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The durability of the materials used must be adequate for the nature of the working environment foreseen by the manufacturer or his authorised representative, in particular as regards the phenomena of fatigue, ageing, corrosion and abrasion.

The instructions must indicate the type and frequency of inspections and maintenance required for safety reasons. They must, where appropriate, indicate the parts subject to wear and the criteria for replacement.

Where a risk of rupture or disintegration remains despite the measures taken, the parts concerned must be mounted, positioned and/or guarded in such a way that any fragments will be contained, preventing hazardous situations.

Both rigid and flexible pipes carrying fluids, particularly those under high pressure, must be able to withstand the foreseen internal and external stresses and must be firmly attached and/or protected to ensure that no risk is posed by a rupture.

Where the material to be processed is fed to the tool automatically, the following conditions must be fulfilled to avoid risks to persons:

- when the workpiece comes into contact with the tool, the latter must have attained its normal working condition,

- when the tool starts and/or stops (intentionally or accidentally), the feed movement and the tool movement must be coordinated.

1.3.3. Risks due to falling or ejected objects

Precautions must be taken to prevent risks from falling or ejected objects.

1.3.4. Risks due to surfaces, edges or angles

Insofar as their purpose allows, accessible parts of the machinery must have no sharp edges, no sharp angles and no rough surfaces likely to cause injury.

1.3.5. Risks related to combined machinery

Where the machinery is intended to carry out several different operations with manual removal of the piece between each operation (combined machinery), it must be designed and constructed in such a way as to enable each element to be used separately without the other elements constituting a risk for exposed persons.

For this purpose, it must be possible to start and stop separately any elements that are not protected.

1.3.6. Risks related to variations in operating conditions

Where the machinery performs operations under different conditions of use, it must be designed and constructed in such a way that selection and adjustment of these conditions can be carried out safely and reliably.

1.3.7. Risks related to moving parts

The moving parts of machinery must be designed and constructed in such a way as to prevent risks of contact which could lead to accidents or must, where risks persist, be fitted with guards or protective devices.

All necessary steps must be taken to prevent accidental blockage of moving parts involved in the work. In cases where, despite the precautions taken, a blockage is likely to occur, the necessary specific protective devices and tools must, when appropriate, be provided to enable the equipment to be safely unblocked.

The instructions and, where possible, a sign on the machinery shall identify these specific protective devices and how they are to be used.

1.3.8. Choice of protection against risks arising from moving parts

Guards or protective devices designed to protect against risks arising from moving parts must be selected on the basis of the type of risk. The following guidelines must be used to help to make the choice.

1.3.8.1. Moving transmission parts

Guards designed to protect persons against the hazards generated by moving transmission parts must be:

- either fixed guards as referred to in section 1.4.2.1, or

- interlocking movable guards as referred to in section 1.4.2.2.

Interlocking movable guards should be used where frequent access is envisaged.

1.3.8.2. Moving parts involved in the process

Guards or protective devices designed to protect persons against the hazards generated by moving parts involved in the process must be:

- either fixed guards as referred to in section 1.4.2.1, or

- interlocking movable guards as referred to in section 1.4.2.2, or

- protective devices as referred to in section 1.4.3, or

- a combination of the above.

However, when certain moving parts directly involved in the process cannot be made completely inaccessible during operation owing to operations requiring operator intervention, such parts must be fitted with:

- fixed guards or interlocking movable guards preventing access to those sections of the parts that are not used in the work, and

- adjustable guards as referred to in section 1.4.2.3 restricting access to those sections of the moving parts where access is necessary.

1.3.9. Risks of uncontrolled movements

When a part of the machinery has been stopped, any drift away from the stopping position, for whatever reason other than action on the control devices, must be prevented or must be such that it does not present a hazard.

1.4. Required characteristics of guards and

protective devices

1.4.1. General requirements

Guards and protective devices must:

- be of robust construction,

- be securely held in place,

- not give rise to any additional hazard,

- not be easy to by-pass or render non-operational,

- be located at an adequate distance from the danger zone,

- cause minimum obstruction to the view of the production process, and

- enable essential work to be carried out on the installation and/or replacement of tools and for maintenance purposes by restricting access exclusively to the area where the work has to be done, if possible without the guard having to be removed or the protective device having to be disabled.

