Definition:
Machinery safety refers to the field of practices, design principles, and standards that aim to protect people from injury caused by moving mechanical equipment. It is governed by numerous frameworks that vary depending on location. It is prevalent in sectors like manufacturing, robotics, and material handling.
Machinery safety is NOT the same as functional safety as defined by IEC 61511. However, overlap exists, and this can confuse engineers. For example, a risk assessment is always performed on the machine which may have documents like a risk matrix which a 61511-1 program could. Additionally, components used in machinery safety—such as safety PLCs, STO-enabled VFDs, and instruments—may be SIL certified.
SIL Safe fully supports the use of SIL related components for other industries! The IEC 61508 process is exceptional at creating high quality and reliable components. Keep in mind that SIL ratings can be used for various programs.
Key Points:
- Focused on protecting against mechanical and motion-related hazards.
- Governed by differing standards and laws depending on location.
- May use components that are SIL-rated under IEC 61508.
- Distinct from functional safety governed by IEC 61511.
Example:
A packaging line in Germany uses a safety-rated light curtain to shut down a robotic arm if someone reaches into a hazardous zone. The robot meets the definition of “machine” per the EU Machinery Safety Directive and triggers the machinery safety program. A risk assessment is performed and it is decided to use SIL 2 sensors for the light curtain.
See also: STO, EU Machinery Directive
Cited Source:
- IEC 62061: Safety of machinery – Functional safety of safety-related control systems
- ANSI B11 series – the main machinery safety standard for the US
- NFPA 79 – machinery safety, more for electrical requirements
- 29 CFR 910 Subpart O – US code for machinery safety
- ISO 13849-1: Safety of machinery – Safety-related parts of control systems
- IEC 61508: Functional safety of electrical/electronic/programmable systems
- Directive 2006/42/EC – EU Machinery Directive