PERIODIC INSPECTIONS

SZUTEST, is an A Type periodic inspection body, accredited on TS EN ISO/IEC 17020, performing controls based on the “Health and Safety Requirements in the Use of Work Equipment” Directive.

The Directive 28628 on “Health and Safety Requirements for the Use of Work Equipment” dated April 25, 2013 issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security lays down the minimum health and safety requirements for the use of work equipment.

According to the provisions of the Directive, the periodic controls of work equipment must be performed according to the criteria and intervals specified in national and international standards, data provided by producers and scientific and technical requirements.

Broadly speaking, ‘work equipment’ means any machine, apparatus, site or installation used at work. Based on the provisions of the Directive on “Health and Safety Requirements for the Use of Work Equipment” dated April 25, 2013, all work equipment must be controlled in periods determined in the risk analysis of the service requesting company and not exceeding the time limits given in the Directive.

The inspections of work equipment are based on the standards and essential requirements in the Directive. The conditions of the inspected work equipment form a guide for the health and safety measures in the workplace. Elimination of the findings identified with the help of this guide, will help prevention of work accidents, and good functioning of the equipment will ensure no production loss.

In short, this Directive implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, protects both the employees and the employer.

According to the “Health and Safety Requirements for the Use of Work Equipment” Directive, any machine, apparatus, site or installation used at work must be inspected. The Directive classifies these equipment under four groups: pressure vessels, lifting and moving equipment, installations and work benches.

Boilers, pressure tanks, expansion tanks, air tanks, welded or seamless tubes, liquefied under/above ground gas tanks, cryogenic tanks, acetylene cylinders and tanks and stores where hazardous liquids are stored, are equipment in the “pressure vessels” group.

Fork lifts, transportable working platforms, several crane types, escalators/moving bands, vehicle lifts, several hydraulic and mechanical lifts, scaffolds, and construction machinery, are equipment in the “lifting and moving equipment” group.

Fire and piping installations, ventilation and air conditioning installations, electrical installations, grounding installations and lightning rods are equipment in the “installations” group.

Machine tools and metal cutting machinery like cnc machines are equipment in the “work benches” group.

According to the Health and Safety Requirements in the Use of Work Equipment Directive, mechanical engineers and technicians are authorized to carry out periodic inspections of pressure vessels, lifting and moving equipment and fire and ventilation installations, and Electrical engineers, electrical and electronic engineers and technicians are authorized to carry out inspections of electrical installations, and lightning rods and grounding installations.

In cases where the periodic inspections of pressure vessels and mechanical installations are to be carried out using non-destructive testing methods, engineers and technicians who have received training based on TS EN ISO 9712 standard, can carry out the inspections.

The Ministry of of Labor and Social Security is authorized to impose accreditation, authorization and training obligations on inspectors and inspection bodies.

A lot of companies today want their periodic controls to be carried out by A Type inspection bodies with 17020 inspection scope though the regulation does not impose accreditation condition. Bodies accredited by TURKAK are prefered due to continuous audits of their quality management systems, measurement and control instruments and trained inspectors.

Periodic inspections are carried out in the form of hydostatic tests, weight tests, visual tests, non-destructive tests and assessment with devices.

For hydrostatic testing, flow valves and safety valve terminal are separated from the lines and blinded with a blind flange. The tank is then filled to the brim with testing liquid, usually water, at a maximum temperature of 250C. Then the tank is pressurised gradually.

In weight tests, lifting and moving equipment is tested based on its type and the requirements in the standards.

Where hydrostatic testing is not possible, inspection of pressure equipment and installations can be carried out with one or more non-destructive test methods such as magnetic particle testing, penetrant and ultrasonic thickness measurement. In inspections where a definite decision cannot be made, the inspector can suggest an alternative testing method.

Fire extingusihing installations can be tested with hydrostatic tests and ventilation installations can be tested with visual controls.

Both visual tests and test devices can be used in the inspections of electrical installations, grounding measurements and lightning rod tests.

SZUTEST > Periodic Inspection