Safety Light Curtain Testing
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommend that the maximum period between each periodic inspection and test is six months for type 4 ESPE and 12 months for type 2 ESPE, but this will depend on the equipment it is fitted to and the risk as a whole.
Only competent persons to carry out the periodic inspections and tests, with the results of the inspection and test recorded and a copy of this record kept by the user.
Additional information can be found in the HSE guidance document HSG180.
During an ESPE audit, Safemach use state of the art test equipment to verify the installation and operation of safety light curtains and safety scanners.
How Safe is your installation?
With physical safety fences, the positioning can be checked against the applicable standard, however, verifying the safe position and operation of safety light curtains and scanners against BS EN 13855 is not so easy without specialist equipment. This is why we see between 45% – 50% of safety light curtains and scanners are installed incorrectly.
During the ESPE audit; we test the resolution of the ESPE to ensure all arrays are working, measure the actual stop time and safe distance based on the installation and finally, check that the installed device is suitable for the installation. A comprehensive test report is provided together with any recommendations.
We also support machinery OEM’s with the positioning of light curtains and safety scanners.
What Next?
Please contact Safemach to discuss your safety light curtain and scanner audit requirements and to arrange a site visit by one of our certified safety engineers.