Not all machinery is straightforward to CE mark.
Original article date: October 1999
DAVE KIRTON of Laidler Associates here offers some informed advice on how to handle machines that fall into Annex IV of the Machinery Directive
Known simply as annex IV, this important section of the Machinery Directive refers to machines and equipment that is considered to be especially dangerous: devices that cut, compress and inject. In other words, machinery that is capable of causing serious injury or death.
Because of their classification within the Machinery Directive, Annex IV machinery – or the relevant technical file – has to be assessed by a Notified Body and it is absolutely essential that companies and individuals make sure that they are in compliance.
Failure to comply is to risk severe censure from the Health and Safety Executive. In the event of an accident, the cost in terms of litigation could be extremely damaging.
Some types of machinery falling into the Annex IV area include:
- Circular saws (single or multi-bladed) for working with wood and similar materials, meats and analogous materials; chainsaws.
- Sawing machines; hand-fed moulding machines.
- Presses, including press brakes, for the cold working of metals, with manual loading and/or unloading, whose moving working parts may have a travel exceeding 6mm and a speed exceeding 30mm/s.
- Injection or compression plastics-moulding machines with manual loading or unloading.
- Underground machinery such as locomotives and brake vans, hydraulically-powered roof supports and internal combustion engines.
- Guards and detachable transmission shafts with universal joints.
- Vehicle servicing lifts.
Clearly Annex IV covers all sectors and refers to what the originators of the directive considered especially dangerous equipment. Under the Machinery Directive, Annex IV applies only to machinery that came onto the market after 1 January 1993 (the introduction date for the New Directives) and was enforceable from 1 January 1995. Any applicable machinery that was operational before that date is not included.
The ‘responsible person’ for Annex IV machinery is required to follow a series of special procedures. He may choose between:
- Drawing up and forwarding the technical file to an approved body for the purpose of conformity assessment procedures. The approved body will acknowledge receipt of the file as soon as possible and keep it.
- Submitting the technical file to an approved body for verification that the transposed harmonised standards have been correctly applied. The body then draws up a certificate of adequacy, sending a copy to the responsible person.
- Submitting to an approved body an example of the machinery or safety component for EC type examination.
For many people the importance of compliance only hits home when they have to deal with an accident and all of the implications that brings with it. There is a simpler and much safer solution: take some time to ensure that your machines are safe.
- Laidler Associates
October 1999