Mesterdene LTD. /QNET LLC - CE-Marking Staff Bio 

GEOFF OLIVER – ENGINEERING DIRECTOR

MESTERDENE LTD

Geoff Oliver is the founder and engineering director of Mesterdene Ltd, a CE compliance and design consulting firm with offices in the UK and USA (QNET LLC). He has experience of designing electrical and mechanical machines control systems, software, measuring instruments, satellites and communications equipment in light and heavy mechanical handling industries, aviation, robotic, medical and communications industries in addition to classifying hazardous areas and designing equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

Prior to launching Mesterdene Ltd. he held senior management positions in construction, product design and certification roles. He designed numerous machines and supervised the design and construction of major capital plant and equipment. He set up and controlled NAMAS approved testing laboratories, European Notified and Certification bodies under the ATEX, Machinery, EMC and Noise Directives and is a well recognised consultant on other directives such as the Low Voltage, Pressure Equipment and Simple Pressure Vessels Directives.

Examples of a few of his many design-engineering projects are:

• The design and certification in accordance with a wide range of European standards of equipment and protective systems for electrical apparatus, plant and machinery operating in potentially explosive atmospheres.
• The design of combined heat and power systems for the petrochemical, medical and leisure industries.

• The design of microprocessor based gas detection and flame protection systems for mobile electrical and diesel-powered forklift trucks, marine equipment and aircraft, involving application of International, US and European safety standards.

• Design, management and budget control of large scale civil and construction projects, installation and commissioning, involving process control, electrical distribution, gas and water services, machinery safety, ventilation, pneumatic handling, and dust control.

Examples of a few of his many CE compliance projects are:

• Testing and certification of all types of equipment named in Annex IV of the Machinery Directive 98/37/EC.
• Testing and certification of all types of Category 1, 2 and 3 equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres under the ATEX Directive 94/09/EC.
• Completion of hazardous area classification surveys on factories, petrochemical and offshore installations according to the ATEX1999 Directive using European, IEC79 series, BP and Institute of Petroleum standards.
• Auditing of manufacturers quality systems under the ATEX Directive using EN13980.

• Writing of advisory technical files in accordance with the ATEX, Machinery, Medical Devices and PED Directives for machines that can be certified without the involvement of a Notified Body.

• Wrote a paper on pitfalls associated with applying EN 954-1 in isolation and the importance of conducting a good Hazard and Risk Assessment, presented at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers at the request of UK-HSE, (Health and Safety Executive), a government agency.

• Involvement on BSI standards making Committees for machinery, explosion safety, petroleum forecourt equipment, quality auditing, washing and disinfecting of medical devices and SEMICON.

• Has Organised and Chaired European standards making committees and Notified Body meetings encouraging the creation of new European standards and regular communications with key European suppliers and users of equipment.

• Lectured throughout Europe on compliance with ATEX, Machinery, EMC, Low Voltage, Medical Devices, Simple Pressure vessels and Pressure Equipment Directives. 
• Presented article entitled: Machinery with internal potentially explosives atmospheres published in ImechE magazine.
• Developed the unique Advisory Technical File Service for American and Canadian clients with QNET LLC.

Mr. Oliver holds a BSc Eng University Degree with honours in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering and Diplomas in Management Studies and Microprocessor Software Design. He holds a Higher National Certificate in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering and is a Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of Environmental Engineers and is a registered European Engineer, Eur Ing.