News

The Water Jetting Association, the member organisation for the water jetting industry, is to allow its courses to be delivered by training providers based outside the UK for the first time.

The decision will help meet growing demand for water jetting operatives based around the world to benefit from WJA training.

The WJA Training and Safety Committee approved the change, which was then ratified by the WJA Ruling Council at its meeting in November 2022.

A key ruling is that WJA-approved training providers and instructors based in other countries will not be permitted to deliver training in the UK.

WJA President John Jones said: “This is a significant and exciting decision for the WJA.Requests for our training to be delivered outside the UK have increased in recent years and we want to be able to meet that demand.

“Until now, our rules have required all WJA-approved training providers to be based in the UK. In most cases, this has required WJA-approved instructors to travel from the UK to other countries to deliver training.”

“Our decision means this no longer must be the case. If training providers and instructors meet our criteria and pass all our assessments, they can be approved by the WJA.

“That means WJA training can be delivered, for the first time, by both training providers and instructors based in any country around the world.”

The WJA is the UK member body for the water jetting industry. It represents water jetting contractors, hirers, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and training providers, and works closely with other stakeholders, including asset owners and organisations concerned about water jetting safety.

Demand for WJA water jetting training is growing in many countries, most notably in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia, which have significant oil and gas industries.

WJA Training and Safety Committee Chairman Steve Williams regularly delivers training in other countries. He said: “This is a positive move. Without it, the WJA would be unlikely to keep up with demand for its training courses.

“In the Middle East, for example, WJA training is highly valued because it is based on the WJA’s codes of practice that are recognised and respected for setting a clear standard for water jetting.

“Training providers and instructors in the Middle East, and other regions, will now be able to apply for WJA-approved status, which includes a process of ongoing assessment.

“This means more water jetting operatives will benefit from WJA training which can only enhance the safety and effectiveness of water jetting operations in those countries, which is a positive step forward.”

To become a WJA-approved training provider, organisations must join the WJA. This requires them to sign the WJA Professional Charter and meet its stringent financial and governance criteria, as well as undergo a rigorous assessment process.

Training instructors musthave a minimum of three years’ experience in water jetting, related to the practical modules they plan to deliver.

They must hold a current PTTLS or Level 3 award in education or training, or their equivalent, and a health and safety qualification, at least equivalent to IOSH Managing Safely.

As stipulated by the WJA’s standard operating procedures for training, they must hold a current WJA safety awareness certificate and the certificates for all practical modules for which they are competent to deliver.

Their formal application must be approved by the WJA’s Ruling Council. They must agree to a process of formal assessment, including a WJA assessor attending training courses. 

www.waterjetting.org.uk

Ends

The global cable gland specialistPeppers celebrates 75 years in business.

Peppers Cable Glands is proud to have upheld its unrivalled reputation for delivering quality products teamed with the highest possible level of customer service and flexibility throughout its 75 years of trading.

Peppers is the globally trusted cable gland specialist renowned for an end-to-end service, providing customers with a total cable gland solution and unrivalled confidence in the quality of the product. Peppers solely manufacture cable glands and enclosure accessories. It is this streamlined expertise, teamed with unparalleled technical support and service delivery thathas contributed to its continued success over the last 75 years.  

Sales manager, Grayham Churchouse says, “We take great pride in providing our customers with a confidence and peace of mind when they buy from us.  From the design engineers who specify our products, to the fitters at point of installation, to the organisations all over the world that utilise them; ourservice and product quality is paramount to our success.  As a focused product manufacturer, we have gathered 75 years’ worth of expertise and resources into making the very best, fit for purpose cable gland and enclosure accessory range on the market.”

Peppers satellite manufacturing unit and expansive global distribution network gives them a superior control over the supply chain. Their clever “component manufacturing” process allows them to remain agile which means they can provide customers with an unbeatable level of service, end to end. From quotation, to order processing, to manufacture, to a fast and reliable delivery time.

Peppers is a trusted brand that not only prides itself on its product performance and response times, but the knowledge and expertise that 75 years has created.  This ultimately provides the customers with unfailing confidence that they are receiving the integrity that comes with the Peppers name, built up over the last three quarters of a century. 

Peppers maintains a quality management system approved by ISO 9001:2015 as well as an extensive range of global hazardous area protection concepts and marine approvals.

This artice can also be found in the Jan/Feb issue .

Do you have a need to lift or move drums, de-palletise or just generally move drums around a workshop or factory site in Hazardous Areas.

The St Clare Engineering range of Grab-O-MaticATEX fork attachment and pedestrian drum handlers will provide a safe and efficient solution for you.

