The popularization of automated production solutions has necessitated the creation of legal regulations aimed at ensuring the safety of employees in mechanized enterprises. Currently, machines must meet specific requirements and have appropriate safety features so that they do not pose a threat to people. Otherwise, they cannot be placed on the market or put into service. The obligation to ensure that a robot complies with applicable regulations rests with both the manufacturer and the employer (machine user). We present the legal acts that regulate the safety of specialized equipment and the safety standards that industrial machines must meet.
Machine safety standards and regulations
The most important document defining legal regulations concerning machine safety is the Machinery Directive. It came into force at the end of 2009 and applies throughout the European Union. It applies to manufacturers, regulating the marketing of the equipment they produce. It specifies the so-called essential requirements, covering both the design and construction of machinery. It also defines the obligations incumbent on the manufacturer, which must be fulfilled before the machinery is put into service. These include, among others, conducting a risk analysis and assessment, creating technical documentation, operating and maintenance manuals, and providing test reports and submitting the relevant certificates. Among the latter, the most important is the CE certificate, which confirms the compliance of industrial equipment with EU standards.
The second applicable EU legal act, this time concerning the user, is the Tool Directive. It specifies the so-called minimum requirements that must be met in order for machines to be used safely. It was implemented to protect the health and lives of employees working in automated enterprises and sets out the obligations of the employer. The most important of these is to verify that the industrial equipment has a CE safety certificate. The user must also use the machinery for its intended purpose and maintain it in good working order.
Safety systems in industrial machinery
Extremely important elements that manufacturers must keep in mind are appropriate machine safety measures. The basic safety measures specified in EN 60204-1 include appropriate insulation, labeling, protection against electric shock, short circuits, and overload. These measures are primarily intended to minimize the risks posed by electrical installations. Industrial robots must also be equipped with emergency stop switches that will immediately shut down the device in the event of a failure. In addition, the machine should have built-in light and sound signals to provide information about its status and enable a quick response in case of a detected hazard.
In addition to basic protective measures, many companies decide to introduce additional amenities. One of them is light barriers and curtains, which are used to secure risk areas and monitor them. Depending on their purpose, they can protect the entrances to automated spaces in the plant or be directly adjacent to the machine, informing the employee when they enter its operating area. Safety locks, which automatically close the doors during robot operation, and partitioning systems, which physically separate the device from the operators, are also frequently used.
The impact of machine design on operator safety
It is worth noting that machine safety should be taken into account at the design stage. During this stage, a risk assessment should be carried out, including the identification of potential hazards and an assessment of their likelihood of occurrence. At the same time, the contractor commissioned to robotize production and manufacture specialized equipment must ensure that hazards are eliminated or at least reduced to a minimum. In order to test the machine in practice, it is worth deciding to make a prototype. This allows you to improve the safety systems before putting it into production to ensure comprehensive protection for operators during operation.
At TASKO Inc., we are well aware of the importance of employee safety in robotized enterprises. By choosing the services of an experienced machine manufacturer, you can be sure that each device will be properly secured and comply with legal standards!