MAKING SENSE OF SAFETY

Electromechanical, complex electronic, non-electrical (hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical) and combinations of the these technologies are within the scope of EN ISO 13849-1, along with safety related application software (SRASW). Any component covered by these technologies can play a part in safety, with the proviso that reliability data (in the form of a B10d, MTTFd or PFH) can be found for it. In response to the legislation change, Festo, Fortress Interlocks, Pilz Automation Technology, Troax, UK Engineering, and Werma have joined together to form the Machinery Safety Alliance – a non-profit collaboration where each company provides expertise from its own field to help machine builders and users make sense of safety, and safeguard their productivity. Collectively, the members’ expertise covers safe pneumatics, trapped key, key exchange, solenoid locks, interlock switches, safety relays, safety PLCs, non-contact switches, RFID switches, light curtains, safe 3D vision, safe automation, safe motion, guard systems, signalling components and systems. A web portal at www.machinerysafety- alliance.co.uk, will enable visitors to reach the respective Alliance members, keep up-to-date with news, and access and download technical articles. The Machinery Safety Alliance will also hold a series of seminars at venues around the UK. Each will be opened by the UK Health and Safety Laboratory, an agency of the HSE – adding the perspective of the agency responsible for enforcing UK law on machine safety.