On 13.02.23, Plant Inspection Services was acquired by the Thurra Group. This is a positive move for both businesses, expanding Plant Inspection Services’ capabilities to include new inspection types and locations while further strengthening Thurra’s presence across the North of England.

The integration of Plant Inspection Services into the Thurra Group will be seamless. The two companies serve clients in the same sectors, offer a similar range of inspection and compliance-management services and, most important of all, share the same values.

Other than the addition of the Thurra name, very few changes will be visible. Customers will have the same contacts, the same personal service and the same competitive pricing, and the services and expertise of our sub-contractors will remain as important to the business as before. Plant Inspection Services is a successful business in its own right and will now be able to bring the same high level of service to an even wider range of locations and industries.

So who are Thurra?

Thurra was established as an independent inspection services specialist over 30 years ago and has grown and flourished through the provision of a professional, trouble free, responsive and competitive service, delivered by highly qualified and experienced engineers. Learn more about the Thurra Group, its services, strengths and qualities at thurra.co.uk.

World Lung Day 2021

HSE confirm enforcement action

Targeted inspections taking place

“Our inspectors are visiting businesses across Great Britain checking that controls for exposure to welding fume and metalworking fluids are managed and carried out correctly to minimise risk to workers’ health.

Breathing in welding fume and metalworking fluids can cause serious lung diseases. All workers should understand the risks and businesses must take the necessary precautions when their workers weld or use metalworking fluids.”

For further information, view our guidance on:

• welding fumes
• metalworking fluids

It Can Happen To you!

Occupational asthma – a former welder’s story

Work-related lung disease such as occupational asthma can have a devastating impact on workers’ lives.

Phil Hydes, a former plater welder, talks to HSE’s Chief Medical Advisor Professor David Fishwick about his experience of the disease, his symptoms and how his diagnosis of occupational asthma has affected him and his family.

Watch the interview here.

If your workers undertake welding, make sure the necessary precautions are being taken to protect their respiratory health by downloading our top tips. If you missed the recent welding fume and metalworking fluids webinar you can register to watch a free recording

If you have concerns over issues raised in this bulletin please contact us for confidential and impartial advice, LEV Thorough Examination and Testing. COSHH Regs.

The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking is a new UK product marking that is used for goods being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales, and Scotland). It covers most goods which previously required CE marking, used on products that are traded on the single market in the European Economic Area (EEA).

UKCA marking applies to equipment manufactured after the 1^st of January 2021. Equipment manufactured before this date can still be placed on the market after this date with existing markings and notified body numbers.

What do I need to look for when buying new equipment?

Until the 31st December 2021, products which are correctly CE marked may continue to be placed on the GB market without the UKCA conformity mark. After that date, all products for the UK market should be UKCA marked.

Further information is available from the HSE here.

A written scheme of examination is a document containing information about items of plant or equipment which form a pressure system, operate under pressure and contain a ‘relevant fluid’.

What is a relevant fluid?

The term relevant fluid is defined in the Pressure System Safety Regulations (PSSR) and covers compressed or liquefied gas, including air, at a pressure greater than 0.5 bar (approximately 7 psi) above atmospheric pressure; pressurised hot water above 110 °C; and steam at any pressure.

How do I know which parts of PSSR apply to my system?

If your pressure system falls within the scope of the relevant regulations, then you are required to have a Written Scheme of Examination in place before the system is used. The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) provide the following flow chart to easily determine which parts of the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) apply to your system:

Note: the flow chart only covers type (a) pressure systems, as defined in pssr regulation 2(1) under ‘pressure system’, ‘one or more pressure vessels of rigid construction, any associated pipework and protective devices.’ it does not cover a type (b) pressure system, ‘the pipework with its protective devices to which a transportable pressure receptacle is, or is intended to be, connected,’ or a type (c) pressure system, ‘a pipeline and its protective devices.’ if your pressure system is as defined in (b) or (c), this diagram will not work.

This article contains public sector information published by the health and safety executive and licensed under the open government license.

What is in a Written Scheme of Examination?

Where required, the typical contents of a written scheme of examination will include:

• identification of the items of plant or equipment within the system;
• those parts of the system which are to be examined;
• the nature of the examination required, including the inspection and testing to be carried out on any protective devices;
• the preparatory work needed for the item to be examined safely;
• where appropriate, the nature of any examination needed before the system is first used;
• the maximum interval between examinations;
• the critical parts of the system which, if modified or repaired, should be examined by a competent person before the system is used again;
• the name of the competent person certifying the written scheme of examination and the date of certification.

Plant Inspection Services are here to help

Our engineers can provide written schemes for, and Thorough Examinations on, a range of pressure systems under PSSR. We are always happy to provide no obligation help and advice if you are unsure how to meet your responsibilities under the regulations. Contact us on:

Tel: 01423 866316
Email: info@plantinspectionservices.co.uk

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is to maintain its focus on spot checks aiming to ensure compliance with the coronavirus regulations.

“During lockdown, HSE will continue to carry out spot checks and inspections on businesses and will be increasing the number of calls and visits to check COVID-secure measures have been implemented in accordance with government guidance.”

Businesses should be aware that during these visits, in addition to coronavirus (COVID-19) related measures, HSE inspectors will also be looking for any other areas of concern. This includes checking that thorough examinations under LOLER, PSSR, and COSHH are up to date.

What are the rules on Thorough Examinations during the pandemic?

HSE guidance has been clear since the start of the pandemic, thorough examinations are an essential safety requirement and companies must make every effort to allow accept to plant during lockdown. For business that are either required to close or choose to do so, they should make sure that examinations are kept up to date. This will prevent any delay in re-opening by ensuring that equipment is ready to use.

What is a Thorough Examination?

Although often referred to as an insurance inspection, or simply inspection, a Thorough Examination is a defined term and a legal requirement under health and safety legislation, including:

• The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER Testing).  
• The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
• The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR Testing)

It comprises a complete and thorough check of the equipment and safety critical parts. The examination is intended to confirm that the equipment is safe to use until the next Thorough Examination is due.  

Plant Inspection Services are here to help you keep working

Our engineers have been operating throughout the pandemic, helping our clients to keep operating and provide the essential services needed to keep the country going.

All of our engineers are provided with appropriate PPE including hand sanitizer, gloves and masks. We comply fully with any site specific requirements while following the latest government guidance at all times.

If you need your thorough examinations bringing up to date quickly to allow you to get back to work contact us on: Tel: 01423 866316 or Email: info@plantinspectionservices.co.uk