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
I don’t have to upgrade my machine safety to the latest technology
August 10, 2011
I’ll bet nearly everyone reading this blog has heard someone say, “I don’t have to upgrade my machine safety to the latest technology.” Right? And, the next comment might be something like, “My shop is safe because we haven’t had an accident for umpteen years.” Are these folks wrong? Here are 5 questions to ask about machine safety. » more
( 1 Comment )
August 10, 2011
I’ll bet nearly everyone reading this blog has heard someone say, “I don’t have to upgrade my machine safety to the latest technology.” Right? And, the next comment might be something like, “My shop is safe because we haven’t had an accident for umpteen years.” Are these folks wrong? Here are 5 questions to ask about machine safety. » more
( 1 Comment )
Machine Safety Pays
August 03, 2011
Does management in your organization really understand that safety pays back directly to the bottom line? Do they understand that the cost of accidents goes directly to the bottom line and potentially requires several million dollars of incremental sales as an offset? One accident can result in financial chaos at least 10 ways. How? » more
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August 03, 2011
Does management in your organization really understand that safety pays back directly to the bottom line? Do they understand that the cost of accidents goes directly to the bottom line and potentially requires several million dollars of incremental sales as an offset? One accident can result in financial chaos at least 10 ways. How? » more
( No Comments )
Not Again – E-Stops Do Not Equal Machine Safety
July 19, 2011
How many times does this issue come up? An e-stop device is not a safety device! Therefore, it’s not a part of the safety related parts of a control system (SRP/CS). Then, why is an e-stop device so often confused as being part of the safety design for a machine? » more
( 1 Comment )
July 19, 2011
How many times does this issue come up? An e-stop device is not a safety device! Therefore, it’s not a part of the safety related parts of a control system (SRP/CS). Then, why is an e-stop device so often confused as being part of the safety design for a machine? » more
( 1 Comment )
Machine safety and degrading component reliability
July 14, 2011
Is your machine downtime sometimes a surprise? Did a component in a safety circuit fail because it simply wore out and nobody knew it was about to fail? Well, maybe help has just arrived. Has anyone heard about EN ISO 13849-1; 2008? See "4 ways to reduce surprise downtime." » more
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July 14, 2011
Is your machine downtime sometimes a surprise? Did a component in a safety circuit fail because it simply wore out and nobody knew it was about to fail? Well, maybe help has just arrived. Has anyone heard about EN ISO 13849-1; 2008? See "4 ways to reduce surprise downtime." » more
( No Comments )
We’re safe; we’ve had no machine safety accidents for a long time
July 05, 2011
All too often I hear or read about a companies’ great safety record only to read on about a major incident or accident and the devastating human and/or business impacts that occur. One central place to stay current regarding safety in general as well as specific incidents is OSHA’s twice monthly email report titled OSHA Quick Takes. » more
( No Comments )
July 05, 2011
All too often I hear or read about a companies’ great safety record only to read on about a major incident or accident and the devastating human and/or business impacts that occur. One central place to stay current regarding safety in general as well as specific incidents is OSHA’s twice monthly email report titled OSHA Quick Takes. » more
( No Comments )
Risk assessment - A best practice for sustainable performance
June 27, 2011
Generally speaking, industry has awakened to the term, risk assessment. Yet, many companies dealing with machine safety seem to still be wrestling with issues like; when, why, if, and how often in actually implementing robust programs. » more
( No Comments )
June 27, 2011
Generally speaking, industry has awakened to the term, risk assessment. Yet, many companies dealing with machine safety seem to still be wrestling with issues like; when, why, if, and how often in actually implementing robust programs. » more
( No Comments )
EN ISO 13849-1; 2008 – Are We Ready By December 2011?
June 20, 2011
Some companies and the machine safety folks are having difficulty meeting the new EN ISO 13849-1; 2008 requirements by the end of this year. So, my question remains, ARE WE READY? SIL (safety integrity level) and Cat (Category) are fading out; SIL and PL (Performance Level) are becoming the new basis for machine guarding and hazard mitigation. » more
( No Comments )
June 20, 2011
Some companies and the machine safety folks are having difficulty meeting the new EN ISO 13849-1; 2008 requirements by the end of this year. So, my question remains, ARE WE READY? SIL (safety integrity level) and Cat (Category) are fading out; SIL and PL (Performance Level) are becoming the new basis for machine guarding and hazard mitigation. » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety and Wireless Devices
June 16, 2011
Conventional machine safety has been challenged for the last 10 years with new technology and standards. Safety automation has led the new technology pack while NFPA 79 took the lead on the standards side. Both combined in 2002 to introduce safety PLCs, safety fieldbus, and e-stops on a safety rated bus. The latest challenge to conventional safety is... » more
( 3 Comments )
June 16, 2011
Conventional machine safety has been challenged for the last 10 years with new technology and standards. Safety automation has led the new technology pack while NFPA 79 took the lead on the standards side. Both combined in 2002 to introduce safety PLCs, safety fieldbus, and e-stops on a safety rated bus. The latest challenge to conventional safety is... » more
( 3 Comments )
For machine safety, do we have to be aware of all safety standards?
