News

Global interest in space exploration is at a fever pitch as NASA preps its first lunar mission in 50 years. It also brings back memories of Pratley Putty being the only South African manufactured product to have gone to the Moon. Prior to the Apollo 11 mission, the Ranger project of the 1960s was the first US effort to launch probes directly towards the Moon. This laid the groundwork for the successful Apollo 11 mission.

During the 1960s, South African manufacturer Pratley invented the world’s first epoxy putty. Initially it was intended to be used internally for insulating and affixing terminals to cast iron electrical junction boxes. However, the product was subsequently introduced into the local market as ‘Pratley Plastic Putty’, a name that ultimately became Pratley Putty.

An agreement to manufacture the product under licence in the United States was concluded with a US manufacturer, which introduced the product to NASA. However, the product was not yet ready for production in the United States. Subsequently when it was decided to use it on the Ranger programme, it was supplied directly from Pratley’s head office in South Africa. Consequently, Pratley Putty achieved recognition as the only South African manufactured product to ever go to the Moon.

The South African Mint celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the first Moon landing in 2019 with its ‘South African inventions’ series, focusing on the ‘proudly South African’ Pratley Putty. In October 2019, Pratley Putty was featured as part of a ‘Destination Moon’ exhibition at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in the historic Electric Workshop in the cultural precinct of Newtown, Johannesburg.

“Our roots are in innovation, research and development. It is a cornerstone of what we do at Pratley, and we continue to live and breathe by it,” comments CEO Andrew Pratley. “Pratley branded products not only offer exceptional reliability, but in accordance with our policy statement, their performance must exceed all others on the world market.”

Pull quote

“Our roots are in innovation, research and development. It is a cornerstone of what we do at Pratley, and we continue to live and breathe by it.” – Andrew Pratley, CEO, Pratley

BSIF CEO Alan Murray explains why 2023 will see a greater focus on product safety, including increased scrutiny on the safety and compliance of goods sold by third-party sellers on online marketplaces. 

The UK has always had a reputation for stringent product safety standards but with constant innovation and the rise of e-commerce many markets have become increasingly hard to regulate.

PPE is a case in point. The COVID pandemic highlighted how quickly substandard and potentially dangerous products can find their way onto the market with reports suggesting billions of pounds of public money were ultimately wasted on unusable PPE.

Unfortunately substandard PPE isn’t just a COVID problem. Unacceptable products have been finding their way on to UK marketplaces prior to COVID and continue to do so today.

This is illustrated by the BSIF’s latest analysis. As well as auditing the BSIF membership annually to verify their compliance and competence, we test a selection of PPE from non-BSIF members. Between December 2021 and December 2022, a total of 118 non-member products were tested. Only 15 (13%) of these products passed the test, with the results for five of the products still pending. This means 98 products (83%) failed to meet the test's criteria, many of which are still available and being sold to unsuspecting users.

These findings are in contrast with products supplied by BSIF Registered Safety Suppliers who are committed to only selling certified PPE and trading honestly and ethically

What’s changing?

2023 will see the introduction of a new post-EU Product Safety Framework which will help to strengthen the rules around the sale of products including PPE. Timings for publication of the framework are still to be confirmed, but there will be a strong focus on improving the safety and compliance of goods sold by third-party sellers on online marketplaces. We expect to see stricter responsibilities for online vendors and harsher penalties for those who fail to comply.

At the same time, the Environmental, Social & Corporate Governance (ESG) agenda is having a growing impact. Companies looking to strengthen their ESG performance are closely scrutinising the credentials of their suppliers and choosing only to work with responsible companies. When it comes to buying PPE and safety equipment, many buyers now realise that specifying the BSIF’s Registered Safety Supplier Scheme is the easiest way to ensure they are only dealing with suppliers who are compliant, competent and trustworthy.

It’s therefore no surprise that we saw a significant number of public and private sector organisations mandate the Registered Safety Supplier Scheme for their supply chains in 2022. As the focus on products safety sharpens in 2023 we expect that number to increase.

For a full list of Registered Safety Suppliers, visit: https://www.registeredsafetysupplierscheme.co.uk/

BSIF CEO Alan Murray explains why 2023 will see a greater focus on product safety, including increased scrutiny on the safety and compliance of goods sold by third-party sellers on online marketplaces. 

The UK has always had a reputation for stringent product safety standards but with constant innovation and the rise of e-commerce many markets have become increasingly hard to regulate.

PPE is a case in point. The COVID pandemic highlighted how quickly substandard and potentially dangerous products can find their way onto the market with reports suggesting billions of pounds of public money were ultimately wasted on unusable PPE.

Unfortunately substandard PPE isn’t just a COVID problem. Unacceptable products have been finding their way on to UK marketplaces prior to COVID and continue to do so today.

