Control Automation Feature Library

Operations Engineer's library catalogues editorial features going back five years.

Access to all archive material is free to all, including non-members of IPlantE (the Institution of Operations Engineers) or BES (Bureau of Engineer Surveyors), under the umbrella of SOE (Society of Operations Engineers). However, to discover the many benefits of becoming an SOE member, please click here.

29/08/2014 Health check Everyone involved with notified hazardous areas should be well aware of the legislation and ACOPs, and the seriousness of their duties. But part of that includes more audit than some may realise, says Brian Tinham » Read More

29/08/2014 Leading statement Maintenance safety is being sacrificed as site leaders stake all on satisfying production quotas, the WM Factory Health and Maintenance Conference heard. Max Gosney and Ian Vallely reveal the uncomfortable truth behind manufacturing's ... » Read More

27/08/2014 How to avoid the safety catch A forthcoming occupational health and safety management standard is set to help cut the awful toll of death and injury on Britain's factory floors, says Ian Vallely. » Read More

27/08/2014 Chicken and egg Plant and equipment condition monitoring systems are invaluable in any maintenance engineer's armoury. But you might need to get the basics and backup right first, suggests Brian Tinham » Read More

14/08/2014 You have the power The Energy Event – the exhibition and conference dedicated to energy procurement, management and efficiency – will welcome more than 6,000 visitors and 200 exhibitors when it returns to the NEC, Birmingham in its new halls 3 and 3A on ... » Read More

14/08/2014 Lay waste to poor recycling Manufacturers that have mastered the art of recycling reveal their secrets of success to Steed Webzell » Read More

06/08/2014 Time for a national strategy for success How many more times must we witness government officials wringing their hands over the skills shortage? It's hardly a new phenomenon. The dearth of talent has been holding back UK engineering for years. » Read More

06/08/2014 Devil in the detail Pump designs may not be subject to radical change these days, but the sheer variety of types and the challenges of pumping applications make this a specialist sector. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

06/08/2014 Spoilt for choice As process control systems advance and digital networks develop, is there still a place for 4–20mA analogue signalling? Brian Tinham talks to Chris Hoey, of Bürkert, about making the right choices. » Read More

09/07/2014 Changing maintenance safety for the better It may come as a surprise to many to learn that some 25–30% of work-based fatalities in manufacturing industry (which for the last five years has recorded around 30 deaths annually) are related to maintenance activity. » Read More

02/07/2014 Winning the power struggle Why fight only for production improvements when you can also add significantly to the bottom line by implementing a few simple energy-saving measures, asks Ian Vallely » Read More

01/07/2014 Court in the act Attending court, whether as defendant, plaintive or expert witness, can be a chastening experience. Brian Tinham talks to INITA's Jim Haire about a recent training event » Read More

01/07/2014 Wireless warning Just as wireless digital plant-level communications gets into its stride, the international standards bodies appear to be introducing a giant stumbling block. » Read More

30/06/2014 Flixborough revisited Forty years on from the Flixborough disaster, Brian Tinham looks at the lessons learned then and since – and the repercussions for safety throughout the process industries. » Read More

14/06/2014 Unsafe maintenance Sadly, maintenance engineers and technicians are still being seriously injured and even killed as they carry out their tasks. Brian Tinham asks HSE chair Judith Hackitt, why? » Read More

19/05/2014 Heat of the moment Thermal cameras have grown in popularity as fast as prices have fallen. But, while their inspection power is immense, there are issues for the unwary, warns Brian Tinham » Read More

19/05/2014 Carrying the can and doing a lot more besides Conveyors are capable of far more than simply moving raw materials, components and assemblies around a factory. They can also count, weigh, sort and feed workstations... and they can have a positive impact on quality and health & safety. ... » Read More

07/05/2014 Climate change: on the horns of a dilemma Seldom does a single study on a solitary branch of science elicit global comment, transcending culture, politics, language, industry – indeed, society in general. » Read More

02/05/2014 First of Jan IOSH chief Jan Chmiel speaks exclusively to Max Gosney about the dawn of a new era of clipboard-light health and safety and why it demands more enlightened manufacturing managers » Read More

02/05/2014 “I thought ‘this is it’– I was bleeding at a phenomenal rate” Paul Mahoney had his arm torn off while attending a machine breakdown. He describes the accident scene and his mission to stamp out a laissez-faire safety culture. » Read More

01/05/2014 Staying safe Safety and Health Expo, which has moved from the NEC to the ExCeL centre in London, is set to be the biggest yet. Brian Tinham previews the highlights » Read More

01/05/2014 Essential guide to...LOLER The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) are designed to protect employees using lifting equipment such as cranes and hoists, but they can also make a significant contribution to productivity, says Ian Vallely » Read More

30/04/2014 Efficiency drive Modern electric motors and variable speed drives are receiving more attention from factory and plant managers, particularly as the rules mandate higher efficiency choices. Brian Tinham examines the issues » Read More

30/04/2014 Spinning a yarn Maintenance outsourcing is steeped in myths around cost, convenience and levels of commitment. Max Gosney meets two innovative manufacturers to discover the home truths » Read More

21/03/2014 Secrets of success Although computerised maintenance management systems can deliver a significant boost to maintenance efficiency and beyond, that's not always the case. Brian Tinham looks at what goes wrong and how to avoid the pitfalls. » Read More