Hydraulics & Pneumatics January/February 2023

BOARDROOM REPORT 22 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS January/February 2023 www.hpmag.co.uk regulations, typically around PSSR and condensate recovery. It is primarily down to end users to understand their responsibilities, but suppliers and distributors need to ensure that end users understand all their implications.” Butcher believes health and safety practices can always be improved. “The BFPA works closely with its members to ensure they are up to date with the latest standards related to health and safety,” he explains. “On some subjects, we offer training to ensure people understand the risks associated with working with air and fluids at pressure. More recently, the Association has formed a partnership with the BSSH (British Society for Surgery of the Hand) in promoting the dangers associated with a fluid injection injury, The partnership resulted in the BFPA giving a presentation at a conference in London attended by some 5000 hand surgeons from around the world. Rubinstein stresses that Atlas Copco Group has ambitious standards for workplace safety. “We commit to eliminating hazards and reducing occupational health and safety risks in all of our operations,” he says. “There is something that I think is worth repeating to compressed air users, as there are some who may not realise this: remember that it is a legal requirement to have a Written Scheme of Examination (WSE) in place on any pressure system operating at 250 bar litres or above, in accordance with the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations. For example, a compressor with an 11 bar max working pressure with a 50 litre air receiver = a 550 bar litre compressed air system and is there likely to need a WSE.” Jones reflects that as we settle into our new legislative frameworks post Brexit, trade associations are working together to ensure that common messages are not only delivered to the corridors of political power, but also that they provide a resource for government when it looks to make legislative changes. “Many of these legislative reviews have yet to crystalise into legislative change but, none the less, trade associations such as BCAS and lobby groups have been very active on the industry’s behalf,” says Jones. “The recent ‘UK Product Safety Review’ consultation is a case in point. We are used to working with the legacy legislation but must now work with government as it looks at the long-term approach to product safety and how to ensure that the regulatory framework is fit for the future.” Jones adds that along with the UK ErP (Energy-related Products) Policy Framework proposal, this demonstrates the drive to review legacy legislation and she believes it is critical that all stakeholders are represented in this process. “This is where relationships between trade associations and government departments are critical, so that we can consolidate the voices of many into clearly communicated positions, ensuring that industry is represented,” she says. Training Do currently available training courses meet companies’ requirements? Loeffler explains that Jubilee Clips is always keen to recruit enthusiastic young people on to its apprenticeship program to secure ongoing excellence in toolmaking, maintenance and manufacturing. Additionally, he points out that the company has recruited young people to train as operatives in the warehouse, learning skills such as forklift truck driving or general packing, dispatch and warehouse management. Anderton explains that Slack & Parr’s long-established apprenticeship and training schemes are fundamental to the structure and success of the company’s business. “We’ve developed a programme that is internationally recognised and produces highly skilled engineers in all disciplines, from mechanical engineering to machine operating,” he says. “In the past few years, the move from apprenticeship frameworks to Engineering Standards means we’re now forced to choose a fixed route for each apprentice at the start of their training.” Anderton adds that, previously, Slack & Parr’s apprentices have had the opportunity to experience everything an engineering business such as Slack & Parr has to offer. This included the possibility of moving between disciplines with close supervision. “This meant we could provide tailored programmes of learning that nurtured each apprentice’s skills and supported their ambitions really well, allowing them the possibility of changing path as their understanding of engineering grew,” explains Anderton. “We found this was a particularly effective way of producing exceptionally well-rounded, experienced young engineers who knew what route they wanted their careers to take. Although we’re still focused on providing the very campaign (www.taskforce10.bcas.org.uk) , BCAS used figures from the recent UK Energy-related products policy study, conducted by ICF in May 2021. It calculated the combined energy usage for the mid-point of all industrial compressor technologies over their lifetime at 11.71 TWh. When the report was first prepared, the UK average non-domestic electrical unit cost was £0.1249/kWh, which equated to £1.475 billion being spent by UK companies to generate the compressed air their businesses rely on. “Now, of course, wholesale gas prices have risen at an unprecedented rate and savings will be considerably higher,” says Jones. “Businesses are advised to refer to their electricity unit charge to calculate the potential savings. Add to this the fact that over 30% of this energy is being wasted through inefficient practices and there is much that businesses can do to cut this figure significantly.” Yet, states Jones, compressed air energy consumption is often overlooked, when the potential for wastage is substantial and represents a considerable overhead, not to mention carbon footprint that could be reduced. “Users are therefore being encouraged to look at alternative ways to minimise their energy consumption from compressed air – whether it’s reducing air leaks, ensuring better housekeeping practices, improving maintenance, and managing air downstream to name a few,” she says. Where energy surveys have been completed in the past, Jones believes now is an excellent time to revisit the outcomes and their business benefits. “The increase in energy costs has, in many cases, meant that the payback for these investments has been reduced substantially. Anecdotally we have many of our members reporting a reduction from years to months.” Health and safety Are current mandatory or established health and safety practices adequate in our industry? Wright believes the simple answer is yes. “Within the supply industry there is a good understanding of the current regulations and codes of best practice,” he says. “It is still questionable whether end users are always aware of Ariel Rubinstein, Atlas Copco Compressors UK & Ireland. Steve Sands, Festo.