Stoneblower Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) for Harsco

The first phase of the Project which will see the introduction of 3 x Switch and Crossing Stoneblower Machines is complete.

On the 13th December 2005 the Network Rail Vehicle System Review Panel (VSRP) accepted the ISA (AEGIS) recommendation and endorsed the Project's Safety Management Strategy.

Swedish Railvac Vacuum Machine Approvals Management for Carillion Rail

AEGIS completed the UK Approvals management for a Swedish Railvac Vacuum Machine during December 05. The task included managing another consultancy that were responsible for EMC testing of the machine. Mark McCool's timely intervention and management ensured that the tests were completed correctly. The machine now has approval to operate anywhere on Network Rail controlled infrastructure within a possession under cover of the Carillion Rail Railway Safety Case.

AEGIS in Canada

Principal Engineer and Managing Director Paul Riley has been in Quebec as part of ongoing assistance to Northern Rail.

Infodev, a Canadian company are supplying Automatic Passenger Counting (APC) equipment to Northern Rail. This equipment is due to be fitted to the Northern Rail fleet in the New Year.

Booster Success for AEGIS

Work is continuing on the Diamond Light Source (DLS) Project and Principal Engineer Lee Richmond has delivered test specifications for the Booster Ring Zone 1, 2 and 4. The test procedures will allow the Booster Ring to be validated in line with the requirements of EN 61508.

Work has now commenced on the 15 Beam Line Safety Justification for DLS. This work will extend well into 2006 and it is anticipated that safety work on 7 additional Beam Lines will commence in 2006 leading into 2007. In addition to this work we have been involved with the submission of Functional Test Procedures for the Storage Ring zones, each requiring a test procedure to fully validate the safety of the system before it commences operation in 2007.

AEGIS has also supplied some bespoke test equipment to DLS to reduce the time required to carry out these functional tests. AEGIS is proud of its continuing involvement in this high profile scientific project.

Safety and Investigations: Learning from Experience

Principal Engineer and Expert Incident Investigator Chris Hoare recently gave a paper in Madrid at the "7th Congress on Dependability" organised by the Asociación Española para la Calidad (Spanish Quality Association - www.aec.es/congresos).

The paper, delivered in Spanish, was called "Safety and Investigations: Learning from experience" and focussed on the role that investigations play in keeping safety controls up to date and in the maintenance of safety cases.

If you would like more information on safety and investigations, please visit the Incident Investgation Section of this website or call +44 (0) 1484 667077.

Please download a complimentary copy of the paper:

English

Spanish

AEGIS Supports Huge Scientific Project

The Diamond Synchrotron Light Source is a large scientific facility being built in the UK. Diamond will produce pinpoint ultra-violet and X-ray beams of exceptional brightness. These highly focused light beams will enable scientists and engineers to probe deep into the basic structure of matter and materials, answering fundamental questions about everything from the building blocks of life to the origin of our planet. AEGIS has been chosen by Diamond to ensure the development and implementation of the Personnel Safety System (PSS) is commensurate with IEC 61508 [Functional safety of electrical/electronic/programmable electronic safety-related systems]. The primary function of the PSS is to prevent personnel from being harmed by exposure to ionizing radiation generated by the electron beam in the machine. The role will involve development and implementation of procedures to ensure the design and ongoing operation of the synchrotron PSS meets the requirements of the relevant Safety Integrity Level as defined by 61508.

AEGIS Providing Overall Approvals Management Support for all Carillion Procurement Projects

Carillion Rail has recognised that there is a need to “change” the renewals process associated with the UK railway infrastructure. The requirements, stated simply, are to increase efficiency, reduce costs, increase route availability and ensure the changes do not import additional safety risk. AEGIS has been selected to provide Approvals Management Support for all procurement projects that include On Track Machines, Road Rail Vehicles and Rail Mounted Maintenance Machines. Using a proven Approvals Integration Management process (AIM) AEGIS will ensure the requirements of all UK approvals authorities are met in a timely and cost effective manner.

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