Machine Safety
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Join this ongoing discussion of machine guarding topics, including solutions assessments, regulatory compliance, gap analysis, operating efficiencies and cost savings, as well as all relevant safety standards, such as those from NFPA, ANSI, RIA, IEC, ISO and OSHA. About
Machine Safety: For a safe machine, I’ll just install a small safety PLC
June 17, 2013
To mitigate a machine hazard, might it work to install one small safety PLC, then slave the other distributed standard PLCs to the safety PLC? Would that avoid the need for a risk assessment for the whole machine and create compliance? The answer is no. At least seven steps follow a risk assessment. » more
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June 17, 2013
To mitigate a machine hazard, might it work to install one small safety PLC, then slave the other distributed standard PLCs to the safety PLC? Would that avoid the need for a risk assessment for the whole machine and create compliance? The answer is no. At least seven steps follow a risk assessment. » more
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Machine Safety: Actuator controls versus machine actuators
June 12, 2013
Why is knowing the difference between a machine actuator versus an actuator control important? The hazard on a machine is what’s really important to reducing risk! Understanding two standards-based definitions can help. » more
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June 12, 2013
Why is knowing the difference between a machine actuator versus an actuator control important? The hazard on a machine is what’s really important to reducing risk! Understanding two standards-based definitions can help. » more
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Machine Safety: Are you farming out the designing in of functional safety component requirements?
June 06, 2013
Functional safety is supposed to be designed into machine design, but is it being farmed out for others to do? Are automation suppliers truly considering farming out the design and safety certification effort of integrating functional safety features into existing components? See four strategies and one caution. » more
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June 06, 2013
Functional safety is supposed to be designed into machine design, but is it being farmed out for others to do? Are automation suppliers truly considering farming out the design and safety certification effort of integrating functional safety features into existing components? See four strategies and one caution. » more
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Machine Safety: Robotic Industries Association updates safety requirements for robots
June 01, 2013
Robotic Industries Association (RIA) has announced its updated ANSI/RIA R15.06-2012 standard. This first update since 1999 (now harmonized with the international standard ISO 10218:2011) is a major step forward for users and manufacturers of robotics in the U.S. » more
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June 01, 2013
Robotic Industries Association (RIA) has announced its updated ANSI/RIA R15.06-2012 standard. This first update since 1999 (now harmonized with the international standard ISO 10218:2011) is a major step forward for users and manufacturers of robotics in the U.S. » more
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Machine safety: Does ISO 13849-1: 2006 weight severity, frequency, and probability equally?
May 20, 2013
New quantitative requirements for designing safety-related parts of the control system (SRP/CS) have created many discussions. Even with new requirements from ISO 13849-1, this updated standard begins with the same old qualitative approach to determine the “goal” (Performance Level required- PLr) for any safety function, asking about severity, frequency,... » more
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May 20, 2013
New quantitative requirements for designing safety-related parts of the control system (SRP/CS) have created many discussions. Even with new requirements from ISO 13849-1, this updated standard begins with the same old qualitative approach to determine the “goal” (Performance Level required- PLr) for any safety function, asking about severity, frequency,... » more
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Machine safety: Executives balance risks, profits
May 16, 2013
Industrial executives are engaged more than ever in operational risk oversight. This certainly includes machine safety. » more
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May 16, 2013
Industrial executives are engaged more than ever in operational risk oversight. This certainly includes machine safety. » more
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Machine safety: PLC versus PAC, is there a difference for safety?
May 06, 2013
Is PAC the newest PLC? Is there less risk for machine safety in using one or the other? » more
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May 06, 2013
Is PAC the newest PLC? Is there less risk for machine safety in using one or the other? » more
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Machine safety: Does effective grounding include ancillary hand rails, fences, and more?
April 29, 2013
How inclusive is effective grounding for machine safety? Should safe machine grounding consider hand rails, walkways, and protective fencing? » more
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April 29, 2013
How inclusive is effective grounding for machine safety? Should safe machine grounding consider hand rails, walkways, and protective fencing? » more
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Machine safety: What is ambient air temperature and the relationship to safe operation?
