When choosing a maintenance contract for your X-ray scanner, it’s easy to simply sign up with the system manufacturer without much thought. However, taking the time to select the right provider can ease your administrative burden and prolong the life of your equipment.
Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
- Are you getting value for money?
- Do you have multiple service contracts with different manufacturers?
- Is your current provider certified to ensure compliance with IRR17, ISO9001 / 27001?
- Would your staff benefit from regular training on site, and e-learning?
Although it may seem like a straightforward topic, selecting the right maintenance provider is an important decision that should not be taken lightly. Selecting the right service contract can help streamline X-ray scanner compliance and maintenance. By doing your due diligence, you can save money and time while ensuring your equipment is maintained according to the manufacturer’s standards.
The Importance of Mitigating Risks to Staff and Property
In the current international business environment, securing staff and property is crucial. X-ray scanners are essential tools for public and private security, available in various sizes and specifications, from portable systems to vehicle scanners. However, high-throughput applications can cause equipment wear and tear, reducing performance and potentially increasing the risk of hazardous radiation leakage. To prevent this, manufacturers implement stringent safety tests during production and ongoing maintenance to ensure that every scanner conforms with regulations and poses no risk to people in their vicinity.
The Importance of Mandatory Equipment Maintenance to Comply with IRR17 Regulations
Updated in 2018, the Ionising Radiations Regulations (IRR17) aim to safeguard employees and the general public from ionising radiation in the workplace. These regulations are applicable to various fields that involve the use of radioactive substances and electrical equipment that emit radiation. To comply with IRR17, control features and devices must be regularly maintained through thorough examination and testing at suitable intervals. This ongoing maintenance guarantees safe radiation levels and verifies that the equipment satisfies the design requirements, operational limits, and condition of operation throughout its lifespan. It is essential to perform the correct maintenance not only to adhere to these strict and necessary regulations but also to ensure peace of mind that the equipment is safe to use and functioning optimally for threat detection.
Making Compliance Easier: The Benefits of a Comprehensive Maintenance Contract
Complying with regulations doesn’t have to be an arduous task, even if you have multiple sites with different managers and equipment from various companies. Opting for a comprehensive maintenance contract can streamline equipment upkeep for your organization, whether it’s in the UK, Europe, or anywhere else globally. Bringing together maintenance of various X-ray systems under a single contract ensures a single point of contact, one invoice, and a single renewal date. This removes the disjointed calamity of multisite administration of numerous individual contracts, saving you valuable time and effort.
It is beneficial for your company to use a provider capable of servicing any make and model of X-ray equipment. To achieve this, look for a company with a long-standing reputation of service delivery and a team of highly trained engineers with experience in servicing X-ray scanners, regardless of brand. This comprehensive approach ensures that your company’s X-ray scanner compliance strategy is addressed, streamlining services and administration to keep every instrument functioning safely and efficiently.
The Importance of X-ray Scanners in Counteracting Terrorism
X-ray scanners are crucial in detecting potential terrorist threats across various applications. However, unexpected equipment downtime can pose a significant risk to companies, personnel, and the public. To mitigate this danger, a maintenance service contract can effectively eliminate unforeseen maintenance visits by following a scheduled service plan. This ensures maximum uptime in a predictable manner.
Adhering to regulations is crucial: IRR17 necessitates that each X-ray scanner must undergo a yearly check-up for faults and radiation leaks. However, taking extra steps beyond the mandated legislation can do wonders in extending the lifespan of your sophisticated device while saving you money in the long run. For example, having an engineer perform an inspection of your X-ray scanner every six months can significantly improve its overall health, ensuring that the equipment is functioning optimally and safely.
Don’t overlook staff competencies when it comes to adding value to your business. According to IRR17, information sharing and training are crucial. Even the most cutting-edge equipment will be of no use if users aren’t adequately trained on how to operate it to its full potential. Refresher courses during routine service visits can help with continued user compliance. These courses can cover issues to look out for, tips to maximise the machine’s potential, and how to use enhancement tools to obtain the best images.
Some maintenance providers offer additional courses as part of a contract, which can significantly increase the value of their service by upskilling staff and improving compliance and security measures. For instance, companies can receive training for a “Radiation Protection Supervisor” who can then oversee practical measures to protect operators, staff, and the public. Another valuable training is suspect package training, which educates staff about the latest terrorist threats to incoming mail and front of house operations, training operators to recognize suspect packages and implement risk management strategies. By keeping in touch with trained professionals through a service contract, you can stay up-to-date with the latest courses, ensuring your staff remain safe and optimising your investment.
The Significance of Correct Instrument Servicing
Safety and health concerns are paramount when it comes to instruments used for security purposes. Therefore, the industry and its regulators take instrument servicing very seriously. Routine maintenance is required to be carried out by a specially trained engineer to ensure the machine is operating correctly and safely, and to identify any potential issues before they become safety hazards. During servicing, the radiation levels are checked, and radiation is measured in specific areas using a dosimeter to prevent any leakage. Meticulous records are kept of all data generated during servicing, including a conformity certificate. Even dosimeters used for system testing are highly regulated and included in a complete report that contains details of each device’s identity, service history, and last calibration. This guarantees accurate readings and a reliable service that operators can trust. Apart from the routine maintenance, proactively checking the machine and its components is essential to ensure continued smooth operation until the next service. With X-ray scanners generating a considerable amount of heat, the filters need regular cleaning or replacement to prevent overheating. Engineers also need to inspect the lead panels and curtains, which prevent radiation leakage. These precautionary measures ensure that the device is functioning correctly, safely and efficiently throughout its lifetime.
Summary
X-ray scanners, commonly used in high traffic environments like airports, are designed to operate for long hours. To ensure their optimal performance and safety, it is crucial to maintain them regularly. Partnering with a reputable maintenance provider can help eliminate unexpected downtime. If your organisation has multiple systems or sites, selecting a company that can service all your machines, regardless of their make or model, can reduce your administrative workload and provide superior service and support.