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We are pleased to announce the launch of our new magazine, Engineering Hydrogen Solutions. The first edition will be published in September 2023. The magazine will run alongside our popular stable of magazines, which include Engineering Maintenance Solutions, Hazardous Engineering Solutions and Industrial Director. The magazine will be circulated to a global audience of 30,000 engineers responsible for implementing hydrogen technology and innovation. For all advertising enquiries please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and to submit press releases please email articles and associated images to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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The Department for Business and Trade has today announced an indefinite extension to the use of CE marking for businesses.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has today announced its intention to indefinitely extend the use of CE marking for businesses, applying to 18 regulations owned by DBT.

This comes as part of a wider package of smarter regulations designed to ease business burdens and help grow the economy by cutting barriers and red tape. Following extensive engagement with industry, British firms will be able to continue the use of CE marking alongside UKCA.

The Business Secretary acted urgently on this issue, to prevent a cliff-edge moment in December 2024 when UKCA was set for entry. This intervention will ensure businesses no longer face uncertainty over the regulations and can cut back on unnecessary costs freeing them up to focus on innovation and growth

This comes as part of a wider package of smarter regulations designed to ease business burdens and help grow the economy by cutting barriers and red tape. Following extensive engagement with industry, British firms will be able to continue the use of CE marking alongside UKCA.

The Business Secretary acted urgently on this issue, to prevent a cliff-edge moment in December 2024 when UKCA was set for entry. This intervention will ensure businesses no longer face uncertainty over the regulations and can cut back on unnecessary costs freeing them up to focus on innovation and growth.

For more information click the link below.

UK Government announces extension of CE mark recognition for businesses - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Following recent expansion, Steve Noakes has been appointed as Managing Director of Pioneer Safety Group (PSG), a worldwide leader dedicated to industrial safety solutions including explosion protection for hazardous areas.

The Group comprises Pyroban, Pyropress, Euro Access, and the recently acquired Ex-tech Signalling and Ex-tech Solution.

To lead Pioneer Safety Group during this period of expansion and beyond, Steve Noakes is appointed Managing Director, and will also continue in his role as Managing Director of renowned safety company Pyroban Ltd.

“It is a time of real change and evolution for Pioneer Safety Group,” says Steve. “I’m excited to lead the Group’s growth as we look to the future. We’ll be seeking even more opportunities to develop closer relationships with our customers through a diverse range of safety and hazardous area products aligned to specific end user needs.”

“The international customers and global OEMs we work with know how committed we are to providing the service they need to protect people, their investment, and our environment. It’s   great to have the opportunity to apply our purpose and values across the whole Group,” he continues.

Pyroban, headquartered in Sussex, UK, will continue to offer explosion protection solutions for materials handling equipment, diesel engines, and offshore equipment, alongside Ex microsensor solutions, Ignition Hazard Assessments (IHA), inspections, audits, training and Ex engineering solutions for fixed plant and process equipment to third parties as part of its EXSolutions offering.  

UK-based Pyropress will continue its design, certification, manufacture, and global supply of flameproof (Ex d) and intrinsically safe (Ex i) switches and transmitters to reliably and safely monitor pressure, temperature, and fluid level.  This core activity now extends to the Ex-tech Signalling product range of explosion proof audio/visual warning solutions (AVS) which are now managed and produced in the same facility.

France-based Ex-tech Solution, designs, manufactures, and certifies a comprehensive range of Exd and Exe enclosures, limit switches, rotary switches, indication lights, and motor control stations for use in a wide variety of electrical installation and OEM applications.

“Ex-tech Signalling and Ex-tech Solution companies have a long history and positive reputation and we are pleased that they are now part of our PSG growth plans. We look forward to helping both brands to realise their full potential,” says Steve.

Customers can continue to contact their usual Sales or Customer Service representatives for any enquiries or support.

“Through being able to offer a wider product and service offering, developing even stronger relationships with our existing customers and establishing new customer relationships as the Pioneer Safety Group evolves is something the whole team is really looking forward to,” says Steve.

To showcase the new range of safety solutions available, Pioneer Safety Group will be attending ADIPEC 2023 from 2^nd – 5^th October in Abu Dhabi. Visit stand number 9470 to meet the team and discover more.

For further information, visit https://pioneersafetygroup.com/ .

Nine of the UK’s most prominent Safety & Health organisations have united to form the Occupational Safety and Health Stakeholder Alliance. It will create a platform to offer a unified 360-degree perspective on critical Safety & Health issues for the first time.

The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS), British Safety Council, British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF), Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM), Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on May 12^th 2023 to create the Occupational Safety and Health Stakeholder Alliance. The National Examination Board for Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) and the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors (CIEHF) have since added their signatures to the Memorandum.  

