Reporting to the Renewables Business Manager this Division specialises in the supply of Inspection Services, Lifting Equipment and Ancillary Equipment & Services to Offshore and Onshore Windfarm Companies and their prime suppliers.

The main functions of the role are:

• Provide dedicated S.H.E.Q. support to the Renewables Division
• Liaise with clients to promote and ensure a safe working environment
• Liaise with clients to develop continuous improvement
• Prepare Written Schemes of Examination
• Prepare Method Statements and Risk Assessments
• Preparation and compilation of Operating Procedures
• Be responsible for S.H.E.Q. Policy within the Renewables Division and ensuring it compliments and co-ordinates with the Company S.H.E.Q. Policy

Remuneration will reflect the candidate’s qualification and experience.

This position may be based at either our Doncaster Head Office or our Ramsgate Renewables Office, depending on the successful candidate's location.

Applicants should apply by email to sales@certex.co.uk with their CV, marked for the attention of the Operations Director.

Ideally the successful candidate will:

• Hold L.E.E.A. qualifications
• Be qualified to travel Offshore
• Hold a N.E.B.O.S.H qualification
• Be confident at communicating at all levels, both verbally and in writing
• Demonstrate the ability to work unsupervised

CERTEX Renewables division

CERTEX's expertise in wind turbine inspection and lifting product supply to the international wind energy market is based on experience gained which dates back more than 20 years to the origins of the market in Denmark.

Today we provide a complete lifting solution to manufacturers, installers, owners and operators across Europe. Our portfolio includes:

• Supply of WTG components
• A complete range of lifting products and services for major installers of offshore turbines
• Maintenance, Inspection and test of fall arrest anchor and lifting points, runway beams, winches and elevators
• Supply fall arrest and lifting equipment
• Examination and maintenance pressure vessels
• Inspection of fire extinguishers
• LOLER Thorough Examinations

Our services to this growing market are underpinned by our expertise in providing high quality inspection and maintenance services offshore for more than 25 years.

About CERTEX

CERTEX is a leading distributor of lifting products and services in the UK and Europe.

CERTEX provides a complete solution for lifting products from product supply, repair and maintenance, inspection and test, contract hire, training, certification management through to complete management systems. CERTEX has an enviable reputation as a supplier of high quality Lifting products and Services and are skilled in providing bespoke, high specification lifting products with specialist facilities for the processing of close tolerance steel wire rope assemblies.

CERTEX offers through its lifting centre network in the UK:

• Locally Stocked product portfolio of the world’s leading brands
• Locally based LEEA Qualified Engineers
• Supply And Assembly Of High Integrity Rope Assemblies
• Local Test, repair, maintenance and test facilities
• Specialist Wire Rope and Fibre Rope Rigging Services
• Certification and Lifting Equipment Management Services
• Lifting Equipment Installation and Servicing
• Lifting Equipment Training and Consultancy
• Fall Arrest Equipment Supply and Installation

It is CERTEX's dedication and commitment to excellence and innovation that makes Certex DIFFERENT from many other traditional lifting gear companies. Certex supplies COMPLETE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS to some of the most demanding market sectors including MANUFACTURING, PORTS, MARINE, UTILITIES, RAIL, CONSTRUCTION and through its SPECIALIST OFFSHORE and DEFENCE DIVISIONS.

Applicants must be enthusiastic, physically fit and able to work on their own initiative, with a flexible work attitude and a degree of computer literacy.

These positions involve travel, UK and overseas, and the successful applicants will be expected to work both on and offshore.

It would be an advantage, to have the following qualifications:-

• BWEA Working at Height.
• Sea Survival techniques
• Seafarer Medical
• 3 day first Aid course
• LEEA’s

The scope of work will include:  Statutory inspections, repair and calibration of the following items:-

• Lifts
• Anchor Points
• PPE and Fall arrest
• Pressure Accumulators
• Hoists and Runway systems
• Davits
• Knuckle Cranes
• Fire Extinguishers
• Inertia Reels
• Ladders
• Torque, Calibration and Use
• PAT testing

The successful candidate will receive a company vehicle with fuel card, full PPE, clothing and a mobile phone, contributory pension scheme.  Full training will be provided where required.

