Automation Canada - Machine Safety - 7

SAFEGUARDS
* Fixed guards: Protection is achieved by means of a physical barrier,
e.g. through safety fences. The safeguard is permanently installed and
visually identifiable, by means of yellow colouring for example.
* Movable guards: the physical barrier is movable, e.g. installed as a
safety gate in safety fences or also as covers, flaps and rolling doors.
So-called interlocking devices, such as safety switches for example,
monitor the protective position. These are used to prevent a hazardous
machine function from being carried out.
PROTECTIVE DEVICES
* Electrosensitive protective equipment (ESPE), optoelectronic
protective devices, e.g. light curtains, laser scanners or camera-based
protection systems. In addition to classic ESPE, safe radar systems also
fall under the category of barrier-free safety solutions.
* Pressure or touch-sensitive protective equipment, e.g.
pressure-sensitive mats or edges. This way a hazardous movement can
be stopped if an employee stands on the pressure-sensitive mat, for
example.
* Location-dependent safeguards, e.g. two-hand pushbuttons or
other manually operated control devices or enabling devices. These
generally need to be positioned outside of the danger zone. Two-hand
control devices commit both of the user's hands when operating a
machine, such as a press.
With all measures, sufficiently dimensioned safety distances must
be observed to ensure they are effective. The standards EN ISO 13854,
EN ISO 13855 and EN ISO 13857 provide the necessary foundations.
Safety devices on a machine must be designed so that work tasks
during intended operation are not impeded unnecessarily. At least
that's the requirement of the standard EN ISO 12100, which addresses
the principles for manufacturing safe machinery.
CANADIAN AUTOMATION
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2
7
Automation Canada - Machine Safety

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