Safe operation and machines
The Directive 2009/104/EC regulate the minimum safety and health requirements for the use of work equipment by workers at work. National regulations (like the german BetrSichV) usually have additional requirements.
The basic building blocks are a standardized risk assessment for the provision and use of work equipment, a uniform safety assessment for the operation of installations requiring monitoring, the state of the art as an essential safety standard and minimum requirements for the condition of work equipment, unless otherwise regulated are.
Before using work equipment, the employer must assess the hazards that occur (risk assessment) and derive the necessary and suitable protective measures. The presence of a CE marking on the work equipment does not release from the obligation to carry out a risk assessment
Important items
- Machine-related hazard analysis
- Major/Minor changes to machines
- Own production / usage
- Assembly of machines
- Import of machines
- Tests of safety equipment (incl. functional safety)
- Checking the purchased machines for conformity
Topics around the safety of machines in operation
What is regulated?
- a risk assessment has been carried out
- Protective measures have been taken
- Tests are conducted and documented and
- it is stated that the use is safe.
Work equipment includes:
- Installations: A system is a set of spatially and functionally related machines or devices which also form a unit in terms of tax technology and safety, which interact with each other
- Work equipment: Work equipment is tools, equipment, machinery or equipment. They range from simple hand tools such. As hammer, screwdriver, electrical appliances or machinery, such as. As lathes, to systems, such. B. process or manufacturing equipment.
Machine-related risk assessments
First of all: There is inventory protection. The regular risk assessment is intended to continuously close the gap between “state of the art” from the perspective of the manufacturers and the further developing “state of the art” from the perspective of the operator.
Hazard assessments must be performed prior to initial deployment (for example, after purchase of the machine) and after modifications prior to recommissioning. In this context, test intervals, test contents, etc. are defined.
Assembly of machines
Frequently, operators buy different complete / incomplete machines and create an assembly / combination of these machines. In the simultaneous concatenation in terms of production and safety, the operators then become the manufacturer.
Thus, the operator has to go through the complete CE conformity assessment procedure according to MD 2006/42/EC and to draw up the documentation (including technical documentation).
Modifications / Changes of machines
Usually, procured machines are integrated into the company’s own conditions. Frequently, changes are made to the machines at the same time. This has consequences for the operator. It is important to distinguish between “minor” and “major” changes and to make a risk assessment. The degree between manufacturer and operator is very narrow here.
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