Current legislation and regulations

EC Directive 89/655 provides ‘minimum requirements’ regarding safety and health of employees while using equipment at work.’ Some examples: the employer must take appropriate measures to reduce the risks to a minimum. (Art. 4) (Each piece of equipment must be equipped with clearly identifiable devices with which it can be disconnected from all of its sources of energy. It must be possible for maintenance work to take place while the machine is shut down. (App. 3.13) During maintenance work, it must be possible for personnel to reach all necessary points under constantly safe conditions. This European directive already applies in the Netherlands and Belgium (BS 2 Sept 93).

OSHA Regulations (USA)

According to the OSHA regulations for the control of hazardous energy (1910.147), employers are required to establish regulations for the placement of suitable locking systems on energy-bearing devices and switching off equipment during work. This prevents the unplanned supply of energy, ensures that equipment cannot be switched on accidentally and that stored energy cannot be released. All of this is in the interest of preventing physical injury to personnel.