Chapter 1 - 2
State and Federal law, they are not able to make direct use of the Standards for their mandatory
qualifications. They implemented the Standards indirectly by comparing (mapping) their existing
qualifications against the Standards to confirm that the Standards could be accommodated
across the MAXAM Group if required and that the federally-approved training provided by
Dresdner Sprengschule delivers the knowledge and almost all of the skills required for MAXAM
explosives workers..
6.1.
The MAXAM Deutschland case study is at
Annex A-4
.
7.
Event Horizon is an engineering company that specialises in the use of explosive materials. They
have extensive experience in a wide range of fields including; aerospace, defence, explosive
ordnance disposal (EOD), demolition, salvage and special effects (SFX). They provide 'Institute of
Explosives Engineers' (IExpE) and 'Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Technicians
Union' (BECTU) endorsed explosives safety training to the UK film industry. The completion of
this training enables an individual to progress their career through the Joint Industry Grading
Scheme (JIGS). Event Horizon also runs and teaches a SFX course that is endorsed by the
Institute of Explosives Engineers (IExpE). Event Horizon’ aims for the EUExImp project were to
review the BECTU grading system for explosives SFX, then design and provide new training and
externally verified qualifications aligned to the BECTU JIGS grades and IExpE membership grades.
Event Horizon was supported through the project by PICRITE Ltd.
7.1.
The Event Horizon case study is at
Annex A-2
.
8.
G.J.R. – Pirotecnia e Explosivos, SA is a manufacturer of pyrotechnic articles, and black powder,
and a distributor of explosives products. Other business areas are the display of fireworks shows
and the application of explosives at quarries and construction works. GJR was supported by the
University of Coimbra(UC) , one of the oldest universities in continuous operation in the world
and one of its largest higher education and research institutions. UC has a strong relationship
with the military and civil industry of explosives in Portugal. The Laboratory of Energetics and
Detonics (LEDAP) is an infrastructure built in 1990 under the cooperation of the Portuguese
Society of Explosives (SPEL) and the University of Coimbra and it has been the main laboratory
facility for the support of experimental research about explosives, pyrotechnics and propellants.
9.
GJR joined the project to test the processes for the implementation of occupational standards.
They expected to change some of their practices and develop knowledge and share our
experience. Decided that their greatest benefit would be by qualifying five people in the area of
explosives operations.
9.1.
The GJR case study is at
Annex A-3
10.
Bofors Test Center's
(BTC) core business is the testing of products containing explosive
substances. They have access to a large field of operations (approx. 100 km2) with six permanent
test sites available. All these sites have well-developed infrastructure such as advanced anti-
shrapnel cover for personnel and equipment. Should these sites not fulfil customer’s particular
requirements, BTC has a number of mobile solutions for setting up a temporary test site within
or outside our facility. With our large areas of land, recording equipment and filming capabilities
we have great scope for testing almost anything. They are certified to ISO 9000 and ISO 14000.
11.
Being a test centre, it is logical to take the next step, certifying towards ISO 17025. A certification
according to standard ISO 17025 means a greater opportunity to market the products and
services on both the civil and defence market. One of the key issues lacking today is a system to
Chapter 1 - 3
verify the personal skills and competences of our employees. One possible solution is to
implement the occupational standards, so BTC participation in this project aims to examine
these possibilities. BTC assessed the utility of the Standards and has the possibility of creating
bespoke, in-house, qualifications for its staff when the necessity arises.
11.1.
The BTC case study is at
Annex A-1
Why Qualify?
12.
Occupational Standards in Explosive Substances and Articles have a validity all their own.
However, there are many additional benefits to the use of externally verified VQs that are based
upon these standards.
13.
Initial qualification demonstrates a certain level of skills and knowledge, however, experience
increases the level of competence.
14.
It can be argued that skill-fade
7
(the decay of ability or adeptness over a period of non-use), lack
of awareness of new legislation, or not learning lessons from accidents can be a cause of
complacency and further accidents, so maintaining currency is particularly important in the
explosives industry. Refresher training and re-qualification is one way of ensuring that currency
is maintained in this high-hazard sector.
Benefits for line managers
15.
VQs in Explosive Substances and Articles will help your staff to carry out their work more
effectively and get credit for doing so. The qualifications are practical, observable, and rooted in
the job to be done, in particular:
15.1.
the achievement of VQs will assure managers of the competence of their staff and
the consistency of the standards to which work is carried out
15.2.
VQs in Explosive Substances and Articles will help you to recognize the achievements
of your staff which should increase their confidence and motivation
15.3.
VQs are flexible - credit can be built up over almost any period, providing you and
your staff with more career development options
15.4.
VQs provide a framework enabling you to give purpose, direction and impetus to
staff training and development, with the added advantage of clear progression paths
15.5.
VQs will help you to deal with staff as individuals, each with his or her tailored
programme for training, practice and assessment
15.6.
emphasis on the support and expertise of local managers in implementing VQs
enhances your role within your organization
15.7.
involvement in almost any aspect of the delivery of VQs in Explosive Substances and
Articles will give you opportunities to develop and add to your own skills, and you can use
evidence of this to gain credits in VQs and/or other qualifications suited to your own job
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