EoW November 2011

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EuroWire – November 2011 22
corporate news
The Metallurgical and Laboratory Services
division of West Yorkshire, UK-based
Keighley Laboratories has achieved the
unusual distinction of having three of its
senior employees approved by the Civil
Aviation Authority as Weld Specimen
Supervisors.
Keith Blower, Matthew Mellor and
Peter Hanson have all been officially
recognised as approved signatories for
the purpose of witnessing and certifying
aircraft-related welding of test specimens,
as defined in the authoritative BCAR
(British Civil Airworthiness Requirements)
Chapter A8-10 on the approval of welders.
The procedures outlined in Chapter
A8-10 are applicable to those who weld
metallic parts that are essential to the
airworthiness of an aircraft, where the
achievement of a sound metal-to-metal
joint depends largely on the competency
of the operator.
For welders not employed by a CAA
approved organisation, test samples must
be prepared under the supervision of a
person authorised as a signatory, then
submitted to a CAA approved test house
for examination.
Keighley Labs’ newly-approved signatories
can now undertake weld invigilations at
the customer’s premises, then the samples
can be examined and certificated at its
CAA recognised test house, providing a
critical one-stop service.
“This important CAA approval came
about following a number of enquiries
from customers, as to whether we could
witness weld testing on behalf of the
CAA,” said Matthew Mellor.
“We spoke to the authority when they
next visited our test house and the
region’s assistant surveyor subsequently
issued us with a letter of approval.
“It’s quite a distinctive accolade, since
I don’t know of any other technical
laboratory that has the same status.”
Keighley Laboratories Ltd – UK
Fax : +44 1535 680 604
Email:
Website:
Keighley Laboratories staff
are approved as CAA
weld specimen supervisors
▲ ▲ Keighley Labs’ CAA recognised test house