April 25, 2013
How can the ambient air temperature range from -30 to +120 degrees Fahrenheit inside a manufacturing plant? The product specs call for certification at -5 to +30 degrees Centigrade for safe operation. Do the international machine safety standards address this? » more
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April 25, 2013
How can the ambient air temperature range from -30 to +120 degrees Fahrenheit inside a manufacturing plant? The product specs call for certification at -5 to +30 degrees Centigrade for safe operation. Do the international machine safety standards address this? » more
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Machine safety: Are most machines are intrinsically safe by design?
April 21, 2013
It is odd to think that anyone in the U.S. believes most machines are intrinsically safe by design. Yet, only three weeks ago I heard this comment spoken in a conference room. Honestly, this kind of statement needs a lot of scrutiny to understand the intended validity. » more
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April 21, 2013
It is odd to think that anyone in the U.S. believes most machines are intrinsically safe by design. Yet, only three weeks ago I heard this comment spoken in a conference room. Honestly, this kind of statement needs a lot of scrutiny to understand the intended validity. » more
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Machine safety: Incorporating functional safety as part of your machine safety plan, Part 4
April 08, 2013
When considering “functional safety,” look at what differs compared to other safety initiatives, consider U.S. versus international standards, examine conformance responsibilities, and think about what changes are needed, if any, as a manufacturer. Part 4 of 4 looks at how manufacturers should look at their machine safety programs in light of international... » more
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April 08, 2013
When considering “functional safety,” look at what differs compared to other safety initiatives, consider U.S. versus international standards, examine conformance responsibilities, and think about what changes are needed, if any, as a manufacturer. Part 4 of 4 looks at how manufacturers should look at their machine safety programs in light of international... » more
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Machine safety: Incorporating functional safety as part of your machine safety plan, Part 3
April 02, 2013
When considering “functional safety,” look at what differs compared to other safety initiatives, consider U.S. versus international standards, examine conformance responsibilities, and think about what changes are needed, if any, as a manufacturer. Part 3 of 4 looks at international safety emphasis and impact with OSHA. » more
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April 02, 2013
When considering “functional safety,” look at what differs compared to other safety initiatives, consider U.S. versus international standards, examine conformance responsibilities, and think about what changes are needed, if any, as a manufacturer. Part 3 of 4 looks at international safety emphasis and impact with OSHA. » more
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Machine safety: Incorporating functional safety, part 2
March 22, 2013
When considering “functional safety,” look at what differs compared to other safety initiatives, consider U.S. versus international standards, examine conformance responsibilities, and think about what changes are needed, if any, as a manufacturer. Part 2 of 4 looks at U.S. vs. international safety. » more
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March 22, 2013
When considering “functional safety,” look at what differs compared to other safety initiatives, consider U.S. versus international standards, examine conformance responsibilities, and think about what changes are needed, if any, as a manufacturer. Part 2 of 4 looks at U.S. vs. international safety. » more
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Machine safety: Incorporating functional safety, part 1
March 13, 2013
When considering “functional safety,” look at what differs compared to other safety initiatives, consider U.S. versus international standards, examine conformance responsibilities, and think about what changes are needed, if any, as a manufacturer. » more
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March 13, 2013
When considering “functional safety,” look at what differs compared to other safety initiatives, consider U.S. versus international standards, examine conformance responsibilities, and think about what changes are needed, if any, as a manufacturer. » more
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Machine Safety: What are fault exclusions?
