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01/04/2014
Getting up to speed:
Update Service for GTS Papers
The extensive collection of GTS papers has undergone a complete
overhaul. With the update service in January 2014, 13 of the 25 existing
papers were adapted to current requirements, one of which was a new
addition – the GTS Flow Chart.
The GTS papers comprise different guidelines, stipulations and
information leaflets which regulate the association’s workflow
procedures and certification. In the last issue of GTS-Strahl (No. 30, page XVI to XVII),
we reported on the task of compiling the papers and the dedicated work
being done by the GTS Quality Committee headed by Jens Putzier who
regularly checks the papers and adapts them to existing conditions.
The most important changes can be found in the rules governing the GTS
Certificate. The obligation of full members to employ one European
Thermal Sprayers (ETS) and one European Thermal Spraying Specialist
(ETSS) respectively was added to the GTS Certificate Guideline
(GTSPA002), the GTS Quality Management Guideline (GTSPA003) and the GTS
Application Form (GTSPA004). With this change, GTS has adapted its
prerequisites for GTS qualified sprayers and specialists to EWF
guidelines and has therefore responded to the growing demand from both
industry and customers. For old members a transition period until 1
January 2017 applies. After this transition time, it is intended that
all GTS thermal spray specialists fulfil the requirements of the ETSS
qualification. Sponsoring members are not affected by the changes.
Furthermore, topics which are already obligatory for everyone were
integrated in the GTS Quality Management Guideline (GTSPA003). These are
quality (DIN EN ISO 9001), environmental protection (DIN EN ISO 14001),
occupational health and safety (BS OHSAS 18001) and energy management
(DIN EN ISO 50001).
EExtensive changes were also necessary with respect to the paper
“Statutory Regulations for Thermal Spraying” (GTSPA022 – in German
only). This paper, compiled with the help of GTS members, Dieter
Buhmann, Rad Systems Engineering GmbH, and Frank-W. Mütz, e-quipment
GmbH, serves as guidance for operators of thermal spray systems in
Germany and describes the prevailing statutory, industrial and
governmental rules and regulations for the areas of building law,
emissions and immissions, labour protection, hazardous substances,
company doctors and specialists for occupational health and safety, risk
management, energy and disposal.
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The
new version of the educational
software GTSExam for GTS
Qualifi ed Thermal Sprayers and
GTS Thermal Spray Specialists is part and parcel of the GTS
papers
and is available to GTS members
free of charge. |
An equally extensive update was also provided for the GTS
Multiple-Choice Questionnaire (GTSPA014) and the
educational software GTSExam. The entire
questionnaire was revised by the GTS Quality Committee and numerous
questions were added. The questionnaire now comprises around 800
questions from all areas of thermal spraying and on each single spray
process. The interactive educational software contains all these
questions in German, English and Dutch and is used by the independent
inspection authority for the examinations “GTS Qualified Sprayer” and
“GTS Thermal Spray Specialist”. For the examinee, the software offers an
interactive mode with different learning and evaluation functions, also
including the simulation of an exam situation. The software is available
to GTS members free of charge as part of the GTS papers package.
Non-members can purchase GTSExam from the GTS Head Office. For further
information, please go to “Software” on
the GTS website.
The new paper “GTS Flow Chart” (GTSPA026) graphically illustrates the
tasks of the different GTS committees and workflow procedures from the
first enquiry about GTS membership through to GTS certification.
All GTS papers are also available in PDF format and can be downloaded
from the protected members’ area of the GTS website. The association’s
statutes, the membership application form and several other important
papers on the topic of certification can be accessed directly under “Download”.
Links to the topic:
Download:
GTS papers
Software:
GTSExam
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