The popular and versatileGrab-O-Matic DLR range of rim grip fork attachment drum handlers are suitable for all types of steeldrums, plastic ‘L’ ring drums and most fibre drums.

The extensivedrum handling range includes the SC10 for lifting and rotating drums to dispense the contents, scissorgrabs, base gripping units and waist grippers, the whole range can also be fitted to pedestrian stackers for use in confined spaces and places where fork trucks are banned. Bespoke units can be manufactured to suit customer specification.

We also have arangeof Drum Cages for off-shore use and fork attachment Whiskey/Wine Barrel Base Grippers for use in the drinks industry.

We have also developed a Quick Attach/Release drum handler fork attachment for use in ATEX hazardous areas. 

All Grab-O-Matic models can be Quick Attach/Release units and are securely attached to the forks and released without the need for the truck driver to dismount from his cab, saving time and increasing safety!

The drum handlers can be manufactured completely from stainless steel or part stainless steel to suit customer requirements and the spark proof area the units are operating in.

All Grab-O-Matic fork attachments are issued with Test Certificates, CE marked and manufactured entirely in the UK to ISO 9001:2015 and will be certified for use in ATEX spark proof areas.

For more information on our extensive range of drum and materials handling equipment please contact Andy Bow on 02380 643402 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This article can also be found in the Jan/Feb issue.

Happy 2023! I thought as it was anew year I would take a break from updating everyone on the every changing UKCA Requirements and look at a few other scheme and Standards updates.

The IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme have published OD 290 - Harmonized procedures for IECEx certification of equipment, components and systems associated with the production, dispensing and use of gaseous hydrogen.

ATEX is an acronym for “Atmospheres Explosives” and refers to a set of European Union (EU) directives for the design of electrical equipment suitable for use in hazardous locations where an explosive atmosphere could exist. Typical hazardous locations include the more obvious places such as flour mills, coal mines, petrochemical plants, fuel transferfacilities etc. However, some not so obvious hazardous locations also include waste water treatment plants, saw mills, tunnels and underground passageways or any location where a build-up of naturally occurring flammable material (such as methane or dust) could occur.

In many of these locations there is a need for condition monitoring, for example by measuring temperature or vibration of rotating machinery. The equipment needed to do the monitoring must therefore be “intrinsically safe”, in other words it must be incapable of igniting an explosive atmosphere, should one exist. This is where ATEX comes in, as in order to be considered “safe”, equipment needs to be certified for use in hazardous locations. 

Definitions of areas subject to explosive atmospheres

The likelihood of an explosive atmosphere existing is dealt with by the definition of various zones, and for IECEx(Worldwide) & ATEX (European) standards the following zones are defined:

Zone 0 - an area in which an explosive atmosphere is present constantly or for long periods or frequently.

Zone 1- an area in which an explosive atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.

Zone 2 - an area in which an explosive atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.

Figure 1 – Examples of IECEx and ATEX zones

Affordable intrinsically safe instruments for condition monitoring

Intrinsically safe instruments can cost many times more than their non-intrinsically safe equivalents. This is partly due to the increased manufacturing costs (e.g. additional safety components and encapsulation) but also due to the high cost of certification. However, Test Products International (TPI) believes it has introduced a real game-changer with the certification of the very affordable TPI 9080Ex.IECEx/ATEX certified for use in Zone 1 and with North American approval for Class I, Zone 1, the TPI 9080Ex is certified for use in hazardous locations anywhere in the world. 

The TPI 9080Ex uses industry standard BNC connected intrinsically safe accelerometers and offers on-meter analysis for detection of machine faults such as unbalance, misalignment, looseness and bearing wear. With full colour OLED display and Bluetooth communications, the TPI 9080Ex features colour coded alarms and zoomable on-screen vibration frequency plots with cursor readout. It can store lists (routes) of up to 1000 machines, each with up to 10 measurement points, with full waveform and frequency spectrum (FFT) capture. 

The included VibTrend PC based trending and reporting software has features normally only found on high-endsoftware such as automatic email notification of alarms and report generation.  The windows based software is totallyintuitive so it can be used easily and effectively by both expert and novice users to implement a full CBM strategy.  In-line with TPI’s philosophy of being the value leader, the TPI 9080Ex comes at the incredibly low list price of only £3,500that includes a full VibTrendsoftware license. 

For more information please contact TPI Europe’s head office on +44 1293 530196 or take a look on the website at www.tpieurope.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This article can also be found in the Jan/Feb issue.

The Si124 range of acoustic cameras now detects air leaks from 2 - 65 kHz - and the small change means big operational improvements for industrial applications across sectors.

