Competence
The CoffeeSafe Solution follows the definitions set out in both the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000 for competence.
The term ‘Competence’ in general is defined by the Health and Safety Executive as -
“Competence can be described as the combination of training, skills, experience and knowledge that a person has and their ability to apply them to perform a task safely. Other factors, such as attitude and physical ability, can also affect someone’s competence”.
Competent Person
The criteria Specifically defined to fulfil HSE Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000 Approved code of practice
The Regulations state the term ‘competent person’ within the Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000 is used in connection with two distinct functions:
- (a) drawing up or certifying schemes of examination. (Regulation 8)
- (b) carrying out examinations under the Written Scheme of Examination. (Regulation 9)
The ultimate responsibility for competence under the Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000 is stated below -
10. The term ‘competent person’ refers not to the individual employee who carries out duties under the Regulations but to the body which employs the person charged with those duties. Thus, the definition of competent person makes it clear that the legal duty to comply rests with a competent person’s employer, and not with an individual, unless that person is self-employed.
Regulation 8 Written scheme of examination -
99 The attributes needed for competent persons who draw up or certify schemes of examination relating to minor, intermediate and major systems are shown below.
- i. Staff. At least one member of staff qualified to incorporated engineer level with adequate relevant experience and knowledge of the law, codes of practice, examination and inspection techniques and understanding of the effects of operation for the system concerned.
- ii. Specialist services. Established access to basic design and plant operation advice, materials engineering and non-destructive testing (NDT) facilities.
- iii. Organisation. Sufficient organisation to ensure a reasonable document storage and retrieval system with ready access to relevant law, technical standards and codes.
The criteria Specifically defined to fulfil HSE Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000 Approved code of practice
Regulation 9 Examination in accordance with a written scheme -
Paragraph 124
“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.”
Danger
The Regulations are concerned with reasonably foreseeable danger to people from the unintentional release of stored energy. In addition, they deal with the scalding effects of steam which is classed as a relevant fluid at any pressure.
Impartiality
Examinations of coffee machines must be carried out impartially.
Specifically, the aim of the examination must be to meet the criteria set out in the Written Scheme of Examination, regardless of the operational consequences of meeting those requirements.
Impartiality - Remuneration
Personnel involved in examination activities should not be remunerated in a way, which influences the result of those examinations. SAFETY MUST ALWAYS BE THE PRIMARY CONSIDERATION
Impartiality - Management Accountability
The management of the service provider is responsible for ensuring the impartially of all examinations.
They should ensure that a culture exists within their organisation where health and safety considerations are never compromised for the sake of commercial or other interests.
The management should ensure that this approach to safety exists at all levels of the business.
Installed System and Mobile System
The Regulations distinguish between those systems which are fixed in a permanent location (installed) and those which are normally and frequently moved from place to place (mobile).
For installed systems the user is responsible for compliance with regulations 7–12 and 14. I the case of mobile systems the owner is responsible. If the owner does not have a place of business in Great Britain and has no agent in Great Britain, the user is responsible.
Minor System
Under the Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000 a pressure system can be classed as a Minor system, Intermediate system or a Major System.
A coffee machine is classed as a minor pressure system as it operates below 20 Bar of pressure.
To certify a Written Scheme of Examination for a Minor System the Approved Code of practice states that the competent person in question should be;
"qualified to the level of Incorporated engineering level with adequate relevant experience and knowledge of the law, codes of practice and inspection techniques and understanding of the effects of operation for the system concerned."
Owner
This is normally the person who owns the coffee machine, this could be the user, leaser, person or organisation who hires the coffee machine.
Pipework
This term pipework means a pipe or system of pipes together with associated valves, pumps, compressors and other pressure containing components
Pressure System
The Regulations define three types of system:
- (a) a system comprising one or more pressure vessels of rigid construction, any associated pipework and protective devices;
- (b) the pipework with its protective devices to which a transportable pressure receptacle is, or is intended to be, connected; or
- (c) a pipeline and its protective devices,
Professional Indemnity
Professional Indemnity Insurance provides cover for legal costs and expenses incurred in your defence, as well as any damages or costs that may be awarded, if you're alleged to have provided inadequate advice, services or designs that cause your client to lose money.
Protective device
Any devices designed to protect the coffee machine against failure, or to give warning of impending failure
These devices would include but not limited to; safety valve, level probe, pressure switch, temperature cut outs, pressure gauge, sight glass, anti-vac valve.
Public Liability
Public liability insurance covers the cost of claims made by members of the public for incidents that occur in connection with your business activities. Public liability insurance covers the cost of compensation for: personal injuries. loss of or damage to property.
Relevant Fluid
relevant fluids mean;
- (a) steam
- (b) any fluid or mixture of fluids which is at a pressure greater than 0.5 bar above atmospheric pressure, and which fluid or mixture of fluids is
- (i) a gas, or
- (ii) a liquid which would have a vapour pressure greater than 0.5 bar above atmospheric pressure when in equilibrium with its vapour at either the actual temperature of the liquid or 17.5 degrees Celsius; or
- (c) a gas dissolved under pressure in a solvent contained in a porous substance at ambient temperature and which could be released from the solvent without the application of heat;
Safe Operating Limits
These are the limits beyond which the system should not be taken. They are not the ultimate limits beyond which system failure will occur. In establishing the limits within which a system should be operated, there may be a need to take account of matters other than pressure energy and the likelihood of system failure. Small steam generators, for example, present a risk from scalding as opposed to stored energy.
User
The term User refers to the employer or self- employed person who has control of the operation of the coffee machine.
Written Scheme of Examination
A Written Scheme of Examination is a statutory requirement for any pressure system within scope of the Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000.
The aim of a Written Scheme of Examination is to ensure thorough examinations are carried out on pressure equipment to assess and evaluate the safe ongoing operation.
A Written Scheme of Examination details components of a pressure system that must be examined for potential defects or signs of weakness that could lead to system failure. This must include the pressure vessel, all protective devices and any attached pipework that could give rise to danger.
The Written Scheme will also set the timeframe between examinations and detail specialised safety measures.