Mechanical Engineering: Level 2 NVQ

David Salmon, Penny Powdrill

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2012
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• eBook ISBN:
  9781136378478
• Subtopic: Study Guides
• Index: Technology & Engineering

A thoroughly accessible and engaging workbook-style text, ideal for all NVQ students, including Foundation Modern Apprentices. Mechanical Engineering: Level 2 NVQ is a practical and interactive engineering book, written by practicing lecturers and designed for college students and Foundation Modern Apprentices. A highly readable text is supported by numerous assignments provided to build up a portfolio of evidence. Designed so that students can complete the blanks this book can be used as evidence for assessment purposes and as an essential reference guide for their subsequent employment. This book covers the mandatory units (1-3), general support units (4-5) and option units (10-12) required to deliver a full NVQ programme. Key Skills activities are also provided at the relevant points through the book. Mechanical Engineering: NVQ2 is a new single-volume text for the new Performing Engineering Operations NVQs from EMTA and City & Guilds updated and expanded from David Salmon's popular NVQ titles: NVQ Engineering Manufacture: Mandatory Units NVQ Engineering: Mechanical Option Units

1 Working safely in
an engineering
environment

Statutory regulations and organisational requirements

Safety is one of the most important elements in the working life of all people. Mechanical engineers work in an environment which can potentially be very dangerous. Only when dangers are recognised and understood can appropriate measures be taken to protect against personal accidental injury, ill health or damage to equipment. Accidents cost British industry an estimated £4.5 billion each year.

Duties and obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974

Over the years, governments have passed safety laws to ensure that both employers and employees observe health and safety measures whilst at work. The most important of these safety laws is the Health and Safety at Work Act, which was made law in Great Britain in 1974. The Health and Safety at Work Act applies to virtually all persons at work in any job. The law places the responsibility for safe working practices onto all of the following parties:

• Employers.

• Persons concerned with premises.

• Persons in control of harmful emissions.

• Designers, manufacturers and suppliers of goods and materials.

• Employees and self-employed.

The details of the Health and Safety at Work Act are long and complicated, but the most important sections are Section 2 (General duties of employers to their employees) and Section 7 (General duties of employees at work). The content of these two important sections is explained below.

Section 2: General duties of employers to their employees

The Act states that ‘It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees’.

This extends to:

• Providing and maintaining safe plant and systems of work. All machinery and equipment should be in good working order and be safe. Protective clothing and appropriate safety equipment should be made available free of charge for employees to use.

• Arranging the safe use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances. Included in the transport are all cranes, trolleys and appropriate routes to be used.

• Providing information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure the health and safety of all employees. This includes the provision of safety signs and warnings.

• Maintaining a safe place of work including both access and exit routes. Buildings and workplaces must comply with the safety standards and correct emergency procedures implemented.

• Providing and maintaining safe facilities and arrangements for employees’ welfare at work. For example proper heating, lighting and adequate wash and cloakroom facilities.

In addition to the responsibility of the health and safety of his employees, the employer's duties under the Act apply to subcontractors, visitors and the general public whose health and safety may be affected by his activities (e.g. harmful emissions to the atmosphere or hazards in a reception area).

There is also a requirement that every employer prepares a written health and safety policy for his employees. This policy should be kept up to date and revised as and when necessary.

A safety representative may be appointed and/or elected from amongst the employees. The representative(s) shall represent the employees in consultation with the employers. The consultation between employers and employees should aim to make and maintain arrangements to promote measures to ensure health and safety at work and to check the effectiveness of these measures.

A Health and Safety Committee should be set up if requested by the safety representatives, to review all measures taken to ensure health and safety at work and to check the effectiveness of the measures.

Section 7: General duties of employees at work

Employees are also bound by the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act. The rules relevant to employees state: ‘It shall be the duty of every employee, whilst at work . . .’

• to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and others who may be affected by his actions or omissions.

• to co-operate with his employer so far as is necessary, to enable the employer to carry out his duties.

This means that all employees (this is you) must:

• wear suitable protective clothing provided

• use protective equipment and guards provided

• maintain their work area in a tidy manner

• behave sensibly

• apply safe working practices

• be familiar with emergency procedures

• take notice of warning and information signs

• co-operate with supervisors

• report all accidents, dangers and incidents.

Employees must not work on machinery without instruction and supervision, nor should they interfere with or misuse anything provided to protect the health, safety...

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Chapter/Unit references
• Introduction for Candidates
• Introduction for Trainers
• 1 Working safely in an engineering environment
• 2 Developing yourself and working with other people on engineering activities
• 3 Communicating using engineering drawings
• 4 Communicating technical information in the workplace
• 5 Identifying and selecting engineering materials
• 6 Checking workpieces for accuracy
• 7 Marking out for engineering activities
• 8 Fitting using hand skills
• 9 Machining engineering materials by turning
• 10 Machining engineering materials by milling
• 11 Using computer software packages to assist engineering activities
• 12 Problem solving
• Appendix I Millimetres to inch conversions
• Appendix II Inch to millimetres conversions
• Appendix III Tapping sizes for common threads
• Appendix IV Length of chords for various pitch circle diameters
• Appendix V Example orthographic drawing (first-angle projection)
• Appendix VI Example orthographic drawing (third-angle projection)
• Appendix VII Drilling speeds and feeds
• Appendix VIII Spindle speeds for turning and milling
• Appendix IX Feed rates for milling
• Appendix X Reaming allowances
• Appendix XI Torque wrench settings
• Appendix XII Sample standard forms
• Appendix XIII Some useful maths for engineers
• Appendix XIV Risk assessment form
• Appendix XV Sample accident reporting form
• Appendix XVI Work planning sheet
• Index