THE APPLIED INSPECTION
NEWSLETTER

Issue No. 103 - March 2003

FROM THE EDITOR

BSI Audits to ISO 9000
Four audits were carried out by British Standards Institution during February as follows:

Out of the four audits no non-conformities were raised. Thank you to all staff for maintaining such a high standard, in particular Bob Theaker and staff at Ossett laboratory, and Richard Johnson on-site. Also Ian Bunting, James Bailey, Steven Wilkes, Ivan Hutson, John Morris, and all staff at Burton and Chesterfield.

Computer Software
Applied Inspection maintains a strict policy of using only software packages with a valid licence. All staff should ensure that they are not in breach of this mandatory requirement.

Joke of the Month
Recently, I was at a professional football game supporting my favourite team. My seat wasn't the greatest, so when I noticed a vacant seat in a better position, I headed towards it. I asked the man sitting next to it if the seat was taken. He replied, "No".

I started talking to the man and I learned he owned the seat I was in. He said, "My wife use to love to come to these games until she died."
"Why didn't you give this seat away to a friend?" I asked. He replied, "Because they are all at her funeral."

PERSONNEL

Appraisals
Appraisals are currently being carried out by management. If you require a face-to-face meeting for your appraisal please contact your manager before the end of March to arrange a mutually convenient appointment.

Overseas - Alan in Iran
Alan Bartlett flew to Tehran, Iran, on 13 February for four weeks to carry out NDT training. He is running courses to UT and RT Level 3, RI Level 2 and a CSWIP 3.1 Welding Inspection course.

Congratulations
To Lee Armstrong who passed Ultrasonic Testing (Rail) categories H1 and H2 U3 and U14 to add to his H2 U1 and U2 already held.

Bob's a Grandfather Again
Bob Theaker's daughter Karen gave birth to Maddie on 7 February, an 8lb 1oz baby girl. Congratulations to the whole family.

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 £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)
January to June - £150.00 (26 weeks)
July 2002 - £10.00 (4 weeks)
August 2002 - £30.00 (5 weeks)
September 2002 - £20.00 (4 weeks)
October 2002 - £40.00 (4 weeks)
November 2002 - £60.00 (5 weeks)
December 2002 - £20.00
4 January 2003 - £10.00
11 January 2003 - £10.00
18 January 2003 - £0.00
25 January 2003 - £0.00
1 February - £0.00
8 February - £0.00
15 February - £0.00
22 February - £0.00
Any errors in the above list will be corrected as soon as possible.

QUALITY & TRAINING

Standards and Specifications
BS EN I12680-1: 2003, Founding - Ultrasonic examination - Part 1: Steel castings for general purposes, has superseded BS 6208: 1990, which is withdrawn.

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

1) B     2) D      3) A     4) C     

Here are some more questions, this time on Radiographic testing:

1. Radiographic sensitivity, in the context of the minimum detectable flaw size, depends on:

     A. Graininess of the film.
     B. The unsharpness of the flaw image in the film.
     C. The contrast of the flaw image on the film.
     D. All three of the above.

2. In order to decrease geometric unsharpness:

     A. Radiation should proceed from as small a focal spot as other considerations will allow.
     B. Radiation should proceed from as large a focal spot as other considerations will allow.
     C. The film should be as far as possible from the object being radiographed.
     D. The distance from the anode to the material examined should be as small as is practical.

3. As the kilovoltage applied to the x-ray tube is raised:

     A. X-rays of longer wavelength and more penetrating power are produced.
     B. X-rays of shorter wavelength and more penetrating power are produced.
     C. X-rays of shorter wavelength and less penetrating power are produced.
     D. X-rays of longer wavelength and less penetrating power are produced.

4. In order to increase the intensity of X-radiation:

     A. The tube current should be increased.
     B. The tube current should be decreased.
     C. The test specimen should be moved further from the film.
     D. A lower kilovoltage should be applied to the tube.

Email Quotation

"This site is releasing my primitive animal layers from the handcuffs of discipline and producing shocking language and behaviour unbefitting of the refined woman that I am."

Julie Crosby
3 February 2003

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 Training 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.

Training Policy Statement
The company is committed to the training and development of its workforce at all levels. The aim is to enhance the organisation's capabilities through continuous performance improvement and develop excellence for its customers.

Each employee will be appraised at least once per year in order to review and improve performance and to explore ways of developing the individual for his/her current and future roles in line with the company's objectives.

Appropriate means for the development of individuals will be used. These may include:

All employees are encouraged to improve and develop their skills, knowledge and abilities through further education and reading.

Thought for the month:

Everybody is the architect of their own fortune.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Company Vehicles - Tyres and the Law
In Great Britain tyres must conform to the requirements of The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations. The following is a summary of its main requirements:

Tyre condition
It is illegal to use a car or van if:

Mixed tyres
It is illegal:

Remember, driving on damaged or excessively worn tyres may not only be illegal but unsafe, and the penalties can be severe. Ensure your tyres are in good condition.

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 26/02/2003

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