Employers in the UK must risk assess and manage employee exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in order to comply with the Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016 (CEMFAW). Many employers may not know where to start and will therefore choose to outsource the risk assessment process, but this can be relatively simple to complete in-house.…
As the demand for railway transportation continues to grow at a rapid pace, the testing, monitoring and analysis of the condition of oils, coolants and greases is fundamental to the safety and consistency of locomotives. In order to minimise disruption on the railway, lubricants need to be monitored regularly to identify that the asset is fit for purpose and operation. While the cost of monitoring may seem excessive, particularly when railway operations seem to be running smoothly, the benefits of oil monitoring far outweigh the initial spend.…
Chris Taylor, one of SOCOTEC’s senior field technicians, is the only individual certified to carry out MSA self-rescuer training in the whole of the UK. Here, he explores the importance of self-rescuers in relation to the health and safety management of employees working in underground mining conditions.…
This five-piece series will offer an overview into some of the key roles within SOCOTEC’s Asbestos division and how they work within the business.…
There are risks involved in any tunnelling project. One significant risk – the uncertainty of the ground’s behaviour and the impact this has on existing infrastructure – can be greatly reduced through geotechnical and structural monitoring. Having a clear understanding of how the geotechnical conditions will behave allows contractors to make informed decisions about the impact to construction works, and therefore allow for adjustments to be made to minimise any risk to people, existing structures and the project’s budget and timescale.…
Pete Mercer has worked as a project manager for SOCOTEC for the last 5 years. He started with the company 13 years ago as a graduate engineer following completion of his degree in geology from the University of Greenwich, Pete then moved on to become a grade engineer before being promoted to project manager.…
While the use and production of new asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) has been banned in the UK since 1999, a large proportion of railway infrastructure still contains the fibrous mineral. Used in the construction and maintenance of trains and locomotive components, the fire retardant and insulating properties of asbestos made it an ideal material for lining carriage walls, lagging pipe work, brake pads, packing piston cylinders, boilers and heating systems. Prior to any planned building work on trains/buildings, duty holders are required to undertake a management, refurbishment or demolition survey, dependent on the nature of the construction taking place. These often require samples of ACMs to determine the extent of the risk of asbestos exposure. Specific procedures have therefore been put in place to ensure that each sample is analysed as accurately and precisely as possible.…
The United Kingdom has consistently remained at the forefront of health and safety, with one of the best combined records in the world. This glowing report stems from the UK’s extensive history of health and safety regulations, all of which are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities. There is a plethora of information on worker health protection available through the HSE and similar organisations, which provide guidance on a range of workplace health initiatives, campaigns and collaborations. Awareness of workplace health hazards and a greater comprehension of how workers can manage the risks is becoming increasingly commonplace among organisations, thanks to the growing number of worker health protection initiatives available. This guide provides a brief overview of a series of initiatives, campaigns and partnerships designed to promote and enforce worker health protection.…
Michael ‘Jock’ Randall is a senior lead driller who has worked for SOCOTEC for over 15 years. He gained his NVQ Level 2 Land Drilling (Lead Driller) in 2005, operating a Cable Percussion drill rig and, in 2018, he began training as a rotary lead driller.…
A number of methods exist for the sampling and analysis of gases. Testing may be required to determine the quality of the fuel for landfill engines and other energy from waste applications. Sampling of trace components in landfill gases is often the requirement of an environmental permit, where operators have to produce an annual report on the emission of certain substances from the site.…