In addition, guards must, where possible, protect against the ejection or falling of materials or objects and against emissions generated by the machinery.

1.4.2. Special requirements for guards

1.4.2.1. Fixed guards

Fixed guards must be fixed by systems that can be opened or removed only with tools.

Their fixing systems must remain attached to the guards or to the machinery when the guards are removed.

Where possible, guards must be incapable of remaining in place without their fixings.

1.4.2.2. Interlocking movable guards

Interlocking movable guards must:

- as far as possible remain attached to the machinery when open,

- be designed and constructed in such a way that they can be adjusted only by means of an intentional action.

Interlocking movable guards must be associated with an interlocking device that:

- prevents the start of hazardous machinery functions until they are closed and

- gives a stop command whenever they are no longer closed.

Where it is possible for an operator to reach the danger zone before the risk due to the hazardous machinery functions has ceased, movable guards must be associated with a guard locking device in addition to an interlocking device that:

- prevents the start of hazardous machinery functions until the guard is closed and locked, and

- keeps the guard closed and locked until the risk of injury from the hazardous machinery functions has ceased.

Interlocking movable guards must be designed in such a way that the absence or failure of one of their components prevents starting or stops the hazardous machinery functions.

1.4.2.3. Adjustable guards restricting access

Adjustable guards restricting access to those areas of the moving parts strictly necessary for the work must be:

- adjustable manually or automatically, depending on the type of work involved, and

- readily adjustable without the use of tools.

1.4.3. Special requirements for protective devices

Protective devices must be designed and incorporated into the control system in such a way that:

- moving parts cannot start up while they are within the operator's reach,

- persons cannot reach moving parts while the parts are moving, and

- the absence or failure of one of their components prevents starting or stops the moving parts.

Protective devices must be adjustable only by means of an intentional action.

1.5. Risks due to other hazards

1.5.1. Electricity supply

Where machinery has an electricity supply, it must be designed, constructed and equipped in such a way that all hazards of an electrical nature are or can be prevented.

The safety objectives set out in Directive 73/23/EEC shall apply to machinery. However, the obligations concerning conformity assessment and the placing on the market and/or putting into service of machinery with regard to electrical hazards are governed solely by this Directive.

1.5.2. Static electricity

Machinery must be designed and constructed to prevent or limit the build-up of potentially dangerous electrostatic charges and/or be fitted with a discharging system.

1.5.3. Energy supply other than electricity

Where machinery is powered by source of energy other than electricity, it must be so designed, constructed and equipped as to avoid all potential risks associated with such sources of energy.

1.5.4. Errors of fitting

Errors likely to be made when fitting or refitting certain parts which could be a source of risk must be made impossible by the design and construction of such parts or, failing this, by information given on the parts themselves and/or their housings. The same information must be given on moving parts and/or their housings where the direction of movement needs to be known in order to avoid a risk.

Where necessary, the instructions must give further information on these risks.

Where a faulty connection can be the source of risk, incorrect connections must be made impossible by design or, failing this, by information given on the elements to be connected and, where appropriate, on the means of connection.

1.5.5. Extreme temperatures

Steps must be taken to eliminate any risk of injury arising from contact with or proximity to machinery parts or materials at high or very low temperatures.

The necessary steps must also be taken to avoid or protect against the risk of hot or very cold material being ejected.

1.5.6. Fire

Machinery must be designed and constructed in such a way as to avoid any risk of fire or overheating posed by the machinery itself or by gases, liquids, dust, vapours or other substances produced or used by the machinery.

1.5.7. Explosion

Machinery must be designed and constructed in such a way as to avoid any risk of explosion posed by the machinery itself or by gases, liquids, dust, vapours or other substances produced or used by the machinery.

Machinery must comply, as far as the risk of explosion due to its use in a potentially explosive atmosphere is concerned, with the provisions of the specific Community Directives.

1.5.8. Noise

Machinery must be designed and constructed in such a way that risks resulting from the emission of airborne noise are reduced to the lowest level, taking account of technical progress and the availability of means of reducing noise, in particular at source.

The level of noise emission may be assessed with reference to comparative emission data for similar machinery.

1.5.9. Vibrations

Machinery must be designed and constructed in such a way that risks resulting from vibrations produced by the machinery are reduced to the lowest level, taking account of technical progress and the availability of means of reducing vibration, in particular at source.

