PSNet
The UK safety requirements for equipment are based on the EU Directives
that have been empowered in the last couple of years (and into next year). This
included the Machinery Directive (since '95), the EMC Directive (now in '96),
and the electrical safety requirements of the Low Voltage Directive (effective 1
Jan '97).
Equipment which contains substantive hazards usually has to meet all
three Directives. Semiconductor manufacturing equipment usually falls under all
of them - especially as they contain mechanical handlers or other non-electrical
hazards. The Machinery Directive specifically addresses risk assessment (which
is required) in detail. Protection from the risks identified must be dealt
with; interlocks are commonly used to meet the requirements. The degrees of
protection provided by interlocks are differentiated in the analysis. For
instance, for the most hazardous situations redundant interlocks are required.
J Burns mention of interlocks for protection from ionizing radiation
seems like such a case. I'm not familiar with Castell interlock, but the
reference seems to confirm my comment.
Annex I of the Machinery Directive has an extensive checklist for
manufacturers who need guidance for evaluating their equipment against the
requirements of the Directive.
:>) br, Pete Perkins
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Peter E Perkins
Principal Product Safety Engineer
Tigard, ORe 97281-3427
503/452-1201 phone/fax
[email protected] email
visit our www site :
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages
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