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Institute News
Nickel Risk Assessment Day Presentations
12 Seagate Employees
Congratulated by UK President,
Institute of Metal Finishing
Twelve Seagate Springtown employees have just completed the Foundation
exam of the Institute of Metal Finishing. Sam Briggs, UK president of
the Institute, attended a ceremony at Seagate to present three
Distinctions and nine merits to the employees. Seagate put each of
these employees through the exam as it is part of Seagate's training
plan for Technicians and is the first step towards achieving the
Technicians Certificate, a minimum qualification for operators to
progress to Technician level.
Pictured, front, from left, are Greg
Payne, Seagate, course organiser, Noel Garlick, John Coyle and Sam
Briggs, president, Institute of Metal Finishing. Centre, from left, are
Christopher McMonagle, Malcolm Haire, and Liam Jackson. Back, from left,
are Robin Lincoln, Roger Hynds and Ronan Ferry.
Westland Staff gain IMF Award
A one-day course on “Copper Plating for the Prevention of Case Hardening” was recently completed by twenty staff at the Yeovil plant of Westland Transmissions, a division of Agusta Westland.
Process Engineer Peter O’Shea, on the extreme left of the photo, is responsible for the team running the copper plating/ stripping operation on their recently acquired equipment and organised this course from the Institute of Metal Finishing as part of the continual development of his department. He is now evaluating the IMF’s Foundation Course and will soon be selecting suitable candidates.
Barry Gay, as Honorary Secretary General of the IMF, presented part of the team their certificates and states, “It was a pleasure to meet Peter with his well motivated team and to make the presentation. I really look forward to revisiting Yeovil for a similar Foundation Course ceremony in the near future!”
As well as its internationally recognised formal courses,(Foundation, Technician Licentiate etc.) the Institute is happy to provide bespoke courses for companies on finishing subjects ranging from Automotive Finishing, through one day technology courses, to environmental courses for ISO1400 accreditation. Companies interested in any training issues should feel free to contact Ken Hoare at Exeter House to see how the Institute might assist.
Contact:
Ken Hoare
The Institute of Metal Finishing
Exeter House
48, Holloway Head
Birmingham B1 1NQ
Tel: 044(0) 121 622 7387
Email: ken@instituteofmetalfinishing.org
A CD of the Organic Finishing Seminar held at RAF Cosford in February 2007 on Advances in Aerospace Finishing is now available from Exeter House.
INSTITUTE OF METAL FINISHING
SOUTHERN BRANCH
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
A summary of the symposium held on the 25th April 2007 at the Intech Science Park, Winchester, Hampshire.
The symposium was well attended with 30 delegates.
The 4 speakers were well received and after they had delivered their papers a lively answer and question session ensued, followed by a buffet.
Sludge Recycling - Steve Waite - World Resources Company.
There followed from Steve Waite a full and comprehensive paper listing the reasons for re-cycling, the benefits to industry and the environment, he then detailed the global nature of the company, how it was founded in 1996 going into production in 1999.
The process was then explained from pick up in the UK, transfer to Germany, material analysis, preparation, processing and distribution to the smelters. The whole process is 100% recyclable and has Global ISO certification.
Bio Cleaners – Sascha Wegner – Enthone – Cookson
This paper was presented in a full and comprehensive way by Sascha Wegner. He listed the existing high temperature aqueous systems and compared them to a low temperature Bio system (45C) plus air agitation.Wegner pointed out that Bio- cleaners were used with emulsifiable oils, but were not suitable for polishing compounds, high viscosity oils, chlorinated oils and biocides.
Conclusions: Almost indefinite cleaner life, low temperature and reduced heating costs. Pre treatment being the largest contributor to the energy bill
Water Treatment for the Recycling of Process Rinse Waters. – Tony Mitchelmore. - Wychwood Water Treatment Systems Ltd.
Why recycle water? Mitchelmore produced the following reasons: To reduce costs and save water being the principle. It cost approximately £1-50 to buy and discharge a cubic metre of water. By using deionised water during rinsing this can promote a stain free appearance; better quality rinse water will help adhesion. Reducing industrial water consumption will aid in conserving resources and lessen the damage to water courses etc. Methods of recycling were discussed including a recycling deionisation system and reverse osmosis. Water suitable for recycling should have low level suspended solids, no appreciable turbidity otherwise a particulate filter would be required. Installation costs could be paid back within 1 year.
