THE APPLIED INSPECTION
NEWSLETTER

Issue No. 130 - June 2005

FROM THE EDITOR

Burton Laboratory
The planned move to new premises in Burton is now off. The directors decided to pull out of the deal when it became apparent that the purchase price did not include the freehold possession of all of the land, as it would restrict any future expansion. The directors now intend to expand the Burton branch at its current location, and to this end are engaged in negotiations for the purchase of adjacent buildings. We will keep you informed of future developments.

Joke of the Month

A blind guy on a bar stool shouts to the bartender, "Wanna hear a blonde joke?"

In a hushed voice, the guy next to him says, "Before you tell that joke, you should know something." Our bartender is blonde, the bouncer is blonde. I'm a 6' tall, 200 lb black belt. The guy sitting next to me is 6'2", weighs 225 lb, and he's a rugby player. The fella to your right is 6'5" pushing 300 lb and he's a wrestler. Each one of us is blonde. Think about it, Mister. Do you still wanna tell that joke?"

The blind guy says, "Nah, not if I'm gonna have to explain it five times."

Anon

PERSONNELWelcome
To Paul Goss who re-started at Burton during May after 10 months away.

To Graham McMann who started at Ossett. Graham holds PCN Level 2 in Magnetic Particle and Penetrant Testing and CSWIP Welding Inspector Category 3.1.

To Amy Skelland who started in the office at Chesterfield during May.

To Chris Bebbington who started in the welding division at Burton during May.

Goodbye
To Luke Urquhart who has left to join Rolls-Royce. We wish him luck for the future. At Luke's leaving party in Derby, Doug Thomas presented him with a poem to mark the occasion. The poem is available on the company Website at www.appliedinspection.co.uk. Click on 'Newsletters', then 'June 2005' to read it. Click here to read "Luke's Last Stand".

Congratulations
To Anthony Mitchell who passed PCN Level 1 in Eddy Current Testing of Wrought Products.

To Kevin Armstrong who passed the PCN Basic radiation Safety examination.

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)
2 April - £10.00
9 April - £10.00
16 April - £0.00
23 April - £0.00
30 April - £0.00
7 May - £0.00
14 May - £10.00
21 May - £0.00
Any errors in the above list will be corrected as soon as possible.

QUALITY & TRAINING

Standards and Specifications
BS EN ISO 15614-2: 2005, Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials - Welding procedure test - Part 2: Arc welding of aluminium and its alloys, has superseded BS EN 288-4: 1994 which is withdrawn.

Quote of the month

"If A equals success, then the formula is: A = X+Y+Z; X is work. Y is play. Z is keep your mouth shut."

Albert Einstein

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

1) C     2) C     3) A     4) A

Here are some more questions, this time on Eddy Current Testing:

1. A term used to define the phenomenon where, at very high frequencies, the eddy current flow is restricted to an extremely thin outer layer of the conductor is:

     A. Skin effect.
     B. High-frequency filtration.
     C. Low-frequency filtration.
     D. Any one of the above.

2. In order to decrease the effect on conductivity readings due to variations in test part thickness:

     A. The test frequency should be increased.
     B. The test frequency should be decreased.
     C. The fill factor should be decreased.
     D. There is no practical method for decreasing this effect.

3. When testing by the eddy current method, discontinuities will be most easily detected when the eddy currents are:

     A. Coplanar with the major plane of the discontinuity.
     B. Perpendicular to the major plane of the discontinuity.
     C. Parallel to the major plane of the discontinuity.
     D. 90 degrees out of phase with the current in the coil.

4. A term used to describe the effect observed due to a change in the electromagnetic coupling between a test specimen and a probe coil when the distance of separation between them is varied is:

     A. Fill factor.
     B. Edge effect.
     C. End effect.
     D. Lift-off.

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 Quality 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.

Quality Objectives
All staff, including contract staff, should be familiar with our quality objectives, which are as follows:
  1. Supply competent operators who are appropriately qualified and certificated, to fulfil customer requirements.
  2. Provide operators with functioning, calibrated equipment and instruments.
  3. Provide operators with adequate training in use of supplied equipment and instruments.
  4. Present accurate and understandable reports to customers.
  5. Complete in-house processes and return components to customers in realistic turnaround times.
  6. Continuously monitor and improve the effectiveness of the QMS, processes and services, and meet or exceed the set targets.
  7. Meet all customer, statutory and regulatory requirements

TRANSPORT

In line with current Inland Revenue legislation and guidelines relating to business miles accuracy and consistency of travel time payments, a company-wide policy on the recording and reviewing of business miles, together with payment of travel time rules, will be formulated during the next months. As is normal with issues of this nature, full dialogue will be available before implementation. It is hoped some of the private fuel deduction anomalies can be resolved at the same time.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Stress
Here is an examination of the causes of workplace stress and an outline of the steps managers can take to minimise or eliminate it.

What is stress? The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has suggested the following definition for stress, "The reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them." This reaction can manifest itself in a number of ways, including, but not limited to headaches, anxiety or depression. Stress can lead to more serious health problems.

When dealing with an employee who appears to be suffering from stress, managers should be seen to adopt a fair and caring approach. This will encourage others who may be experiencing problems to come forward. The manager should inform the employee in question that changes in their behaviour have been observed and convey their concern about the implications of these changes. The employee should be allowed the opportunity to say that they are suffering from stress. If the employee does not raise such concerns, the manager should ask if they are experiencing stress. If the employee feels that they are not suffering from stress, the manager should explain that the changes in behaviour observed would suggest that the employee is under uncomfortable pressure. Discuss the possible sources of stress with the employee. Jointly investigate means by which the stress could be reduced or eliminated. The manager should ensure the employee is aware of and agrees with the action that will be taken. Jointly agree a procedure by which changes will be monitored and reviewed.

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 25/05/2005

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