There are many different standards to adhere too within engineering. Below are some answers to frequently asked questions.
Simply click on the question to find out more:
How do pressure systems affect me?
As an employer or a self employed person you have a duty to provide a safe workplace and safe equipment:
Pressure System Safety Regs. 2000
Under the P.S.S.R.s 2000 a written scheme of examination should be drawn up by the competent person and the system be examined in accordance with that scheme. The examination ensures you remain compliant and that the pressure system is ‘roadworthy’ but it is not a substitute for regular maintenance which is still down to the user/owner.
Our ASME trained engineers can undertake schemes on simple pressure systems and examinations including ultra sonic testing, he will also advise if a scheme is required or whether it is covered by the A.C.O.P.
What is P.U.W.E.R. and how it affects me?
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations touch virtually any employee in the workplace.
If you are an employer or self employed and you provide equipment for use at work then the regulations apply to you.
The regulations stipulate that:
An examination of the equipment should be carried out by a competent person
Record be kept until the next inspection.
The regulations also apply to mobile work equipment such as forklifts, dumpers, barrows, and handling aids. We inspect all of these.
How does working at height affect you or your employees?
Working at height is where a person could be injured from falling, even if it is at ground or below ground level. The Working at Height Regulations apply to all work at height not just above 2 metres.
All equipment for work at height should be appropriately inspected by the user before use and at regular intervals by a competent person.
One way to gain access to roof lights, overhead lines, or overhanging branches is to deploy a mobile elevated work platform. Working from a MEWP you must use a full body harness to BSEN 361 and a lanyard using a shock absorbing device where a person can fall.
Do I, as a tree surgeon, need to do these examinations if I only employ 2 people?
Yes, you do because the Lifting Operations Lifting Equipment Regulations apply to arboreal equipment and should be examined by a competent person every six months or in accordance with a scheme drawn up by the competent person.
The basis of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 still applies as you have a duty of care to your employees.
Don’t worry our engineer can be flexible and will call at a time to suit you.
Here is some more information you might find useful:
Thorough examination and testing of vehicle lifts
All lifts for lifting vehicles in the motor vehicle trade should be thoroughly examined by a competent person every six months. This is clear in BS EN 1493-2010 but was reinforced by the Health and Safety Executive on 26th February 2010 after a serious failure of a lift in a garage premises. It is not worth the risk of not having your lifts inspected, our engineer has comprehensive training in lift safety. He will advise on all aspects of garage equipment whether it be PUWER or LOLER.
More about L.O.L.E.R. and what the implications are for your business
If you are an employer or a self employed person providing equipment for use at work these regulations apply to you. The regulations covers where the Health and Safety at Work Act applies including:
Factories
Farms
Hospitals
Places of entertainment
Care homes
Schools
Colleges
Ship yards
Garages
Harbours
Engineering workshops
Under Regulation 9 of these regulations lifting equipment needs to be examined by a competent person before being taken into service unless the equipment is new and is accompanied by a EC Declaration of Conformity.
Where the safety of the lifting equipment depends upon the installation or relocation being carried out properly it must be thoroughly examined.
Where equipment can suffer deterioration in use then it should be thoroughly examined periodically as specified in the Regulation (at least six monthly for accessories and for equipment used for lifting persons) and at a maximum of twelve months for all other equipment.
Reports of thorough examination can be executed by our fully trained engineer/surveyors giving you peace of mind it is being done properly and at the correct inspection frequencies.
