Oxy-fuel safety in Britain

admin

This came over the wires in the last 24 hours from gasworld.com, a British publication. Author is Kelly Cadwell."Motor repairers across the United Kingdom are urged to pay careful attention to safety with oxy-fuel gas equipment. Safety checks reveal that many are using unsafe, out of date or even faulty equipment."According to the British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) code of practise seven (CP7) oxy-fuel equipment - hoses, regulators, gauges and blow torches used for cutting and welding must be inspected annually and replaced every five years."BOC Industrial is one of the few companies in the UK to regularly test customer equipment."Mike Dennis, director of BOC Industrial, said: 'Every day our experts conduct checks and by far the commonest problem encountered is gas leaking. More often than not the operator will be completely unaware that equipment has deteriorated to the point where it needs replacing.'"
Reply:Surely they cannot seriously expect owner/operators to replace everythingevery five years! Perhaps the O-rings, gaskets, and even hoses, but notmetallic components like regulators, gauges, valves, torch handles, cuttingtips, etc.If the law requires replacement of all components every five years I expect a lot of owner/operators will take to hiding or "disposing" of their equipment soas to avoid such silliness. In the end things will probably be worse ratherthan better.
Reply:my uncle has a torch outfit thats atleast 50+ years old.still works like new.he swaps the gaskits and o-rings every 3 years and has the regulators serviced every 8-10 yearsKISS...KEEP IT SAFE STUPID
Reply:Surely they cannot seriously expect owner/operators to replace everythingevery five years! Perhaps the O-rings, gaskets, and even hoses, but notmetallic components like regulators, gauges, valves, torch handles, cuttingtips, etc.
Reply:I bought a new Victor 100 size outfit about ten years ago. It's still like new. It was purchased to replace a set of Dockson (no longer made) gauges and torches that were worn out after 35 years. That rule in UK is really going overboard.Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:I have never seen a set of torches used in an industrial setting last five years.   The hoses alone are worn and have multiple leaks after being dragged over concrete and steel for a couple of years.  I have lost count of the number of gauges I have seen banged up beyond use.   A five year rule seems reasonable for a commercial setting.   My own set at home are over twenty years old however I don't use them eight hours a day  They, of course, are in excellent shape.
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyTypical regulation gone beyond reasonable limits. All out of fear and in the name of safety.
Reply:I find myself caught between the social engineering that is so common in Europe and the freedom from regulation in the USA.  Canada tends to walk a middle road when it comes to regulations and controls.   This ruling is coming from a "gas association" without any considerations other than safety.     If one was to look at it from an economic view it is unusual for a bean counter to depreciate the value of small equipment for a period as long as five years.  Most hand tools and small power tools are considered expended long before five years.  If some government inspector is going to run around checking welding and cutting outfits I would see this as a waste of energy.  Insurance inspectors underwriting commercial operations can threaten withdrawal of insurance or an increase in fees.  I have experienced such inspections and they are very effective at getting companies to pay attention to general housekeeping.