Page 20 - Energize May 2021

NEWS

Helping companies comply with technical safety requirements

by Johan Stols, WearCheck conducted. Level two involves designer audits
on OEMs. In level one testing, even though
earCheck’s advanced field services (AFS) there is no specific law that stipulates the
division offers a wide range of specialist frequency of testing for winders, industry
Wmonitoring techniques which include best-practice dictates that they should be
rope testing, technical compliance (TC) and non- tested at least four times a year.
destructive testing. Here, some of the different TC During a typical TC audit, which is
techniques are discussed. normally done during a weekly examination
The ultimate goal of the TC division is to ensure in which around 100 items are tested, the
that all the components that they monitor comply safety circuit is tested for correct operation.
with stringent, pre-determined safety standards. The TC team plays a supporting role to customer The different circuits on each unit must be
operations by reduction of risk using specialised and multidisciplinary services and resources, and tested to ensure correct operations. A report
they are on call at all hours. The TC’s customers predominantly operate in the mining sector, but is compiled with all findings and includes the
other industries are beginning to realise the value of TC, too. previous three audit results so that a trend
The TC team’s mining customers are generally the deep level mines – coal, gold, platinum etc – can be established. Recent repairs done on
where vertical shafts (people movement), incline shafts (goods movement), ropes and many other the machine are highlighted.
components are tested. Tracking the compliance status of each
The TC tests generally include level one winder and main fan compressor inspections, component enables the engineer and the
compliance level electrical inspections, headgear elevator electrical inspections, lock bell maintenance team to keep the component
inspections, chairlift electrical inspections, secondary injection testing and conveyor belt in peak operating condition and avoid nasty
compliances. accidents or costly downtime.
These components must undergo regular tests to ensure that they are constantly in a safe What is important to note, for example,
operating condition. Inspections are conducted using specialised testing equipment, highly skilled is that each winder has its own unique
and experienced inspectors, and compliance to rigorous safety standards. operating and protection system, which must
In South Africa, TC standards are legislated in many cases, but are also guided by industry- be adhered to when it is undergoing testing.
recognised best-practice values. We make sure that we are acquainted with
WearCheck adds value for its clients by providing quality services and identifying and mitigating each component and its maintenance and
risks associated with safety and production-critical equipment. The company’s TC team comprises six compliance history.
winder inspectors, who have around 140 years’ combined experience between them. It is this team’s Our TC team is standing by to assist in
responsibility to check that every component in a given machine is working exactly as it is supposed any way possible to ensure that all moving
to work. For example, on a lighting circuit, all lights must be working perfectly; or each safety circuit machinery is audited according to best
trips exactly when it is supposed to trip. practice, and that all required safety standards
If an error is found, this is reported to the engineer in charge of that particular component. are met. Due to the production-critical nature
Repairs are carried out by the engineer’s maintenance team, and then the TC team returns to retest of our support work, we are on call 24/7/365.
the faulty component. In dynamic testing, which is applied to license winders, the law states that
physical testing must be conducted within every 200 days to comply with safety standards. Contact WearCheck, Tel 031 700-5460,
There are two levels of testing. Level one is where general electrical and mechanical audits are marketing@wearcheck.co.za

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energize | May 2021 | 18