Focus on safetyWhile the Machinery Directive specifically concerns developers and machine builders, the EU Use of Work Equipment Directive is aimed at operators or users. The focus is on (machinery) safety in the workplace. Pilz helps companies all over the world to implement laws and directives internationally.
Laws of the EU Member States are subject to change
National legislation on plant and operational safety is subject to numerous EU directives and has been continuously amended in recent years. The laws of the EU Member States for the provision and use of products on the market have also been harmonised as a result.
National regulations gave way to European requirements in respect of properties
The erosion of national regulations through European requirements in respect of properties has been particularly significant, most recently in the field of plant and machinery subject to monitoring. When operating this equipment, the Use of Work Equipment Directive 2009/104/EC is mandatory at European level.
EU directive with national characteristics
Essentially, each country has its own implementation of the Use of Work Equipment Directive; for example, the law in Great Britain is called PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations), in France it is Décret n° 93-40, while Germany has the industrial safety regulations [Betriebssicherheitsverordnung (BetrSichV)] and Austria the occupational health and safety act [ArbeitnehmerInnenschutzgesetz (ASchG)].
Companies bear greater responsibility for safety
A common factor in all these implementations is that company owners bear greater responsibility for the safety of their operation. This increases entrepreneurial freedom but also creates a commitment in terms of the actual implementation of the laws. Hazards must be assessed, plant and safeguards tested, intervals determined, test results documented and staff trained.
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