Maschinenschutzvorrichtungen

Maschinenschutz, or machine safety, encompasses the measures intended to prevent injuries and occupational illnesses caused by machinery. It covers the entire life cycle, from design and manufacture to use, maintenance, and decommissioning. Core concerns include guarding and safeguarding devices, safety interlocks, safe start and stop methods, and safe operating procedures to address hazards such as moving parts, pinch points, sharp edges, and ejected debris.

A central framework is risk assessment following international standards such as ISO 12100, which guides hazard identification and risk reduction using the hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls (guards and safety devices), warning systems and interlocks, administrative measures, and personal protective equipment. Standards also cover the performance of safety-related parts of control systems (SRECS) and require verification and validation.

Regulatory regimes vary by region. In the European Union, the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC requires conformity assessment and CE marking. Designers and operators must document the risk assessment, implement protective measures, and ensure ongoing maintenance, inspections, and testing of safety systems. With increasing automation and collaborative robots, supplementary analyses and safeguards are often needed.

Common measures include fixed guards and interlocked gates, emergency stop devices, safety-rated control circuits, safeguarding by design, lockout/tagout procedures for maintenance, and clear operating instructions. Effective Maschinenschutz reduces injury risk and downtime, supports regulatory compliance, and promotes a safety culture through training, auditing, and continuous improvement.