Safety of Machinery

This type-A standard applies to new, existing, modified or rebuilt power driven machines, not portable by hand while working, that are used to process materials by cutting; forming; pressure; electrical, thermal or optical techniques; lamination; or a combination of these processes.  This includes associated equipment used to transfer material or tooling, including fixtures, to assemble/disassemble, and to inspect or test.  The associated equipment, including logic controller(s) and associated software or logic together with the machine actuators and sensors, are considered a part of the industrial machinery. 

This standard specifies basic terminology, principles and a methodology for achieving acceptable risk in the design and the use of machinery.  It specifies principles of risk assessment and risk reduction to help designers, integrators and users of machinery in achieving this objective.  These principles are based on knowledge and experience of the design, use, incidents, accidents and risks associated with machinery.  Procedures are described for identifying hazards and estimating and evaluating risks during relevant phases of the machine life cycle, and for the elimination of hazards or the provision of sufficient risk reduction.  Guidance is given regarding the documentation and verification of the risk assessment and risk reduction process.

Other industry sectors may benefit from applying this standard.  A risk assessment may be required to determine if a machine-specific “base” (type-C) safety standard adequately covers the hazards associated with the specific application of a machine. 

Where a machine-specific (type-C) safety standard exists, the requirements of the machine-specific “base” (type-C) safety standard shall generally apply.  Deviations from the requirements of this standard or from any machine-specific (type-C) safety standard shall be based on a documented risk assessment.