To apply for the one of the above positions, in the first instance please send your CV with covering letter to sales@certex.co.uk marked for the attention of the Renewables Division.

Shortening wirerope

Part 4 of the Lifting KnowHow video tip. A video on how to shorten wire ropes

Wire Rope Coiling

Part 5 of the Lifting KnowHow video tip. A video on how to coil wire ropes and what not to do.

See video 1-3

For more information on The Lifting KnowHow contact us now:

Tel: 0845 230 7475 | Fax: 0845 230 7476 | Email: sales@certex.co.uk

Unfortunately, it takes longer than a single ride in a lift to learn all that there is to know about the safety of elevator ropes, but thanks to CERTEX’s latest action-packed course, you can master the subject in less than a day!

CERTEX’s Lift Rope Inspector's Course is a brand new, compact training course aimed especially at those involved in the installation, repair and testing of elevator lifts. Training covers UK and international safety requirements and looks at the duty of care responsibilities placed on lift installers, service engineers, facility managers, and third party inspection companies.

You will come away with a clear knowledge and understanding of what to look for when examining elevator ropes and how to determine whether or not a rope is safe to use.

The Lift Rope Course is tailored especially at anyone handling elevator ropes and covers typical causes of failure and the warning signs to detect these. It’s a theoretical course, offered as vital back-up to the practical side of lift examination, and includes photographs and other examples of rope failure and deterioration.

The course also covers the key elements of inspection procedures; the latest safety and technical guidelines concerning rejection criteria, and those all-important systems of reporting.

Nigel Slinger, CERTEX’s Business Development Manager for the elevator market, said: ‘The Lift Rope Course has been launched in quick response to customer demand. Clearly, there is a training requirement within the elevator industry and CERTEX has been able to use its vast knowledge of wire rope handling and training expertise to devise a customised course to meet this specific need.’

The course is designed by CERTEX’s training consultant Charles Gillespie who has more than 25 years experience in the supply and installation of wire ropes and lifting gear. Meet CERTEX’s specialist trainers here. 

See CERTEX’s full list of accredited training courses.

Reporting to the Renewables Business Manager this Division specialises in the supply of Inspection Services, Lifting Equipment and Ancillary Equipment & Services to Offshore and Onshore Windfarm Companies and their prime suppliers.  Read more.

Wind Turbine Inspection Engineers

CERTEX UK are currently looking to recruit Offshore Wind Turbine Inspection Engineers working in the UK and across Europe. Read more.

Please contact CERTEX Aberdeen on 01224 251080 or email aberdeen@certex.co.uk.

Correct use of EyeBolts

Part 3 of the Lifting KnowHow video tip. A video for safe use of lifting points/eye bolts and advantage of swivelign hoist rings.

Rejection Criteria on Round Slings

Part 2 of the Lifting KnowHow video tip. A video that will give you some basic tips about how you use your slings safely.

The Lifting KnowHow Introduction

The first video of The Lifting KnowHow series that gives you an introduction to The Lifting KnowHow.

See More

For more information on The Lifting KnowHow contact us now:

Tel: 0845 230 7475 | Fax: 0845 230 7476 | Email: sales@certex.co.uk

CERTEX has recently appointed two new Market Sector Managers as the latest stage of an important re-structure of its external sales force.

The focus is moving more towards industry expertise than geographical regions.

Whereas previously, CERTEX’s sales managers have followed the more traditional practice of covering different areas of the UK, they are now each assigned a specific industry sector. The two new appointments under this revised structure are Nigel Slinger, to oversee the Cranes and Elevator market, and Richard Spafford, taking care of Logistics.

Their arrival follows the appointment of Stuart Douglas, who joined CERTEX last year as Sector Manager for the Offshore Division in Aberdeen, and the company is now recruiting for a further sales manager to cover the oil and gas sector, based in Great Yarmouth.

