The Importance Of Efficient Hydraulic Hose Training

When the efficient operation and maintenance of plant and equipment, as well as the health & safety of the workforce is at stake, only the best hydraulic hose training and service provision is acceptable, writes Ian Morris, director, the British Fluid Power Association.

Fluid power plays an important part in the production, maintenance and operation of a wide range of plant and equipment within a wide range of industrial sectors; from engineering and manufacturing, offshore and agriculture to construction and off-highway. One of the most critical of all components within the fluid power armoury is the hydraulic hose. And despite its simple appearance, the hose has to be able to operate at very high pressures and also needs (Read More)  to be capable of handling extremely high temperatures and shock loads.
When a business is largely reliant on hydraulic machinery to undertake its mission-critical tasks, the last thing it needs is for this equipment to cease functioning to the best of its ability, or to fail to operate entirely in some instances. Therefore, the process of ‘fighting fires’ after the equipment has broken down is

something to avoid at all costs, and is a perfect example of the importance of ensuring hose and fittings are compatible, of a high quality and regularly maintained. Sourcing the right grade of hose is also extremely important from a health & safety perspective; a high-pressure hydraulic oil injection injury is a very serious occurrence and something to be avoided at all costs.
With these points in mind, any hose fitter or maintenance engineer tasked with fitting and testing equipment for new build or maintenance projects should ensure that the right grade of hose is coupled with the right coupling in the most safe and competent manner. In general, hydraulic hoses are highly effective in their daily tasks; it is only when something goes wrong that serious problems can occur; such as costly downtime, environmental contamination and even physical injury. It is for these reasons that the British Fluid Power Association (BFPA) and British Fluid Power Distributors Association (BFPDA) have established their hose training courses: The ‘Foundation Course in Working Safely with Hydraulic Hose and Connectors’ and ‘The Hose Assembly Skills Training Programme’. The first is a one-day course titled ‘Foundation Course in Working Safely with Hydraulic Hose and Connectors’. This course sets out to explain clearly how individuals can work more safely with hose and related equipment. The second is a practical, workshop-based course titled ‘The BFPA Hose Assembly Skills Training Programme’. This course takes this basic level of knowledge and trains to a fully assessed level of ability in hose assembly techniques. When the efficiency of your plant and equipment, as well as the health & safety of the workforce or general public is at stake, only the best product, training and service provision is acceptable.

www.bfpa.co.uk