Machine Safety Standards FAQ
Assessing and implementing machine safety standards in your industrial applications is vital. You must understand the different requirements and terminologies involved in implementing OSHA or EU Directive machine safety standards. elobau has put together this machine safety standard FAQ to assist you in determining your machine safety sensor requirements.
The EU Directive lays out guidelines regarding machinery design and construction, assembly instructions, quality assurance, and the minimum criteria to be considered by Member States. The EU Directive exists to ensure consistent and effective machine safety standards throughout Europe. It applies to machinery, interchangeable equipment, safety components, lifting accessories, chains, ropes and webbing, removable mechanical transmission devices, and partly completed machinery.
Manufacturers keep full responsibility when certifying the conformity of their machinery to the requirements in the EU Directive. Through a risk assessment, individuals determine the safety requirements of their specific machinery to enforce machine safety standards.
If you’re unsure where to begin,, we provide questions and considerations to help you complete your risk assessment.
What is the EU Machinery Directive?
In the European Union (EU), all builders must meet specifications set by the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. The EU Directive seeks to protect workers or consumers using machines while promoting the free movement of machinery within one market.The EU Directive lays out guidelines regarding machinery design and construction, assembly instructions, quality assurance, and the minimum criteria to be considered by Member States. The EU Directive exists to ensure consistent and effective machine safety standards throughout Europe. It applies to machinery, interchangeable equipment, safety components, lifting accessories, chains, ropes and webbing, removable mechanical transmission devices, and partly completed machinery.
Manufacturers keep full responsibility when certifying the conformity of their machinery to the requirements in the EU Directive. Through a risk assessment, individuals determine the safety requirements of their specific machinery to enforce machine safety standards.
What are Machine Safety Standards in the US?
While Europe provides requirements to meet a standard directive, the United States has no specific regulation to instruct OEMs on building machines. However, there are accepted standards in place to meet OSHA guidelines and operate machinery safely. ANSI B11 Standards provide framework to identify machine safety hazards and limit risk. Some examples of US machine safety standards include:ANSI B11.0
ANSI B11.0 is used with other standards in the same series and creates a broad foundation of machinery safety guidelines, terminology, principles, and methodologies.ANSI B11.19
ANSI B11.19 outlines and illustrates the performance criteria for safeguarding machinery to meet requirements and guidelines.ANSI Z244.1
ANSI Z244.1 involves the control of hazardous energy, including lockouts, tagouts, and other alternative methods.ANSI/RIA R15.06
ANSI/RIA R15.06 provides guidelines and safety requirements for industrial robots and robotic systems.NFPA 79
NFPA 79 provides fire hazard and electrical safety standards for industrial machines.What is the Difference Between Type A, B, and C Machine Standards?
In the US, ANSI B11 safety standards follow the ISO type A-B-C structure. This structure separates safety standards into three types:Type A Machine Standards
Type A machine standards are the base-level safety standards. They provide concepts, design principles, and general features that apply to machinery.Type B Machine Standards
Type B machine standards are generic safety standards. They are concerned with one aspect of safety or one safeguard that can be used regarding various machinery.Type C Machine Standards
Type C machine safety standards are machine safety standards concerned with a narrow focus. They go into detail to outline safety guidelines for specific machines or groups of machinery.What is the Top OSHA Manufacturing Safety Violation?
The top OSHA manufacturing safety violation is employees exposed to unguarded or inadequately guarded machines. The US Department of Labor states that approximately 18,000 amputations or other injuries and over 800 deaths per year occur in the United States because of unguarded or improperly guarded machines. OSHA requires that specific pieces of industrial equipment keep machine guards in place.How Many Types of Machine Guards Are There?
Machine guards are barriers that cut off access to dangerous or high-risk areas. There are four types of machine guards:- Fixed
- Interlocked
- Adjustable
- Self-adjusting
What is a Risk Assessment? Why Do I Need One?
A risk assessment is a thorough inventory specifically designed to identify machine hazards, reduce associated risks, and discover potential cost savings. The least harmful accident is one prevented from ever happening. Protect yourself, your workers, your machines, and your business from injury, money loss, and other damages but completing regular risk assessments.If you’re unsure where to begin,, we provide questions and considerations to help you complete your risk assessment.
Machine Safety Standards & Solutions at elobau
For the past fifty years, elobau has provided expert knowledge and high-quality machine safety guards and safety sensors to meet machine safety standards in the United States, Europe, and more. We offer a variety of machine guards and safety sensors to fit many industries and applications:- Machine Safety Sensors
- Machine Safety Controllers
- Machine Safety Accessories
- E-Stop
- Interlocks
- Custom Machine Safety Applications