‘This is a radical re-think on how best to utilise the expertise within our sales team and one that will be of direct benefit to our customers,’ said General Sales Manager, Pat Carnall. ‘Industry expertise and technical know-how have always been our priority but we are fine-tuning this further still. Each Market Sector Manager will have a detailed understanding of the industry they represent which will enable them to advise on the most relevant and best value products.’

Nigel and Richard joined CERTEX at the start of the year and have been put through their paces in a comprehensive ‘fast track’ induction programme prior to taking on their own customer accounts.

Both are accomplished salesmen with successful track records in compatible industries. Since joining CERTEX they have undergone an intensive training programme, including L.E.E.A. accredited training courses in LOLER and PUWER, as well as Lifting Equipment Examiners, Wire Rope Examiners and the 3 day L.E.E.A. Part 1 Entrance Examination. They’ve also worked in CERTEX’s warehousing and manufacturing depots; met key product suppliers, and observed CERTEX’s internal sales team at the company’s headquarters in Harworth.

‘It’s been a hectic and intense induction programme,’ said Nigel. ‘We are now fully up to speed with back office operations and the manufacturing and distribution process and can’t wait to get out and meet existing and new customers.’

‘It’s very exciting to be joining a company like CERTEX that still believes in the value of face to face customer relations,’ said Richard. ‘We are both really looking forward to getting out on the road.’

See all CERTEX’s Market Sectors here.

Medical Equipment

• First aid and medical kits(CE and Solas)

• Stretchers and casualty handling equipment

• Medical instruments and paraphenalia

Ship Husbandry

• All types of military and commercial paints and associated equipment including brushes, rollers, pots, trays, chipping hammers and pneumatic scaling tools

• Full range of cleaning tools and janitorial items

• Oils and greases including tallow, boiled oil, fish and storm oils and wire lubricants

• General and rigging tools including knives, spikes, prickers, fids, heaving mallets, hot knives, wire cutters plus a full range of sail making tools.

Diving Equipment

• Military and commercial diving clothing

• Scuba gear

• Breathing apparatus and associated accessories

• Ancillary equipment such as weights lights and markers

Electrical

• A full range of electrical spares including switches and fuses

• Light fittings and bulbs

• A full range of products for First Outfit of Stores for new miltary vessels

Mechanical

• A full range of mechanical spares

• Oils and greases

• Refridgerant products

• A full range of products for First Outfit of Stores for new military vessels

Navigation Equipment

• Navigation instruments

• Charts and Chart Tables(alloy)

• Signalling lamps

• Flags

• NUC shapes

• Lights and radar reflectors

• Portable radios

• Fog horns

• Gongs and bells

• Sounding lead lines and weighted document bags

Safety Clothing

• Shoes

• Anti flash hood and gloves

• Boots

• Overalls

• Coveralls

• Gloves

• Tabards

Firefighting

• Extinguishers (MED)

• Hoses, reels, nozzles, valves, couplings and Stowages

• Foam concentrates and Dry Powder

• Foam branch pipes and Inductors

• Damage control equipment including bungs, wedges, shores, gunter batons, Staples (Dogs), Splinter boxes and associated tools.

• Breathing apparatus including smoke mask apparatus

• Stateboards and EEBD's

• Safety and guidelines

• Smoke and darken ship curtains

• Pipe marker tapes

• Firefighting clothing including Fearnought suits, anti flash gear and full firefighting outfits (MED approved)

Office Equipment

• IT Equipment including printers, laptops, desktops and other peripherals 110v and 240v.
• Stationery

Cleaning Equipment

• Cleaning fluids
• Brooms, brushes etc.

Bedding

• All types of NSN and Commercial bedding

There’s little time for Christmas celebrations when it comes to drilling for oil, as four of our most dedicated engineers recently found out!

Just two days before Christmas Eve, when most of us were entering the Christmas party mood, Certex’s specialist offshore engineers Stuart Smith Snr; Stuart Smith Jnr; Lyle Haylett, and Billy Kerrison, were suddenly called offshore to a major oil rig in the North Sea to commission a burner boom.

