The Supply of Machinery Safety Regulations

Equipment conforming to harmonized standards and complying with the UK regulation that incorporates the requirements of the relevant EU directive, such as the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1998 and its amendments, can be marketed throughout the EU without restriction. Harmonized standards are divided into four categories ... 

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 in its requirement to determine safety of use so far as is reasonably practicable The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 in the essential safety requirement to eliminate or reduce risks as far as possible. 

The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 (SMSR) - which relates to the safety standards of new plant and machinery which has been purchased since 1 January 1993. One of its aims is to promote the freer movement of goods between Member States using safety standards as the criteria. 9 The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) -which is concerned with the use of plant and equipment that had been purchased for use at work before 1 January 1993, i.e. existing plant at that date. 

All new machinery purchased since 1 January 1993 must comply with the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 (SMSR) which incorporate the contents of the EU Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to machinery (Machinery Directive, no 89/392/EEC and subsequent amendments). These Directives were aimed at removing barriers to the free movement of machinery between member states and used safeguarding as their criteria. 

PUWER applies to the safeguarding and safe use of all equipment, machinery and plant used in any work place. However, where machinery is concerned, any that was purchased after 31 December 1992 should comply vsnth the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 (SMSR) (see Section 13.1)... 

The construction of all new cranes bought since 1 January 1993 should comply with the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 and carry the CE mark. Cranes should be used and maintained in accordance with LOLER. Both these Regulations refer to ... 

The ROPS must meet international standards such as ISO 3471 1994. All mobile equipment safeguards should comply with the essential health and safety requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations but need not carry a CE marking. 

The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 entered into force on 1 January 1993, although there was a transitional period to 31 December 1994 during which the manufacturer or importer into the European Community was able to choose between either the Community regime described below or complying with the health and safety legislation in force on 31 December 1992. 

The Regulations do not apply to safety components and machinery for lifting persons first supplied in the European Economic Area before 1 January 1995. Such products first supplied on or after 1 January 1995 must comply either with the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations or the UK health and safety legislation in force relating to these items on 14 June 1993. All such products first supplied after 1 January 1997 must comply with the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations. 

In the context of safety-related control systems, the Essential Health and Safety Requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 lay down generic requirements that must be considered by suppliers for the safety and reliability of control systems control devices starting and stopping devices mode selection failure of the power supply and the control circuit software and movable guards. 

Photoelectric safety devices are safety components , as defined in the Supply of Machinery Safety Regulations 1992. A notified body, who will use BS EN 61496 as the baseline standard, must therefore check their conformity with the Regulations. The standard lays down general requirements for electrosensitive protective equipment, in Part 1, with Part 2 specifying particular requirements for photoelectric systems. For example, the standard specifies two types of device according to their fault tolerance. Type 2 and Type 4 ... 

FRRSs must be capable of being opened and closed manually by the fire service in the direction of the approach when positioned across fire fighting routes. Power operated FRRSs must be provided with a Declaration of Conformity and following installation should be CE labelled in accordance with the EC Machinery Directive. Power operated FRRSs also fall within the scope of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992. Where an FRRS is held in the open position there should be controlled descent when the automatic selfclosing device operates. 

The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 in the essential safety requirement to eliminate or reduce risks as far as possible. 

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