Envirowise Software Programme for the Conservation of Water and New Ideas in reducing Water Consumption. – David Hemsley. – Marquis Associates, Woking
David gave the delegates a description of the Envirowise Platewise Tool, cited the PPC regulations and said that serious water conservation in the metal finishing industry had only happened in the last 15 – 20 years, he then gave examples of plating companies that had embarked on water management programmes. David gave two examples. Case (A) whose consumption of water was reduced from 40m3 per day to 8 – 10m3 per day with the installation of cascade rinsing and an evaporator.
Case (B) A Cadmium plating plant down to 26L of water per hour of which 12L per went back to the plant and 14L per hour passed to the evaporator.
The authors may be contacted for a copy of there individual papers.
This was the my last symposium as chairman of the Southern Branch, I would like to thank present and past members of the Committee for there help and support during the previous three years.
David Colwell MIMF (Chairman Southern Branch)
Health and Safety Executive
Initial presentation on Carcinogens in the workplace
The HSE have had a remit over the last few years to actively eliminate or reduce the exposure to 50% of the known carcinogens used or occurring in the workplace. This is known as the “Disease reduction programme” where its main aims are to tackle the three main areas of occupational disease: -
- Dermatitis
- Respiratory disease (asthma and other)
- Cancer
The HSE aim to undertake this by developing sustainable partnerships with industry stakeholders and to secure improvements, where necessary. First a Chemical
Carcinogens Survey was completed in 2006 with a view to providing an up to date review of the use, exposure and management of risks from occupational chemical carcinogens in the UK, which would then aim to identify chemical carcinogens of concern to allow HSE to target resource efficiently and effectively in the right areas. This took the form of a questionnaire based survey (Mar ’06 to Jun ‘06) of working practices at up to 100 workplaces.
From this it was seen that the following chemical carcinogens are relevant to metal finishing: -
Chrome VI
WEL 0.05 mg/m3
Inhalation exposures in electroplating generally significantly below 0.05 mg/m3
Can cause asthma & dermatitis, as well as cancer.
Here industry and HSE have a history of collaboration to improve standards. This was first effectively seen in the finishing industry with the presentation and re-affirmation of the HSE position on the control and use of hexavalent chromium in the major industry workplaces using the largest proportion of the chemical. Its main uses were for passivation, plating, wood treatment and leather tanning. Where it could be eliminated its use has been stopped by replacement by other chemicals, where it cannot be done away with the regulations covering its use have been re-enforced and brought up to date. Modern guidelines have been written and control measures pertinent to today’s industrial operations have been introduced.
Nickel
WEL 0.1 mg/m3 (water soluble) and 0.5 mg/m3 (insoluble)
Again Industry and the HSE are working in partnership to identify the current standard position with regard to routine exposure to airborne Nickel. Recent surveys carried out at representative industrial premises has shown that Inhalation exposures in electroplating are generally significantly below the current WEL.
It has recently (2006) been shown that nickel salts can cause asthma & dermatitis, as well as cancer (by inhalation). As such there will be a significant change in classification of nickel salts which will result in new guidance from HSE on how to handle them, how to use them, how to control their use and the monitoring that will be necessary to show exposure below the WEL.
Sulphuric acid mist
The OES (1 mg/m3) was withdrawn, a CHAN issued, and a recommended interim limit 0.3 mg/m3 has been set.
Surveys at Metal finishing companies has shown exposures at;
Anodising – ND to 0.6 mg/m3
Copper micro etching – exposures possibly exceed 0.3 mg/m3
Other processes – generally 0.05 mg/m3 or less
However this has been based on very limited data and more work will be done in this area!
TGIC
It has a WEL 0.1 mg/m3 , it is a constituent of powder coatings and has an R46 classification, and is treated as a carcinogen under COSHH
Surveys of representative industries using this material have shown evidence of poor control – ALARP not applied, and there is a high potential for elimination of this industrial carcinogen.