Committed, as always, to offering their customers exceptional service, they forgot about their Christmas plans and headed out to sea, not to return to dry land until December 28th.

Most impressive of all, was not just their willingness to miss out on spending Christmas with their loved ones (in Lyle’s case he missed his baby daughter’s first Christmas, while the Smith family had both father and son away from home), but more the speed with which they responded to the call.

Stuart Snr and Lyle were already headed north when a further call came through asking for additional urgent help. This was on Saturday 22nd December; a day when their usual transport plans were hampered with no flights north to Aberdeen and severe flood warnings making rail services unreliable. Stuart Jnr and Billy opted instead to drive the 15-hour car journey from their base in Norwich, arriving in Aberdeen at 11pm on the Saturday evening and reporting for duty at the helipad by 7am Sunday morning.

All four engineers worked tirelessly over Christmas and their efforts were hugely appreciated by the oil company in question.

Managing Director for Certex UK said: ‘We often get asked about what we can do for clients and what separates us out from our competitors and I believe this inspiring story says it all.’

Find our more about the products and services Certex is able to offer the Offshore industry here.

Accessible via the internet customers can produce reports and certificates in real time from any location, eliminating costly paperwork systems and potential errors.

What is CertMax+?

Lifting equipment has to be carefully managed so that it is always fit for service. This apparently simple task can be surprisingly difficult. Lifting gear may be distributed across several locations, and will inevitably require inspection at different times. If certificates and reports are kept in files they quickly mount up taking valuable space & become difficult to control, particularly if a products history needs to be analysed. The introduction of LOLER in 1998 places greater emphasis on the management of lifting equipment. This has increased the workload to the point where many companies are losing valuable time & money trying to cope with the problem

CertMax+ is a revolutionary software system for the complete management of lifting gear certification. Accessible via the internet, customers can produce reports and certificates in real time from any location, eliminating costly paperwork systems and potential errors. The system takes the hassle out of managing lifting gear inspection & certification, allowing customers to focus on their core business. It significantly reduces costs, and ensures that safety is always maintained.

The Future

CertMax+ has already proved itself to be invaluable in the Oil & Gas offshore market. Now more & more companies are waking up to the increased responsibility placed upon them by LOLER and are looking for a simple solution. Technology has to be the answer, and coupled with the expertise of CERTEX we are confident that the future is with CertMax+.

Save time & money

• CertMax+ is an efficient certification management system which provides tangible cost savings
• Information is stored in a relational database, allowing flexible reporting options from a single data entry procedure
• Product history analysis is made easy leading to better procurement decision making.
• Inspection schedules for countless items at various locations can be efficiently planned.
• User-friendly software which is accessible via the internet reduces the burden of paperwork.
• With improved data management the frequency of inspection schedules for certain items can be reduced and justified.

 Access via Internet

• CertMax+ can be found here.
  
• Information is held on a central database which is fully secure.
• Real-time data is continually displayed.
• Customers can view only their own information.
• Logon is simple with user ID and a password.

  Simple to use

• CertMax+ has been developed in a windows environment with familiar user friendly functions;
• Online help ensures that users rapidly become familiar with the software package.
• Information is presented in summary format allowing users to drill down to the detail required with a few simple key-strokes.
• Reports can be easily created and downloaded.

Improve your safety

• Better management of information leads to a safer working environment;
• Paperwork systems are prone to human errors and slow response times.
• CertMan has an electronic messaging service so that product information flashes can be posted instantly.
• Up to date inspection procedures can be viewed on-line.
• Products which are currently defective are clearly colour coded so that they are not put into service by accident.
• An early warning system highlights in advance that products are due to be inspected.

Comply with legislation

• CertMax+ is designed to be totally compatible with current legislation, particularly LOLER
• SI 2307 certificates are stored electronically with hard copies available at the touch of a button.
• The full inspection history of all equipment is clearly visible so that audits can be completed simply & successfully.
• CertMax+ is relevant for fixed and portable lifting equipment.
• Risk assessments & defect reports can be produced.