June 01, 2011
Machine safety has more safety standards than you can imagine looking across all industries here in the U.S. On top of that add the growing presence of International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and International Standards Organization (ISO) – and the picture seems to grow three dimensionally. How many and which of these standards does any one company... » more
( No Comments )
June 01, 2011
Machine safety has more safety standards than you can imagine looking across all industries here in the U.S. On top of that add the growing presence of International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and International Standards Organization (ISO) – and the picture seems to grow three dimensionally. How many and which of these standards does any one company... » more
( No Comments )
Cost savings opportunities in machine safety
May 25, 2011
Machine safety shifted in 2002 with the changes in NFPA 79 introducing safety PLCs and safety communication and control bus technology as solutions allowed for machine guarding, the beginning of a major paradigm shift in machine safety. See savings tally. » more
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May 25, 2011
Machine safety shifted in 2002 with the changes in NFPA 79 introducing safety PLCs and safety communication and control bus technology as solutions allowed for machine guarding, the beginning of a major paradigm shift in machine safety. See savings tally. » more
( No Comments )
OSHA safety regulations: Incorporation by reference-Do I need to know?
May 16, 2011
Machine safety OSHA regulations, 29 CFR 1910.XXX, have been in place since the beginning of OSHA in the early 1070’s. So, what’s the problem, and what the devil is “incorporation by reference”? » more
( No Comments )
May 16, 2011
Machine safety OSHA regulations, 29 CFR 1910.XXX, have been in place since the beginning of OSHA in the early 1070’s. So, what’s the problem, and what the devil is “incorporation by reference”? » more
( No Comments )
Stop! Is your machine safety life cycle program in place?
May 10, 2011
For machine safety, having a Safety Life Cycle Program in place sets the stage for increased compliance to OSHA regulations and consensus standards, and it helps drive a higher level of functional safety for each application. » more
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May 10, 2011
For machine safety, having a Safety Life Cycle Program in place sets the stage for increased compliance to OSHA regulations and consensus standards, and it helps drive a higher level of functional safety for each application. » more
( No Comments )
Nuts and bolts of machine safety
March 29, 2011
For machine safety – let’s see the hands for everyone who’s familiar with current “nuts and bolts” for compliance! Ah, does the word current cause so few hands to be held high? » more
( No Comments )
March 29, 2011
For machine safety – let’s see the hands for everyone who’s familiar with current “nuts and bolts” for compliance! Ah, does the word current cause so few hands to be held high? » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety - Wired versus Integrated Safety Automation!
March 28, 2011
As a plant manager does it make any difference to you whether your machines are guarded via wired safety guards or integrated safety automation guards?........You alone own the safety culture of your business. » more
( No Comments )
March 28, 2011
As a plant manager does it make any difference to you whether your machines are guarded via wired safety guards or integrated safety automation guards?........You alone own the safety culture of your business. » more
( No Comments )
Have You Considered Machine Safety's Compliance Lifecycle?
March 11, 2011
As a plant manager, have you ever wondered in the dark of night how effective the machine guarding in your plant is protecting your #1 resource, your employee? » more
( No Comments )
March 11, 2011
As a plant manager, have you ever wondered in the dark of night how effective the machine guarding in your plant is protecting your #1 resource, your employee? » more
( No Comments )
Is OSHA Rear View Mirror Enforcement?
February 28, 2011
OSHA Assistant Secretary David Michaels addressed the staff of Public Citizen Jan. 18 to commemorate the organization's 40th anniversary. Michaels said, "OSHA is not working to kill jobs; we're here to stop jobs from killing workers." » more
( 1 Comment )
February 28, 2011
OSHA Assistant Secretary David Michaels addressed the staff of Public Citizen Jan. 18 to commemorate the organization's 40th anniversary. Michaels said, "OSHA is not working to kill jobs; we're here to stop jobs from killing workers." » more
( 1 Comment )
Does "Performance Level" Really Replace "Category" For Machine Safety In The U.S.?