Collectively the Alliance members’ competencies span the full spectrum of OSH considerations, from education and regulation to policy creation, professional standards and thought leadership. It will provide a unified voice for the OSH industry, drawing on members’ collective expertise to inform and support OSH decision-making across government policy - maker, corporate and professional levels.

The Alliance members are delighted to be announcing the formation of the Occupational Safety & Health Stakeholder Alliance, a truly historic initiative with the potential to have a far-reaching positive impact on occupational safety and health management in the UK. 

It is a non-exclusive group that welcomes wider involvement in the delivery of its aims. 

It is committed to supporting the good practice that already prevails in the occupational safety and health space and to developing and implementing programmes, initiatives and activities that enhance it. The group will leverage members’ influence to deliver joint messaging and facilitate continuous progress on crucial OSH issues. They will also work to increase the visibility and value of the Safety & Health profession and its wider set of disciplines and practices as well as highlighting its role in delivering OSH goals.

While the UK has an enviable record in safety there remains much to be done. Beyond safety, the subject of health and specifically mental health will be an immediate area of focus for the Alliance. Mental health issues associated with the workplace account for more than 50% of all workplace “incidents” according to the latest statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The UK is less well advanced regarding the mitigation of mental health issues than many of its EU counterparts. The consequences of this go far beyond the direct impact on individuals and their employers, including an already-stretched NHS.  An early priority for the Alliance will be to prioritise, identify, develop and implement measures to equip the OSH profession to more effectively mitigate the risk factors giving rise to mental health issues in the workplace.

For more information about the OSH Stakeholder Alliance, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Water jetting operatives working in the drainage industry are beginning to benefit from a new training course that helps develop essential knowledge and skills for when using water jetting for surface cleaning.

The Drain, Sewer and Surface Preparation practical module, or DSP for short, developed by the Water Jetting Association (WJA), includes new instruction on surface preparation using water jetting guns.

It develops skills that discourage the use of washdown nozzles attached to jetting hoses, which have no mechanism for instantly shutting off the water supply in an emergency.

The WJA is the UK member organisation for the water jetting industry. It sets standards for high and ultra high pressure water jetting and drain and sewer jetting, in the UK and internationally, through two codes of practice.

WJA Training and Safety Committee Chairman Steve Williams said: “We have developed this course in consultation with our drainage contractor members so their operatives have the skills needed to deliver the best service for customers safely and effectively.

“Drainage operatives often use water jetting to clean contaminated surfaces, for example to deal with sewage spills, or clean access chambers and open channels.

“We want to eradicate the use of washdown nozzles for these tasks. Water jets from guns can be instantly stopped by releasing the trigger. This provides a built-in safety mechanism to control water delivery.

“By adopting the DSP course, drainage contractors can align their operational procedures with the WJA’s red code of practice for the safe use of water jetting equipment in drains and sewers, which has just been updated, and which incorporates this new thinking on surface preparation.”

During the DSP module, which has been accredited by City & Guilds, operatives undergo two practical assessments: water jetting in drains and sewer pipes; and jetting for surface preparation with a jetting gun up to 275 bar (4,000 psi) that an operative can comfortably control.

The pressure limit has been set because drainage operatives commonly use lower pressures for washdown activities. Operatives who need to carry out surface preparation tasks at higher pressures must pass the standard WJA surface preparation module.

Topics include safe use of jetting equipment, water jetting techniques, jetting gun and nozzle types, risk assessment, use of protective clothing and equipment, site set-up, and emergency first aid.

Drainage operatives can still take the standard Drain and Sewer (DS) course, which does not have the surface preparation component.

Drainage operatives must pass the class-based WJA Safety Awareness course, which is also City & Guilds accredited, and either the DSP or the DS practical module to receive their WJA training card, which must be renewed every three years by attending the Safety Awareness Refresher course.

www.waterjetting.org.uk

This article can also be found in the issue below.

Applus UK Ltd is the newest member of EEMUA’s Associate Scheme. The company’s Tank Inspection Team falls within scope of the Associate status.

The Applus Team has wide experience in the field of storage tank testing and inspection and assisting tank owners to optimise their inspection intervals based on detailed inspection data and the application of remaining-life and RBI principles. The Team’s tank inspectors are supported by tank engineers who provide specialist advice relating to storage tank inspection, repair, modification, and maintenance.

One key area of EEMUA’s activity is helping its Members, and the wider industry, in all aspects of the design, inspection, maintenance and repair of storage tanks, to keep them operating safely and efficiently. The sharing of good practice provided by involvement in EEMUA will help support the Applus UK Tank Inspection Team, and therefore their clients, in the continued safe operation of these important assets.