March 08, 2013
Where did the term “fault exclusions” derive? Can you simply choose any fault to exclude? Who would ever exclude a fault while trying to provide employees with appropriate safe machine guarding? » more
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March 08, 2013
Where did the term “fault exclusions” derive? Can you simply choose any fault to exclude? Who would ever exclude a fault while trying to provide employees with appropriate safe machine guarding? » more
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Machine Safety: Serious machine guarding issues
February 28, 2013
Improper machine guarding is the result of... what? Could it be that there’s no universal cause for serious machine guarding issues? See below, six sources of machine safety issues. » more
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February 28, 2013
Improper machine guarding is the result of... what? Could it be that there’s no universal cause for serious machine guarding issues? See below, six sources of machine safety issues. » more
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Machine Safety: Is prevention through design enough?
February 18, 2013
U.S. consensus standards provide direction to suppliers on how to design in machine safety. Can users understand and comply with the additional requirements of ISO 13849-1? » more
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February 18, 2013
U.S. consensus standards provide direction to suppliers on how to design in machine safety. Can users understand and comply with the additional requirements of ISO 13849-1? » more
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Machine Safety: Can hand held devices play a role?
February 10, 2013
Wireless hand held devices (smart phones, tablets, pads, etc.), common in daily life, are emerging on the shop floor. Can they improve machine safety? » more
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February 10, 2013
Wireless hand held devices (smart phones, tablets, pads, etc.), common in daily life, are emerging on the shop floor. Can they improve machine safety? » more
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Machine Safety: Managing operational risk
February 05, 2013
Risk management has historically been a core element of business management to protect vital enterprise resources. Key executives now take a much broader perspective called “Managing Operational Risk,” with benefits for machine safety. See six data points or ways to measure. » more
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February 05, 2013
Risk management has historically been a core element of business management to protect vital enterprise resources. Key executives now take a much broader perspective called “Managing Operational Risk,” with benefits for machine safety. See six data points or ways to measure. » more
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Machine Safety: Does sustainability matter?
January 24, 2013
Effective, sustainable machine safety programs often contain these five high-level characteristics. Also see two more possible components of successful programs. These may help with your machine safety program’s consistency and focus over time. » more
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January 24, 2013
Effective, sustainable machine safety programs often contain these five high-level characteristics. Also see two more possible components of successful programs. These may help with your machine safety program’s consistency and focus over time. » more
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Machine Safety: Protection is better than a cure
January 14, 2013
Can protection be an effective strategy for machine safety or does industry need a cure for hazards to protect employees? Here's why this questions should be asked daily. » more
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January 14, 2013
Can protection be an effective strategy for machine safety or does industry need a cure for hazards to protect employees? Here's why this questions should be asked daily. » more
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Machine Safety: Effective safety cultures, can they evolve?
January 09, 2013
Many in manufacturing seek advice on waking management to opportunities for a “Best in Class” safety culture, or even a better safety culture. » more
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January 09, 2013
Many in manufacturing seek advice on waking management to opportunities for a “Best in Class” safety culture, or even a better safety culture. » more
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Machine Safety: OSHA Top 10 Violations for 2012
December 26, 2012
See the top five reasons why machine safety has become even more important in the past 10 years. Also see the Top 10 OSHA violations for 2012: Machine safety account for four. » more
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December 26, 2012
See the top five reasons why machine safety has become even more important in the past 10 years. Also see the Top 10 OSHA violations for 2012: Machine safety account for four. » more
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Machine Safety: More on shared responsibilities
December 18, 2012
Broad responsibilities of designing and building a safe machine from the supplier perspective were detailed in a November Control Engineering article by Steve Wright. Issues beyond that include additional shared responsibilities. » more
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December 18, 2012
Broad responsibilities of designing and building a safe machine from the supplier perspective were detailed in a November Control Engineering article by Steve Wright. Issues beyond that include additional shared responsibilities. » more
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Machine Safety: Does multitasking provide an effective illusion of safety?
December 14, 2012
Is it possible to have everyone’s safety behavior in the factory exactly as it should be 24/7 without exception? Can safety performance always be at its peak? Are we capable of safe multitasking? » more
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December 14, 2012
Is it possible to have everyone’s safety behavior in the factory exactly as it should be 24/7 without exception? Can safety performance always be at its peak? Are we capable of safe multitasking? » more
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