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: Can end user companies comply with ISO 13849-1: 2006 without design engineering resources?
December 13, 2012
ISO 13849-1: 2006, an international machine safety standard, is written for individuals who perform design responsibilities for control systems. What are end users responsibilities? » more
( No Comments )
December 13, 2012
ISO 13849-1: 2006, an international machine safety standard, is written for individuals who perform design responsibilities for control systems. What are end users responsibilities? » more
( No Comments )
Machine safety risk level assessment priority: Possibility, severity, or frequency?
December 07, 2012
Which factor has the highest priority for assessing hazard risk levels: possibility, severity, or frequency? The ANSI B11.0 – 2010 standard may help. » more
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December 07, 2012
Which factor has the highest priority for assessing hazard risk levels: possibility, severity, or frequency? The ANSI B11.0 – 2010 standard may help. » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety: Is upgrading to solid state enough?
December 03, 2012
Moving machine guarding solutions to solid-state-based components from hard-wired components has been a persistent U.S. discussion since 2002. Are solid-state components enough to provide effective machine safety and personnel safety? » more
( No Comments )
December 03, 2012
Moving machine guarding solutions to solid-state-based components from hard-wired components has been a persistent U.S. discussion since 2002. Are solid-state components enough to provide effective machine safety and personnel safety? » more
( No Comments )
Machine safety: Confusion amuck, quantitative circuit design versus qualitative risk assessment
November 13, 2012
When talking about qualitative versus quantitative as they relate to machine safety standards and compliance requirements, are we talking about the risk assessment process? Or do we consider the process to engineer and mitigate hazards related to the Safety Related Parts of Control System (SRP/CS)? » more
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November 13, 2012
When talking about qualitative versus quantitative as they relate to machine safety standards and compliance requirements, are we talking about the risk assessment process? Or do we consider the process to engineer and mitigate hazards related to the Safety Related Parts of Control System (SRP/CS)? » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety – does new technology create new hazards?
November 07, 2012
When NFPA 79 changed by removing requirements for hard wiring machine safety devices in 2002, many automation suppliers introduced new safety rated devices for machine guarding. Domestic standards also have updated requirements to provide direction for use of safety rated devices. Do the new devices represent new hazards, such as lighted emergency stop... » more
( 3 Comments )
November 07, 2012
When NFPA 79 changed by removing requirements for hard wiring machine safety devices in 2002, many automation suppliers introduced new safety rated devices for machine guarding. Domestic standards also have updated requirements to provide direction for use of safety rated devices. Do the new devices represent new hazards, such as lighted emergency stop... » more
( 3 Comments )
Machine Safety: Are you a chosen one?
November 02, 2012
A joint committee is merging two global machine safety standards (ISO 13849-1:2006, Safety of machinery -- Safety-related parts of control systems -- Part 1: General principles for design and IEC 62061:2005, Safety of machinery - Functional safety of safety-related electrical, electronic and programmable electronic control systems). Is this a good thing? » more
( No Comments )
November 02, 2012
A joint committee is merging two global machine safety standards (ISO 13849-1:2006, Safety of machinery -- Safety-related parts of control systems -- Part 1: General principles for design and IEC 62061:2005, Safety of machinery - Functional safety of safety-related electrical, electronic and programmable electronic control systems). Is this a good thing? » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety: Consequences of not performing risk assessments!
October 22, 2012
If a machine shop hasn't had an incident or employee injury for 10 years, is that result of an excellent safety culture or simply great luck? Are “hope” and “lack of attention” proactive business strategies? » more
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October 22, 2012
If a machine shop hasn't had an incident or employee injury for 10 years, is that result of an excellent safety culture or simply great luck? Are “hope” and “lack of attention” proactive business strategies? » more
( No Comments )
Machine safety: A social responsibility or KPI?
