Pump Distributors Association
Technical, Employment & Business Notices
This Page contains notes about safety, employment, business, technical and legislation matters which may have relevance to PDA members and other users of pumps.
The PDA publishes these notes for guidance purposes only and not as matters of fact or as PDA policy. The PDA can not be held responsible for any resulting actions or losses arising from these notices being followed. The reader must carry out their own evaluation and investigation into the subjects.
go to special notice - Skill Cards and the JIB - 12 May 2005
go to special article on - EC Directive 97/23/EC "Pressure Equipment"
SAFETY NOTICE - MOTOR EYE BOLTS
The following notice was emailed to all PDA Members on Friday 10 December 2004
TO
ALL PDA MEMBERS From PDA Chairman, Tony Keville
subject:
Motor eye bolts
I have been asked by Graham Gallen at Selwood Pump Company to bring the above topic to membership’s attention.
Following a fatal accident at the Land Rover plant close to their premises, it was found that a maintenance contractor had used the motor eyebolts to lift a vertical trunk pump. He then went under the unit to manoeuvre it, unfortunately the motor eyebolts failed and he was crushed by the falling unit. He had ignored the pump lifting points, which were rated for the weight imposed.
As a result of the above the Health and Safety Executive have stated that in their opinion as motor eyebolts are only rated for the weight of the motor, they should be removed and discarded when the motors are supplied as part of a pump set.
May I suggest that you all look to adopting the above procedure on an urgent basis and inform your customers of your decisions.
You may have to re-write your O & M manuals.
Grahams research has revealed that
several of the major pump suppliers in the
I have also discussed this matter with Stephen Schofield at the BPMA who is consulting with his own Membership.
EYE BOLTS
IF
IN DOUBT LEAVE THEM OUT
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Useful
web sites for Business Owners
Nationally recognised employers’
standard for good practice and training.
Mirago
www.mirago.co.uk
Site from the British Chambers of
Commerce that monitors and advises on how to alleviate the “red tape
burden”.
E-Business Clubs www.ebusinessclubs.co.uk
A
coalition of UK organisations helping businesses to trade online.
Trading in the Euro
Small
Business Europe
www.smallbusinesseurope.org
Aimed at promoting the interests and
opinions of UK small businesses.
The Treasury: Offer useful advice on the various implications for UK companies trading with clients and suppliers within Europe. They have prepared fact sheets and case studies as well as setting up Regional Euro Forums across the UK.
To receive fact sheets and case studies call 08456 01 01 99 quoting DME1: or down load information from www.euro.gov.uk
also try -
Inland Revenue: www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk
Customs & Excise: www.hmce.gov.uk
Trade Partners UK:
www.tradepartners.gov.uk
Department of Trade & Industry: www.dti.gov.uk
Notice published on this web site 26/02/2003
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Quality Standards ISO 9001:2000
The following notes have been prepared by Tom McHenry of CCD Pumps Ltd
Notice published on this web site 17/12/2001
Note ! Major Revisions Imminent.
Make Sure That You Are Aware.
The title of the ‘system’ has been renamed ‘Quality Management System’
(from ‘Quality Assurance’) and replaces ISO 9001:1994, ISO 9002:1994 and
ISO 9003:1994.
It introduces the methodology term PDCA:
Plan, Do, Check and Act.
All requirements of the new system are generic and are intended to be applicable to all organisations regardless of type, size and product provided. Where in the previous ‘system’ it was biased towards medium and large-scale organisations, and towards engineered products.
In the new ‘system’ the generic term ‘product’ would include hardware, software, processed material and services. Also there is the integration of quality management and business processes. With a clear focus on customer satisfaction.
The new system covers:
Customer focus
Leadership
The involvement of people
A process approach
A system approach to management
Continual improvement
A factual approach to decision making and
Mutually beneficial supplier relationships
The new transition is intended to lead to the following benefits:
A quality management system that is fully integrated into an organisation’s business practices
Improved awareness of customer needs and expectations
Greater impact of human resource contributions
Improved communication within an organisation
Reduced levels of quality management system documentation
Emphasis on measurement and results rather than just compliance with procedures
Continual improvement of effectiveness of the quality management system
Increased ability to meet customer requirements consistently and
Enhanced customer satisfaction
Unfortunately there are many changes to the new system, and far too many to be listed here.
Therefore current users of the 1994 systems should initiate the start up of the transition as soon as possible. As this will take time to digest.
Information relating to the changes are available in two booklets:
BSI Booklet ‘Transition HB 10181:2000’ Price £25
BSI Booklet ‘BS EN ISO 9001:2000’ Price £75
Both available from:
BSI Sales Department, 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL.
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Directors must be more accountable for Health & Safety
The following was supplied by Mike Brown of Pumpmasters and is an extract from EEF and HSE advice notes.
Company directors must accept joint responsibility and leadership of their organisation's health and safety performance and appoint one board member to champion health and safety issues, under a draft code published for consultation by the Health and Safety Commission.