This article can also be found in the issue below.

Working at height is a risky business, and the wind energy sector is no exception. In 2021/22 there were 29 work-related fatalities due to falls from a height in the UK – representing almost 24% of all worker deaths.[i] While total industry deaths are falling year-on-year, the people behind these statistics remind us that there is still a long way to go.

For those responsible for the safety of their workers, choosing appropriate systems is a huge responsibility when there is so much to consider. Here, Tim Bissett, Technical Manager at MSA Safety, explores the importance of adhering to the latest safety standards and explains some important considerations users and installers should be looking out for when it comes to choosing an appropriate vertical fall protection system for wind turbines.

Being proactive about safety

In 2020, over 500 safety incidents were reported at the UK’s onshore wind farms.[ii] Maintaining turbines can see workers having to climb as heigh as 30m at a time, which along with the often-limited access and frequent requirement to work in a confined space can contribute to workers’ risks. Therefore, being proactive about safety includes getting all relevant teams fully trained, competent, and comfortable working in these conditions, as well as knowledgeable about the chosen fall protection system and how it operates. Doing this will help to minimise the risk to workers.

Complying with safety standards

Safety standards vary across different locations and legislations, so it’s important to be aware of which standards you should be paying attention to. For example, for fall protection equipment certifications in Europe it’s EN standards. The EN standard used to apply in the UK as well but, following Brexit, the UKCA mark is now required as of 1 January 2023.

Even after initial selection consider regular checks of your fall protection systems for elements that could include:

• The compliance certificates of your equipment and systems for expiry dates and that the life of your system is still in date.
• You have regular inspections scheduled, including to check wear and tear.

Having simple checks like these in place will help you to increase your control over the systems used by your workforce.

And if you’re in the UK and Europe, to enhance the health and safety of your wind turbine workers, consider whether your safety equipment adheres to EN 353-1:2018 (EN 353-1:2014+A1:2017) - the newest update to fall protection system requirements.

• Some key features of EN 353-1:2018 that companies can check, depending on their circumstances, are:
• Dynamic performance testing – to check the maximum arrest force
• Cold condition testing – checking locking function in cold conditions
• Minimum distance testing – to replicate the user falling close to the anchor line
• Fall back testing – which replicates the user falling back and down
• Guide bracket testing – looking at the strength of the bracket and anchor line and the locking function of a fall arrester in the event of a fall
• Sideway fall testing – to replicate the user falling in a sideways direction
• Leaning angle testing – considering the locking function of the fall arrester with the anchor line leaning forward and sideways
• Static strength requirements - testing to check the overall strength of the system.

As this list shows, the EU type-examination process for EN 353-1:2018 is rigorous and it incorporates several dynamic tests that covered many scenarios. Updating to this standard can help give your workers added confidence that their safety at height is a top priority.

Ease of use

Another element to consider when choosing fall protection systems for wind turbines, is how simple it is for workers to use. After all, there are advantages to systems that workers understand fully and will use. These fall protections systems should balance the users’ accessibility with their needs for relevant applications, such as considering whether a restriction or complex process reduces users’ risk.

At MSA Safety, We Know What’s At Stake

Keeping workers safe is a top priority and as safety professionals, it’s our mission to help make sure that workers go home to their family at the end of the working day. That’s why compliance and product testing are at the core of what we do.

For more information and resources on fall protection systems, please visit MSA Safety.

This article can also be found in the issue below.

SELECT, Scotland’s largest construction trade association, has welcomed three major new enterprises to its growing Associate Membership Scheme as it continues to attract an impressive line-up of market-leading manufacturers and organisations.

Schneider Electric, Robus LED Group and CompEx have all joined the 25 existing Associates who have built mutually beneficial relationships with SELECT’s member businesses over the past 18 months.

The three new Associate Members will now be able to engage with SELECT’s experts and members, enjoy access to a wealth of services and benefits and work with the organisation to share the latest ideas and in-depth knowledge to the advantage of the wider industry.

Iain Mason, Director of Membership and Communications at SELECT, said: “Everyone at SELECT is delighted that enterprises of the size and stature of Schneider Electric, Robus and CompEx have joined our Associate Membership scheme.

“Becoming an Associate is an opportunity for partner organisations to build stronger relationships with key players in the electrical contracting industry, and also to ally themselves with an established and successful trade body.”

SELECT, which represents around 1,250 electrical firms and 15,000 contractors across the country, launched the scheme early in 2022 to help develop a mutually complementary network of industry-specific partners.