This is illustrated by the BSIF’s latest analysis. As well as auditing the BSIF membership annually to verify their compliance and competence, we test a selection of PPE from non-BSIF members. Between December 2021 and December 2022, a total of 118 non-member products were tested. Only 15 (13%) of these products passed the test, with the results for five of the products still pending. This means 98 products (83%) failed to meet the test's criteria, many of which are still available and being sold to unsuspecting users.

These findings are in contrast with products supplied by BSIF Registered Safety Suppliers who are committed to only selling certified PPE and trading honestly and ethically

What’s changing?

2023 will see the introduction of a new post-EU Product Safety Framework which will help to strengthen the rules around the sale of products including PPE. Timings for publication of the framework are still to be confirmed, but there will be a strong focus on improving the safety and compliance of goods sold by third-party sellers on online marketplaces. We expect to see stricter responsibilities for online vendors and harsher penalties for those who fail to comply.

At the same time, the Environmental, Social & Corporate Governance (ESG) agenda is having a growing impact. Companies looking to strengthen their ESG performance are closely scrutinising the credentials of their suppliers and choosing only to work with responsible companies. When it comes to buying PPE and safety equipment, many buyers now realise that specifying the BSIF’s Registered Safety Supplier Scheme is the easiest way to ensure they are only dealing with suppliers who are compliant, competent and trustworthy.

It’s therefore no surprise that we saw a significant number of public and private sector organisations mandate the Registered Safety Supplier Scheme for their supply chains in 2022. As the focus on products safety sharpens in 2023 we expect that number to increase.

For a full list of Registered Safety Suppliers, visit: https://www.registeredsafetysupplierscheme.co.uk/

The continued development of in-house technology by the German rupture disc manufacturer REMBE allows the company to manufacture rupture discs with sustainable advantages and industry-leading performance characteristics for a wide range of industries and sectors.

Contour Precision Lasering (CPL™) and Contour Precision Profiling (CPP™) enables high quality, accurate, burst control even in the harshest of chemical environments. With the CPL™ the predetermined breaking points are sublimated using a laser with high-tech equipment and not, as is the case with other manufacturing methods, mechanically scored. This high-tech production method includes a digitisation of the rupture disc contour, whereby extremely high structural stability of the rupture disc as well as the most precise burst pressure and opening geometries are achieved when bursting. Based on this innovative technology, the Sauerland-based company is creating the CPX technology series. Thanks to its improved, high-precision and at the same time robust features, CPX is excellently suited for industries with harsh conditions, aggressive process media and even for processes in which strict hygiene standards must be met.

In contrast to traditional mechanical scoring, with the CPL™ manufacturing method, the material structure of the rupture disc (including the opening lines of the rupture disc) is not thermally affected or mechanically integrally weakened. The surface facing the process remains completely smooth and without unevenness, scratches or indentations, which means that the rupture disc cannot be affected by product deposits from the often aggressive process medium. 

The known IKB-, IKB-X- and SFD types are the “classics” of the CPX series. Even rupture discs already installed in plants can easily and quickly be replaced with a CPX version, which means that, in addition to maximising plant availability, the incurred operating costs can also be reduced without much effort.

In summary, rupture discs of the innovative manufacturing method CPL™ offer the following advantages: 

Hi-line Industries, a UK-based leader in the design, manufacture and installation of energy-efficient compressed air purification equipment, is reporting continued growth in year-on-year sales, with results for the last quarter well ahead of forecast. This positive news is a reflection of the added value provided by the company’s products and services, which help UK users of compressed air to achieve genuine competitive gain.

To support its growing sales, Hi-line has completed a management reshuffle that will ensure its expanding customer base can take advantage of even higher service levels. Following on from the appointment of Steve Smith as Managing Director in May 2022, Brad Beesley is now General Manager, heading up the Sales Department. In addition, Darren Sims now sits at the helm of the Technical Department as the company’s new Technical Director, while Craig Watson takes up the role of Business Administration Manager to lead Hi-line’s Administration Department. All report directly to Steve Smith.

Everything about Hi-line at present centres on growth, emphasising the success story of this forward-thinking UK manufacturing business. By way of example, spring 2023 will see the start of an extension to the company’s UK headquarters in Burton-upon-Trent. This significant project will provide a huge boon to the in-house manufacturing processes, while simultaneously increasing warehouse space. 

In another notable investment, Hi-line’s Technical Department is looking to implement new software that will further enhance the company’s CRM (Customer Relationship Management) activities. The new software suite, which will be of great benefit to Hi-line’s service contract customers, will integrate with the company’s cloud-based Xero accounting software.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Continued ……

Hi-line also takes its corporate sustainability responsibilities extremely seriously, which is why the company is currently installing a series of electric vehicle chargers at its Burton-upon-Trent facility. This activity precedes a number of electric vehicles currently on order, which will drive down carbon emissions and support Hi-line’s position as an industry flagbearer for environmental issues. Many of the company’s products also underpin this ethos, largely via innovative technologies that help to reduce energy consumption.

