiveness of the Business Management System, processes and services, and meet or exceed the set targets.

TRANSPORT

As discussed in last month's Newsletter we intend to develop a more consistent and fair system of travel time and mileage records incorporating deductions for private fuel. We will introduce a trial scheme from 1st July. All employees will be sent a draft of our proposal and then contacted personally to ensure that it is fully understood and acceptable.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Ladders
Legislation has recently changed regulating the use of ladders for any purpose other than access to a platform. Ladders may only be used to work from if all other methods have been considered and found to be unsuitable. Therefore if a scaffold can be erected or a mobile platform can provide adequate access they must be used instead of the ladder. For other parameters on the use of ladders please refer to the Applied Inspection Health and Safety Rules Section 15. For more information contact John Morris.

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
People whose hands are regularly exposed to high vibration may suffer from several kinds of injury to the hands and arms, including impaired blood circulation and damage to the nerves and muscles. Employees who are required to use tools that produce vibrations, e.g. angle grinders, must take the following precautions to reduce the risk of injury: If you regularly use vibrating tools inform your supervisor who will initiate a health surveillance programme. For more information contact John Morris.

CONTACTS

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

Published by: Applied Inspection Ltd., Holmewood, Chesterfield, UK. Editor: D K Thomas 22/06/2005

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