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HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE FEATURE

performance of a machine or complex

assembly is also essentially creating a new
machine, which must comply.
Also, if you are at the start of a project
where the finish date is towards the end of
2009 or the beginning of 2010, you may need
to start using the new Directive now, as you
will not be able to produce a final
declaration under the current Directive after
December 29th.
Alterations to the EHSRs are too
numerous to detail here, but affect issues
such as: ergonomics, operating positions,
seating, lighting, manual controls, starting
machinery, stability of machinery, protection
devices, machinery instructions, plus
machinery for foodstuffs and for cosmetic
and pharmaceutical products.
There are also key changes to the
Declaration of Conformity and the person

Prepare for a
who is authorised to compile the Technical
File must be established in the European
Community. Where appropriate there must
be a statement confirming declaration of
conformity with other applicable directives
and there is no longer a separate declaration

new Directive for safety components.

Control systems, says the Directive, must
be designed and constructed in a way that
will prevent a hazardous situation arising.
Manual controls must be clearly visible and
identifiable; the use of pictograms is
The new Machinery Directive comes into operation on recommended. And an operator must, from
each control position, be able to ensure that
29 December this year. Its implications are far reaching, no one is in the danger zone – even if that
affecting most businesses in one way or another, and the means that the machinery can be controlled
penalties for non-compliance are serious. Paul Laidler of only from positions in one or more
predetermined zones or locations.
Laidler Associates explains There are obviously many more issues
contained within the new Machinery

F
or the purposes of the directive, a
machine is defined as ‘an assembly of
linked parts or components at least
one of which moves, with the appropriate
actuator, control and power circuits, joined
together for a specific application, in
particular for the processing, treatment,
moving or packaging of a material’. The term
machinery also covers an
assembly of machines, which
don’t, our employees may be injured.’
However, another answer is that all the
European directives are brought into UK law
by the issue of Regulations, which mean that
if you don’t comply you are committing a
criminal offence punishable by fines and
possibly imprisonment.
So how do you comply?’ The short
answer is:
• Demonstrate compliance with the
Directive, and it is vital that business
organisations move in good time to make
sure that they comply.
The new Machinery Directive is a
necessary move forward in this day and age,
with increasing movement of businesses and
their plant within the European community,
and with growing importance placed on the
health, safety and wellbeing of the people
that work with or near the machinery. But it

KEY FACTS: w
are controlled so that they
function as an integral whole,
essential health and safety requirements
• Carry out the appropriate conformity
still places a demanding requirement on a
vast range of businesses.
• 29 December – ne such as a production line. assessment procedure The decision that needs to be made is
ive
Machinery Direct The scope also includes items • Draw up and issue the Declaration of whether there is sufficient manpower, let
into op erat ion such as safety components, Conformity or Incorporation. alone expertise, in-house to carry out the
comes
esse s an d lifting accessories and • Apply the CE Mark. necessary risk assessments and make changes
• Affects proc chains, ropes and webbing, It isn’t just machines and safety - or whether the task should be outsourced.
systems as well as construction site hoists and components that are affected, though. Either way, companies need to make sure
ty devices for the lifting of
machines and safe Processes and systems are also involved, and that they are completely up to date, properly
persons with reduced if you are creating a complex assembly, such informed and ultimately compliant.
components mobility. as a production line, by interlinking a series • Laidler Associates specialises in helping
e
• Key changes to th When asked the of existing machines you are in effect organisations comply with directives and
Declaration of question: ‘Why do we have creating something new – so the whole obtain CE marking.
Conformity to comply?’ the answer assembly must comply with the Directive. ENTER 85931 Tel: +44 (0) 8700 111375
should really be ‘because if we Similarly, altering the function or ipesearch.com/enquiry

38 INDUSTRIAL PLANT & EQUIPMENT IRELAND • MAR/APR 2009 visit us online at: www.ipeireland.com