This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at Requisitos de seguridad en el diseño y fabricación de máquinas y componentes

Safety requirements in the design and manufacture of machines and components

15/10/2003

In this issue we begin to see annex 1 of the R.D.1435 with the title "Essential requirements for safety and health relating to the design and manufacture of machinery and safety components". Special attention deserves the "Definitions" section.

For the purpose of the present 1, the term "machine" means, either the "machine" as defined in paragraph 2 of article 1, either "safety component" as defined in that same paragraph. (Added by Royal Decree 56/1995)

Preliminary observations

The obligations laid down by the essential health and safety requirements only apply when the machine that concerned, used under the conditions laid down by the manufacturer, the corresponding risk. In any event, requirements 1.1.2, 1.7.3 and 1.7.4 apply to all machines in this Royal Decree.
The essential requirements of safety and health set forth in this annex are imperatives. However, it is possible that, as has the State of the art, not attainment of the objectives which those requirements set. In this case, and as far as possible, the machine must be designed and constructed for approaching those objectives.
The essential health and safety requirements have been grouped according to the dangers that cover.

Machinery presents a series of hazards which may be included in different chapters of this annex.

The manufacturer is obliged to analyse the risks to inquire which of these dangers can present your machine, and then proceed to its design and construction taking into account the carried out analysis. (Added by Royal Decree 56/1995)

1. Essential health and safety requirements

1.1 General information

1.Definiciones

In accordance with this annex, means:

"Danger zone", any zone within and/or around a machine in which the presence of an exposed person suppose a risk to the safety or health of the same.
'Exposed person', any person, entirely or in part, in a dangerous area.
«Operator», the (s) person (s) charge (s) to install, implement, regulate, maintain, clean, repair, or carry a machine.

2. Principles of safety integration

(a) by the same construction, machines must be suitable to perform its function, its regulation and maintenance without people are exposed to any danger when operations are carried out under the conditions laid down by the manufacturer.

The measures to be taken should be aimed to eliminate accident risks including the phases of Assembly and dismantling, even where risks of accident arise from foreseeable abnormal situations during the foreseeable useful life of the machine.

(b) by choosing the most appropriate solutions, the manufacturer shall apply the following principles, in the order listed:

-Eliminate or reduce risks as far as possible (integration of safety in the design and manufacture of the machine).
-Take the measures of protection from risks which can not be eliminated.
-Inform users of the residual risks due to the incomplete efficiency of protection measures adopted, indicate whether special training is required and indicate if a personal protective equipment is necessary.

(c) to the design and manufacture the machine, and when drafting the instructions, the manufacturer must be provided not only a normal machine use, but also the use which the machine can be expected in a reasonable manner.

When the abnormal use of the machine there is a risk, it shall be designed to avoid the use of abnormally. Where appropriate, instructions of employment they must be the user contraindications for use of the machine which, according to the experience, may arise.

(d) under the intended conditions of use, must be reduced to the minimum possible the discomfort, fatigue and psychological stress (stress) operator, taking into account ergonomic principles.
(e) the manufacturer, at the stage of design and manufacturing, will take into account the discomfort that the operator can suffer due to the necessary or foreseeable use of equipment (for example, footwear, gloves, etc.).
(f) the machine shall be submitted with all equipment or accessories essential and special so that it can be regulated, maintained and used without risk.