THE APPLIED INSPECTION
NEWSLETTER

Issue No. 123 - November 2004

FROM THE EDITOR

This month's NEWSLETTER contains information about personnel, including an invitation for a fancy dress night out in Sheffield and an extremely bad run of six weeks without a win on the lottery, important new European Standards relating to both ultrasonic testing and welding, and information relating to transport and health & safety.

Joke of the Month

I said to this train driver, "I want to go to Paris". He said, "Eurostar?" I said, "I've been on telly but I'm no Dean Martin".

(David Slater)

PERSONNEL

Welcome
To Terry MacDonald who started this month as calibration engineer. Terry is highly qualified and very experienced in carrying out calibrations of NDT equipment, including ammeters, pressure gauges, light meters etc. These calibration services are now available externally.

To Jacqueline Archer who started this month at our Glasgow branch.

Goodbye
To Ben Lyon and Simon Harrison who left this month. We wish them well for the future.

Congratulations
To Steve Scaddan who passed PCN MT Level 2 in Magnetic Testing (General).

To Mick Hackford who passed PCN Level 2 Ultrasonic Testing (Welds) category 3.8 (Nozzles).

To Mark Hall who passed the PCN RT Radiation Safety Supervisor (RPS) examination during October. Mark has now been appointed as a company RPS.

To Keith Dashper who passed PCN Level 2 Radiographic Testing (Castings) 10 year recertification examination. Keith also passed the Basic Radiation Safety examination again, which is mandatory every 5 years.

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)
2004 - £90.00 (26 weeks, January to June)
2004 - July - £10.00 (5 weeks)
2004 - August - £10.00 (4 weeks)
2004 - 4 September - £10.00
2004 - 11 September - £10.00
2004 - 18 September - £0.00
2004 - 25 September - £0.00
2004 - 2 October - £0.00
2004 - 9 October - £0.00
2004 - 16 October - £0.00
2004 - 23 October - £0.00
Any errors in the above list will be corrected as soon as possible.

CHRISTMAS NIGHT OUT IN SHEFFIELD
FANCY DRESS (OPTIONAL)

SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER 2004

MEET AT BAR 69
IN CHESTERFIELD AT 7.00 PM
THEN ON TO SHEFFIELD

ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED SHOULD CONTACT STEVE WILKES OR KEVIN ARMSTRONG AT CHESTERFIELD, OR NICK BOND AT BURTON (OR JUST TURN UP ON THE NIGHT).

QUALITY & TRAINING

Standards and Specifications
BS EN 14127: 2004, Non-destructive testing - Ultrasonic thickness measurement, has been published. No other standard has been superseded.

BS EN 14324: 2004, Brazing - Guidance on the application of brazed joints, has superseded BS 1723: Part 1 - Specification for brazing (1986), and Part 2 - Guide to brazing (1986), which are now withdrawn.

BS EN ISO 15609-1: 2004, Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials - Welding procedure specification - Part 1: Arc welding, has superseded BS EN 288-2: 1992, which is now withdrawn.

Quote of the month

"A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices."

William James
(Former Professor of Psychology at Harvard University)

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

1) C     2) B      3) A     4) A     

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

1. A test specimen used as a basis for calibrating test equipment or as a comparison when evaluating test results is referred to as a:

     A. Null-balancer.
     B. Phase shifter.
     C. Reference standard.
     D. High pass filter.

2. In an eddy current testing situation, which of the following can provide sources of noise?

     A. Instrumentation electronic circuits.
     B. Nonspecific variations within the test object.
     C. Electrical interference.
     D. All of the above.

3. The ratio of the response or amplitude from signals of interest to the response or amplitude of indications that contain no useful information for the test being conducted is referred to as:

     A. Poisson's ratio.
     B. Signal-to-noise ratio.
     C. The conductivity-to-permeability ratio.
     D. The reactance-to-resistance ratio.

4. IACS is a recognized abbreviation for:

     A. Induced Alternating Current System.
     B. Inductively-Activated Comparison System.
     C. Internal Applied Current System.
     D. International Annealed Copper Standard.

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 Environmental Policy Statement, which has recently been changed to include reference to the Disability Discrimination Act. 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.

Vision Statement
Applied Inspection aims to be internationally renowned for its supply to industry of first class nondestructive testing (NDT), engineering inspection and consultancy services.

TRANSPORT

Prepare for Winter
Would all drivers address the following points on their vehicles to ensure a problem free winter:
  1. Tyres - carry out normal monthly checks on pressure and tread depth.
  2. Radiator - check for any coolant leaks and if you suspect the antifreeze concentration consult your manager.
  3. Windscreen Washers - fill with a suitable additive for winter driving and carry spare top up solution.
  4. Starting - if you feel your vehicle is not starting 'first time' again consult your manager.
  5. Personal - ensure you carry suitable clothing for use in sudden adverse weather conditions.
Please, don't be caught out.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Radiation Passbooks at Rolls-Royce
Applied Inspection staff working at Rolls-Royce are reminded that radiation passbooks must be updated in accordance with Regulation 21(5) of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999.

Section 4 of the passbook is used to record the most recent medical review. Responsibility for completing this section rests with the employer (Applied Inspection). In practice, once the annual review of health has been carried out and the appointed doctor has completed health record form F2067, an authorised person from Applied Inspection should transcribe the information into Section 4 of the passbook.

Section 6 is used to record the estimated doses received whilst working in controlled areas whilst at Rolls-Royce. In practice, this should be recorded by an authorised person from Rolls-Royce before being handed back to the radiographer. It is not necessary to make an entry every time the radiographer leaves a controlled area, for example, during an extended project. In that case, an entry should be made on completion of the project or at fixed milestones throughout.

Working on Site
In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work act 1974 employees are always responsible for their own safety and that of others. Therefore employees must always assess the risks to their own health and safety on site, or obtain assistance wherever necessary. If employees are asked to work in situations or conditions they consider to be unsafe, or if conditions or circumstances change whilst on site they must assess the risks and immediately remove themselves from the dangers. Then they must contact the site supervisor and request that the situation or conditions are made safe. If there is any difficulty in achieving the required level of safety they should contact their supervisor or John Morris (QHS&E Manager) immediately for advice on how to proceed.

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 27/10/2004

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