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Engineering the national interest |
07/06/2010
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| So, with a new coalition government at the helm, what do our political masters (or is that now servants) have in store for the UK's future? And how exactly is that likely to stack up against the country's requirements, as identified pre-election by the engineering institutions, in terms of carbon
... Read more |
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Now is the time for action |
01/03/2010
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| Life-long learning' used to be the term; now it's 'continuing professional development' (CPD). What's in a name? Both emphasise the importance of continuously enhancing our knowledge throughout our careers. |
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CV Operator show |
01/03/2010
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| There are good reasons for plant engineers to get to this year's CV Operator Show - particularly if your responsibilities include mobile equipment. Brian Tinham explains. |
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Got what it takes? |
01/03/2010
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| As engineers and training providers alike seek independent assessment of competence, SOE
is seeking some additional assessors, interviewers and mentors. Brian Tinham explains |
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Sensing invisible hazards |
01/03/2010
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| There is a new state-of-the-art in toxic and flammable gas sensor technologies that changes the art of what's possible. Dr Tom Shelley reports |
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Engineering appeal soars |
01/01/2010
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| Anyone who has spent any time in plant engineering cannot fail to have been struck by its accelerating rate of change, not just in terms of the technologies - drawing on developments from across the engineering disciplines - but also, increasingly, the techniques available for harnessing them. |
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Hone your skills |
01/01/2010
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| Like a finely tuned instrument, investing in training and continuing professional development for plant engineers helps them to perform their roles with greater speed, accuracy and precision. Brian Wall provides some insights |
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Naval sultans |
01/12/2009
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| The Royal Navy turns out some of the smartest, most able plant engineers on the planet. Brian Tinham takes a look at HMS Sultan and finds out the secrets of success |
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Raise high the pallet, engineers |
01/12/2009
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| It's too easy to go for the same old equipment for yet another lifting or handling task. Brian Tinham examines some of the options and the engineering issues in specifying plant |
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Safety first |
01/06/2009
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| When it comes to automated plant, ensuring safety is not just about adherence to the IEC 61508 control system standard or its industry-specific derivatives (IEC 61511 for the process industries, IEC 62061 for machinery etc). It's also about instilling a bullet-proof safety culture and sticking to
... Read more |
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Flawed floor? |
01/06/2009
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| A recent survey of 1,500 IOSH (Institute of Occupational Safety & Health) members revealed that slips and trips are the most recognised safety hazard in the workplace. Yet just 22% of respondents use key preventive measures, such as testing for floor slipperiness. |
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Hidden hazards |
01/06/2009
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| Did you know that if dry wire wool - think of discarded Brillo pads - comes into contact with a dead nine-volt battery, it can spontaneously combust? Or that dust - for that matter, even sugar or custard powder - can ignite and unleash a fireball? Or that air enriched with just three per cent
... Read more |
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Safety first |
01/06/2009
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| When it comes to automated plant, ensuring safety is not just about adherence to the IEC 61508 control system standard or its industry-specific derivatives (IEC 61511 for the process industries, IEC 62061 for machinery etc). It's also about instilling a bullet-proof safety culture and sticking to
... Read more |
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Belt and braces |
01/04/2009
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| Can you recall some of the more extreme reactions from the general public when the idea of compulsory seat belts was first mooted? They ranged from: 'No one can make me put one of those things on' to 'No [expletive deleted] way!' In short, government ?interference' on the very personal matter of
... Read more |
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Training matters |
01/02/2009
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| Setting aside the global recession, there are few subjects more in the news than engineering skills. Recent months have seen government ministers, DIUS (the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills), EC UK, the ETB (Engineering and Technology Board), the National Skills Academy for
... Read more |
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Fair enough |
01/06/2008
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| Line managers in engineering companies worry that the law of the land seems to be tilted in favour of their employees, and increasingly fear they need to tread carefully. But what does ?carefully' mean? How much of what we hear is just bar room chatter? What do we have to do to avoid falling foul
... Read more |
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Commercial Vehicle '08 |
01/04/2008
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| What: Commercial Vehicle Show 2008
Where: NEC, Birmingham
When: April 15-17
How: www.cvshow.com |
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Teach a man to fish |
01/04/2008
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| The Leitch Review of Skills, published in December 2006, warned that the UK must raise its game on training and education, if it is to sustain, never mind improve, its position in the global economy. Whether that study will turn out to have been the much-needed catalyst for finally turning around
... Read more |
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Up and away |
01/04/2008
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| Bad news travels fast, as the saying goes - but not so with rules and regulations. Apparently, somewhere in the region of one third of small businesses in the UK have still not heard of the PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) legislation - even though it has been in force
... Read more |
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Electric shock |
01/03/2008
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| Electrical standards governing design, build, installation, commissioning, testing and maintenance of electrical and electronic systems are changing - and the changes do impact engineering choices, methods and responsibilities. They also reach out into safety equipment involving hydraulic and
... Read more |
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Law in your own hands |
01/03/2008
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| You could be forgiven for thinking that on 6 April the eyes of the legal profession will be firmly on the Corporate Manslaughter (Corporate Homicide in Scotland) Act, as it comes into force. But you would be wrong. Why? Because for the vast majority of cases that have to do with health and safety,
... Read more |
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Passport to safety |
01/03/2008
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| No one would disagree with the HSE's insistence that health and safety training, as well as engineering competence, must be demonstrated before employees, contractors or visitors are allowed on-site. That's the proof we all demand of people's ability to carry out their tasks safely. So we should
... Read more |
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Raise your safety game |
01/03/2008
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| During the 10 years that LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) and PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) have been in operation, they've played a significant role in providing safe working environments across industry. Safety Assessment Federation (SAFed)
... Read more |
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Prove your competence |
01/02/2008
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| 'Within the next 18 to 24 months, industry will have to be much more proactive about proving the competence of its engineers and technicians at all levels. That's certainly the case in the rail sector. We're going to want to see external validation and/or EC(UK) registration through a licensed
... Read more |
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An Illustrious Career |
01/12/2007
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| It takes a certain kind of person to be a marine engineering technician (ETME) in the Royal Navy - and a decidedly special engineer. Why? Quite simply, because they have to be 'can do' individuals able, practically at a moment's notice, to turn their hands to whatever ship engagements throw at
... Read more |
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