Eliminate paperwork

• CertMax+ totally removes the need for paperwork systems;
• Stationary costs & storage space are removed.
• Data can be entered directly onto a laptop by inspectors, then downloaded onto the system.
• The system is accessible from any location.

CERTEX offer a total package for the hire and management of Fixed and Loose Lifting Gear so that the client can concentrate on their core business. Based on standard and optional service features it provides full compliance with Health and Safety legislation and major costs savings through better utilisation of Lifting Equipment and overhead savings. CERTEX have provided rigging lofts and associated Management Systems for over 10 years to offshore platforms and major industrial companies. With over 72,000 items of Lifting Gear available within the contract hire system you can be sure that CERTEX are the leading company providing such a total package.

Legislative Background

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (L.O.L.E.R.) came into force on the 5th of December, 1998. This supplants previous lifting equipment related regulations (see section on Legislation). This puts the responsibility for safe use and the control of Lifting Equipment onto the Purchaser. It includes a requirement for the following:-

Accessories, Man Riding - 6 monthly intervals All other Equipment - 12 months or in accordance with a written examination scheme.



Standard Features of LEMIS

• CERTEX supports in the responsibility for a client’s lifting equipment within current legislation.

• Equipment is recorded and controlled on the Certman Certification system ensuring total traceability.

• All items in use are fully tested, certified and colour coded at all times.

Optional Features of LEMIS

The concept is tailored to a specific client’s requirements and can include the following: -

• Purchase of a client’s existing gear including spares.

• Provision of on site rigging lofts either manned or unmanned which are provided on a contract hire basis.

• Management of those items defined as fixed or specialised plant.

• Leasing of client’s facility

• Control of sub-contractors lifting equipment

• Recruitment of existing Lifting Gear staff

• Provision of a central service point at a suitable location

• Provision of a central hire store at a suitable location

• CERTEX engineers available on a 24/7 365 days a year basis

• Guaranteed 1 hour emergency response

• Certification Management

Methodology of Implementation

• The process for implementation is based on a partnership to identify areas for improvement and maximum cost saving.

• CERTEX works with the client to agree the scope and develop the right package for their unique circumstances.

• Carry out a survey to establish total equipment register

• Identify equipment for rigging lofts

• Identify number & locations of lofts

• Agree fixed / specialised plant

• Appoint a contract manager

• Costs become clearly identified

• A partnership approach identifying areas for improvement and maximum cost saving

• CERTEX works with the client to define the scope and develop the right package

• The package is then optimised on a continual basis

• The emphasis is always about ongoing cost reductions

Benefits of LEMIS

• Improved safety

• Enable full legal compliance with legislation

• Significantly reduce management time

• Reduce costs by at least 10-15% in the first year

• Ensure all equipment is tested, colour coded and certified

• Free staff to focus on core activity

• Increased technical support

• Provide new initiatives for cost saving

• CERTEX replaces the client as duty holder

• Clearly identified costs for Lifting Equipment

• Fixed monthly charge for Lifting Equipment

• Positive cash flow from sale of equipment and ease of premises

• Reduced depreciation

• Reduced inventory

• Maintain and upgrade existing equipment

Some of our Clients currently adopting the LEMIS system

• Mobil

• Ensco

• Total Fina Elf

• Amerada Hess

• Talisman

• Chevron Texaco

• Transocean Sedco Forex

• Marathon

Please contact CERTEX on 0845 230 7475 for more information and how the LEMIS concept might be applied to your business please contact CERTEX for a full presentation and exploration of the benefits.

CERTEX provides clients with solutions from a range of industrial equipment to supply, repair, maintenance, inspection, test and certification through to preventative maintenance programs of pressure systems to ventilations systems(LEV), bringing into line our clients' legal responsibilities by conforming to legislation such as the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) 2000 SI 128 and the current C.O.S.H.H. regulations for LEV's.

