Product category:
Safety and Safety Systems
News Release from: Siemens Automation and Drives | Subject: E-Stop device safety
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 07 December 2006
E-Stop devices can put lives at risk
Safety experts at Siemens Automation and Drives are warning that continual failure of some manufacturers to meet BS EN418 safety standards for E-Stop devices, is putting lives at risk
Siemens warn industry - Suppliers are putting lives at risk by failing to meet E-Stop safety standards! Safety experts at Siemens Automation and Drives are warning that continual failure of some manufacturers to meet BS EN418 safety standards for E-Stop devices, is putting lives at risk Recent reports of malfunctions on a variety of emergency stop buttons have reached the company, increasing an already growing concern as to the safety of OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) across the UK
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 10 Apr 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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The warning was given further impetus with the recent product quality recall action by a well-known supplier.
A central failure in the latching function (non tease-proof) from their listed 'push-pull' E-stop devices ensures non-compliance with BS EN418 and more alarmingly the possibility that machinery could restart with panel builders still inside! Paul Easton, the UK Product Manager for Command Devices for Siemens Automation and Drives division, said: "It is obvious that the companies supplying E-stop devices should be doing more to ensure that machine builders are fitting equipment which complies categorically with BS EN418.
The severity of this issue cannot be ignored: incorrect E-stops can cause accident, injury or even fatality!".
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BS EN418 states that all E-Stops must be 'tease-proof', in short, the ability of the device to guarantee a latching function when initial pressure is applied to the E-stop creating a signal.
The machine cannot be restarted until the emergency situation has been cleared and manual intervention closes the safety circuit.
Non tease-proof devices can send a signal without assurance that a latching function has taken place (circuits therefore remain closed), meaning a machine could be re-started without completion of safety checks.
This is not the first time Siemens has warned against the dangers associated with the incorrect use of E-stops.
Misleading descriptions within some suppliers' literature has been a fundamental problem for a number of years, encouraging customers prioritise price ahead of technical choice.
Easton continues: "Siemens has found that the importance of tease-proof functionality is often hidden within the small print of certain brochures.
It is clear that some manufacturers are still not complying with the regulations by providing and listing non tease-proofs mushrooms as E-stops.
It is essential that these products are listed correctly.
In the absence of clear advice, buyers often choose a non tease-proof device, even though the cost advantage is seldom more than a few pence.".
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