The Teledyne FLIR range of acoustic imaging cameras, the Si124, Si124-PD and Si124-LD, now offers an improved bandwidth range for detecting compressed air leaks in industrial settings. The change means that the industry-leading range can now detect leaks from anywhere between 2 to 65 kHz and adds crucial functionality to the previous peak bandwidth of 35 kHz.
While it may seem like a minor change, the operational impact of the improvements cannot be overstated: it means marked savings for industrial applications globally, reducing costs and improving reliability.

The improved Si124 range promises easier, more impactful inspections

The range of three cutting-edge Si124 models are now equipped to measure virtually all compressed air leaks in manufacturing settings - regardless of how small and seemingly insignificant. This unique range covering 63 kHz is scientifically the optimal sound spectrum range for detecting leaks, which occur on this measurable threshold. Detecting ranges outside of this spectrum actually detracts from long-term functionality as detecting background noise beyond 65 kHz can interfere with baseline readings and negatively impact leak detection.

Failure to detect air leaks can cost companies thousands of pounds in replacement costs for units that are not operating optimally, and can have a knock-on effect on production when parts are replaced and production lines forced into downtime.
Federico De Lucia, Team Lead of Condition Monitoring Specialists (EMEA Solutions) at Teledyne FLIR explains why this seemingly small change cements the Si124 range as operating across the optimum bandwidth for detecting compressed air leaks in industrial applications.

“Let’s look at, for example, a compressed air leak from a small hole of just 1.5 millimetres and on a network of compressed air at seven bars of pressure. Two years ago, with a price of €0.07 per kilowatt hour, that would have cost a company roughly €1500 (£1300) per year, if we assume an average operating time of 6000 hours.

“Now that the energy situation is more challenging, it means that costs may be three, four, even five times higher in some cases, which could be a cost of up to £7500 a year - which is a shocking amount simply for failing to identify a single small hole in a vital production component. This is staggering when you consider the scale of industrial manufacturing and the scope for leaks to crop up unnoticed.”

Tightness testing is an outdated model

“The EV industry is a particularly timely example of how acoustic imaging can be used to replace outdated inspection models, given the rising cost of energy on all fronts.

“This is because the batteries for electric vehicles must be hermetically sealed to ensure they hit operational guidelines and safety standards. They must be both airtight and watertight to keep dirt, dust and other external contaminants from penetrating the core components, which could cause the device to short-circuit and become a fire risk.

“Traditionally, these units were probed by mass spectrometers to identify foreign compounds within the casing or through the more rudimentary method of immersing the units in water to identify leaks by looking for air bubbles - which we call tightness testing - but this was incredibly impractical, as well as wasteful.

“Teledyne FLIR’s improved range of acoustic imaging can detect leaks quicker than this outdated model as well as identify much smaller leaks that are not visible to the naked eye, able to be heard by the ear, or even detected on traditional thermography. The improved bandwidth range of the Si124 ensures that operators are only focusing on the exact and specific frequencies that compressed air leaks can be detected on - and not wasting valuable battery power or AI functionality struggling to filter out avoidable background noise on higher frequencies.”

Lighter and more ergonomic than any other acoustic imaging camera for industrial inspections
As well as benefiting from the optimum range of bandwidth for compressed air leak detection, the Si124 range also offers clear advantages for inspectors in industrial applications.

The Si124 range is incredibly lightweight. In fact, it is almost 60% lighter than rival models on the market at just 1.25kg including the battery. This makes sure that they can be used with a single hand, freeing up the operator to carry out harder-to-reach inspections in challenging environments. The lightweight range can be used for up to two hours and can even be operated in a range of challenging industrial settings from between –10°C to 50°C (14°F to 122°F), making it one of the most robust models available.

The acoustic imaging camera range is able to detect problems up to 10 times faster than traditional methods, including detecting air leaks, minimising excess utility costs and making avoidable equipment failures in pneumatic machinery a thing of the past.

The range also has an agile AI which uses projective algorithms to estimate how much a detected compressed air leak will cost by evaluating the air lost in real-time, calculating the spend per kWh and displaying an expected saving per year. Critically, this ensures that inspectors have valuable evidence needed to justify any incurred repair costs across the production line.

The Si124 range also benefits from Thermal Studio: a FLIR-exclusive plug-in which is able to build reports with more than 100 images quickly with fully customizable templates, overlays, and formulas. It streamlines thermal imaging analysis and ensures that inspectors are able to analyse, edit, segment and edit thermal video.

