Rockwell Automation Helps Packaging Machine Builders Meet October Risk Assessment Compliance Deadline

Rockwell Automation Helps Packaging Machine Builders Meet October Risk Assessment Compliance Deadline

Safety services specialists help machine builders comply with safety standards to reduce the risk of injuries and improve productivity

MILWAUKEE.— Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) is helping packaging machine builders comply with the ANSI/PMMI B155.1 standard, which will apply to all packaging and related converting machinery shipped after Oct. 25, 2008 (the end of the compliance window defined by the B155.1 committee).

The requirements for packaging machinery and packaging-related converting machinery introduced in 2006 include a risk-assessment standard (ANSI/PMMI B155.1-2006) to help machine builders identify safeguarding requirements and define the required control circuit architecture and safety performance level. The standard is not a regulation, however compliance with it can help machine builders take proactive steps to reduce risks to an acceptable level over the life cycle of the packaging machinery as well as document the risk assessment process.

Rockwell Automation safety specialists are knowledgeable in the requirements of the B155.1 standard and will help machine builders comply by conducting a risk assessment. This evaluation includes documentation and assistance to help individual machine builders apply the appropriate level of safety integration for their specific needs.

In addition to risk assessments, Rockwell Automation also provides the following Safety Services to help machine builders achieve their safety-related objectives at any step of a safeguarding project.

Arc Flash Services: Help reduce the risk of employee injury from electrical arc flash/blast and the resulting release of dangerous levels of heat energy, fire, molten materials, vaporized solids that can be inhaled, flying shrapnel, and rapid expansion of air, all capable of causing severe and sometimes fatal injuries. Arc Flash Services include:

* Electrical Power Systems Analysis
* Overcurrent Protective Device Coordination Analysis
* Arc Flash Safety Training
* Hazard Analysis and Mitigation
* Short Circuit Current Analysis
* One-line Diagrams

CE Mark Conformity Services: Helps manufacturers meet all applicable CE marking directives before sale in the European Union. This service spans 13 elements, including issuance of a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) indicating conformity of the referenced product to the listed provisions of application directives and standards.

Safety System Validation Services: Validating that a safety system performs to meet design requirements helps avoid unexpected problems. This service provides comprehensive tests and analysis to help provide proper system installation and functionality by evaluating circuit performance, fault tolerance, fault action, software logic, device application, device function and reset actions for all modes of operation.

Safety Circuit Analysis: This service verifies that safety circuit design meets applicable standards. These standards may include EN-954 Category B,1,2,3 or 4, ANSI B11.TR3 Control Reliable, Single Channel with monitoring, Single Channel or others you specify. Services include drawing evaluation (and redlining if not compliant for customer’s revision), re-evaluation of corrected drawings, third-party evaluation and letter of conformity to the defined safety circuit architecture.

Safety Systems Design and Integration Services: Rockwell Automation will provide a turn-key safety solution encompassing a wide selection of machine safety components and services. These services include project management, system architecture design, panel design, material procurement (including third-party hardguarding products), assembly, software development, hardware/software integration testing, factory acceptance and startup assistance.

Hazard Assessment: Identifies safeguarding deficiencies and recommends a machine guarding solution compliant with current safety standards and designed to meet production and maintenance needs.

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Assessment: Complete analysis of a system with recommendations for training, marking/labeling, and hardware to improve the LOTO process.

Machine Stop-Time Analysis: These services include stop-time measurements and safe distance calculations to assure compliancy of light curtain, two-hand control, area scanners and safety mat installations. They will also help to determine ergonomic and operational advantages of safeguarding options.

Safety Seminars
To help companies stay current on safety-related topics, Rockwell Automation Training Services is holding one-day machine safety seminars at locations across the United States. The seminars are designed for those in both leadership and technical roles. Michael Duta, a safety consultant with more than 23 years of engineering experience, will conduct the sessions. Duta has in-depth knowledge of applicable safety standards (ANSI, OSHA, EN, IEC, ISO, NFPA), and is skilled in electrical and mechanical integration with regard to machine safety – encompassing safety relays to safety PLCs.

Seminar topics include “Components of a Successful Machine Safety Program,” “OSHA Compliance,” “Standards + Technology and Improving the Bottom Line,” “Safety Component Applications Based on Machine Safety Standards,” “Safety Circuit Design,” and “Risk Assessment Methodology.”