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A Written Scheme of Examination is a document certified by a competent person that sets out the scope, nature and frequency of examinations to be carried out on a pressure system. This requirement is in place to ensure a suitably competent safety assessment of a pressure system is carried out at regular intervals.
A coffee machine is classed as a minor pressure system, therefore the WSE must be certified by a Competent Person that meets the criteria set out in Regulation 8 of PSSR 2000.
The minimum level required to certify the Written Scheme of Examination for a minor system is an Incorporated Engineer (IEng), they must also have adequate relevant experience and knowledge of the law, codes of practice, examination techniques and understanding of the effects of operation for the system concerned, additionally they require access to a suitable document storage and retrieval system.
For intermediate or major systems the minimum level of engineering qualification and status would be that of a Chartered Engineer (CEng)
Before a pressure system is operated the User/Owner must ensure that a Written Scheme of Examination has been prepared. Even a brand new coffee machine legally requires a Written Scheme of Examination.
All coffee machines incorporating a steam boiler situated in a workplace require a Written Scheme of Examination by law.
A Written Scheme of Examination and the accompynying Pressure System Examinations are a Legal Requirement, without these in place you will be breaking the law and will be subject to potential fines and prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Staff and members of the public will have an increased exposure to injury or even death.
The primary duty holders that are responsible for compliance are the User/Owner of the coffee machine.
This is a commonly used historic term, however what is actually required by the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 is a Pressure System Examination carried out in accordance with a certified Written Scheme of Examination.
This is a commonly used term, however what is actually required by the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR) is a Pressure System Examination carried out in accordance with a certified Written Scheme of Examination (WSE).
This is a commonly used historic term, however what is actually required by the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR), is a Pressure System Examination carried out in accordance with a certified Written Scheme of Examination (WSE).
PSSR in these terms refers to the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000, these Regulations lay out a system of control measures for a pressure system from its conception through to its end of life.
A key function of the Regulations is to ensure pressure systems are examined against a thorough safety assessment criteria at regular intervals. This is achieved via Regulation 8 Written Scheme of Examination and Regulation 9 Examination in accordance with the Written Scheme.
When persons refer to a PSSR check they are typically referring to these particular requirements of the overall Regulations.
Yes, the servicing or suitable maintenance of a coffee machine is required under Regulation 12 and 13 of the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR), the requirement to have Pressure System Examinations carried out in accordance with a certified Written Scheme of Examination (WSE) fulfils Regulation 8 and 9.
In short, you legally require both a suitable maintenance regime and regular examinations carried out in accordance with a certified Written Scheme of Examination for your coffee machine to be compliant.
No, It is the responsibility of the User/Owner of the coffee machine to select competent persons as it states in the HSE Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR 2000).
The User/Owner should select someone capable of carrying out the duties in a proper manner with sufficient expertise in the particular type of system.
No, It is the responsibility of the User/Owner of the coffee machine to select competent persons as it states in the HSE Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR 2000).
The User/Owner should select someone capable of carrying out the duties in a proper manner with sufficient expertise in the particular type of system.
Furthermore any insistence from an insurer that only they can provide your WSE, could be against the competition act
“The Competition Act 1998 is the current major source of competition law in the United Kingdom, along with the Enterprise Act 2002. The act provides an updated framework for identifying and dealing with restrictive business practices and abuse of a dominant market position”.
The competent person carrying out the examination should have sufficient practical and theoretical knowledge and actual experience of the type of system under examination to enable defects or weaknesses to be identified and an assessment made of their significance in terms of the integrity and safety of the equipment.
A coffee machine is classed as a minor pressure system; therefore, the WSE must be certified by a competent person that meets the criteria set out in Regulation 8 of PSSR 2000.
The minimum level required to certify the Written Scheme of Examination for a minor system is an Incorporated Engineer (IEng), they must also have adequate relevant experience and knowledge of the law, codes of practice, examination techniques and understanding of the effects of operation for the system concerned, additionally they require access to a suitable document storage and retrieval system.
The term ‘competent person’ is used in connection with two distinct functions and each function as its own distinct criteria to be met.
a) drawing up or certifying written schemes of examination, Regulation 8 - For minor pressure systems such as coffee machines - at least one member of staff qualified to Incorporated Engineer level with adequate relevant experience and knowledge of the law, codes of practice, examination techniques and understanding of the effects of operation for the system concerned.For intermediate or major systems the minimum level of engineering qualification and status would be that of a Chartered Engineer (CEng)
b) carrying out the pressure system examination under the written scheme, Regulation 9 - The competent person should have sufficient practical and theoretical knowledge and actual experience of the type of system under examination to enable defects or weaknesses to be identified and an assessment made of their significance in terms of the integrity and safety of the equipment.
The Regulations are in place to reduce the associated risks and dangers to people from pressure systems situated in any workplace. Coffee machines that incorporate a steam vessel of any size and any pressure are in scope of the Regulations as steam has a special status within the Regulations.
The aim of PSSR is to prevent serious injury from the hazard of stored energy, as a result of the failure of a pressure system or one of its component parts.
Only engineers that have the required level of training, skills, experience and knowledge of the equipment.
(a) all protective devices
(b) every vessel containing steam
(c) all steam pipework