Education plays a major role in the services CERTEX offer, we take pride in the documentation we produce for our clients along with the physical services, we build up a history of equipment and systems for clients and assist in the management of maintenance schemes and programs to keep the workplace safe. Ignorance is not an excuse under Health and Safety Law, CERTEX is well know for delivering cost savings to clients through excellent management of certification.




The Challenge: If pressure equipment fails, it can seriously injure or kill and cause major damage to property. All pressure equipment represents extreme potential danger and even non-hazardous gases and liquids such as air and water may represent grave danger.

Such equipment is frequently the cause of serious accidents and the best way to minimize or eliminate the risks involved, is to maintain a regular inspection schedule.

CERTEX Offers through its Network in the UK

• Rapid response of inspection engineers both onshore and offshore
• Portable test equipment providing services on site
• ASME qualified inspectors for the petrochemical industry
• Equipment database providing complete piece of mind for equipment inspection history
• Complete consultancy service for clients suffering from poor maintenance records.

CERTEX has a reputation for providing innovative solutions to problems and has a proven record of saving their clients' money through product selection and tailored preventative maintenance schemes.

It is CERTEX's dedication and commitment to excellence and innovation that makes CERTEX different from many other traditional companies. CERTEX supplies complete management solutions to some of the the most demanding sectors including manufacturing, ports, marine, utilities, rail, construction and through it's specialist offshore and defence divisions.



Key Benefits

• Compliance with the Statutory Duty
• Improved risk management and consequently, a reduction in the incidence of accidents
• Improved asset availability and operational life of equipment
• A much safer place of work for all employees
• Multi-disciplined engineers for a one-visit inspection covering a wide range of equipment

CERTEX is accredited to ISO 9001:2000 and approved by UVDB, FPAL and Link Up Industry schemes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my equipment need inspecting - All equipment should really be inspected for soundness to eliminate loss of production. However, legislation states only certain sizes of system fall within a legal scope, an air receiver or 'tank' can be as little as 25 ltrs but if the pressure inside is greater than 10 bar as indicated on the 'guage', then that system is known as 250 Bar/Ltr and that is the minimum limit for statutory inspections. Another example may be a 'tank' of 100ltrs operating at 2.5 Bar again reaches the minimum 250 Bar/ltr so will require a statutory inspection.

How often does it need inspecting - After an initial survey of the equipment, a WSE or written scheme of examination will be drafted, in this legal document will be a section clearly stating when each relevant piece of equipment withn the pressure system will require an inspection.

Who is responsible for all of this - As an employer or owner of the equipment, you are completely responsible for its use, maintenance, documentation and its upkeep. The user is of the equipment is not responsible for the legal aspects of the systems inspection and maintenance or documentation.

Who's going to stop me - The HSE will prosecute should an accident occur with regards to a pressure system within the scope of the PSSR 2000 which has not been correctly maintained or documented, large fines and even imprisonment is the usual sentence for non compliance.

Summary
CERTEX will provide a one-stop service for clients requiring many inspection disciplines under one roof, lifting equipment, pressure systems and local exhaust ventilation all form the basis of a company successful in maintaining a high profile in the inspection industry.

Every Lifting Centre has local facilities for repair and testing. This is backed up by central production facilities where large volumes of Lifting gear are inspected and repaired.

Legislative Background

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (L.O.L.E.R.) came into force on the 5th of December 1998. This supplants previous Lifting Equipment Related regulations (see section on Legislation). This puts the responsibility for safe use and control of Lifting Equipment onto the Purchaser. Quite simply the owner of lifting equipment is responsible if a piece of Lifting Equipment is used in an unsafe condition. It is therefore imperative that regular inspection is carried out, followed by speedy corrective action to resolve any identified safety problems.

