New training & certification course to beat SF6 compliance deadline

27/06/2009

EA Technology has started running two day training and certification courses, which will enable companies to comply with new regulations on the safe handling of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas, commonly used to insulate HV switchgear.

The course is designed to satisfy the UK’s Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2009, which stipulate that anyone who recovers SF6 from HV switchgear must enrol on an approved training course by the latest of 3rd July this year, for the purposes of gaining a certificate from an approved certification body (visit www.eapodcasts.co.uk to view a podcast explaining how to comply).

Personnel, including contractors, will only be allowed to recover the gas if they have attended an approved training course, passed an assessment set by an approved evaluation and certification body such as EA Technology, and been issued with a certificate of competence.

EA Technology Senior Consultant Gary Eastwood said: “There are fines for non-compliance, but the greatest motivation for training and certification must be that the industry has a responsibility to use SF6 in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

“The upsides of SF6 are that it is an excellent arc suppressant and insulator, that is non-corrosive and effectively harmless to human health in its pure state. The downside is that it has the highest global warming potential of any fluorinated greenhouse gas - at least twenty two THOUSAND times greater than the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide.

“Not surprisingly, the European Commission previously considered banning SF6 outright but has stepped back from this position in light of the action that is being taken to reduce emissions associated with HV switchgear. The world power industry uses approximately 6,000 tonnes of it each year, so it is clearly in everyone’s interests to ensure that we continue to use it responsibly.”

EA Technology’s courses are accredited by the IET and held at its training centre in Capenhurst, with places limited to 16 people per course, split into two groups of eight to ensure personal attention to delegates’ training and assessment needs.

The first day covers the theory and practice of handling SF6, using a range of industry known equipment. On the second day, delegates are assessed and issued with a certificate of competency and personal ID badge (pictured below), each valid for four years in all EU states, together with digital copies of all their course material.

One day courses without certification are also offered for managers and supervisors who are responsible for supervising the handling of SF6 by contractors as well as company personnel: and single day refresher courses are available for people with previous SF6 handling experience who want to update their knowledge.

Email Jackie Clarke or Vanessa Revell at events@eatechnology.com,
or call 0151 347 2323 for further SF6 course details.

Contacts:
Gary Eastwood, Senior Consultant, EA Technology
Direct Dial: +44(0)151 347 2328
Email: gary.eastwood@eatechnology.com

John Hutchinson, Business Communications Associates
Direct Dial: +44 (0) 1745 583764
Email: john.hutch@dial.pipex.com