Product category:
Engineering Conferences
News Release from: Pilz Automation Technology
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 01 November 2005
Machine safety conference planned for
end of 2005
Pilz is to sponsor a Machine Safety and Functional Safety Conference that is being organised by the British Automation and Robotics Association, to be held in the Midlands towards the end of 2005.
Pilz has agreed to sponsor a Machine Safety and Functional Safety Conference that is being organised by BARA, the British Automation and Robotics Association, to be held in the Midlands towards the end of 2005 Following the popularity of the similar event that took place in May, BARA is urging anyone considering attending to register their interest now, so that they can be offered the chance to book a place as soon as the date and venue have been confirmed
As with the previous event, the conference is aimed at specifiers and designers of machinery and safety-related electrical control systems (SRECS), together with managers and engineers responsible for machinery safety.
Speakers will be confirmed shortly, suffice to say that the last conference attracted three from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), plus others from Pilz Automation Technology, Elite Control Systems, PAG Jaguar/Land Rover and SIRA.
Dr Richard Piggin, Chairman of BARA's Safety Special Interest Group, commented: "Feedback from the conference in May was extremely positive, with attendees gaining an excellent insight into what is really involved with projects in which functional safety has to be addressed".
"Functional safety is core to IEC/EN 61508 and IEC 62061, yet the concept is alien to many machine builders and system integrators".
"Furthermore, EN 954-1 is still current and its planned replacement (ISO 13849-1) has been delayed, partly due to controversy over its complexity compared with EN 954-1".
"One of the most popular sessions in the last conference was the HSE presentation that tackled the question of which standard should be applied in what circumstances".
The format for the new conference will be similar to the previous event, with a discussion of the current and future standards relating to machine safety and functional safety, as well as the implications of using industrial communications systems for safety relevant data - which certainly sparked a debate last time around.
Competency management in the context of functional safety will be addressed, as well as the importance of functional safety certification for an end-user.
In addition, it is anticipated that a system integrator and an end-user will give their views on functional safety, based on their experiences.
Question-and-answer sessions will be scheduled during the conference and there will be further opportunities for delegates to meet the speakers during the refreshment breaks.
Alongside the conference there will be a tabletop exhibition, attended by many of the sponsoring organisations and members of BARA.
Conference delegates will therefore be able to discuss actual products, systems and services relevant to machine safety and functional safety.
Dr Piggin said: "The first Machine Safety and Functional Safety Conference was intended to be a one-off, but we have decided to organise another as a result of the high level of interest and the positive feedback from the almost 100 people who attended".
"We are therefore making this new announcement as early as possible to give people the opportunity to register their interest".
"We can then contact them directly as soon as we have confirmed the speaker line-up, date and venue".
Steve Farrow, General Manager of Pilz Automation Technology, added: "The earlier conference was well received, and a number of people came to talk to us at the tabletop exhibition and after event".
"As a result, we are more than happy to offer our support".
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