Scope of CERTEX Repair and Maintenance

• Repair and Proof Load Tests

• Manual Lifting Equipment

• Electrical Lifting Equipment

• Hydraulic Lifting Equipment

• Pneumatic Lifting Equipment

• Rope Changes on all types of Cranes

• Crane Servicing

• Wire Rope Sling Repairs

• Lorry Winch Rope Repairs

• Chain Sling Repairs

• Fibre Rope and Wire Rope Hand splicing

• Wire rope socketing with white Metal, Zinc or resin on site if required

• Industrial and or maritime rigging services

Standard Features of Repair and Maintenance
 

• Assessment of viability of repair

• Estimate and agreement of client before work commences

• Repairs only with genuine manufacturers spares

• Performed by a skilled engineer

• Performed to a recognised repair schedule

• Performed to an agreed timescale i.e. deadlines

• Optional Features of Repair and Maintenance Services

• Short Term Hire whilst equipment is being repaired

• New for Old option on standard items including Chain Blocks, Lever Hoists, Shackles, and Lifting Clamps

• Reminder Service for next inspection

• Collection Services are available for regular repair and maintenance

Advantages of using CERTEX for your Repair and Maintenance Requirements

• All Lifting Centres are BS EN ISO 9001 approved facilities

• All Lifting Centres are members of The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA)

• CERTEX is a Member of BSI.OMECH (HSE)

• Engineers trained to CERTEX and LEEA standards

• Engineers have the qualifications to allow them to perform maintenance to conform to legislation and to include but are not limited to the following LEEA qualifications:

• LEEA Part 1 Group 1
• LEEA Part 1 Group 2
• LEEA Lifting Gear General
• LEEA Lifting Machines Manual/Powered
• LEEA Runway Beam and light Crane Structures
• Please contact CERTEX on 0845 230 7475to discuss your repair and maintenance requirements

A complete service for test and certification either on site or within CERTEX facilities is available. This can be a stand alone service or part of the LEMIS total management programme. Lifting Centres have qualified service engineers who can perform this service locally. These are backed up by central support functions where required.

Legislative Background

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (L.O.L.E.R.) came into force on 5th December 1998. This supplants all previous laws (see section on Legislation). This puts the responsibility for safe use and control of Lifting Equipment onto the Purchaser. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that competent personnel inspect fixed and loose gear at regular intervals. Responsibility can be taken over by CERTEX when adopting a LEMIS system.

Scope of CERTEX Test and Inspection Facilities

The tasks that our trained staff can carry out include the following disciplines:

• Legislative Inspection of all types of Manual, Hydraulic, Pneumatic and Electric Lifting Equipment

• Legislative Inspection of overhead Crane systems including runway and gantry structures

• Legislative Inspection and test of Runway beams in Lift installations shafts

• Legislative Inspection of mobile and pedestal deck cranes

• Proof Load Test of all types of Manual, Hydraulic, Pneumatic and Electric Lifting Equipment Proof Load Test, Inspection and MPI of Lifting Equipment

• Proof Load Test, Inspection and MPI of Overhead Cranes, Derrick Structures, Mobile and Pedestal Deck Cranes

• NDT of Crane Wire Ropes

Standard Features of Inspection and Testing

• Performed by a skilled engineer

• Performed to a recognised repair schedule or at customer’s request

• All inspections carried out according to CERTEX and LEEA standards.

• All inspections logged into and recorded within the Certman Certification system.

• Optional Features of Testing and Inspection Service

• Automatic reminder for inspection programme.

• Can form part of a LEMIS programme.

• Access to Certman system to view inspection records on line.

• Access to Certman system to view required corrective actions.

• Storage on Certman of third party inspected gear.

• Standard monthly budget scheme available.

Advantages of using CERTEX Testing and Inspection Services

• All Lifting Centres are BS EN ISO 9001 approved facilities

• All Lifting Centres are members of The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA)

• CERTEX is a Member of BSI.OMECH (HSE)

• Engineers trained to CERTEX and LEEA standards

• Engineers have the qualifications to allow them to perform maintenance to conform to legislation and to include but are not limited to the following LEEA qualifications:

LEEA Part 1 Group 1
LEEA Part 1 Group 2
LEEA Lifting Gear General
LEEA Lifting Machines Manual
LEEA Lifting Machines Powered
LEEA Runway Beam and light Crane Structure

Courses can be held either at customer premises, or at a CERTEX UK location around the country.  For more information about our courses please see visit the links below.

