Recovery methods for machines in hazardous areas

In the 1950s it was recognised by the UK National Coal Board (NCB) that some agreed guidelines were necessary so that Group I FLP equipment could be maintained and repaired. A meeting was held with the manufacturers association, the Confederation of Underground Machinery Manufacturers to attempt to establish a procedure acceptable to both parties. It was agreed that the manufacturers would provide sufficient drawings to enable the NCB to ensure that equipment was kept in line with the original specification. The NCB issued an instruction to all users that no repair involving FLP characteristics could be carried out except at a workshop approved by the NCB HQ. Tursdale Workshops was granted this approval in 1961 and has been involved in FLP repairs and the development of suitable techniques ever since. In this paper, the author discusses how the various forms of FLP defects have been recognised and the method of bringing such machines back within the requirements of the relevant standard