The level of vibration emission may be assessed with reference to comparative emission data for similar machinery.

1.5.10. Radiation

Undesirable radiation emissions from the machinery must be eliminated or be reduced to levels that do not have adverse effects on persons.

Any functional ionising radiation emissions must be limited to the lowest level which is sufficient for the proper functioning of the machinery during setting, operation and cleaning. Where a risk exists, the necessary protective measures must be taken.

Any functional non-ionising radiation emissions during setting, operation and cleaning must be limited to levels that do not have adverse effects on persons.

1.5.11. External radiation

Machinery must be designed and constructed in such a way that external radiation does not interfere with its operation.

1.5.12. Laser radiation

Where laser equipment is used, the following should be taken into account:

- laser equipment on machinery must be designed and constructed in such a way as to prevent any accidental radiation,

- laser equipment on machinery must be protected in such a way that effective radiation, radiation produced by reflection or diffusion and secondary radiation do not damage health,

- optical equipment for the observation or adjustment of laser equipment on machinery must be such that no health risk is created by laser radiation.

1.5.13. Emissions of hazardous materials and substances

Machinery must be designed and constructed in such a way that risks of inhalation, ingestion, contact with the skin, eyes and mucous membranes and penetration through the skin of hazardous materials and substances which it produces can be avoided.

Where a hazard cannot be eliminated, the machinery must be so equipped that hazardous materials and substances can be contained, evacuated, precipitated by water spraying, filtered or treated by another equally effective method.

Where the process is not totally enclosed during normal operation of the machinery, the devices for containment and/or evacuation must be situated in such a way as to have the maximum effect.

1.5.14. Risk of being trapped in a machine

Machinery must be designed, constructed or fitted with a means of preventing a person from being enclosed within it or, if that is impossible, with a means of summoning help.

1.5.15. Risk of slipping, tripping or falling

Parts of the machinery where persons are liable to move about or stand must be designed and constructed in such a way as to prevent persons slipping, tripping or falling on or off these parts.

Where appropriate, these parts must be fitted with handholds that are fixed relative to the user and that enable them to maintain their stability.

1.5.16. Lightning

Machinery in need of protection against the effects of lightning while being used must be fitted with a system for conducting the resultant electrical charge to earth.

1.6. Maintenance

1.6.1. Machinery maintenance

Adjustment and maintenance points must be located outside danger zones. It must be possible to carry out adjustment, maintenance, repair, cleaning and servicing operations while machinery is at a standstill.

If one or more of the above conditions cannot be satisfied for technical reasons, measures must be taken to ensure that these operations can be carried out safely (see section 1.2.5).

In the case of automated machinery and, where necessary, other machinery, a connecting device for mounting diagnostic fault-finding equipment must be provided.

Automated machinery components which have to be changed frequently must be capable of being removed and replaced easily and safely. Access to the components must enable these tasks to be carried out with the necessary technical means in accordance with a specified operating method.

1.6.2. Access to operating positions and servicing points

Machinery must be designed and constructed in such a way as to allow access in safety to all areas where intervention is necessary during operation, adjustment and maintenance of the machinery.

1.6.3. Isolation of energy sources

Machinery must be fitted with means to isolate it from all energy sources. Such isolators must be clearly identified. They must be capable of being locked if reconnection could endanger persons. Isolators must also be capable of being locked where an operator is unable, from any of the points to which he has access, to check that the energy is still cut off.

In the case of machinery capable of being plugged into an electricity supply, removal of the plug is sufficient, provided that the operator can check from any of the points to which he has access that the plug remains removed.

After the energy is cut off, it must be possible to dissipate normally any energy remaining or stored in the circuits of the machinery without risk to persons.

As an exception to the requirement laid down in the previous paragraphs, certain circuits may remain connected to their energy sources in order, for example, to hold parts, to protect information, to light interiors, etc. In this case, special steps must be taken to ensure operator safety.

1.6.4. Operator intervention

Machinery must be so designed, constructed and equipped that the need for operator intervention is limited. If operator intervention cannot be avoided, it must be possible to carry it out easily and safely.

1.6.5. Cleaning of internal parts

The machinery must be designed and constructed in such a way that it is possible to clean internal parts which have contained dangerous substances or preparations without entering them; any necessary unblocking must also be possible from the outside. If it is impossible to avoid entering the machinery, it must be designed and constructed in such a way as to allow cleaning to take place safely.

