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
EN ISO 13849-1; 2006 - Are We Ready?
January 16, 2010
EN ISO 13849-1; 2006 is definitely on its way to US industry. It’s also true that there have been several delays for required compliance caused by extensions in Europe that have slowed broad acceptance here in the US. Last week in this blog I talked about the various segments of industry and what drives behavior to adopt or comply with safety... » more
( No Comments )
January 16, 2010
EN ISO 13849-1; 2006 is definitely on its way to US industry. It’s also true that there have been several delays for required compliance caused by extensions in Europe that have slowed broad acceptance here in the US. Last week in this blog I talked about the various segments of industry and what drives behavior to adopt or comply with safety... » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety in the US – What Drives Safety Behavior?
January 08, 2010
Machine safety standards abound here in the US. And of course we also have OSHA regulations which form the basis for Federal enforcement. Book shelves are loaded with books and publications with the single theme of addressing these two sentences. We also have employee injuries & insurance companies, productivity & operating efficiencies,... » more
( 1 Comment )
January 08, 2010
Machine safety standards abound here in the US. And of course we also have OSHA regulations which form the basis for Federal enforcement. Book shelves are loaded with books and publications with the single theme of addressing these two sentences. We also have employee injuries & insurance companies, productivity & operating efficiencies,... » more
( 1 Comment )
It's Official - EN 954-1:1996 Is Extended By The EU
December 30, 2009
On Monday of this week in Brussels the Official Journal of the European Union, 2009/C 321/09, announced the prolongation of EN 954-1 until Dec. 31, 2011. They also published a correction from EN ISO 13849-1:2006 to EN ISO 13849-1:2008. The first significance to these announcements is that for the next two years either EN 954-1:1996, EN ISO 13849-1:2006,... » more
( No Comments )
December 30, 2009
On Monday of this week in Brussels the Official Journal of the European Union, 2009/C 321/09, announced the prolongation of EN 954-1 until Dec. 31, 2011. They also published a correction from EN ISO 13849-1:2006 to EN ISO 13849-1:2008. The first significance to these announcements is that for the next two years either EN 954-1:1996, EN ISO 13849-1:2006,... » more
( No Comments )
Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC & EN ISO 13849-1; 2006 - with comments
December 10, 2009
The EC Machinery Working Group met on Dec. 8, 2009 and voted to prolong the cessation of EN 954-1; 1996 beyond Dec. 31, 2009 and, therefore, to provide presumption of conformity to the new Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC which also becomes effective at the end of this month. The story continues this time because the European Commission (EC) has not... » more
( No Comments )
December 10, 2009
The EC Machinery Working Group met on Dec. 8, 2009 and voted to prolong the cessation of EN 954-1; 1996 beyond Dec. 31, 2009 and, therefore, to provide presumption of conformity to the new Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC which also becomes effective at the end of this month. The story continues this time because the European Commission (EC) has not... » more
( No Comments )
Be Safe - Don't Be A Turkey - manufacturing hazards have no holiday
December 02, 2009
Machine Safety is 24/7 - so don’t be a turkey. In the annual tradition, my family gathered around the Thanksgiving table as the turkey was served. The turkey was carved, we gave thanks, and we enjoyed a wonderful meal of abundance. And at the end the turkey was no more. So, as the analogy goes, keep your eye on machine safety 24/7, follow OSHA’s ... » more
( No Comments )
December 02, 2009
Machine Safety is 24/7 - so don’t be a turkey. In the annual tradition, my family gathered around the Thanksgiving table as the turkey was served. The turkey was carved, we gave thanks, and we enjoyed a wonderful meal of abundance. And at the end the turkey was no more. So, as the analogy goes, keep your eye on machine safety 24/7, follow OSHA’s ... » more
( No Comments )
Lean and Green Becomes Lean and Safe
November 18, 2009
For some time now we’ve been hearing the buzz words of “Lean and Green” only to be confirmed if one were to Google the term. Little needs to be said for anyone to have an understanding of this concept or the related importance as driven by corporate executives for sustainability of operational excellence. However, hold onto your hats. In my opinion it... » more
( No Comments )
November 18, 2009
For some time now we’ve been hearing the buzz words of “Lean and Green” only to be confirmed if one were to Google the term. Little needs to be said for anyone to have an understanding of this concept or the related importance as driven by corporate executives for sustainability of operational excellence. However, hold onto your hats. In my opinion it... » more
( No Comments )
E-Stops Have A Yellow Background, Right?
