Strong partners

For safe machines and processes

Risk and hazard assessment

At a glance

General information on risk and hazard assessment in industry

EU Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230

With the new EU Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, which will gradually replace the previous Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and will be fully applicable from January 2027, the topic of safety will become even more important. The regulation specifies the requirements for the design, documentation and conformity assessment of machinery and also lays down stricter requirements for digital aspects such as software, AI functions and networking.

Both manufacturers and operators are obliged to verifiably assess, document and continuously ensure the safety of their machines.

Risk and hazard assessment

The risk and hazard assessment is an essential step for safety and legal compliance in the industrial environment. The manufacturer carries out a risk assessment in order to identify and evaluate hazards on machinery at the design stage and minimize them by taking suitable measures. The operator prepares a risk assessment that takes into account the actual operating conditions and ensures that the machine is used safely during operation.

Together, the two procedures help to identify risks at an early stage and ensure the protection of employees, processes and investments.

CE marking

A professional risk assessment by the machine manufacturer forms the basis for CE marking and helps companies to implement legal requirements efficiently. The CE marking makes the certified safety in machine-based environments visible and confirms that a machine meets the European health and safety requirements. The new EU Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, which replaces the previous Machinery Directive, further specifies and expands these requirements. The regulation does not only apply to machinery itself: Manufacturers of protective fence systems must also comply with the specified basic health and safety requirements if their products are used as safety-relevant protective facilities. In this way, the regulation contributes to a consistently high level of safety in the industrial environment.

SEIS MAQUINARIA, S.L

SEIS MAQUINARIA, S.L. is a company based in Spain that specializes in safety in industrial machinery. The team of experts at SEIS combines comprehensive technical know-how with many years of experience in consulting, project implementation and training in the areas of machine safety and occupational health and safety.

The focus is on the development, evaluation and optimization of safety systems that ensure both occupational safety and high operational efficiency. SEIS engineers analyze machines and processes, identify potential risks and implement customised technical solutions – from safety devices and interlocking systems to holistic protection concepts in accordance with European directives and national regulations.

Hoogewerf Safety Solutions

Hoogewerf Safety Solutions offers customized services for a safe, healthy and legally compliant working environment. The team of experts has extensive experience in machine safety, working conditions and safety behavior and culture. The range of services includes advice on legal requirements, CE coordination, risk assessments, safety concepts, testing, quick scans, technical documentation and TÜV-certified training. Efficient and practical safety solutions are developed with in-depth expertise, comprehensive support and a high level of technical competence. Hoogewerf Safety Solutions is part of Hoogewerf Engineering with interdisciplinary expertise.

Phoenix Contact

Under a global umbrella brand, Phoenix Contact offers innovative products, solutions and digitalization expertise for the electrification, networking and automation of all sectors of the economy and infrastructure. The family-owned company thus enables industry and society to transform into a sustainable world with long-term growth prospects for all. The core business is organized into three divisions. In new business areas, the potential of digitalization, electrification and changing mobility is also being tapped beyond the core business. With pioneering connection and automation technology, Phoenix Contact is developing solutions for the world of tomorrow together with customers and partners.
In addition to the product and solution business, Phoenix Contact offers its customers a comprehensive portfolio of consulting, engineering and inspection services as well as seminars. All services are designed independently of specific products and support customers in the implementation of European and national laws and standards. This applies in particular to the areas of industrial security, CE marking, occupational safety and process safety.

Manufacturer of safety switches

At a glance

General safety switch knowledge

Escape release

In the event of danger, the escape release device must enable unlocking from the danger area/machine side without the use of aids. The device must be hand operated and act positively on the locking device. Actuation must lead to permanent blocking of the guard locking (see also auxiliary unlatching device).

Emergency unlatching / emergency unlocking

Emergency unlocking is used to unlock a guard locking device in an emergency. Unlocking can be carried out from the access/external side without any tools. During emergency unlocking, the switch engages in the unlocked position and can only be reset to the initial position with a repair-like effort.

Safety Integrity Level (SIL)

Safety Integrity Level is the level that describes the probability that a safety-related system will perform the required safety functions as required under all specified conditions within a specified period of time. For this purpose, the Safety Integrity Level to be achieved (SILr; the “r” stands for “required”) is compared with the “actual” SIL that is achieved.

Auxiliary unlatching

If a guard locking device fails, it can be unlocked from the access/exterior side using an auxiliary unlatching device. Unlocking is done with a tool or a key. The auxiliary unlatching device should be secured against misuse (seal, varnish).

Performance Level (PL)

Discrete level that specifies the ability of safety-related parts of a control system to perform a safety function under foreseeable conditions (definition according to standard DIN EN ISO 13849). Put simply, the performance level is a measure of the reliability of a safety function. A distinction is made between the performance level to be achieved (PLr; the “r” stands for “required”) and the “actual” PL that is actually achieved. There are five performance levels that stand for different residual risks.