Safety Requirements for Packaging Machinery & Packaging-Related Converting Machinery
Companies involved in packaging need to use this standard when considering machine safety. Much of it is modeled after the ANSI B11.19-2003, but this rendition adds some considerations that are specific to packaging requirements, as well as expanding on the previous machine guarding standards. Of particular note is the emphasis this standard places on risk assessment.
The Harmonization of US, ISO and IEC Standards
It is probably also worth mentioning that this standard is the first since NFPA 79 that intentionally attempts to be, and states that it is, harmonized with an ISO standard. Companies should also be aware that this is more than a trend. The unofficial word is that most, if not all, US, ISO and IEC standards are intended to be harmonized in upcoming years.
Packaging & Packaging-Related Converting Machine Safety
This standard was adopted in June, 2006 and it states that packaging and packaging-related converting machines should be in compliance within 30 months of the adoption of the standard.
B155.1, like many previous standards, discusses:
- Risk Assessment (the basics and procedures)
- Hierarchy of Control
ANSI B155.1 also states that the following additional standards must be applied as needed:
- ANSI B11.TR4
- ANSI B11.19
- NFPA 79
- ISO 13849-1
- ISO 13849-2
- ISO 13849-100
- ISO 13850
- IEC 62061
- IEC 60204-1
- IEC 61508
Safety & Reliability in Fluid Power
B155.1 addresses an important aspect of machine safety that has been ignored for many years: the necessity for safety and reliability in fluid power (pneumatic and hydraulic systems). This is the first standard that addresses this important issue. “When pneumatic/hydraulic valves are incorporated into a safety stopping function, they shall be redundant and monitored for both fault and diminished performance as determined by the risk assessment.” Stating this in layman’s terms: B155.1 calls for Control Reliability in fluid power.
Control Reliable Programmable Electronic Systems (PES)
The standard also emphasizes the necessity and desirability for using Control Reliable Programmable Electronic Systems (PES). This is a further enhancement of the requirements set by RIA 15.06, NFPA 79 and ANSI B11.19. Look for future U.S. safety standards to continue the trends set by this important vertical standard.
If you have questions regarding ANSI B155.1, contact us today for help.
ANSI/PMMI B155.1-2016 Update
ANSI/PMMI B155.1- is one of the best written safety standards available today. This standard provides excellent descriptions and detail for end users as well
as suppliers for requirements regarding overall machine safety from risk assessment of a new machine to decommissioning. See the chart to the right for examples.
Many standards address mechanical and electrical issues, B155.1 again addresses fluid power (both hydraulic and pneumatic) requirements. This standard set the example for this aspect in 2006 and has enhanced definitions for fluid power that exceed anything yet addressed in U.S. safety standards.
B155.1 goes into great detail to explain not only what risk assessment is, but also how to conduct a risk assessment. Detail is provided for both supplier and end user for all aspects of machine life- from design to decommissioning. Requirements for supplier risk assessment and documentation of risk assessment are provided in clear detail. No supplier after reading this document can claim to not know what was required before designing and shipping a machine for the packaging market.
In the 100 page document, over 50 pages are devoted to examples of risk assessment methods and procedures as well as excellent illustrations of processes and potential injury examples that users can review.
This standard could provide the basis for basic machine safety for any company whether using packaging machinery or not. B155.1-2016 sets the standard for providing a clear path to operator safety through risk assessment.
