Product category:
Machine Safety Monitoring and Control
News Release from: Pilz Automation Technology | Subject: Risk assessment
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 25 April 2008
The benefits of creating the right
safety concept
Stewart Robinson explains how getting the safety concept right can make a significant difference to the installed price of a machine's safety system and its long-term cost of ownership.
Whether you are designing a new machine from scratch, or modifying or upgrading existing machinery, it is essential to give due consideration to the safety systems And while the ideal will always be to consider safety at the earliest possible stage in the design of new machinery, it is a fact of life that safety systems often have to be designed to work in conjunction with specific machine functions, existing hardware or defined automation control systems
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 27 Mar 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Inspection service certifies machine safety
The consultancy division of Pilz Automation Technology can undertake risk assessments on machines or machine designs in accordance with the requirements of BS EN ISO 14121-1:2007.
Guide to machinery safety updated
The Pilz "Guide to machinery safety" contains 224 pages of useful information on the regulations affecting machinery safety, the supporting standards and risk assessment principles.
In all cases, however, the person developing the overall safety concept needs to have an in-depth knowledge of the relevant legislation, regulations and standards, as well as the appropriate safety technologies.
In addition, it is important to have a sound understanding of ergonomics and the working practices of the industry in which the machine will operate.
The difference between a good safety concept and a poor one can be substantial, with serious long-term implications.
Further reading
Clarks uses consultants for risk assessments
Clarks, one of the world's leading and best-known shoe brands, has recently used Pilz specialist knowledge and experience in assessing various machines and work equipment.
Understanding EN1050
Risk assessment is key to machinery safety, and in Europe we are encouraged to carry out risk assessments in line with the harmonised standard EN1050:1997.
A good safety concept will offer a level of safety that conforms with the relevant standards and legislation - but without being overengineered and prohibitively expensive.
On the other hand, a poor safety concept may fail to meet the necessary standards or hinder the machine operators, leading them to seek ways to overcome the safety measures.
Furthermore, a poor safety concept can make machine maintenance more difficult and time-consuming, impact on availability through a high number of false trips, and can itself be difficult to diagnose and maintain.
Pilz Automation Technology has many years of experience in developing safety concepts for a wide variety of machine types used throughout a broad spectrum of industries.
Furthermore, additional support can be requested from the Pilz consultants and engineers in Germany if required - or, indeed, any of the Pilz subsidiaries around the world.
Every project starts with a thorough risk assessment.
Detailed engineering proposals are then presented to the customer, with mechanical, electrical and other measures combined to create a safety concept that fulfils the necessary legislative, regulatory and standards requirements, while also following industry best practice and taking account of the customer's stated preferences.
Customers can then develop the safety system themselves or pass the safety concept to a supplier as part of the safety system's specification.
Alternatively, Pilz can provide engineering services - and an extensive range of machinery safety products - to support the customer during the machine design, build and commissioning, or Pilz can put the customer in touch with panel builders or system integrators as appropriate.
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