March 2021

updates from www.hpmag.co.uk HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS March 2021 43 Contact BCAS at Tel: 020 7935 2464 e-mail: info@bcas.org.uk website: www.bcas.org.uk If pressure equipment fails during operation, it can seriously injure or even kill people nearby and cause damage to property, which is why the Society is now offering a 25% discount on its popular ‘Certificate in Understanding the Pressure Systems’ Safety Regulations’ training course at https://rebrand.ly/BCASPSSR (available to customers of BCAS members only, excluding trade). The blended learning workshop, one of several specialist training courses in the Society’s portfolio, covers the written scheme of examination in relation to compressed air systems. It provides knowledge of the Pressure Systems’ Safety Regulations (S.I 2000 No 128), related standards and codes of practice and is designed to provide the understanding required as a user, manager, or provider of written schemes of examination. Suitable training is essential According to the latest statistics from the Health and Safety Executive, although reportable workplace accidents in manufacturing continue to be on a downward trend, there were still 15 fatal accidents in 2019-20, with 13% of these BCAS urges industry to pressure test compressed air systems with latest training course as a result of exposure to an explosion. As a result, the HSE states that ‘everybody operating, installing, maintaining, repairing, inspecting and testing pressure equipment should have the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their job safely’, meaning suitable training is essential. In particular, a written scheme of examination is required for most pressure systems, which should be drawn up (or certified as suitable) by a competent person – and the system should not be operated or hired out until the scheme is in place and the system fully examined. One such company to have benefitted from the PSSR training course is BCAS member, Cambs Compressor Engineering Ltd, which has recently trained its team using the mix of online learning and virtual classroom teaching. Based in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, the company has been a BCAS member since 1996. Managing director, Mark Fryer, is a firm believer in the importance of continuous training of his sales and service engineers, having worked his way up from an apprenticeship at an early age and experienced the benefits of personal and professional development first-hand. Fryer comments: “It is really important to our business that our team is trained fully in all aspects of compressed air safety and performance if we are to offer consistent advice that can help reduce costs and improve safety for our customers. This is particularly the case when it comes to the PSSR regulations, which have such a direct impact on the safe and efficient use of pressure systems. So, when BCAS launched the new PSSR course we were really keen for our engineers to take part and gain this valuable CPD-accredited certification, to help support the written scheme of examination service that we already offer to all new customers. “The blended approach has been an excellent way of learning for our teams. An online e-learning module allows each engineer to train at a pace that suits, supported with the virtual classroom sessions where delegates come together to interact and learn from each other before the final online examination. The BCAS training courses are proving an excellent way for our employees to supplement their learning and to achieve a verified qualification.” A blend on online and virtual classroom sessions As well as benefitting from the PSSR certificate training, Fryer and his team have also undergone the ISO 8573 air quality standard course from BCAS, which is also delivered through a blend on online and virtual classroom sessions. To find out more about the Certificate in Understanding the Pressure Systems’ Safety Regulation training course from BCAS and to book a place, visit https://rebrand.ly/BCASPSSR For further information, contact your local BCAS member, email training@bcas.org.uk or call 0207 935 2464. For further information about Cambs Compressor Engineering Ltd, visit www.cambscompressors.co.uk The British Compressed Air Society is urging the industry to ensure that all employees that are responsible for maintaining compressed air systems are fully trained on the requirements of the Pressure Systems’ Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR) and in particular the importance of the written scheme of examination.