The standard is set for machine safety

The new standard for the safety of machinery has finally been published.

AS 4024.1"2006 replaces part one of the older Safeguarding of Machinery " General Principles (AS 4024"1996) and according to Sonja Screpis at SAI Global, the changes are significant.

"The industry has been waiting for this one for a while, as it was a big revision," she told Safety Solutions. She said there are now 26 parts to the one standard, which also includes European (EN) and internationally-based (ISO) standards as well as some modifications to meet Australia's tough safety practices and regulations.

The Standard encompasses the principles of safety in relation to the design of controls, interlocks and guarding as well as ergonomic requirements such as human body measurements, safety distances and gaps, and displays, controls, actuators and signals.

In conjunction with Standards Australia, SAI Global will distribute copies of Safety of Machinery. The company will also host a one-day seminar to explain the new standard throughout Australia. The seminar begins in Sydney on 31 July and concludes in Perth on 24 August.

Wendy Cramer, Editor