Mr Mason added: “Since its launch, the scheme has proved extremely popular and has allowed Associates to speak to our members both through our print and digital channels and also face-to-face at the many events we run across Scotland throughout the year.

“It has also strengthened our own relationship with some of the industry’s most renowned names and allowed us to develop and grow events such as our Toolbox Talks, President’s Cup and President’s Lunch.”

Schneider Electric, which traces its history back to 1838, drives digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies to help businesses make efficiency and sustainability gains across their organisations.

David Pownall, Vice President of Services at Schneider Electric UK & Ireland, said: “We have had a long and fruitful association with SELECT over the years, including sponsoring organisation awards, and we are proud to be included in an Associate Membership scheme which brings so many benefits to the electrical industry.”

Robus is a Dublin-headquartered global lighting wholesaler with customers in more than 40 countries around the world. Established in 1984, it is now the biggest lighting company in Ireland.

Mick G Slein, Chief Executive of Robus, said: “Becoming an Associate Member of SELECT completely aligns with our best-in-class mindset and our vision of being our customers’ most trusted LED lighting brand. We look forward to building strong and trusted relationships with SELECT members as we continue to grow internationally.”

CompEx is the international scheme for competency validation and certification of people who work in explosive atmospheres. First established 30 years ago with the support of industry, its suite of training and assessment modules are delivered through a network of independent training and assessment centres to support electrotechnical practitioners in sectors including oil and gas, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage manufacturing and utilities.

Huw Bement, Managing Director of CompEx, said: “Our international safety and competency scheme is rooted in certifying electrotechnical technicians and engineers operating in hazardous areas – so becoming a SELECT Associate Member is hugely important for us. It’s a fantastic opportunity for CompEx to establish new industry connections and to continue building our existing relationships.”

The trio’s arrival follows the announcement of Legrand UK & Ireland as SELECT’s 25th Associate Member earlier this year. The electrical and digital infrastructure specialist is part of Legrand Group, which has a presence in nearly 90 countries and employs more than 38,000 people.

Other SELECT Associate Members include Hispec, V-Tac, Aico, Aurora, Electrium, Hager, Luceco, Megger, Scolmore and Thorn Lighting.

SELECT has just completed its annual Toolbox Talks roadshows and is now involved in the organisation of the second Green Home Festival as a leading member of the Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV).

The organisation also continues to spearhead a long-running and high-profile campaign for regulation of the electrical industry, with the submission to Scottish Parliament of a Members’ Bill calling for Protection of Title

This article can also be found in this issue below.

The Requirements for ATEX/UKCA

One of the most misunderstood aspects of ATEX and UKCA Ex Certification is the ‘blend’ of Self Certification and Notified/Approved Body Certification.  There are many routes to certification, and this is explained in legislative documents, but for end users and manufacturers it can be very confusing. An example of the routes to conformity is shown below….

So what exactly does this mean?

• Electrical equipment that is CAT 1 and CAT 2 (normally for use in in Zone 0 or 1) requires Notified Body Certification for the EU and UK Approved Body Certification for the UK (no self-certification is allowed unless the equipment is Simple Apparatus*)
• Non-electrical equipment for CAT 1 (Zone 0)requires Notified/Approved Body Certification.
• Equipment that is purely non-electrical requires a ‘technical file lodging’ with a Notified/Approved Body for CAT 2 (Zone 1) and the Notified/Approved Body will normally issue proof or receipt.
• All ‘Protective Systems’ (mitigation) require Notified/Approved Body Certification
• Associated Apparatus (even in the safe area) may require Notified/Approved Body Certification
• Simple Apparatus can be self-declared even for Zone 0 if you are competent (e.g. CompEx EX12) and produce a DSD (the DSD is effectively the Certification). Simple Apparatus must still be assessed against the appropriate Standards and appropriately marked for inspection.

It is also worth noting that electrical products which are certified as a ‘component’ (a ‘U’ on the end of the certificate number) requires recertification by a Notified/Approved body before they can be used in a potentially explosive atmosphere for CAT 1 and CAT 2.

Equipment Manufacturers Self Declaration (commonly referred to as ‘Self Certification’)

Manufacturers ‘Self Declaration’ under CE or UKCA Marking makes the person who signs the ‘declaration’ legally responsible for the equipment compliance as there is no legal requirements for 3^rd party certification and no quality control over what is produced other than internal control of production. Regulatory Authorities may request the evidence (for example clause by clauses standards assessment and test reports) for the standards claimed on the Declaration.