The improved FLIR Si124-PD, Si124-LD, and the original Si124 Industrial Acoustic Imaging Camera models are available for purchase globally from Teledyne FLIR and its authorised dealers. To learn more or to

purchase, visit https://www.flir.com/products/si124.

The use of components in potentially explosive atmospheres, such as in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, agriculture, woodworking and the metal industry, is governed by strict standards. With its LevelEx Ex cable gland, PFLITSCH is breaking new ground in terms of safety and ease of assembly.

The LevelEx consists of just four parts, which are simple and safe to assemble and take up little space. A special feature of the gland: the sealing elements have a captive design and cannot be lost during assembly. The LevelEx is available in nickel-plated brass and stainless steel, each version in sizes M16 to M75, with NPT threads from 3/8" to 2 ½". Its large sealing range means that cables from 7 mm to 66 mm can be tightly sealed. Thanks to the silicone sealing insert, the glands can be used in applications in the temperature range from –60 °C to +130 °C. 

The compact Ex cable gland complies with protection types “Ex-db” for flameproof enclosure, “Ex-eb” for increased safety and “Ex-ta” for protection by enclosure. It satisfies the demanding requirements of protection ratings IP 66, IP 68 and Type 4X.

The international ATEX, IECEx, VDE, DNV, CCC, KCs and UL Listed certificates – the latter demanding very stringent requirements – granted verify that this PFLITSCH cable gland can be reliably used even under extreme conditions. In an industrial environment, a product can be either UL Recognized or UL Listed. The difference lies in the degree of compliance with UL requirements. In potentially explosive atmospheres, the complete set of requirements must be met.

In order to obtain ATEX and IECEx certification, the cable gland must pass an overpressure test conducted at 30 bar for 10 s, in accordance with EN 60079-1. The LevelEx was tested with a test pressure of 48.6 bar, which corresponds to a reference pressure of 32.4 bar if the gland is used at an operating temperature of –60 °C.

In 2022 Peli Products (UK) Ltd celebrated 30 years in business.  During those years high quality, rugged torches have been a fundamental part of the Peli™ range in the UK.  We now offer a wide choice of safety approved lighting products for professionals working in hazardous areas, all are certified to current ATEX requirements for Zone 0 or Zone 1and are ideal for industrial and offshore use.

The range includes right angled clip on models for hands free use.

The 3765 Zone 0 is a tough rechargeable safety light, ideal for industrial and offshore use.  This rugged torch has a secure clip to attach to clothing and features downcast LEDs to light the path in front. It also has high and low modes and a battery charge level indicator.

The Peli 3415 Zone 0 features a 90° articulating head to angle the light where required.  An integrated clip easily attaches to clothing for hands-free light and also utilises a heavy duty magnet; allowing the torch to be attached to steel surfaces. 

The Peli 2755 Zone 0 is one model in a range of robust headtorches from Peli.  The torch comes with both a rubber and a cloth headstrap, and has three power modes: high, lowand flashing. A hard hat attachment is also included.

Professionals have chosen the Peli brand for many years; trusting in the reliability, performance and durability of the products in the most testing conditions.  

For more details telephone 01457 869999 or go to www.peliproducts.co.uk.

This artice can also be found in the Jan/Feb issue.

Hart Door Systems, the original British manufacturer of the high-speed door concept, is confident that there are considerable prospects for another successful year for the Speedor brand.

“Our management team led by Nick Hart as managing director and David Mason as sales director has just delivered a very good year when there has been many uncertainties in the UK economy and wider afield.

“In that challenging business environment we have had many successes at home and abroad not just through the Speedor range of high-speed doors but through our range of high quality shutters. Both these leading brands have had additional variants introduced such as Speedor ECO and our Typhoon shutters,” says Doug Hart, chairman, Hart Door Systems.

“The breadth of offer created by the choice of solutions for industry and commerce has cemented our presence in the UK market and globally. The fundamentals delivered by Hart are quality throughout manufacture to installation as well as service back-up to comply with changing national and international safety standards.

“We are also cognisant of Climate Change issues and the need to keep both Hart’s and our clients’ carbon footprints to a minimum by using the latest manufacturing technology to streamline the manufacturing process. Where possible we would use recyclable materials.”

Looking more closely at Speedor ECO, this high-speed door complements Hart’s very successful Speedor Storm, Speedor Mini and sub brands such as Speedor Conveyor and Speedor Cleanroom, further strengthening Hart’s overall high-speed door offer.

Speedor ECO is a new mid-range variant suitable for external use up to Class 3 and available up to 5m x 5m size whereas the Speedor Mini is for internal use only to a maximum 4m x 4m size. The  focus with these two Speedor options is on lower price and high-speed doors that can be tailored to meet clients’ budgets.

