Procter Guide to Machinery Guarding Standards, 12th Edition

The latest edition of On Your Guard can be downloaded free of charge as a PDF from the Procter Machine Safety website. It will be very helpful for machine designers and also specifiers of machinery and machine guarding, plus anyone modifying or upgrading guarding on existing plant and equipment. People who possess previous editions of the guide are being encouraged to download the new edition containing the current machinery safety standards. Since the guide was first published as a four-page pamphlet in 2002 it has been continually updated and enhanced to ensure readers have access to the latest information about standards for machine guarding and machine safety in general.

Harmonised and other standards

At the start of the revised guide there are new statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) relating to fatalities and injuries involving machinery. Where necessary, the section of the guide listing standards and similar documents has been brought up to date. In total over 100 items are listed, with the tables being organised to show A-Type, B-Type and C-Type standards that are harmonised to the Machinery Directive, plus non-harmonised standards and other publications.

Having recently rebranded from Procter Machine Guarding to Procter Machine Safety, the company's latest edition of On Your Guard also shows the new branding and contact details.

In common with earlier editions, this updated machine safety guide includes important background information about current health and safety regulations, the UK's Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations and their relationship with the European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, together with the Directive's requirements in terms of CE marking machinery and machine guards. Risk assessment and risk reduction are also covered, and the guide contains a wealth of practical advice on designing machine guards to comply with the applicable standards and regulations. Other topics discussed are materials of construction, lighting, noise reduction, fasteners, safety distances and ergonomics.

The 12th edition of On Your Guard - A Designer's Guide to Machinery Guarding Standards is written by Steve Allen CMSE, who is a Member of standards committee BSI MCE/3 (Safeguarding of machinery) and is National Sales Manager at Procter Machine Safety. He has been involved with machine guarding for over 25 years and has an internationally recognised qualification as a Certified Machinery Safety Expert (TUV Nord). Steve Allen has the benefit of both a detailed knowledge of machinery safety standards and many years' experience of their practical application.

Anyone with responsibility for specifying, designing, installing or maintaining machine guards, whatever the nature of the machine, will find the latest edition of this guide to machinery guarding standards essential reading. PDF copies are available via the Free Downloads section of the Procter Machine Safety website.