Application manual for YRB-4EML-31S safety relay
Contrinex AG Industrial Electronics
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Safety of machines and systems
In modern industrial production, the amount of complex technical equipment used is
constantly increasing. The purpose of safety technology is to reduce the risk to people,
working animals, the environment, and machines as far as possible, and to at least a
reasonable degree. The availability of production equipment should not be restricted any
more than is absolutely necessary.
Safety is relative. There is no such thing as an absolutely safe machine. However, since the
opening of the European single market, manufacturers and operators of machines and
technical equipment are legally bound to observe European directives for the design and
operation of machines and systems.
When adhering to harmonized standards (assumed effect), which apply to a machine or
piece of technical equipment, it is assumed that they comply with legal regulations when
launched.
The Machinery Directive is one of the most important single market directives. It is of such
importance because machine construction is one of the industrial mainstays of the
European Economic Area. The Machinery Directive defines the requirements machinery
must meet before it can be placed on the market and operated in the European Economic
Area. It also contains essential health and safety requirements for the planning and
construction of machinery and safety components.
Every machine or system poses a risk. According to the requirements of the Machinery
Directive, a risk assessment must be carried out for every machine.
If the risk is greater than the level of risk that can be tolerated, risk reduction must be
implemented.
Standard EN ISO 12100
“Safety of machinery - General principles for design - Risk
assessment and risk r
eduction” describes the risks to be considered and the general
principles for design to reduce risk, and describes risk assessment and risk reduction as a
repetitive process to achieve safety. All phases in the life of the machine are therefore
assessed.
Procedure
Design-related
measures
All implemented?
Safety measures
All implemented?
Organization
Risk
Figure 1
Risk reduction in machines
