Duties on Manufacturers & Suppliers

European Standards relating to machinery

Intended to ensure that all machinery throughout the EC was constructed to the same standards of h&s

Contained in Annex 1 to the Machinery Directive and as an appendix to BSEN 292-2

Requirements: Hierarchy of control defined (PoP)

Construction of machine

Lighting

Safe handling

Controls

Protection against mechanical hazards

Characteristics of guards/protective devices

Protection against other hazards

Maintenance

Indicators

Marking

Instructions

Annex IV of Machinery Directive lists certain types of high-risk machine, including: Circular saws

Woodworking machines

Presses

Injection moulding machines

Locomotives

Passenger carrying vehicles used underground

This specified machinery is required to be subject to a type examination prior to approval being given

Application is made which contains:

Name and address of manufacturer

Technical file (see later)

Example of machine or details of where one may be examined

Notified body verifies information and issues EC-type examination certificate.

CE mark can then be fixed and machine can be sold openly throughout EC

For machinery not covered in Annex IV, approval process is one of self-certification on the basis that technical file is produced and reviewed and machinery meets the requirements of the Directive.

The manufacturer must just draw up a technical file, upon which he bases his approval

Consists of all relevant material upon which manufacturer bases decision as to whether to sign the CE declaration of conformity

Signature completes declaration, allowing CE marking to be affixed

Not all info has to be kept together, but it must be made available within reasonable time when requested

Consists of: Drawings of machine

Drawings of control circuitry

Details of tests carried out against essential h&s requirements

Description of methods adopted to eliminate hazards

Any technical reports obtained to support declaration

Any test results against harmonised standards carried out

Measures taken to ensure production machinery is to same standard

Drawing up the declaration procedure whereby responsible person declares machinery which he supplies into EC complies with all the essential h&s requirements applying to it

It includes: Name and address of responsible person and

manufacturer

Description of machinery including: Make

Type

Serial no.

Indication of all provisions with which machinery complies

State the name and address of approved body which issued type approval (if applicable)

Signature of responsible person

Can only be applied when a declaration of conformity is supplied, or for the high risk machinery, the approvals process confirms compliance

Marking must include the following information (indelible): Name and address of manufacturer

CE mark (to include year of construction)

Designation of series or type

Serial no., if any

If designed for such, info regarding use in an explosive atmosphere

Any safety related info regarding the machinery in use e.g. max speed of rotating parts

Type A: Basic Safety - Applicable to all machines

Type B: Group Safety - Dealing in a single safety aspect that can be applied to a wide range of machines

Type B1: Specific safety aspect e.g. noise, lighting

Type B2: Safety devices, guards, interlocks etc.

Type C: Detailed standards that apply to specific groups of machine or a single type of machine e.g. chainsaws

The standard for Type A is BSEN 292 “Safety of Machinery” and is in 2 part

Annex 1 of the Machinery Directive “Essential H&S Requirements” is included as appendix to BSEN 292-2

2 Parts:

Part 1 - Safety of Machinery: Covers basic concepts, general principles for design

Part 2 - Safety of Machinery: Covers basic concepts, general principles for design and technical principles and specification

Intended to assist designers, manufacturers and other interested bodies to interpret the essential H&S requirements in order to achieve conformity with European Legislation

Describes principals for machinery RA

Procedures described for identifying hazards and estimating and evaluating risk

Appendix table includes examples of hazards grouped under headings: Mechanical

Electrical

Noise

Vibrations

Materials and Substances

Ergonomics

Manufacturers responsibilities: RA to identify and assess hazards that could be present when

machine is used Design out significant hazards and ensure design satisfies EHSRs

and is designed in accordance with applicable standards Incorporate measures such as physical barriers to prevent access to

dangerous parts; or safeguard against other hazards that cannot be designed out

Provide warning signs for hazards that cannot be designed out or safeguarded (e.g. noisy machine signs)

Fix CE marking to show that it complies with EHSRs Issue “Declaration of Conformity” for machine Provide user with instructions on how to install use and maintain

safely Keep information, explaining what has been done and why, in a

technical file