Stay AIRSAFE with BCAS

Keeping up-to-date with the latest health and safety practices while managing a busy working schedule is challenging, and taking a whole day out of the office to attend training courses might not be practical. BCAS offers a wide range of online, elearning courses, which provide fast and easy-to-understand information to keep teams working safely.

A good place to start is with the ‘Working Safely with Compressed Air’ training; a one-hour, internet-based course designed for anyone that works with compressed air as part of his or her normal duties.

Developed by BCAS in conjunction with safety practitioners it addresses the needs of those who use hand held air tools, including blowguns. As well as identifying the employer’s and the employee’s responsibilities, the course explores the hazards arising from the use of air tools and the correct use of personal protective equipment.

In addition to ‘Working Safely with Compressed Air’, BCAS offers four other training courses – a Certificate in Compressed Air System Technology, the Diploma in Compressed Air Management, the Written Scheme workshop and a Competent Examiner course for those involved in carrying out examinations in accordance with the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR2000) written schemes of examination – specifically the testing and certification of pressure vessels.

For more information on training courses currently available from BCAS, email [email protected]

Free associate membership offer extended

The British Compressed Air Society is offering end-user customers of current BCAS members 12 months’ free associate membership – worth £975.

The free associate membership will provide UK companies with a whole host of benefits including discounts on training and publications, as well as access to compressed air codes of practice and the society’s social events.

The offer is open to end-user customers of current BCAS members only. A company’s BCAS membership must be active on the date of application and acceptance for its customers to be entitled to this offer.

To take advantage of this offer please contact Chris Dee, BCAS executive director, stating your company name and full contact details, along with the name of the supplier of your compressed air products and/or services – Email: [email protected], or visit www.bcasairsafe.co.uk.

New BCAS executive director Appointed

The British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) has appointed Vanda Jones as its new executive director.

Vanda will become the society’s fourth executive director in its 85-year history and will take over from Chris Dee, who is retiring at the end of 2015 after 15 years in the role.

She will work alongside Chris Dee until the end of 2015, enabling her to experience the society’s involvement with European bodies and the requirements of BCAS members at first hand. 

Vanda has significant experience in general management, strategy development and in implementing sales and marketing initiatives.  This has been gained across a range of industrial sectors including materials handling, logistics and power generation and as country leader UK & Ireland for compressor manufacturer, Ingersoll Rand.

Andy Jones, president of BCAS said: “Vanda will play an instrumental role in BCAS and we are very pleased to welcome her as our new Executive Director. In this role, Vanda will help to raise the profile of BCAS and promote its range of services to manufacturers, distributors and end-users alike.

“Her management experience will be of significant benefit as the society evolves to meet the needs of both members and compressed air end-users and their requirements for relevant, timely information.”

Vanda Jones added: “Customers today are demanding more efficient and innovative compressed air solutions to help meet their environmental obligations and to reduce cost of ownership.  In this cost-conscious environment, BCAS fulfills an increasingly important role; not only in supporting its members’ interests but also in advising manufacturers, distributors and service agents on best practice and changes to legislation.

“I’m looking forward to working with our members to ensure that BCAS continues to deliver the right expertise and support in meeting these key challenges.”