THE APPLIED INSPECTION
NEWSLETTER

Issue No. 133 - September 2005

FROM THE EDITOR

This months NEWSLETTER contains information about staff, including a profile on Roy Archer, quality and training, and health and safety. In addition there is information about the Lottery syndicate, and the NDT and welding standards and specifications held by the company, and more.

If there are other things that you would like included in the NEWSLETTER that are relevant or of interest to staff members, please let me know. You can email me at david@appliedinspection.co.uk.

Joke of the Month

Three engineers and three accountants are travelling by train to a conference. At the station, the three accountants each buy tickets and watch as the three engineers buy only a single ticket. "How are three people going to travel on only one ticket?" asks an accountant. "Watch and you'll see," answers an engineer.

They all board the train. The accountants take their respective seats but all three engineers cram into a toilet and close the door behind them. Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the toilet door and says, "Ticket, please." The door opens just a crack and a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand. The conductor takes it and moves on. The accountants saw this and agreed it was quite a clever idea.

So after the conference, the accountants decide to copy the engineers on the return trip and save some money. When they get to the station, they buy a single ticket for the return trip. To their astonishment, the engineers don't buy a ticket at all. "How are you going to travel without a ticket?" says one perplexed accountant. "Watch and you'll see," answers an engineer. When they board the train the three accountants cram into a toilet and the three engineers cram into another one nearby. The train departs. Shortly afterward, one of the engineers leaves his toilet and walks over to the toilet where the accountants are hiding. He knocks on the door and says, "Ticket, please."

Anon

PERSONNEL

Welcome
To Peter Hardy and Yurek Karmasyn who both started at Ossett during August, and to Sam Elgie who started at Burton during August.

Congratulations
To Jamie Bacon and James Weston who both passed PCN Level 1 in Eddy Current Testing.

To Mark Skelland who passed CCNSG Safety Passport in August.

Goodbye
To Tom Donegan; we wish him good luck for the future.

The National Lottery
Dawn Andrews at Chesterfield and Keith Dashper at Ossett run the Applied Inspection lottery syndicate. There are currently 28 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)
Jan-June - £140.00 (6 months)
2 July - £0.00
9 July - £0.00
16 July - £0.00
23 July - £0.00
30 July - £0.00
6 August - £10.00
13 August - £10.00
20 August - £20.00
Any errors in the above list will be corrected as soon as possible.

PROFILE
(James Bailey)

Profile on Roy Archer

Roy is the Technical Manager of the Rail Division in Scotland. Born & bred in East Anglia, he is a married with one son. In 1985 the family relocated to Scotland. With over 40 years experience in engineering NDT and over 30 years experience in Railway NDT, Roy joined Applied in 1998.

He is a fully qualified railway mechanical fitter, training instructor and quality lead assessor.

Roy specialises in NDT, procedure writing, development and validation, control of NDT standards and technique development for various Scottish companies, and NDT record systems including RAVERS, POIS and GEMIMI.

Outside of work Roy enjoys travel and DIY.

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

"You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself."

Galileo

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 Environmental 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.

Alcohol and Drugs Policy
  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 counselling 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.

TRANSPORT
(Pat Slater)

This month is the first in which private fuel is calculated to the new formula (calculated 1 month in arrears, i.e. July).

If anybody is unhappy or unsure with the deductions, please contact your manager.

May I also remind everyone that driving licences for ANY ONE driving company vehicles should have been shown to your manager by the end of July.

HEALTH & SAFETY
(John Morris)

Personal Protective Equipment
It is a legal requirement that suitable personal protective equipment is worn when required and when appropriate signs dictate. In general foot, ear, eye and hand protection is required on any site and operatives must ensure they have the required equipment available prior to entering site. Replacement or specific personal protective equipment (e.g. head and respiratory protection, harness etc) is always available through your supervisor.

Further information may be obtained through John Morris on 07814 021345.

Working in Confined Spaces
Confined spaces include closed tanks (pressure vessels etc.) with restricted access, trenches, manholes, pipes, flues, ducts, ceiling voids, enclosed rooms such as basements, and other places where there is inadequate natural ventilation or access and egress is difficult or restricted.

Precautions:
If in doubt, make the necessary enquiries before entering.

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 25/08/2005

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