THE APPLIED INSPECTION
NEWSLETTER

Issue No. 105 - May 2003

FROM THE EDITOR

The number of visitors to our website has continued to increase. It is continually updated and improved, but we welcome any suggestions to improve it further. Please contact us through the website at www.appliedinspection.co.uk.

www.appliedinspection.co.uk

PERSONNEL

Insurance Reminder
Please remember that any items of Applied Inspection equipment or any goods belonging to our customers are not covered by insurance if left unattended in a vehicle overnight.

If any items of value are removed from the vehicle and taken into your home/hotel etc. they are then covered by company insurance.

Joke of the Month

(Transcript of telephone conversation between BBC Radio 1 DJ Mark Goodier and a listener)

Mark Goodier: What's the name of the company you work for?

Listener: Mining and Engineering Services.

Mark Goodier: So, what kind of work do they do; is it mining and engineering services?

Welcome
To Mick Hackford who joined the company on 31 March 2003. Mick is a very experience NDT Engineer. He holds PCN Level II certification in ultrasonic testing (welds and castings), magnetic particle and penetrant testing.

To Raymond Francis who joined the welding division on 15 April 2003.

Congratulations
To John Hurst who passed PCN Level 1 Ultrasonic Testing Category H2, techniques U1, U2, U3, U8 and U14 (Rail).

To Pat Slater who passed PCN Ultrasonics (Welds) Level 2 ten year recertification examination, categories 3.1, 3.2, 3.8 and 3.9.

Goodbye
To Mark Hutsby and Paul Lemmon who left the company during April 2003. We wish them all the best for the future.

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)
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
29 March - £0.00 5 April - £20.00 12 April - £0.00 19 April - £0.00 Any errors in the above list will be corrected as soon as possible.

QUALITY & TRAINING

Standards and Specifications
The final draft of NDT personnel qualification for ultrasonic testing of shell boiler 'T' butt, nozzle and longitudinal seam welds has been issued. The document has been jointly drafted by the British Institute of NDT (BINDT) and the Safety Assessment Federation (SAFed). Applied Inspection is an associate member of both organisations. It has been agreed in principle that SAFed members will recognise this new qualification.

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

1) B     2) A      3) B     4) B     

Here are some more questions, this time on Product Technology (Castings):

1. An advantage of magnetic rubber is that:

1. Which of the following is a discontinuity which might be found in sand castings?

     A. A Incomplete penetration.
     B. Undercut.
     C. Pipe.
     D. Shrinkage.

2. A hole produced during the solidification of metal due to escaping gases is called:

     A. A burst.
     B. A cold shut.
     C. A flaking.
     D. A blow hole.

3. A discontinuity that occurs during the casting of molten metal which may be caused by the splashing, surging, interrupted pouring, or the meeting of two streams of metal coming from different directions is called:

     A. A burst.
     B. A cold shut.
     C. Flaking.
     D. A blow hole.

4. Shrinkage cracks are usually found in what areas of a casting?

     A. Thin sections only.
     B. Heavy sections only.
     C. Abrupt changes in thickness.
     D. No longer a problem.

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.

Thought for the month:

The distance is nothing; it is only the first step that is difficult.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Drivers take heed
Lord Chief Justice, Lord Woolf, sitting with two other senior judges at the Court of Appeal, issued new guidelines on sentences for those found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. The following is taken from his warning.

Motorists who cause fatal accidents while talking on mobile telephones should expect lengthy gaol sentences of at least two years. In more serious cases where more than one person dies the sentences should be extended to six years.

Drivers who cause deaths through falling asleep at the wheel should also go to prison.

Note: it is company policy that drivers must not talk on their mobile phone whilst driving, and must take sufficient breaks when driving to ensure that they are able to drive safely.

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 23/04/2003

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