The latest meeting was centred around nickel and control, with the reclassification of soluble nickel salts as toxic by inhalation in aerosol form and harmful by ingestion and skin contact; the control regimes and acceptable industrial practices have to be re-evaluated and controls and limits set that both meet the new proposed exposure limits and are actually feasible to carry out in normal everyday situations where these soluble nickel chemicals are used.
There has been a control standard for the measurement of airborne exposure to nickel salts( MDHS 42/2) written by the HSE and in place for use for the last ten or so years. It is a procedure that has lain mostly ignored or forgotten within the majority of the finishing industry outside of a few larger organisations with the laboratory capability to carry out quite a high skill based monitoring and analysis facility.
The HSE presented its findings along with the outcome of an occupational health forum that had concentrated on a UK cancer burden study and delegates from all the organisations that had taken part in the programme of survey work undertaken by the HSE had the opportunity to take part in debates on the findings and hear how the HSE intend to run a series of industry centred meetings to identify and quantify the proposed control limits and techniques acceptable to meet the proposed tighter limits and control procedures to be implemented.
There will be further meetings and some more survey work carried out throughout 2007.
Dr Paul Lansdell
Technical manager Kohler Mira Ltd <br>
FOR SALE
ELECTROPLATING COMPANY
Based in the West Midlands, we are a specialist electro-plating company that supplies a quality service to niche industrial sectors.
The company would ideally suit either a small partnership looking to set up in business, or an established business wishing to expand.
Originally established in 1996 we became a limited company in 2002. The company has maintained an excellent year on year growth, with an annual turnover increase in excess of 59% between the period of 2005-2006 and a gross profit in excess of 53%.
Similar growth projections are expected for 2006-7 year.
For 2005-6
Turnover £200K
Gross profit £165K
NPBT £114K
The Company has a number of approvals including AS/EN9100 rev B, BS EN ISO 9001:2000 and AS9104 as well as various customer approvals.
Purchase price £400,000 ono
In the first instance please reply in the strictest confidence to
K H Hoare C Eng MIEE
Business Development Manager
Institute of Metal Finishing
Exeter House
48 Holloway Head
Birmingham
B1 1NQ
Or email ken@instituteofmetalfinishing.org
NEW ENVIROWISE SOFTWARE TOOL FOR ELECTROPLATERS NEARS COMPLETION
A new tool from Envirowise designed to help electroplaters improve their resource efficiency and save money is in the pilot phase of its development.
The software, called Platewise, is currently being trialled by a number of companies prior to its launch later this year.
Platewise provides detailed cost-benefit analyses for a range of surface treatment systems and therefore enables businesses to optimise productivity, materials efficiency and environmental performance.
An Envirowise workshop held in partnership with the Institute of Metal Finishing (IMF) and the Surface Engineering Association (SEA) in July offered companies trialling the product a first hand demonstration.
Companies are now test driving the new software back in their own work environment and will provide Envirowise with feedback on the tool.
David Elliott of the SEA said: “Resource efficiency and a move towards sustainable consumption and production are key priorities for businesses wishing to participate in the global economy. Platewise will help businesses address these priorities and we are pleased to be able to contribute to its final stages of development.”
Ron Read of the IMF said: “The flexibility of Platewise will offer electroplaters significant benefits. For example, it should help businesses to minimise the amount of hazardous waste they produce.”
Electroplaters can register their interest in Platewise by emailing their contact details to production@envirowise.gov.uk . They can also access free advice and information on resource efficiency by visiting www.envirowise.gov.uk or by calling the Envirowise Helpline on 0800 585 794.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Envirowise by Harrison Cowley
Media Contacts: Laura Melhuish or Kate Sturley at Harrison Cowley on 0117 929 2311.
Notes to Editors
Companies can also download the free guide ‘Sustainable Manufacturing: a signposting guide for metal machining companies’ by visiting www.envirowise.gov.uk/GG446
About Envirowise
Envirowise delivers a valuable programme of confidential advice to UK businesses. This advice enables businesses to improve profitability and reduce environmental impact. Independent, practical and proven guidance is available through a helpline, information resources and on site visits delivered by a national team of expert advisors. Each solution is driven by the specific needs of individual firms to genuinely improve their business practices, profitability and competitiveness. Since 1994, Envirowise has helped UK industry save over £1 billion.