In a further environmental project, Hi-line will be self-sufficient with solar energy by 31 March 2023, delivering a huge milestone in the company’s carbon-offset programme. 

As a final positive note, Hi-line reports that recruitment is currently at an all-time high, with the company set to announce more appointments in the near future, likely filling vacancies in the Logistics and Technical Departments. In addition, two local apprentices have just started their BCAS (British Compressed Air Society) Apprenticeship Scheme at Hi-line Industries, facilitating the vitally important succession of industry skills. 

“We’re really happy with our impressive sales performance as it means we can reinvest in our business to deliver even more growth moving forward,” says Managing Director Steve Smith. “Investments in new floor space, staff members and green technologies – alongside our newly conceived management structure – will mean that Hi-line remains on a progressive and secure footing. The future is looking extremely bright for Hi-line and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve in the years ahead.”

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Mechanical sparks and friction are one of the most common causes of ignition of flammable gases and dust clouds. Accident statistics in Germany indicate that mechanical sparks and friction as an ignition source occurred in 32.7% of incidents.

Incorrectly selected, or fans deemed unsuitable for hazardous areas, can produce an effective ignition source caused by various incidents; hot surfaces, by mechanically generated sparks because of friction, impact, or abrasion processes (because of contact between the rotor – the rotating part, and fixed components) or by the electric discharge of static electricity when using non-conductive materials.

In the normal operation, or in the event of malfunctions (whether standard or rare), possible friction caused by areas meeting one another can occur. As stated in the ATEX directive and adopted into UK legislation, potential areas of contact between the rotating elements and fixed components of equipment for use in potentially explosive environments, should be manufactured from materials in which the risk of ignition caused by friction and friction impact sparks, hot spots or hot surfaces is minimised. This applies specifically to the construction and manufacture of explosion proof industrial fans. Ignition risks cannot be completely eliminated but can be significantly reduced by taking suitable constructive measures for avoiding ignition sources.  

European and UK Directives are clear on the permissible material pairings that are suitable to reduce the ignition source caused by friction of rotating and fixed component parts. Material pairings are considered carefully by fan manufacturers and authorised bodies. They use their theoretical and practical knowledge, coupled with the known application conditions for the environment in question, the safest material pairing and other compulsory technical specifications to determine how a product is chosen for an explosive environment.

Material pairings are devised and communicated in legislationdocumentation to minimise the risk of an explosion. Industrial fans in systems or machinery, are generally not supervised continuously and contact between rotating and stationary orfixed components, may occur in a particular area for an unknown amount of time, potentially in long intervals. 

Metal to Metal Ignition

Metal to metal ignition is caused either by rubbing friction, as mentioned earlier, such as between a rotating impeller and a stationary piece of metal, or by impact of two metal objects. Research has shown that in metal-to-metal contact, the properties of the more readily oxidised metal, normally determine the degree of ignition hazard. The hardness, melting point, ignition temperature, specific heat conductivity and brittleness of the metals all play a role, in that they determine the size, duration, temperature and heat capacity of the incendive sparks. 

An important precondition for all the protection principles is that parts which are in unhindered contact with the explosive atmosphere must not be able to reach non-permitted high temperatures with respect to the ignition temperature of substances present in the site of installation. This means that the ignition temperature is relevant for all protection principles. We cover temperature classes and surface temperature on our website.

The standard EN14986 dictates minimum design rules that industrial fans for hazardous areas should comply with. In relation to the material pairings that we introduced earlier, the below briefly seeks to improve your knowledge of the parts of ATEX fans that indicate the rotating and stationary parts that must be manufactured from these permissible materials to reduce the risk of sparks and hot spots due to frictional rubbing in the event of movement between the two parts. For more information on a wide range of ATEX topics please visit our website.

ATEX Axial Fans 

In axial fans the two parts are:

Rotating: Impeller, tip of the blades.

Stationary: The fan casing & ring

www.axair-fans.co.uk

This article can also be found in the Jan/Feb isuse.

Snickers Workwear’s Protective Wear range is the better-informed choice for professionalswho demand quality, sustainable products that match protection standards for hazardous environments and foul weather.*

Snickers Workwear delivers a comprehensive selection of ergonomically designed Base-, Mid- and Top-layer working clothes and accessories that also include Work Gloves, Kneepads and specialist ProtecWork clothing.

They are all certified as appropriate for different risks at work to ensure the comfort, health and workforce-wellbeing all day, every day.

  Thisextensive range also includesHi-Vis clothing that provides protection against dangers such as Electric Arc, Heat and Flame, Chemicalsand bad weather in high-risk environments. 