The code, which aims to help directors ensure health and safety risks arising from their organisations are properly managed, also makes it clear that boards need to -
ensure their organisations have a clear heath and safety policy;
ensure individual board members recognise their personal liabilities and responsibilities under health and safety law;
ensure all board decisions reflect their organisation's health and safety policy - particularly when making decisions on new equipment, premises and policies and in doing business business with companies who also have sound policies and practices;
consult staff fully on all health and safety issues;
keep themselves informed about health and safety issues.
Copies of consultation and explanation booklets are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA. Telephone 01787 881165
Notice published on this web site 29/09/2001
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EC Directive 97/23/EC "Pressure Equipment"
A number of members have asked questions about the new Pressure Equipment Directive. PDA Council asked Paul Marshall, of Marshall Pump Systems Ltd, to examine the likely impact on the Association's members. The following notes have been compiled by Paul to whom we owe thanks.
EC Directive 97/23/EC "Pressure Equipment"
Members may be aware that the above Directive (P.E.D.) was adopted by the European Parliament and Council in May 1997 and that we are presently in a transition period ending 30th May 2002 when the Directive will supersede national regulations.
Interpretations on the requirements of the Directive by concerned bodies, notably manufacturers are now being received but since these are selective, not all members are receiving the same advice with resulting confusion. To help all members this notice is intended to consolidate the advice received to date.
The P.E.D. is intended to facilitate trade within the European Union by harmonising Laws & Regulations of the Member States concerned with Pressure Equipment.
It has to be said that the provisions of the Directive are complicated and to be certain of complying each member Company must take steps to satisfy themselves that they understand the requirements, at a minimum by obtaining and reading a copy. The PDA cannot and will not accept responsibility for any advice given regarding interpretation of the Directive.
Scope
The Directive applies to the design, manufacture and conformity assessment of pressure equipment and assemblies with a maximum allowable pressure (PS) greater than 0.5 Bar.
Definitions
"Pressure Equipment" means: -
1. Vessels
2. Piping
3. Safety Accessories
4. Pressure Accessories
5. Assemblies
‘Vessel’ means: -
A housing designed and built to contain fluid under pressure including its direct attachments up to the coupling point connecting it to other equipment.
‘Piping’ means: -
Piping components intended for the transport of fluids when connected together for integration into a pressure system.
‘Safety Accessories’ means: -
Devices designed to protect pressure equipment against the allowable limits being exceeded.
‘Pressure Accessories’ means: -
Devices with an operational function and having pressure bearings housings.
‘Assemblies’ means: -
Several pieces of pressure equipment assembled by a manufacturer to constitute an integrated and functional whole.
It is clear from the above that the P.E.D. is directly relevant to us and we need to be aware of our obligations. Firstly there are exclusions.
Exclusions
1] Fortunately perhaps, our prime concern, pumps appear to be excluded from the P.E.D.
Members of EUROPUMP have agreed that pumps will be subject to the requirements of the ‘Machinery Directive’ 98/37/EEC and the "Low Voltage" Directive so the present situation will continue. This means that pumps are supplied with either a Certificate of Conformity or of Incorporation and are CE marked as appropriate.
2] "Simple" pressure vessels being air or nitrogen receivers subject to 87/404/EEC are excluded. Of greater significance to us however is the situation of diaphragm tanks and our understanding is that these are subject to the P.E.D.
3] Piping for the transport of liquids between installations i.e.; between the last and first isolation valves of equipment is excluded.
REQUIREMENTS
Manufacturers of relevant equipment have to place it into one of four categories for assessment and the assessment procedures are increasingly rigorous for increasing risk. Once approved, items have to carry specified markings, including but not necessarily the CE mark. We need to ensure that such items, safety accessories [pressure relief valves, bursting discs etc;) pressure accessories (valves, pressure gauges, flow meters etc) do comply with the P.E.D. If not, after May 30th 2002 we are liable for any non-compliance.
Diaphragm vessels are a particular concern and although it seems clear that they are subject to the P.E.D. it is not as clear into which assessment category they fall. This is likely to vary according to the size and pressure rating. Until an industry standard evolves it is in our interests to require manufacturers to state their position on the P.E.D. that they are carrying out the necessary assessment and that their vessels are marked as required.
Members producing assemblies, say booster sets, should note that the P.E.D. lays down procedures to be followed in design, specification and manufacture according to different categories of risk. Each item incorporated has to be assessed for its suitability and reliability followed by an analysis of the integration. Safety critical items have to be identified and an appropriate safety device must be specified at the highest category of the assembly.
None of this should present insuperable problems to members but it is important to have an understanding of the P.E.D. - ignorance of the law is no defence. If however advice is needed and the problem is relevant to all PDA members it may be possible for us to arrange for expert assistance on a group basis with obvious cost savings.
Please contact Ian Castle at the PDA office for further information.
Notice published on this web site 22/02/2001
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