Mr Hart says: “With the new Speedor ECO being a mid-priced high-speed door variant withstate of the art direct drives and  controls which are BSEN safety compliant, the ECO offers single or variable speed motor, heavy fabric and hand chain operation if necessary.

This adds to ECO’s many other features such as safe operation, reliability and ruggedness.“We have always had quality as our prime driver and our success with new variants, not just in high-speed doors but shutters such as our new Typhoon range, the fundamentals are quality throughout manufacture to installation and service to comply with changing national and international safety standards,” says Mr Hart.

“Without doubt there is demand for a mid-priced high-speed door variant such as ECO and given our considerable experience, we are the ones to deliver it,” he adds. “ECO will appeal to companies requiring a high-speed door solution but within a tight budget. It is for frequent use, high traffic situations where low maintenance is a priority.

“In all cases across our range of brands, we comply with the new code of practice announced by the DHF Door Hardware Federation and we are ever mindful of post installation maintenance costs. So while Mini and ECO cater for less demanding environments, Speedor Storm’s increasing success is based on its improved, rugged, design predominately for external use up to 8m x 6m/6m x 8m) often in robust operating conditions with high wind loads.

“We have always had quality as our prime driver and our success with new variants, not just in high-speed doors but shutters such as our new Typhoon range, the fundamentals are quality throughout manufacture to installation and service to comply with changing national and international safety standards.”

Hart Door Systems, now in its 75^th year, is a global business supplying a range of door and shutter systems to sectors such as automotive, agriculture, communications, consumer foods, energy, environment, exports, food, logistics, manufacturing, power, sport, transport and utilities. 

Contact www.hartdoors.com  t: 0191 214 0404   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This article can also be found in the Jan/Feb issue .

The company behind HAVSPRO, the solution for the accurate, real-time measurement and monitoring of workplace vibration, is highlighting the latest Health & Safety Executive (HSE) figures, released in November 2022, which show a 375 percent rise in new Hand Arm Vibration. 

Over 300 new cases of HAVS were reported in 2021, in addition to 165 new cases of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (up 412 percent) and 255 new instances of Depuytren’s Contracture (a rise of 392 percent). HAVSPRO points out that these conditions are all easily preventable with appropriate measures in places to protect the workforce.

However, in addition to this disturbingly high rise in cases, the HSE report also shines a light on the extensive array of industries (some previously unconsidered) in which workers are exposed to such debilitating conditions.

Whilst the HSE statistics show the construction and mining industries have long been seen as key contributors to risk in this area, a number of new sectors are revealed as being areas of concern, including ‘service’ industries. The reported data sets include repair of motor vehicles, accommodation and food service activities, and transport and storage as part of the Service sectors that are reporting over 50 percent of new cases in 2021.

More than two million people are at risk from developing HAVS and approximately 300,000 people suffer from HAVS in the UK alone, with companies already feeling the impact of successful worker litigation to the tune of £2.5m in fines alone in the last 7 years - and almost £1.4m of these fines have been since 2018.

Russ Langthorne, Managing Director of SIXIS Technology, the company behind HAVSPRO, and a personal HAVS sufferer himself, is concerned at these significant increases; “These statistics are particularly concerning because the number of new cases is at a five-year high, and not just skewed as a result of the recent pandemic. It is clear that companies need to be taking this growing risk factor more seriously, given the significant impact it can have on both their workforce and their bottom line. Action must be taken now.”

HSE regulations stipulate that “An employer who carries out work which is liable to expose any of their employees to risk from vibration shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk created by that work to the health and safety of those employees, and the risk assessment shall identify the measures that need to be taken to meet the requirements of these Regulations”.

However, the regulations further state that “There is no legal requirement for continual monitoring and recording of vibration exposure and that to do so would probably not be a good use of your or your employees’ time, unless there are very specific circumstances.”

Russ adds: “Clearly, this huge rise in new cases in a number of related HAVS conditions and across a host of industries, indicates that there is now a very real requirement for businesses to prioritise vibration exposure measuring and monitoring, both to protect their workers and to avoid costly litigation and fines.

“The game changing and simple to adopt HAVSPRO system provides continuous measuring and monitoring of vibration exposure, allowing for a proactive, ALARP-focused approach to vibration risk management. There is no longer any excuse for companies not to engage in doing everything possible to manage the risk from vibration exposure, to as low as reasonably practicable, and to #MakeHAVSHistory.”

For more information, visit the  website.