November 03, 2009
You bet! Who could not possibly know by now that practically all electrical/safety/machine guarding standards now clearly call out that an emergency stop button must be red, mushroom shaped, and have a yellow background in order to be called an emergency stopping device? Well, to quote my four year old grandson - probably a trillionmegabazillion! You... » more
( No Comments )
November 03, 2009
You bet! Who could not possibly know by now that practically all electrical/safety/machine guarding standards now clearly call out that an emergency stop button must be red, mushroom shaped, and have a yellow background in order to be called an emergency stopping device? Well, to quote my four year old grandson - probably a trillionmegabazillion! You... » more
( No Comments )
E-Stops and Your Compliance
October 27, 2009
STOP! Are you confusing stopping categories and risk categories? Do you wire your e-stops to a standard (non Safety) PLC or controller in order to comply with the mandatory category 0 or 1 stop? And, does your identified hazard require redundant circuits with continuous self checking and automatic diagnostics? Think twice is my advice! Yes, safety... » more
( No Comments )
October 27, 2009
STOP! Are you confusing stopping categories and risk categories? Do you wire your e-stops to a standard (non Safety) PLC or controller in order to comply with the mandatory category 0 or 1 stop? And, does your identified hazard require redundant circuits with continuous self checking and automatic diagnostics? Think twice is my advice! Yes, safety... » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety's Paradigm Shift - It's Time for Change
October 22, 2009
It’s been seven years since NFPA 79, 2002, the Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery, first changed the world (in the US) allowing businesses the opportunity to utilize either hard-wired safety systems or implement integrated safety and automation systems. Now, seven years later, several new and updated standards open many more new options that... » more
( No Comments )
October 22, 2009
It’s been seven years since NFPA 79, 2002, the Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery, first changed the world (in the US) allowing businesses the opportunity to utilize either hard-wired safety systems or implement integrated safety and automation systems. Now, seven years later, several new and updated standards open many more new options that... » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety Acceptable Risk, Tolerable Risk, 5 Comments
October 12, 2009
Machine Safety - to understand machine safety, you have to understand the concepts of “acceptable” versus “tolerable” risk. First, “tolerable risk” is the term used for the past several years referring to a level of residual risk for a given hazard after applying risk reduction measures. ANSI B11.1- 2009, Safety Requirements for Mechanical Power... » more
( No Comments )
October 12, 2009
Machine Safety - to understand machine safety, you have to understand the concepts of “acceptable” versus “tolerable” risk. First, “tolerable risk” is the term used for the past several years referring to a level of residual risk for a given hazard after applying risk reduction measures. ANSI B11.1- 2009, Safety Requirements for Mechanical Power... » more
( No Comments )
Machine Safety Standards, Additional Costs?
October 02, 2009
EN ISO 13849-1: 2006, in my opinion, will launch a paradigm shift that could force some businesses into financial difficulty if fully implemented in the US. Several reports have crossed my desk indicating that some machine safety standards are considering including the incremental compliance requirements of 13849-1. These incremental requirements... » more
( No Comments )
October 02, 2009
EN ISO 13849-1: 2006, in my opinion, will launch a paradigm shift that could force some businesses into financial difficulty if fully implemented in the US. Several reports have crossed my desk indicating that some machine safety standards are considering including the incremental compliance requirements of 13849-1. These incremental requirements... » more
( No Comments )
EN ISO 13849-1; 2006 - US Bridges Needed For Transition - Comment: Integrators, OEMs not ready
September 24, 2009
This week the issue of the EU extending EN 954-1; 1996 to 2012 is still the talk of machine safety. Some camps appear to feel comfort in the three additional years of needed time for industry to prepare for the new compliance requirements. I agree with other camps that are expressing a sense of discomfort because we believe the new EN ISO 13849-1; 2006... » more
( 1 Comment )
September 24, 2009
This week the issue of the EU extending EN 954-1; 1996 to 2012 is still the talk of machine safety. Some camps appear to feel comfort in the three additional years of needed time for industry to prepare for the new compliance requirements. I agree with other camps that are expressing a sense of discomfort because we believe the new EN ISO 13849-1; 2006... » more
( 1 Comment )
News Flash - The Landscape of SIL, Cat, & PL Changed Last Week - Comment: Breathing Room
September 17, 2009
Last week while I was writing my blog on this subject the European Union (EU) met and decided to extend EN 954-1; 1996 for up to three more years or 2012. This was announced internally in the United States to those of us who participate in standards writing on committees. EN 954-1 was scheduled to expire in October of 2009 and this importance drove last... » more