The Envirowise programme is available to any UK business, completely free of charge. For more information visit www.envirowise.gov.uk or call 0800 585 794.
Improve Your Company’s Performance Through Free Training
Yes, it really is true – FREE specialist knowledge training delivered by your Institute, is now on offer to companies within the surface finishing industry.
Any one of the key topics required for the Foundation Certificate units in Surface
Finishing can be selected as required to meet your company’s needs.
These important topics cover BEST PRACTICE in:
- Surface Finishing and related technologies
- Maintenance of Solution and Product Quality
- Health and Safety
- The Environment and Surface Finishing
and include the latest legal requirements for surface finishing companies.
These knowledge workshops form an important ADDED VALUE component of a new initiative
established by your Institute. This is a training package consisting of a choice of nationally
accredited, City and Guilds workforce development NVQ courses aimed at improving company
performance. Each one will provide a range of benefits for participating companies, including:
- Assessment of the competence of the workforce
- Identification of any training needs to match those of the company
- Checks that “best practice” has been absorbed into the company’s operations
The broad selection of courses, coupled with the choice of technical information, will have the
widest possible appeal within the industry. For a full list of available units visit the IMF website
www.uk-finishing.org.uk
The successful participants will gain both a nationally accredited City and Guilds Award and
a Certificate of competence from the IMF relating to the units studied.
This innovative training package is being provided through the Institute in a joint venture with experienced Midlands-based training provider, PILOT I.M.S. Limited.
PILOT has worked within the metals finishing industry for several years and has achieved
significant results. The company is an Approved Centre for the City and Guilds Institute and has
an exceptional record in providing language support to learners.
PILOT is also approved by the Learning and Skills Council, the government’s appointed body for adult learning. This enables PILOT to access government funding streams for workforce training.
At present, a limited number of the courses on offer are AVAILABLE FREE to participants within the West Midlands and Lancashire. These courses can also be provided free in other areas, subject only to government funding criteria.
To take advantage of this unique opportunity while it is still available, please contact PILOT
direct on:
Tel. 0845 300 2264 Fax. 0845 300 2263 e-mail: enq@pilotims.co.uk
Continuing the PFOS saga
The JUNE edition of IMFormation contained an article stating that the EU had concluded that under the present directive the small specific uses of PFOS in hexavalent chromium plating solutions coupled with the small volume and emissions into the environment would be very small. They were therefore proposing that a derogation would be granted to permit the use of PFOS in mist suppressants used in chromium plating.
Latest information received (17 July) states that the ENVI committee have voted to accept an amendment deleting the above derogation in the European Commission’s proposal, the latter having a different opinion and were proposing to extend the derogation to cover zinc plating and anodising.
It now transpires that the plenary session of the European Parliament is faced with the prospect of having to vote against the amendments of its own ENVI committee.
The Surface Engineering Association, as agreed at the joint Health, Safety and Environment Committee is contacting all the United Kingdom’s MEPs informing them of our industry’s concerns, explaining the situation so that they have information as to why they should vote against the amendments.
Lets hope that common sense prevails!
IMF members are requested to take any opportunities presented to them to wave the flag for the continuing use of PFOS for which currently there is no substitute.
Meanwhile efforts are continuing to look for an alternative as well as methods to destruct any PFOS to prevent it escaping into the environment.
Messier-Dowty choose the IMF’s course
The famous Cheltenham-based manufacturer of aircraft landing gear has chosen The Institute of Metal Finishing’s “Foundation Environmental” Course for the 30 Process Operators in its Surface Finishes Department.
Marilyn White, Messier’s Senior Process Engineer, states,
“We are committed to achieve ISO 14001 and the training of our Process Operators is an essential step in achieving this standard.
We are proud of our Finishing Department and awareness of the potential hazards is certainly part of the way forward.”
The Foundation Environmental Course has been tailored specifically for Messier Dowty and encompassed the already available Environmental Course with bolt on units covering Cleaning & Degreasing. Nickel plating, Chromium plating, Cadmium plating, Anodising and Health & Safety.
