Playing it safe
The October 2011 arrival of new guidance for the safe operation of steam and hot water boilers gives boiler operators and managers up-to-date advice, and recognised training is a key focus. Brian Wall reports
Risk Management - Taking the pressure
Before 1989, the Factories Act 1961 detailed the requirements for the examination of, and reporting on, steam and air plant within the power industry by the Competent Person (often the insurance company). Where water tube boilers were concerned, the Competent Person typically reported on three main components: the economiser, the boiler and the superheater. Inspections carried out to certify a boiler would include advice from technical bodies - in-service specialist bodies. Examples of these bodies today include E.ON's Power Technology division and RWE Innogy's specialist staff, based at Swindon.
Risk-based changes
Get it right and the savings can be huge, but get it wrong and the cost is unimaginable. Brian Tinham talks to John Wintle about changing best practice for hazardous plant inspections
Safety that boosts the bottom line
In a world where the failure of even a modest-sized steam boiler can cause millions of pounds' worth of damage, as well as injuries and even fatalities, the management of risk should always figure high on the agenda of any business.
The case of Mr S
The role of an individual acting as, or on behalf of, a 'competent person' under PSSR (the Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000) comes with serious obligations S Moore Holmes takes us through the case of Mr S
Compressed Air - Maintaining a safe system
Regulation 12 of the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) is very short and simple, as these things go: "The user of an installed system and the owner of a mobile system shall ensure that the system is properly maintained in good repair, so as to prevent danger." That's it. So if you're running a compressed air installation, you have a legal requirement to keep it maintained.
Full flow fluid power
As hydraulic and pneumatic systems continue to evolve, Steed Webzell weighs up the latest innovations benefiting static and mobile plant operations
The pressure is on
In the post Buncefield era, both the HSE and competent persons have been finding plant operators failing in their statutory duty. Brian Tinham reports
Under pressure
Boiler plant safety is generally well understood, but the demands of work may leave pressure systems exposed to danger. Brian Tinham re-examines concerns and best practice