So, whatever the hazard at work, Snickers Workwear’s Protective Wear collection- complimented by Solid Gear and Toe Guard safety footwear - can provide sustainable certified PPE solutionsformaximum effective protection whatever the risks on site.

* For full information on the Protection Standards for Snickers workwear, refer to https://www.snickersworkwear.com/list/protective-standards

Getting information on Snickers WorkwearProtective Wearsolutions is easy. You can call the Snickers Helpline on 01484 854788, checkout the website at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

In Snickers Workwear’s ISO-compliant High-Vis clothing, fluorescent colours make you easier to see at dawn, dusk and during the day, while reflective stripes make it easier to see you in dim and dark conditions. 

With a choice of garments in fluorescent yellow or orange, the latest additions to the Snickers Workwear High-Vis collection are partly made from bio-based Sorona® fabrics in which 37% of the fibres use renewable plant-based materials.In addition to offering asustainable solution, Sorona® fabrics also provide superb colourfastness, long-lasting elasticity, and optimal comfort.

Snickers Workwear’s new winter High-vis collection includes Trousers, Tops and Jacketsin classes 1, 2 and 3. They’re the stand-out choice for tradesmen and women in hazardous working environments with a diverse choice of functionality, comfort and hard-working durability for longer-lasting sustainability and wellbeing.

For more information on the Snickers Workwear Work High-Visrange, call the Helpline on 01484 854788; check out www.snickersworkwear.co.ukor email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ENVIRONMENTAL clean-up, opportunity to learn a broad range of technical skills and a chance to earn while you learn has attracted some of the brightest young minds to take up degree apprentice roles with a major employer.

Six degree apprentices at Sellafield’s Engineering and Maintenance organisation are among 46 degree apprentices who have joined the business this year.

They spent a week at the start of their three-year Foundation Degree at Sellafield’s Engineering Centre of Excellence for an introduction to the state-of-the-art technology and problem-solving thinking at the centre which is delivering pioneering environmental clean-up work on site.

The students were given a hands-on experience with VR, UAV and ROV technologies and took part in a Microbots workshop.

They also worked on a problem-solving challenge and were given an introduction to digital and asset data and condition-based maintenance as well as learning about all the different departments which deliver Sellafield’s mission to create a clean and safe environment for future generations.

Based at Energus, Workington, for the first year of their course, the students will study electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, Maths, Nuclear Physics and CAD.

“Sellafield is significant for all of us who have grown up and live in Cumbria. It’s on our doorstep. The opportunity to play an important role in helping communities in the area is a big part of what attracted to me to the degree apprenticeship,” said student Will Rose.

Fellow student Aaron Watters said: “For me it’s the scale of the challenge. It’s the biggest nuclear site in Europe. So to learn here is a great opportunity.”

For Harry Sutcliffe it’s the variety of work which is the attraction. “There’s a massive range of variation in the job.” And for Luke Murray it’s the chance to: “earn while you learn.”

All the students are also looking forward to having a good job at the end of their degrees, with exciting career prospects and also to becoming chartered in their chosen profession. 

Lorna Devine, system engineer at Sellafield and one of the pathway leads for the Degree Apprentices, said: “It’s encouraging to see young people coming into the business wanting to make such a positive difference to the environment and their communities. We look forward to their careers developing with Sellafield.”

Craig Branney, Sellafield’s Head of Off Site Developments, said: “One of the key roles for the Engineering Centre of Excellence is to inspire the next generation and to have a positive impact on the community where we all live and work. 

“We have brilliant people here looking at the latest technology and ways of working to solve some of the world’s most technical industrial challenges. We were delighted to showcase that work to the students and we hope that helps them with their problem solving abilities when they are learning throughout their degree and beyond.”

T Cards has reached it’s latest 2022 milestone update with the latest release. Now it’s even easier to plan and improve task management; helping you to be more agile and quicker to respond to changing requirements.

T Cards have been a proven management tool for allocating, tracking, and improving efficiency for many years. Every workplace has its own specific requirements for a planning system. This adaptable, simple to customise system is a simple tool to improve business. 

T Cards Online was first released over 10 years ago. Since then, updates have continued to reflect the requirements of users and new features have been regularly added. The milestone release this winter, however, is a big step forward and will be demonstrated at the Southern Manufacturing Show Stand M135

Mark Rigby, Managing Director at MTR Logistics commented “I really like the system – It works brilliantly for remote working. This is the Most Simple Visual Management tool on the internet. It has made a big improvement on the way we manage” 

All the new admin pages have been bought up to spec with a new smooth user experience, simple to follow setup and a clear editable framework. Creating and managing the visual display of your tasks has never been simpler.

www.tcardsdirect.com