Future meetings & Works visit: Tronic, Ulverston

South Cumbria Occupational Health & Safety Group

joint meeting with

South Cumbria IOSH District

Future meetings
& August 2007 Minutes

September meeting:
20th September 2007
Venue:
The Netherwood Hotel, 14.00 hrs
www.netherwood-hotel.co.uk

Main Topic: Health and Safety Management
Speaker: Lawrence Bamber,
Risk Solutions International &
past IOSH President
IOSH update: Report from IOSH BEDA meeting (including mentoring),
John Hannah, District Education & Development Adviser

October seminar: 18th October 2007,
The Netherwood Hotel, 09.00 to 16.00 hrs
www.netherwood-hotel.co.uk

Topic: Prevent Work-Related Dermatitis
Speakers: HSE Specialist speakers
Seminar fee: £60 per delegate
(including tea, coffee lunch and delegate handouts)
Further information: Seminar 2007 link

AUGUST 2007 MINUTES

Topic: Works Visit - Tronic Ulverston, Cumbria
Host: John Hannah,
Health, Safety, Environment Quality Control Manager
Date: 2pm, Thursday 16th August 2007
Venue: Tronic, Ulverston, Cumbria

After issue of ID passes and site safety rules cards, we were welcomed by Jim Bell, Tronic HSEQ Manager, and briefed on tour procedures and emergency arrangements.

Trevor Thistlethwaite, Tronic Business Manager, then described the Company's history and product range. The company was started in 1979 and joined the Expro Group in 1998. Tronic provides Undersea Connectors and Measurement Equipment to the global oil and gas market, of which it has a substantial share. More recently Matre (Undersea Sensors) joined the Group.
Tronic is based in Ulverston, with outposts in Houston and Rio, but has access to Expro's global coverage. Staff number 260 (+ vacancies!) There are plans to move to and expand on another local site. The Expro Group has 4,000 staff worldwide.

Tronic undertakes design, manufacture, test, installation, and field support of its products (testing can be done up to 30Kpsi and 100KV). Its USPs are self sealed electrical connectors which can be made underwater (by diver or ROV), and combine electrical (power) and fibre optic (data) connectors. Assembly sizes range from hand held, to one third of a ton, with attendant manual handling problems for use and installation of the heavier equipment. Products are designed for a 25 year life and need to cope with marine life/growths. Tronic is also looking at the alternative generation market. It holds Accreditation to 9001, 14001, & 18001; backed up by internal audits. Concern was expressed at the shortage of skilled personnel, including graduates (possibly aggravated by students choosing softer options).

We then toured the site with Jim, looking in turn at computerised incoming inspection, clean assembly room, pressure test cubicles and pits, He leak testing, O/H lifting equipment, polymer moulding shop (with fume extraction), machine shop, office areas, controlled store (+ laser engraving of items), materials test lab, HV test area (AC/DC & varying voltage/current/frequency; underwater if required), and environmental test chamber (high and low temperature cycling and humidity).

All expected hazard warning signs, statutory and advisory notices, local PPE and fire/FA provisions, were in place, plus colour coding of inspectable items. Items of particular note were: open PC access to all risk and COSHH assessments, integrated HSEQ assessments, photo posters of safety representatives, first aiders and fire marshalls, building plans posted, spill kits, skin care stations, lists of authorised test personnel, quality performance notices, lone worker alarms available, interlocks on test cells, use of floor cleaning signs, and an initiative on driving for work including in car safety equipment.

Discussion continued in the Training Room, after the tour. Tronic are developing a strong work safety culture, by encouraging management “buy in” and staff commitment; progress is checked periodically by survey. Regular topic based safety meetings are held, as are staff and management safety committee meetings. Induction courses include sessions on health and safety, risk assessment, and manual handling. Behavioural safety is addressed by the use of Dupont STOP cards, which are used to address contraventions and defects and to encourage a positive safety culture (We have a few samples, or speak to John Hannah or Jim Bell at one of our monthly meetings).

On behalf of our party, Alan Knott, President, SCOHSG, then thanked Trevor and Jim for an excellent and informative visit.