Automation Canada Machine Safety Issue - 18

THE NEW MACHINE SAFETY LIFECYCLE CNT'D.
The second concept we mentioned was safety-related parts of the
control systems, the proper due diligence process known as the
machine life cycle, shown in the image above, should align with the
machine safety life cycle.
The first step must be performed during the concept design stage of
the machine and where the procedure known as the safety concept
must be performed, this procedure will result in a preliminary risk
assessment and it involves the collaboration of the machine user,
personnel in charge of the work area and the designer of the machine.
The previously mentioned step is what we can call the missing link in
most processes and is the most important to ensure a successful
outcome. In this occasion, we'll use ANSI B11.0 (safety requirements for
machinery and machinery systems) as a reference, to compare the
machine life cycle and machine safety life cycle.
The preliminary risk assessment obtained in the first step has to be
complemented with a detailed Risk Assessment in the design of the
machine and working environment of the machine, although there are
many guidelines out there, the suggestion is to follow the requirements
of ANSI B11.0 for North America or the international standard ISO
12100. Remember that these analyses are the foundation of your safety
solution so they must be thoroughly carried out. Sadly and most of the
time, this is where companies lose tremendous amount of money by
implementing deceiving safety solutions. We must understand that
there is nothing more dangerous than having poorly safety solutions
implemented; a deceiving impression of safety to the personnel that
interacts with the machine could lead to accidents with much more
severe consequences.
It is also important to have a certified machine functional safety expert
in the team performing the risk assessment to overlook the process and
make sure the proposed solutions are according to the standards.
The next step is the functional requirements, as the name implies, in
this step we have to understand the different functional modes of
operation of the machine, here is where we must achieve an adequate
C A N A D I A N A U TO M AT I O N

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 6

18
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Automation Canada Machine Safety Issue

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