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HSE_Steve  
#1 Posted : 11 April 2013 09:12:55(UTC)
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HSE_Steve

Hi everyone, I was asked a question yesterday which is outside my area, but with me being the safety guy I said I'd try and help. Is there any set frequency with which e-stops should be inspected or tested? My initial answer was that it would almost certainly depend upon the risk associated with each particular e-stop failing to do what it was meant to, but this wasn't based on anything other than my gut reaction. Is there any industry guidance anyone could point me in the direction of? Many thanks in advance. Steve
jfw  
#2 Posted : 11 April 2013 22:22:02(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
jfw

I'm not aware of a set frequency listed in a standard, but in my last organisation, a multi-national with approx 400 manufacturing sites in Europe, it was group policy that every one was tested weekly and recorded. This was done during normal production, with each time a controlled stop being required, a different E-Stop was used until they had been all tested. The only exception was E-Stops that would cause waste product and these were tested at start-up on a Monday morning before material was fed into the machines.
HSE_Steve  
#3 Posted : 16 April 2013 11:12:35(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
HSE_Steve

Thanks JFW, sounds spot on. I've passed it on to the guy who asked me. thanks again. Steve
Johnmann  
#4 Posted : 16 April 2013 14:22:19(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Johnmann

It will depend on the design of the E-stop which in turn will depend on the level of hazard. Many E-stop buttons are dual circuit (2 sets of switch contacts) so if one contact becomes stuck on, the system will detect this as a fault. However if a single-circuit E-stop becomes stuck on, you have no way of knowing this until you press the button and nothing happens. These systems require very regular testing.
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