Posted to News on 10th Aug 2008, 14:18
Updated guide lists new machine guarding standards
Procter Machine Guarding has published a new version of its popular free guide to machinery guarding standards. This fifth edition of On Your Guard includes important standards that have been introduced over the past 12 months.
* STOP PRESS Procter Machine Guarding has now published a Eighth Edition.
Guarding is essential if a machine is to operate safely, but machine designers, health and safety managers, health and safety representatives and guarding specifiers are often unaware of the full range of applicable regulations and standards. On Your Guard not only helps in this respect, but it also indicates what the current versions of the standards are so that users can ascertain whether or not they are working with up-to-date standards. As one of the UK's leading suppliers, Procter Machine Guarding is fully aware of the applicable standards in the UK, Europe and beyond, so is well placed to share some of this knowledge.
The On Your Guard guide explains the importance of guarding and the ways in which well-designed guards can enhance productivity while ensuring operator safety. It then goes on to describe the requirements of machinery guarding in relation to the Machinery Directive and CE Marking (often an area of confusion and misunderstanding), before listing the main British, European and International standards for machinery and conveyor guarding. One of the most recently published standards and an important addition to On Your Guard is BS EN ISO 13857:2008 Safety of machinery. Safety distances to prevent hazard zones being reached by upper and lower limbs.
As well as providing information about standards, the guide also offers advice on risk assessments, how to approach the design of guarding and the specification of the access control system (interlock switches, for example). This will aid the design of cost-effective guards that will deliver an appropriate level of safety and help to deter operators and maintenance personnel from the dangerous practice of attempting to bypass safety measures.
At the rear of the guide there are sections covering Useful Resources and Further Information - which includes contact details for organisations such as the HSE and BSI.
Copies of On Your Guard can be requested free of charge from Procter Machine Guarding by e-mailing [email protected] or go to the Free Downloads section of the company's website.
