Example on prioritizing according to the 5-step-methodProtection or warning?How is it possible to choose safety measures that are production friendly and in every way well balanced? The Machinery Directive gives an order of priority for the choice of appropriate methods to remove the risks. Here it is further developed in a five step method.Prioritize safety measures according to the 5-step-method1. Eliminate or reduce risks by design and construction2. Move the work tasks outside the risk area 3. Use guards/safety devices4. Develop safe working routines/information/education5. Use warnings as pictograms, light, sound etc.Combine the 5-step-method with production friendly thinking. This can give you e.g. –fast and easy restart of machines after a safety stop –enough space to safely program a robot –places outside the risk area to observe the production –electrically interlocked doors, instead of guards attached with screws, to be able to take the necessary measures for removing production disturbances –a safety system that is practical for all types of work tasks, even when removing production disturbancesPriority Example of hazard and safety measure taken1. Make machine safe by design and constructionHazard:Safety measure:Cuts and wounds from sharp edges and corners on machineryRound off sharp edges and corners.2. Move the work tasks out-side the risk areaHazard: Crushing of fingers from machine movements during inspection of the production inside the risk areaSafety measure: Installation of a camera.3. Use guard/safety devicesHazard: Crushing injuries because of unintended start during loading of work pieces in a mechanical pressSafety measure: Install a light curtain to detect operator and provide safe stop of the machinery.4. Safe working routines/informationHazard: Crushing injuries because the machine can tip during installation and normal use.Safety measure: Make instructions on how the machine is to be installed to avoid the risks. This can include requirements on the type of fastening, ground, screw retention etc.5. WarningHazard: Burns because of hot surfaces in reachSafety measure: Warning signsThe likelihood that the safety solution will be well made, well received and suitable for the application increases if each risk is handled according to the 5-step-method.The further away from the center of the circle, the greater responsibility for the safety is placed onto the user of the machine. If full protection is not effectively achieved in one step, one has to go to the next step and find complementary measures. What is possible is dependant on the need for accessibility, the severity of the risk, appropiate safety measures etc. 1INTRODUCTION1– 9
