News Archive

EEMUA publishes updated guidance on safely designing and constructing factory stairways

EEMUA, the Engineering Equipment & Materials Users' Association, has published the 7th edition of Factory Stairways, Ladders and Handrails (EEMUA Publication 105). The manual has been revised to take into account the latest building regulations and construction standards and includes extended guidance on safety equipment, walkways and fixed ladders. The guide is intended for use by engineers, architects and those responsible for specifying access installations, and it has also proved extremely useful for access equipment manufacturers and their subcontractors in developing new products. The publication is available from EEMUA by online order, e-mail, phone, fax or post.

Visit EEMUA CompEx at Stand D5 HazardEx 2008

27-28 February 2008, East of England Showground, Peterborough, UK
EEMUA, the Engineering Equipment & Materials Users' Association, is presenting CompEx™, the training and competency certification scheme for safe working in hazardous areas, at HazardEx 2008. CompEx is now widely recognised as the industry benchmark for core competency for hazardous areas working. CompEx is distinguished by its unique combination of classroom training and examination PLUS practical hands-on training and competency assessment in an environment that aims to simulate the real workplace. Over 10,000 candidates have completed the CompEx course so far at a network of 12 country-wide approved training and assessment centres. For further details about CompEx training and certification, go to EEMUA's CompEx training webpage. The CompEx courses are closely associated with EEMUA Publication 186 “A Practitioner's Handbook - Electrical Installation and Maintenance in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres”. This publication can be bought direct from the EEMUA online shop.

EEMUA co-sponsors ISO TC 67 plenary

EEMUA, the Engineering Equipment & Materials Users' Association, together with EEMUA Member companies BP and Chevron, co-sponsored the 27th Plenary Meeting of ISO’s Technical Committee for materials, equipment and offshore structures for the petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas industries (TC 67), held at BP’s UK conference centre on 17-18 October 2007. The meeting was opened by BP’s Group Engineering Director and presentations were given by representatives from Chevron, BSI,  the Gulf Standards Committee for Oil and Gas and EEMUA’s Executive Director. ISO TC 67 has published 136 Standards and has an active programme of 77 more under development.

Better Alarms Handling: EEMUA launches new edition of industry's guidelines on alarm management

EEMUA, the Engineering Equipment & Materials Users' Association, launched the new second edition of EEMUA 191 "Alarm Systems: A Guide to Design, Management and Procurement" at a special one-day conference held in June 2007.
All those with responsibility for safety and quality improvement through efficient and effective use of alarm handling systems, or who work directly or indirectly with alarm systems in chemical, pharmaceutical, petrochemical and other process industries, the energy exploration and generation sector, also related industry sectors, will find the new edition invaluable for their work.
The conference featured speakers from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and the EEMUA 191 authoring committtee who gave presentations on the management of alarm systems, measuring alarm system performance, alarm systems for batch manufacturing and running an alarm system improvement programme, together with a summary of the main changes from the first edition.
The presentations given at the conference are available here. (1.4MB)
Since it was first published in 1999, EEMUA 191 has become the globally accepted and leading guide to good practice for alarm management.
Clive Tayler, EEMUA's Executive Director said: "A particular strength of EEMUA 191 is that it was developed by the users of alarm systems in industry. The first edition of EEMUA 191 has sold thousands of copies worldwide, formed the basis of training courses internationally and has led to the production of related publications, such as EEMUA 201, dealing with human-machine interfaces."

EEMUA representative appointed Chairman of ISO working group on Piping Systems

An EEMUA representative has been appointed Convenor (Chairman) of the International Standards Organisation's working group on piping systems (SC6/WG5). This working group, part of the technical committee concerned with materials and equipment used in petroleum and related industries (TC67), is currently developing a new standard for repairs to pipework. The previous Convenor, now retired, also represented EEMUA.

EEMUA involved in Task Group considering safety improvements at oil storage depots after Buncefield

EEMUA is contributing to the Health & Safety Executive's Task Group considering future measures needed to be taken to improve safety at oil storage depots after the Buncefield explosion and fire. The GB Health & Safety Executive set up the Task Group, comprised of key industry trade association representatives as well as officials from the regulatory authorities, as part of the continuing investigation into the Buncefield oil storage depot incident. The Task Group is expected to issue its first report this October.

New Publication - Risk Based Inspection: A Guide to Effective Use of the RBI Process

EEMUA has newly published Risk Based Inspection: A Guide to Effective Use of the RBI Process. The risk-based approach to inspecting industrial plant is now an accepted practice and it is possible to determine and monitor consistently the mechanical integrity of industrial plant and engineering assets by using risk-based methodologies.  However using the RBI process effectively, whilst avoiding incurring unnecessary expenditure of time or money, is a challenge. This Guide has been written by industry experts to assist plant inspectors, plant operators and managers of engineering assets, to use risk-based inspection to its best effect.

Competency of “repairers”

EASA, the Electrical Apparatus Service Association (European & World Chapter) has teamed up with EEMUA to offer a new training course in the UK designed for electricians and others who carry out offsite maintenance and repair of electrical equipment used in hazardous areas. This development follows the revision of IEC 60079 Part 19, when a need was seen for not only the repair company to be assessed, but also for those personnel undertaking the repair and maintenance work to be able to demonstrate competency. The “basic knowledge” elements of the course, and some of the assessment questions, were supplied by EEMUA, based on its successful Publication 186. EASA is understood to be in discussion with SIRA about possible certification of candidates under the ISO/IEC “Assessment of Persons” standard 17024. EEMUA Member companies might wish to make their contractors aware of these courses. For more details about EASA European & World Chapter, visit the EASA website at www.easa.com. For course bookings, contact Flexitech Training UK on 01628 630077.

Series of Alarm Systems seminars

EEMUA has teamed with Member company ABB in a joint-venture to offer a series of UK regional seminars on Alarm Management, based around the Association's worldwide de facto industry guideline, EEMUA 191. The first seminar was held in Leeds in December 2005. During the following year, seminars have been held in Aberdeen, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London and Manchester. Guest speakers are planned to include specialists from EEMUA Member companies such as BP, ConocoPhillips, Total and others. These seminars are open to non-Members of EEMUA and Members alike. A discount can be claimed by participants from EEMUA Member companies. To request a leaflet with more details and booking information, send an e-mail entitled EEMUA-ABB ALARM SEMINAR to .

Online shop for EEMUA publications

EEMUA's new online shop is now live and should make the purchase of EEMUA publications easier for both members and non-members.  The shop has its own search facility so users can find publications by title, reference number or keyword. If you encounter any problems or have any comments, please e-mail details to .