Confined spaces pose a significant hazard to workers’ lives. Recently, BBC East Midlands published a story covering a corporate manslaughter trial taking place in Leicester Crown Court. Greenfeeds Limited is charged with two counts of corporate manslaughter after two of its employees, Nathan Walker (19) and Gavin Rawson (35), lost consciousness due to high CO2 concentrations and subsequently drowned inside a tanker.[1] Seven years before this incident in May 2009, two men, Maarten Pieter Den Heijer (30) and Robert MacDonald (45), died as a result of low O2 concentrations beneath the deck of a barge moored on Loch Creran, a sea farm near Oban. Scottish Sea Farms and Logan Inglis were fined £600 000 and £40 000 respectively (these fines were later reduced to £333 335 and £20 000) for breaches of health and safety regulations such as failing to train staff for working in confined spaces like the sealed chambers present on the Loch Creran barge.[2] Approximately 15 people in the UK lose their lives due to accidents in confined spaces; this number includes fatalities resulting from failed rescue attempts.[3] Therefore, it is vital to understand the risks, regulations, procedures, and equipment pertaining to working in confined spaces before you or your employees undertake any work. Thankfully, Crowcon has answered several frequently asked questions about confined spaces using the information outlined in the HSE's (UK) and OSHA's (USA) documentation on the subject.[4]
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Crowcon Answers Confined Spaces FAQs
Confined spaces pose a significant hazard to workers’ lives. Recently, BBC East Midlands published a story covering a corporate manslaughter trial taking place in Leicester Crown Court. Greenfeeds Limited is charged with two counts of corporate manslaughter after two of its employees, Nathan Walker (19) and Gavin Rawson (35), lost consciousness due to high CO2 concentrations and subsequently drowned inside a tanker.[1] Seven years before this incident in May 2009, two men, Maarten Pieter Den Heijer (30) and Robert MacDonald (45), died as a result of low O2 concentrations beneath the deck of a barge moored on Loch Creran, a sea farm near Oban. Scottish Sea Farms and Logan Inglis were fined £600 000 and £40 000 respectively (these fines were later reduced to £333 335 and £20 000) for breaches of health and safety regulations such as failing to train staff for working in confined spaces like the sealed chambers present on the Loch Creran barge.[2] Approximately 15 people in the UK lose their lives due to accidents in confined spaces; this number includes fatalities resulting from failed rescue attempts.[3] Therefore, it is vital to understand the risks, regulations, procedures, and equipment pertaining to working in confined spaces before you or your employees undertake any work. Thankfully, Crowcon has answered several frequently asked questions about confined spaces using the information outlined in the HSE's (UK) and OSHA's (USA) documentation on the subject.[4]
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Do you account for gravity when using a Deadweight Tester or Piston Gauge?
Gravity varies depending on where you are around the world, up to approximately 0.5%. Local gravity correction is typically the largest environmental influence acting on the deadweight tester. When you are carrying out calibrations in your laboratory or on-site the local acceleration of gravity, where the pressure calibrator is being used, needs to be accounted for to ensure calibration accuracy... -
News Roundup: Police Use Thermal Cameras to Crack Cases & Save People
In previous News Roundups, we’ve explored how thermal imaging has been used to prevent Covid outbreaks as well as reduce carbon emissions and energy bills. Another area where thermal technology has been making a significant difference is in law enforcement. Officers in the UK and USA have been using thermal cameras to uncover drugs farms, corner criminals, and rescue distressed or missing persons.
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Martindale Answers Common PAT Testing Questions
In recent blog posts, Martindale Electric’s Steve Dunning
and Paul Wilson outline PAT testing and training requirements. In doing so,
they have answered many common PAT testing FAQs. This blog summarises the information
presented by Dunning and Wilson.[1]
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Avoid These 9 Common PAT Testing Mistakes
Even seasoned professionals with years of experience testing portable appliances are liable to make the occasional PAT testing mistake. Using Martindale’s guide to Basic PAT Testing Mistakes, we’ve compiled a list of nine common PAT testing mistakes to avoid.[1]
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Fluke Digital Multimeter Spring 22 Promotion!
Buy a Fluke 114, 115, 116, or 117 Digital Multimeter and get a FREE 1AC VoltAlert. Starting on the 1st April 22, up to and including 31st May 22.
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How do green energy suppliers reap benefits from thermal camera imaging
Have you wondered how green energy suppliers benefit from thermal imaging? Read this informative blog post to find out more.
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Chauvin Arnoux Explain Energy Efficiency & the IET Wiring Regulations
Julian Grant of Chauvin Arnoux published an article in the January 2022 issue of Professional Electrician & Installer explaining an emerging focus of the 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations: energy efficiency. As energy prices rise and we continue to work towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, ensuring electrical installations are energy efficient is more important than ever.[1]
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International Women’s Day: Lillian Baumbach, the USA's First Female Master Plumber
To mark International Women’s Day (8th March) and
World Plumbing Day (11th March), we’re celebrating a woman who chose
to #BreakTheBias in the plumbing industry. Allow us to introduce Lillian Ann
Baumbach, the USA’s first female Master Plumber.
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News Roundup: Thermal Cameras Used to Reduce Energy Bills & Carbon Footprints
As energy prices rise and we continue to look for new ways to reduce our carbon footprints, people have been turning to thermal technology to help them insulate their homes and reduce energy costs. In January and February 2022, The Times, the BBC, and PASS all published stories about people, councils, and charities using thermal cameras to assess and address insulation issues within their homes.
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