October 17, 2012
Is machine safety, as part of a corporate safety culture, focused at a social responsibility? Or is it part of the business culture as a key performance indicator (KPI)? » more
( No Comments )
October 17, 2012
Is machine safety, as part of a corporate safety culture, focused at a social responsibility? Or is it part of the business culture as a key performance indicator (KPI)? » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety: hazard remediation, mechanical versus control system solutions
October 11, 2012
What's the residual risk for Cat 3 hazard mitigated by a fixed steel plate? Did the repair result in a control reliable solution? Are physical barriers or control solutions better to reduce risk. Five steps define the hierarchy of measures for hazard mitigation and machine safety risk reduction. » more
( No Comments )
October 11, 2012
What's the residual risk for Cat 3 hazard mitigated by a fixed steel plate? Did the repair result in a control reliable solution? Are physical barriers or control solutions better to reduce risk. Five steps define the hierarchy of measures for hazard mitigation and machine safety risk reduction. » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety: Globalization of safety standards doesn’t equal global compliance
October 03, 2012
Countries are teaming to globalize and harmonize machine safety standards. IEC and ISO standards are trending to global standards and slowly are being adopted by various countries as requirements for conformance. Is compliance becoming global? » more
( 1 Comment )
October 03, 2012
Countries are teaming to globalize and harmonize machine safety standards. IEC and ISO standards are trending to global standards and slowly are being adopted by various countries as requirements for conformance. Is compliance becoming global? » more
( 1 Comment )
Machine safety: DANGER: Machine without brain requires yours!
September 24, 2012
Who really has the brain, the machine or the person? Whether it’s the operator, maintenance technician, set-up technician, engineer, or clean-up staff, the human brain has capabilities that surpass any brain on the machine. » more
( 1 Comment )
September 24, 2012
Who really has the brain, the machine or the person? Whether it’s the operator, maintenance technician, set-up technician, engineer, or clean-up staff, the human brain has capabilities that surpass any brain on the machine. » more
( 1 Comment )
Machine Safety: Only engineers can lead the Risk Assessment process?
September 12, 2012
An incremental documented process called “Risk Assessment” is required in many updated standards. And, a new standard, ANSI B11.0 – 2010, Safety of Machinery – General Requirements and Risk Assessment, is dedicated to this topic. With all this attention folks still are not clear regarding whether an engineer is essential to lead the risk assessment process. » more
( 1 Comment )
September 12, 2012
An incremental documented process called “Risk Assessment” is required in many updated standards. And, a new standard, ANSI B11.0 – 2010, Safety of Machinery – General Requirements and Risk Assessment, is dedicated to this topic. With all this attention folks still are not clear regarding whether an engineer is essential to lead the risk assessment process. » more
( 1 Comment )
Machine Safety: Where do effective safety cultures roost?
September 07, 2012
An improved safety culture, advocated at the business level with engineering input, can bring about faster implementation of proven machine safety technologies, improving safety and adding economic value. » more
( No Comments )
September 07, 2012
An improved safety culture, advocated at the business level with engineering input, can bring about faster implementation of proven machine safety technologies, improving safety and adding economic value. » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety: an automatic sequencer does what?
August 29, 2012
In the world of machine control and machine safety, to really appreciate where we are today, don’t we need to have a reasonable understanding of where we’ve come from? » more
( No Comments )
August 29, 2012
In the world of machine control and machine safety, to really appreciate where we are today, don’t we need to have a reasonable understanding of where we’ve come from? » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety: consensus standards and OSHA compliance
August 15, 2012
In our plant we comply 100% with the OSHA regulations of 29 CFR 1910.xxx for machine guarding and personnel safety. Accordingly, OSHA would have no grounds to cite us for violations, right? » more
( No Comments )
August 15, 2012
In our plant we comply 100% with the OSHA regulations of 29 CFR 1910.xxx for machine guarding and personnel safety. Accordingly, OSHA would have no grounds to cite us for violations, right? » more
( No Comments )
Machine safety and safety certified networks
August 07, 2012
Do you remember when PLCs came out in the early 1970s – were there any communication networks available at that time? What is pier to pier? Fishing? » more
( No Comments )
August 07, 2012
Do you remember when PLCs came out in the early 1970s – were there any communication networks available at that time? What is pier to pier? Fishing? » more
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Machine safety and functional safety: Which type?