( No Comments )
September 17, 2009
Last week while I was writing my blog on this subject the European Union (EU) met and decided to extend EN 954-1; 1996 for up to three more years or 2012. This was announced internally in the United States to those of us who participate in standards writing on committees. EN 954-1 was scheduled to expire in October of 2009 and this importance drove last... » more
( No Comments )
What's UP With SIL, Cat and Now PL? Safety Integrity Levels, Categories, and Performance Levels of Machine Safety
September 02, 2009
We all know by now about safety rated devices according to SIL(safety integrity level) and Cat(category). Recently, a new term has emerged from Europe via ISO 13849-1; 2006 introducing PL (performance level). Most everyone agrees that both SIL and PL are hazard ratings that are quantitatively derived and can be directly related. Cat is a qualitatively... » more
( No Comments )
September 02, 2009
We all know by now about safety rated devices according to SIL(safety integrity level) and Cat(category). Recently, a new term has emerged from Europe via ISO 13849-1; 2006 introducing PL (performance level). Most everyone agrees that both SIL and PL are hazard ratings that are quantitatively derived and can be directly related. Cat is a qualitatively... » more
( No Comments )
The Safety Standards Maze, 3 Comments: More Standards, Validation
August 24, 2009
A frequent question raised by industry is where can I go to get a comprehensive listing and understanding of machine safety standards? Most often it seems that awareness of certain safety standards are developed over time within any one company. Influences have come from knowledge on the part of individual employees, references from suppliers,... » more
( No Comments )
August 24, 2009
A frequent question raised by industry is where can I go to get a comprehensive listing and understanding of machine safety standards? Most often it seems that awareness of certain safety standards are developed over time within any one company. Influences have come from knowledge on the part of individual employees, references from suppliers,... » more
( No Comments )
Integrated Safety - or Not! ...Plus 6 Comments; Do You Agree?
August 14, 2009
We’ve all heard lots of arguments both for and against a fully integrated architecture for safety and general control. In the process world they’ve maintained a separate SIS (Safety Instrumented System) solution for safety creating a separate layer in their architecture for performing the safety functions. However, in the machine world when PLC’s were... » more
( No Comments )
August 14, 2009
We’ve all heard lots of arguments both for and against a fully integrated architecture for safety and general control. In the process world they’ve maintained a separate SIS (Safety Instrumented System) solution for safety creating a separate layer in their architecture for performing the safety functions. However, in the machine world when PLC’s were... » more
( No Comments )
All That Wire & Is It Safer? Comment: Simpler is Better
August 01, 2009
The possible answer to this question totally changed in 2002 with the new issue of NFPA 79 allowing safety PLC’s and safety busses. Previously, NFPA 79 clearly required anything “safety” must be hard wired. Now, seven years later, hundreds of safety PLC’s are reported to be in use in the U.S. and the answer to this question is not so clear. The answer... » more
( No Comments )
August 01, 2009
The possible answer to this question totally changed in 2002 with the new issue of NFPA 79 allowing safety PLC’s and safety busses. Previously, NFPA 79 clearly required anything “safety” must be hard wired. Now, seven years later, hundreds of safety PLC’s are reported to be in use in the U.S. and the answer to this question is not so clear. The answer... » more
( No Comments )
Safety Relays vs CAT 4; Comments on Safety, Redundancy, Risk
July 20, 2009
July 20, 2009 Recently I visited a manufacturing company to discuss their machine guarding strategy for the control system on automated palletizer machines. After some discussion, I asked for a plant floor tour to see these machines being manufactured. During the tour they showed me a CAT 4 application mitigated by applying a CAT 4 rated safety relay.... » more
( No Comments )
July 20, 2009
July 20, 2009 Recently I visited a manufacturing company to discuss their machine guarding strategy for the control system on automated palletizer machines. After some discussion, I asked for a plant floor tour to see these machines being manufactured. During the tour they showed me a CAT 4 application mitigated by applying a CAT 4 rated safety relay.... » more
( No Comments )
What's Up With Wireless Safety? Comment: Failsafe, Yes, But a Nuisance?
July 13, 2009
Wireless communication has been around for several years, experiencing many ups and downs. Today - it’s largely considered just another communications bus with its own set of design and application criteria. Its maturity and acceptability has now created the launching pad for adding safety functionality over wireless. A handful of suppliers have... » more
( No Comments )
July 13, 2009
Wireless communication has been around for several years, experiencing many ups and downs. Today - it’s largely considered just another communications bus with its own set of design and application criteria. Its maturity and acceptability has now created the launching pad for adding safety functionality over wireless. A handful of suppliers have... » more
( No Comments )