Posted to News on 18th Feb 2013, 12:52
New edition of Free White Paper: CE marking of machine guards
Procter Machine Guarding has published a second edition of its popular free White Paper that explains the requirement for CE marking guards under the new Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. This edition has been produced in the light of clarification provided by the UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Previously, under the old Machinery Directive, machine guards did not need to be CE marked. However, since the new Directive came into force on 29 December 2009, machine guards do need to be CE marked - but only in certain circumstances.
Companies need to be aware of the requirements relating to the CE marking of guards if they build machines or partly-completed machines, perform final assembly, import machinery or modify machinery that will be used in the European Economic Area. In addition, companies that manufacture guards, whether standard, bespoke or assembled using modular aluminium framework systems, need to understand when they should and should not CE mark guards and issue a Declaration of Conformity.
The White Paper, entitled CE marking of machine guards to the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, was written by Jeremy Procter, who has extensive knowledge of the new Machinery Directive and the harmonised machinery safety standards. As well as being a Member of BSI's MCE/3 committee, Jeremy Procter is also the former Convenor of the European Standards Committee responsible for Machine Guards (CEN TC114 WG11) and is the Managing Director of Procter Machine Guarding. The new edition of the CE marking White Paper takes into account recent clarification provided by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) and the second edition of the European Commission's Guide to application of the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.
Procter's White Paper considers the question of What is a guard? in terms of the definitions and clarification in the new Machinery Directive and the relevant harmonised standard, EN 953:1997 +A1:2009 Safety of machinery. Guards. General requirements for the design and construction of fixed and movable guards (in the UK, this is BS EN 953:1997 +A1:2009).
Six scenarios then describe different situations in which guards do and do not need to be CE marked, with additional notes that explain the reasoning.
Follow the link to order a PDF copy of CE marking of machine guards to the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, or email [email protected].