The course is being tutored by Alan Turner, one of IMF’s long standing approved tutors, over a tuition period of some 30 hours on the basis of 2 hours per week for operators working over 3 shifts.
Certification at all levels is accredited by an independent Examination and Qualification Board.
Ron Read, Chairman of the Institute’s Education and Training, comments,
“The course has been tailored to the specific needs of Messier-Dowty and demonstrates the flexibility of the IMF’s Education and Training system to the specific requirements of any company.
If we do not have a specific unit already available then, for sure, we have the knowledge and expertise to produce it”
All companies with finishing sections undergoing ISO 14001 assessment need the IMF’s Environmental Course to confirm their employee training.
The Course, as in the case of Messier-Dowty, can be moulded to an individual company’s processing needs and will supply the necessary accreditation.
Interested companies should contact Ken Hoare at the IMF for further details and to book a course.
Contact :-
Ken Hoare
The Institute of Metal Finishing
Exeter House
48, Holloway Head
Birmingham B1 1NQ
Phone +44(0) 121 622 7387
Fax +44(0) 121 666 6316
Email - ken@instituteofmetalfinishing.org
Meeting report: from Jonathan Timms M.I.M.F in Hong Kong
2006 International Conference on Green Surface Finishing Technology
On the 17th &18th July 2006 a conference was held in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center to highlight industry drives and developments in environmentally friendly surface finishing. Speakers came from around the globe and also from a number of diverse disciplines such as Electroplating & surface finishing; recycling, industrial machinery & academic institutions.
The conference was divided into three sections, namely:
Inorganic Surface Finishing.
Surface Finishing in the Electronics Industry.
Surface Finishing in the Automotive Industry.
The conference was well attended by over 150 visitors and all the papers were well received. On the evening of the 17th a conference dinner was held to present souvenirs to the speakers, and much dialogue took place between guests.
The author was given the privilege of representing the institute at the conference, and took the opportunity during dinner to address the guests to give an update of the Institutes intentions to set-up a Hong Kong branch. During and after dinner, many guests expressed a keen interest in the current activities of the Institute, and it is hoped many will become members in time.
The second meting of the Hong Kong members will take place on the 25th August, where we intent to elect committee members in order to officially establish the branch.
Jonathan Timms
M.Bus, Dipl.Chem, Dipl. MS, M.I.M.F
Rendezvous Hong Kong
Local members gather for inaugural Institute meeting
Meeting report by Paul Wynn
Vice President, International Development
March 2006, Hong Kong. A dozen local members gathered at the Clifton Centre in the Central district on the evening of Friday 24th March. We were also pleased to welcome several invited guests, which included Mr Fred Yeung representing the Hong Kong Metal Finishing Society.
This was the first official gathering of the membership in the region. Its purpose was to update our local members on current activities of the Institute and provide an opportunity to meet and discuss common issues within the industry. It also allowed those gathered to discuss ways in which the Institute can serve the Hong Kong membership going forward.
Representing Exeter House was Vice President Paul Wynn, who chaired the meeting. After his opening remarks, Paul proceeded to give an overview of the Institute from its formation in 1925 through to present day. Much of these details were taken directly from the excellent booklet written by the late Ian Christie.
A modern day prospective of the Institute was detailed through our current organisation, the membership grades and benefits offered, plus a review of our publications such as Transactions. A revised and developing web presence was high lighted and its importance as a key external marketing tool was discussed.
Following Paul Wynn’s presentation, meeting organiser Jonathan Timms opened a forum discussion on the future of the IMF in this region. Positive feedback was noted during the meeting about the excellent education and training opportunities available through the IMF. It was felt that there is sufficient interest in these courses in Hong Kong and Southern China, that provision for these to be delivered locally must form a key part of any long term strategy.
In conclusion, it was felt that establishing a local branch would be a more effective means for the Institute to discharge its responsibility to members, and provide a forum to update the local metal finishing community on matters of international technology developments and industrial trends.
Particular thanks go to Hong Kong based members Tony Evans of Process Automation International and Jonathan Timms of Atotech Asia Pacific, for the enthusiastic support and interest in establishing an Institute presence in the region. The generous support of their companies in arranging and funding the meeting is much appreciated.
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