February 28, 2011
Over the next ten years picture a safety circuit with six safety certified components and four are certified to Performance Level (PLx) and the other two are certified to Cat.x! Is the outcome clear? » more
( No Comments )
February 28, 2011
Over the next ten years picture a safety circuit with six safety certified components and four are certified to Performance Level (PLx) and the other two are certified to Cat.x! Is the outcome clear? » more
( No Comments )
EN ISO 13849-1; 2008 - Are We Ready? - Part 2
February 23, 2011
Does anyone have an easy answer on how a safety application proof test can be accomplished with dissimilar tools and without the skilled resources for analysis? See table. » more
( 2 Comments )
February 23, 2011
Does anyone have an easy answer on how a safety application proof test can be accomplished with dissimilar tools and without the skilled resources for analysis? See table. » more
( 2 Comments )
Machine Safety - Am I Responsible?
February 11, 2011
Case examples cross my desk almost weekly asking, “am I responsible” or liable for for machine safety? These questions come from end users, OEMs, systems integrators, and suppliers. Initially, OSHA provides an answer, but beyond that... » more
( 1 Comment )
February 11, 2011
Case examples cross my desk almost weekly asking, “am I responsible” or liable for for machine safety? These questions come from end users, OEMs, systems integrators, and suppliers. Initially, OSHA provides an answer, but beyond that... » more
( 1 Comment )
Unfolding Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)!
January 31, 2011
An OSHA/legal definition of de minimis and a clearer understanding of – What do employees need to know? will certainly help all companies unfold LOTO for full compliance. » more
( 1 Comment )
January 31, 2011
An OSHA/legal definition of de minimis and a clearer understanding of – What do employees need to know? will certainly help all companies unfold LOTO for full compliance. » more
( 1 Comment )
Functional Safety From UL - Let's Discuss!
January 25, 2011
Certainly, functional safety evaluations can play a large role in improving levels of machine safety in industry. However, let's start discussing the transitional issues. Old practice of determining hazards under EN 954-1 qualitatively is being replaced by ISO 13849-1 and the new quantitative PL approach. » more
( 1 Comment )
January 25, 2011
Certainly, functional safety evaluations can play a large role in improving levels of machine safety in industry. However, let's start discussing the transitional issues. Old practice of determining hazards under EN 954-1 qualitatively is being replaced by ISO 13849-1 and the new quantitative PL approach. » more
( 1 Comment )
Machine Safety - Hardwired vs Integrated?
January 20, 2011
Since 2002, NFPA 79 took the lead for safety standards and eliminated the requirement that everything safety on a machine “shall be” hard wired. » more
( 1 Comment )
January 20, 2011
Since 2002, NFPA 79 took the lead for safety standards and eliminated the requirement that everything safety on a machine “shall be” hard wired. » more
( 1 Comment )
Machine Safety and Lockout/Tagout
January 06, 2011
Lockout/tagout (LOTO) standard is an OSHA regulation for machine functional safety that establishes employer responsibility to protect employees from hazardous energy sources on machines and equipment during service and/or maintenance. OSHA says ... » more
( No Comments )
January 06, 2011
Lockout/tagout (LOTO) standard is an OSHA regulation for machine functional safety that establishes employer responsibility to protect employees from hazardous energy sources on machines and equipment during service and/or maintenance. OSHA says ... » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety - A Review of 2010 Developments
December 28, 2010
Machine Safety topics have covered the gamut throughout 2010 from regulations and industry standards to new compliance tools and innovative technology. The challenge to industry throughout 2010 has been to... » more
( No Comments )
December 28, 2010
Machine Safety topics have covered the gamut throughout 2010 from regulations and industry standards to new compliance tools and innovative technology. The challenge to industry throughout 2010 has been to... » more
( No Comments )
Wireless Control and Wireless Safety!
December 20, 2010
Safe wireless (also known as safe cableless) is often applied to a machine using a “zone” concept to reduce the wireless communication distance. As wireless machine communications increase, application questions include the following. » more
( 1 Comment )
December 20, 2010
Safe wireless (also known as safe cableless) is often applied to a machine using a “zone” concept to reduce the wireless communication distance. As wireless machine communications increase, application questions include the following. » more
( 1 Comment )
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