August 02, 2012
What did you say? There’s potentially more than one type or level of Functional Safety on any one machine? Learn about product-level versus system-level functional safety. » more
( No Comments )
August 02, 2012
What did you say? There’s potentially more than one type or level of Functional Safety on any one machine? Learn about product-level versus system-level functional safety. » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety: What do you mean the vice president said: So What?
July 30, 2012
After a two hour presentation in the conference room providing all the new high technology based machine guarding solutions and testimonials on operating cost savings, the vice president of operations said, “So what!”? » more
( No Comments )
July 30, 2012
After a two hour presentation in the conference room providing all the new high technology based machine guarding solutions and testimonials on operating cost savings, the vice president of operations said, “So what!”? » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety: Updating ISO 13849-1 & compliance for robots
July 19, 2012
On Feb. 7, I wrote a blog titled - ISO 13849-1 compliance is mandatory for robot applications (ANSI/RIA/ISO 10218-1&2: 2011). This particular blog has created a significant amount of feedback, which was my goal. » more
( No Comments )
July 19, 2012
On Feb. 7, I wrote a blog titled - ISO 13849-1 compliance is mandatory for robot applications (ANSI/RIA/ISO 10218-1&2: 2011). This particular blog has created a significant amount of feedback, which was my goal. » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety: Is OSHA okay with my 'acceptable' risk mitigation?
July 12, 2012
“We have reviewed all of our machine safety hazards and have applied mitigation solutions to every hazard. Will OSHA agree with the mitigated 'acceptable' risk levels we’ve achieved?” » more
( No Comments )
July 12, 2012
“We have reviewed all of our machine safety hazards and have applied mitigation solutions to every hazard. Will OSHA agree with the mitigated 'acceptable' risk levels we’ve achieved?” » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety: Are the stopping categories confusing?
July 10, 2012
My e-stops are validated to achieve a Category 0 stop function. Therefore, of the three stopping categories, we’re stopping machine motion the quickest way possible. Right? (Standards are cited below. Are they clear enough?) » more
( No Comments )
July 10, 2012
My e-stops are validated to achieve a Category 0 stop function. Therefore, of the three stopping categories, we’re stopping machine motion the quickest way possible. Right? (Standards are cited below. Are they clear enough?) » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety: My main disconnect e-stop isn’t red with a yellow background
July 05, 2012
Does my main disconnect functioning as an e-stop need to be red with a yellow background? » more
( No Comments )
July 05, 2012
Does my main disconnect functioning as an e-stop need to be red with a yellow background? » more
( No Comments )
Machine safety: What does 'reset' mean?
July 03, 2012
Who hasn’t heard the term “reset” around machine control? And, how many understandings are there from machine builders to machine users? What do standards think about the term? » more
( No Comments )
July 03, 2012
Who hasn’t heard the term “reset” around machine control? And, how many understandings are there from machine builders to machine users? What do standards think about the term? » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety: What differentiates a hazard analysis from a risk assessment?
June 25, 2012
With machine safety, why aren’t the differences well known between a Hazard Analysis and a Risk Assessment? It has been 12 years since machine safety jumped to the forefront of industrial opportunity. » more
( 1 Comment )
June 25, 2012
With machine safety, why aren’t the differences well known between a Hazard Analysis and a Risk Assessment? It has been 12 years since machine safety jumped to the forefront of industrial opportunity. » more
( 1 Comment )
Machine Safety: Where do I start?
June 20, 2012
“We are a medium sized business in manufacturing and our new owners are very interested in machine guarding and machine safety for our employees. Where do I start?” Eight tips follow for a machine safety and machine guarding. » more
( No Comments )
June 20, 2012
“We are a medium sized business in manufacturing and our new owners are very interested in machine guarding and machine safety for our employees. Where do I start?” Eight tips follow for a machine safety and machine guarding. » more
( No Comments )
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