Category 3 Electrical and Category 2 and 3 Non-electrical can be voluntarily certified (and this is sometimes required by end users/buyers) in the following ways…

• A Conformity Certificate from a Certification Body but with no Quality Control on production (so there can be no Notified/Approved Body number under the CE/UKCA Marking)

• A Unit Verification Certificate where the Certification Body inspects the equipment for compliance and lists it on the Certificate by serial number (this can be a full Notified/Approved Body Certification with the Body number under the CE/UKCA Marking)

The Requirements for IECEx

IECEx always requires a fully accredited and regulated ‘IECEx Certification Body’ to issue the certification, there is no self certification route. All IECEx Certificates also control the manufacturing quality related aspects via an IECEx QAR.

It’s easy to see why IECEx has become the ‘international’ scheme and why many end users prefer the simplicity and control of an IECEx Certificate. It should be noted however that although IECEx is the ‘baseline’ for most international schemes (including UKCA and ATEX), National Certification is normally required ‘in addition’ to the IECEx Certification, but the process should be far simpler than achieving multiple National Certification that may not be accepted in other countries…

Sean Clarke CEng MSc FIET is the Managing Director of ExVeritas who a UKCA Approved ‘Ex’ Body, an ATEX Notified Body and IECEx Test and Certification Body. With ‘Ex’ test laboratories in the UK and USA. www.exveritas.com

The Requirements for ATEX/UKCA

One of the most misunderstood aspects of ATEX and UKCA Ex Certification is the ‘blend’ of Self Certification and Notified/Approved Body Certification.  There are many routes to certification, and this is explained in legislative documents, but for end users and manufacturers it can be very confusing. An example of the routes to conformity is shown below….

So what exactly does this mean?

• Electrical equipment that is CAT 1 and CAT 2 (normally for use in in Zone 0 or 1) requires Notified Body Certification for the EU and UK Approved Body Certification for the UK (no self-certification is allowed unless the equipment is Simple Apparatus*)
• Non-electrical equipment for CAT 1 (Zone 0)requires Notified/Approved Body Certification.
• Equipment that is purely non-electrical requires a ‘technical file lodging’ with a Notified/Approved Body for CAT 2 (Zone 1) and the Notified/Approved Body will normally issue proof or receipt.
• All ‘Protective Systems’ (mitigation) require Notified/Approved Body Certification
• Associated Apparatus (even in the safe area) may require Notified/Approved Body Certification
• Simple Apparatus can be self-declared even for Zone 0 if you are competent (e.g. CompEx EX12) and produce a DSD (the DSD is effectively the Certification). Simple Apparatus must still be assessed against the appropriate Standards and appropriately marked for inspection.

It is also worth noting that electrical products which are certified as a ‘component’ (a ‘U’ on the end of the certificate number) requires recertification by a Notified/Approved body before they can be used in a potentially explosive atmosphere for CAT 1 and CAT 2.

Equipment Manufacturers Self Declaration (commonly referred to as ‘Self Certification’)

Manufacturers ‘Self Declaration’ under CE or UKCA Marking makes the person who signs the ‘declaration’ legally responsible for the equipment compliance as there is no legal requirements for 3^rd party certification and no quality control over what is produced other than internal control of production. Regulatory Authorities may request the evidence (for example clause by clauses standards assessment and test reports) for the standards claimed on the Declaration.

Category 3 Electrical and Category 2 and 3 Non-electrical can be voluntarily certified (and this is sometimes required by end users/buyers) in the following ways…

• A Conformity Certificate from a Certification Body but with no Quality Control on production (so there can be no Notified/Approved Body number under the CE/UKCA Marking)

• A Unit Verification Certificate where the Certification Body inspects the equipment for compliance and lists it on the Certificate by serial number (this can be a full Notified/Approved Body Certification with the Body number under the CE/UKCA Marking)

The Requirements for IECEx

IECEx always requires a fully accredited and regulated ‘IECEx Certification Body’ to issue the certification, there is no self certification route. All IECEx Certificates also control the manufacturing quality related aspects via an IECEx QAR.

It’s easy to see why IECEx has become the ‘international’ scheme and why many end users prefer the simplicity and control of an IECEx Certificate. It should be noted however that although IECEx is the ‘baseline’ for most international schemes (including UKCA and ATEX), National Certification is normally required ‘in addition’ to the IECEx Certification, but the process should be far simpler than achieving multiple National Certification that may not be accepted in other countries…

Sean Clarke CEng MSc FIET is the Managing Director of ExVeritas who a UKCA Approved ‘Ex’ Body, an ATEX Notified Body and IECEx Test and Certification Body. With ‘Ex’ test laboratories in the UK and USA. www.exveritas.com