26 February 2013
Research undertaken among maintenance engineers and managers by MAINTEC, a UK-based event dedicated to industrial maintenance and asset management presents worrying figures indicating that the pressure to reduce plant downtime is threatening health and safety during maintenance. The study suggests, that while health and safety is a big priority for 85% of organisations, with 63% saying is couldn't be any more important, it is coming under pressure. The drive to reduce plant downtime is a key factor with over one third of those surveyed believing this is compromising health and safety in general, with a significant 23% saying it is an issue within their own companies. A further 24% of those surveyed argue that maintenance is a source of accidents because unrealistic time pressures are placed on projects. MAINTEC 2013, which takes place from 5-7 March 2013 at the NEC in Birmingham offers an opportunity for those involved in maintenance to discuss these issues with suppliers and counterparts and to find out more about the latest developments in predictive, preventive and corrective maintenance solutions which can help to reduce downtime and increase efficiency.Running alongside the exhibition, is a series of best-practice seminars which are free to attend. Day one of the event, for example sees presentations on the Implementation of an efficient asset management system using plant condition monitoring, and a discussion about web-based condition monitoring.On day two, the seminar programme includes a presentation from Idhammer Systems looking at energy reduction and the link to OEE and ROI. The presenter will highlight the difficulties often faced in the accurate allocation of energy consumption at asset level and will demonstrate how additional wireless metering points can be deployed.A new feature for the 2013 event is the Denios - Experimental lecture, which uses graphic demonstrations to explain the consequences of incorrect handling of flammable materials. Also new to the event will be a high-level conference aimed at senior maintenance and asset management professionals as well as general managers with the objective of building awareness of the strategic value that maintenance brings to the modern organisation. For the hazardous areaIntroduced at the 2012 event, HAZEX will once again form an important part of the event, aimed specifically at engineers working in hazardous environments to address the increasing burden of responsibilities placed on engineering professionals who work in hazardous environments and who need to comply with tighter legislation on health and safety in industrial, commercial and government facilities.The European Community directive ATEX 94/9/EC presents a major challenge for many organisations which led the event organisers to introduce a section of the show to highlight products and services from ATEX-approved companies which are able to provide resources to adhere to the latest legislation and protect personnel.As well as being part of the exhibition, the free to attend seminar programme includes presentations which focus on the hazardous area. For example, On the first day of the event, CorDEX Instruments will be discussing the regulations and guidelines relating to the use of non-certified hand-held instruments within potentially hazardous (explosive) working environments. On day two of the event Sira Consulting will be talking about the IECEx Competence of Personnel Scheme.
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