CERTEX’s Training Manager, Mark Hoggard, and two of the company’s trainers, Hugh Donachie and Charles Gillespie, are now fully accredited as trainers by the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA).

CERTEX has already won accreditation for three of its most popular industry training courses – the Lifting Gear Examination Course, a 2-day course covering all skills required by a lifting engineer to carry out periodic inspections of lifting gear in accordance with LOLER regulations; the LOLER and PUWER Course, aimed at managers and users looking to gain a better understanding of the legal requirements of the Statutory Instructions, and Wire Rope Socketing.

Accrediting the trainers themselves is a standard procedure as part of the company’s overall accreditation by LEEA and gives further reassurance to customers that the training they receive is of an exceptionally high standard.

‘CERTEX already has a long-standing reputation as a market leader in the instruction of rope inspection and industry regulations and having our trainers individually verified by LEEA is an added bonus,’ said Training Manager, Mark Hoggard.

CERTEX is going through LEEA accreditation on a further four training courses which will hopefully be complete by the end of the year.

For more information on our training courses please visit the training section on our website.

CERTEX considers health and safety to be paramount in all areas of its manufacture and supply of wire rope and lifting gear, and routinely advises on safe practice among customers.

The company also strives to maintain and fine-tune its own best practice and as such welcomes Jo Blackburn as its new Health Safety Environmental Quality Manager.

Jo has worked in health and safety for more than 10 years and has been awarded a National Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety by NEBOSH and has a Lead Auditor’s Certificate for ISO. She has worked in health and safety within different manufacturing operations, including the setting up of new H&S polices and quality management systems within major companies such as Cadbury’s.

Certex is already awarded ISO 9001 Quality and is working towards achieving ISO 18001 Environmental and ISO 14001 Health and Safety in the near future.

‘We take safety very seriously at Certex; not just on behalf of our customers, but within our own organisation as well,’ says Certex Managing Director, Tony Stringer. ‘Jo’s appointment will enable us to keep on enhancing our own quality assurance programme, correctly and efficiently.’

CERTEX continues to focus on enhancing added value to customers with the appointment of Scott Wilcox as Commercial and Marketing Manager.

Scott will be re-locating with his family to South Yorkshire to take up the new role and will based at the company’s head office in Harworth, near Doncaster.

Using his experience gained as Branch Manager for Birmingham and, more recently, his involvement with the management of the External Sales Team, Scott’s main role will be to support the marketing campaigns and development plans of the Business Managers across the UK.

Scott will represent CERTEX UK at CERTEX’s group marketing meetings as part of an international forum set up to share ideas and best practice between CERTEX’s European sister companies. He will also support sales initiatives aimed at CERTEX’s extensive customer base.

The aim of this course is to provide the knowledge and understanding of the role of a mobile crane operator.

One of CERTEX’s longest-serving employees leaves CERTEX at the end of the month having been with the company for over five decades.

Richard Pound joined CERTEX, age 18, in 1960 when the company was called British Ropes. He quickly found his way into sales, re-locating from Doncaster to Liverpool as his career progressed, and then to Wakefield. More recently, he has been based in South Yorkshire, working part-time as Key Account Manager for customers in the steel industry. He retires just two weeks after his 70th birthday and is looking forward to having more time to spend gardening and visiting his 3-year-old grandchild.

He describes his time with the company as eventful, including a dangerous ‘near-miss’ when his car broke down in troubled Belfast in the 1970s and the excitement of taking delivery of his first company car – a bright turquoise Ford Cortina. He has been sad to see the demise of the shipbuilding, mining and steel industries, yet holds on to many happier memories. He believes that CERTEX is the company it always was, excelling in customer service and offering good, honest advice.

Says CERTEX Managing Director, Tony Stringer: ‘Richard has been a loyal and valuable colleague who has always worked tirelessly for the good of the company. He will be sadly missed by many of us and we wish him all the very best for a healthy and happy retirement.’

Richard Pound (left) shaking hands with Tony Stringer (right).

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