Machine Safety In The Usa; Minimum Requirements Of The Osha - Siemens SINUMERIK Series Function Manual

9.3

Machine safety in the USA

9.3.1 Machine safety in the USA
A key difference between the USA and Europe in the legal requirements regarding safety at
work is that, in the USA, no legislation exists regarding machinery safety that is applicable in
all of the states and that defines the responsibility of the manufacturer/supplier. A general
requirement exists stating that employers must ensure a safe workplace.
9.3.2

Minimum requirements of the OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) from 1970 regulates the requirement that
employers must offer a safe place of work. The core requirements of OSHA are specified in
Section 5 "Duties".
The requirements of the OSH Act are managed by the "Occupational Safety and Health
Administration" (also known as OSHA). OSHA employs regional inspectors who check whether
or not workplaces comply with the applicable regulations.
The OSHA regulations are described in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.xxx ("OSHA Regulations (29
CFR) PART 1910 Occupational Safety and Health"). (CFR: Code of Federal Regulations.)
http://www.osha.gov
The application of standards is regulated in 29 CFR 1910.5 "Applicability of standards". The
concept is similar to that used in Europe. Product-specific standards have priority over general
standards insofar as they cover the relevant aspects. Once the standards are fulfilled,
employers can assume that they have fulfilled the core requirements of the OSH Act with
respect to the aspects covered by the standards.
In conjunction with certain applications, OSHA requires that all electrical equipment and
devices that are used to protect workers be authorized by an OSHA-certified, "Nationally
Recognized Testing Laboratory" (NRTL) for the specific application.
In addition to the OSHA regulations, the current standards defined by organizations such as
NFPA and ANSI must be carefully observed and the extensive product liability legislation that
exists in the US taken into account. Due to the product liability legislation, it is in the interests
of manufacturing and operating companies that they carefully maintain the applicable
regulations and are "forced" to fulfill the requirement to use state-of-the-art technology.
Third-party insurance companies generally demand that their customers fulfill the applicable
standards of the standards organizations. Self-insured companies are not initially subject to
this requirement but, in the event of an accident, they must provide verification that they have
applied generally-recognized safety principles.
Safety Integrated
Function Manual, 10/2015, 6FC5397-3EP40-5BA3
Standards and specifications
9.3 Machine safety in the USA
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