Following best practices for SN EN ISO 14118:2018 compliance is crucial for ensuring machinery safety and readiness for audits, minimizing risks associated with unexpected start-ups.

Best practices at a glance

This section introduces a checklist of best practices that align with the SN EN ISO 14118:2018 clauses. The practices focus on preventing unexpected start-up, managing energy disconnection, and ensuring effective risk assessments to maintain safety in machinery operations.

The practices

1. Implement General Measures to Prevent Unexpected Start-Up
   Establish protocols to mitigate the risk of machinery starting unexpectedly. This is essential to safeguard personnel working near dangerous zones. Refer to Clause 5 of SN EN ISO 14118:2018; such measures are a foundational component of compliant systems.

2. Ensure Manual Energy Disconnection and Discharge Procedures
   Design systems that allow for manual energy disconnection and ensure energy sources are properly discharged before maintenance. This practice reduces the risk of accidental activation during servicing, aligning with Clause 6, which emphasizes energy control.

3. Install Signaling and Warning Systems for Delayed Start
   Equip machinery with visual or audible signals to inform operators of impending starts. This proactive measure is critical to alerting personnel and preventing accidents, as outlined in Clause 7 of the standard.

4. Develop Energy Separation and Discharge Methods
   Create specific procedures for energy separation to ensure all energy sources are effectively managed. This practice is essential for compliance with Clause 8, which focuses on energy discharge techniques, further enhancing safety during maintenance.

5. Design Procedures to Avoid Unintended Start Commands
   Incorporate design features that prevent unintentional commands from being executed. This practice is vital to uphold safety and operational integrity, as indicated in Clause 9, which discusses control system design principles.

6. Conduct Rigorous Risk Assessments for Specific Machines
   Regularly perform risk assessments tailored to specific machinery to identify potential hazards and establish mitigation strategies. This crucial practice aligns with Clause 10 of SN EN ISO 14118:2018, ensuring that all risks are adequately addressed.

7. Consider All Types of Energy Sources
   Evaluate and manage the risks associated with various energy sources, including electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems. This comprehensive approach is part of the requirements in Clause 11, which ensures all energy types are accounted for in safety measures.

8. Comply with Safety-Related Parts of Control Systems
   Ensure that the safety-related parts of control systems are designed in accordance with relevant standards. This is essential for maintaining compliance with ISO 14118:2017 and is addressed in Clause 12, which outlines specific criteria for control systems.

Audit preparation checklist

• Implement general measures to prevent unexpected start-up.
• Ensure manual energy disconnection and discharge procedures are in place.
• Install signaling and warning systems for delayed start.
• Develop energy separation and discharge methods.
• Design procedures to avoid unintended start commands.
• Conduct rigorous risk assessments for specific machines.
• Consider all types of energy sources in safety planning.
• Comply with safety-related parts of control systems.

Next steps

To further enhance compliance with ISO 14118:2017, consider investing in training for staff, consulting implementation guides, or purchasing the standard for comprehensive insights into best practices and requirements.