As part of a broader effort to support critical sectors at this time, Cheltenham-based Spirax Sarco, a steam systems specialist, is running a series of free boilerhouse safety webinars for operators in critical sectors such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage www.sxscom.uk/training .

Many teams are under increased pressure to keep steam flowing, either to ensure a hospital is able to keep functioning or guaranteeing an efficient food production line. Consequently, it is likely they are reliant on support staff for assistance, and they may require additional training.

Legislative requirements remain in force, meaning boilers still need to be operated within the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR 2000) Regulation 11 Operation, and in accordance with the Guidance on Safe Operation of Steam Boilers BG01.

Spirax Sarco’s on-line courses cover a number of critical safety pointers relating to current legislation, as well as the required testing regimes relating to chemical boiler treatment. Training and knowledge sharing are fundamental to Spirax Sarco’s organisation both internally and externally, with safety being one of its five key company values.

While the main focus of the business is currently on how it can help critical sectors and engineers, it has also experienced a surge in demand around on-line continued professional development (CPD) content for steam system designers and consultants. Similarly, the business has seen a significant increase in employees taking up online courses across its own internal academy training system.

Training centre manager Sally O’Connell (pictured) said: “We are finding that people are just wanting to expand their knowledge throughout the industry right now, whatever their role is. Frontline engineers want to be able to respond effectively to boilerhouse alarms and specifiers want to upskill to safeguard systems in the future. We are huge advocates of learning and development and it is certainly at the heart of everything we are doing right now. During such testing times it is important that industries focus on supporting one another and that’s definitely the role we want to play for our customers.”