Rank: New forum user 
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We have a number of case packer palletiser machines that use a robot arm to pick and place the finished product cases onto a pallet. The latest version of one of the machines has an e-stop within the confines of the guarded robot area. Someone has raised the issue of inconsistent standards across the machines because other similar equipment do not have e-stops inside the machine guard confines. My understanding is that e-stops should not be fitted to be used as a safe guard control e.g. to be used to stop machinery during inadvertent start up if you are situated next to the potential hazard. A situation such as this would demonstrate insufficient hazard control. The case packer palletiser machines have a relatively small footprint and the guard confines are visible from the control panel. Q1 - Do we need to adopt a SSoW that is above and beyond a trained operator checking within the guard confines before equipment start up (visible from the control panel)? The check would be to ensure that machine was clear of any persons. Q2 - Is the thinking of fitting an e-stop within the confines of controlled guard system flawed? I have asked for the rationale/risk assessment but nothing has been documented? Thanks in advance for any support on this. Bill
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Rank: Forum user
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Sorry Bill, not quite sure I understand exactly.
Do the other machines have e-stops outside the guarding?
If workers are not within the guarding during operation having an e-stop within the area seems pointless.
The whole point of e-stops is that they are able to shut down a machine in an emergency and to my mind, if a machine has guarding to prevent access while it is working then there should be some kind of locking devise and authorisation needed if someone wants the key, much the same as locking a control panel. i.e. the person who is authorised to enter the controlled area has the key with them and the control panel can't be re-activated until they bring the key back.
Edited by user 02 March 2018 14:40:51(UTC)
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Is this E-Stop described in the suppliers O&M / shown on the as built drawings? Couple of options: 1) It was a Friday afternoon and someone had the installation drawing back to front 2) The supplier has updated the general design for all markets and it looks odd because your market version also has an enclosure
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Rank: Super forum user
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Is this E-Stop described in the suppliers O&M / shown on the as built drawings? Couple of options: 1) It was a Friday afternoon and someone had the installation drawing back to front 2) The supplier has updated the general design for all markets and it looks odd because your market version also has an enclosure
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