1.7. Information

1.7.1. Information and warnings on the machinery

Information and warnings on the machinery should preferably be provided in the form of readily understandable symbols or pictograms. Any written or verbal information and warnings must be expressed in an official Community language or languages, which may be determined in accordance with the Treaty by the Member State in which the machinery is placed on the market and/or put into service and may be accompanied, on request, by versions in any other official Community language or languages understood by the operators.

1.7.1.1. Information and information devices

The information needed to control machinery must be provided in a form that is unambiguous and easily understood. It must not be excessive to the extent of overloading the operator.

Visual display units or any other interactive means of communication between the operator and the machine must be easily understood and easy to use.

1.7.1.2. Warning devices

Where the health and safety of persons may be endangered by a fault in the operation of unsupervised machinery, the machinery must be equipped in such a way as to give an appropriate acoustic or light signal as a warning.

Where machinery is equipped with warning devices these must be unambiguous and easily perceived. The operator must have facilities to check the operation of such warning devices at all times.

The requirements of the specific Community Directives concerning colours and safety signals must be complied with.

1.7.2. Warning of residual risks

Where risks remain despite the inherent safe design measures, safeguarding and complementary protective measures adopted, the necessary warnings, including warning devices, must be provided.

1.7.3. Marking of machinery

All machinery must be marked visibly, legibly and indelibly with the following minimum particulars:

- the business name and full address of the manufacturer and, where applicable, his authorised representative,

- designation of the machinery,

- the CE Marking (see Annex III),

- designation of series or type,

- serial number, if any,

- the year of construction, that is the year in which the manufacturing process is completed.

It is prohibited to pre-date or post-date the machinery when affixing the CE marking.

Furthermore, machinery designed and constructed for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere must be marked accordingly.

Machinery must also bear full information relevant to its type and essential for safe use. Such information is subject to the requirements set out in section 1.7.1.

Where a machine part must be handled during use with lifting equipment, its mass must be indicated legibly, indelibly and unambiguously.

1.7.4. Instructions

All machinery must be accompanied by instructions in the official Community language or languages of the in which it is placed on the market and/or put into service.

The instructions accompanying the machinery must be either "Original instructions" or a "Translation of the original instructions", in which case the translation must be accompanied by the original instructions.

By way of exception, the maintenance instructions intended for use by specialised personnel mandated by the manufacturer or his authorised representative may be supplied in only one Community language which the specialised personnel understand.

The instructions must be drafted in accordance with the principles set out below.

1.7.4.1. General principles for the drafting of instructions

(a) The instructions must be drafted in one or more official Community languages. The words "Original instructions" must appear on the language version(s) verified by the manufacturer or his authorised representative.

(b) Where no "Original instructions" exist in the official language(s) of the country where the machinery is to be used, a translation into that/those language(s) must be provided by the manufacturer or his authorised representative or by the person bringing the machinery into the language area in question. The translations must bear the words "Translation of the original instructions".

(c) The contents of the instructions must cover not only the intended use of the machinery but also take into account any reasonably foreseeable misuse thereof.

(d) In the case of machinery intended for use by non-professional operators, the wording and layout of the instructions for use must take into account the level of general education and acumen that can reasonably be expected from such operators.

1.7.4.2. Contents of the instructions

Each instruction manual must contain, where applicable, at least the following information:

(a) the business name and full address of the manufacturer and of his authorised representative;

(b) the designation of the machinery as marked on the machinery itself, except for the serial number (see section 1.7.3);

(c) the EC declaration of conformity, or a document setting out the contents of the EC declaration of conformity, showing the particulars of the machinery, not necessarily including the serial number and the signature;

(d) a general description of the machinery;

(e) the drawings, diagrams, descriptions and explanations necessary for the use, maintenance and repair of the machinery and for checking its correct functioning;

(f) a description of the workstation(s) likely to be occupied by operators;

(g) a description of the intended use of the machinery;

(h) warnings concerning ways in which the machinery must not be used that experience has shown might occur;

(i) assembly, installation and connection instructions, including drawings, diagrams and the means of attachment and the designation of the chassis or installation on which the machinery is to be mounted;

(j) instructions relating to installation and assembly for reducing noise or vibration;