Risk assessment is key in new safety standardRisk assessment is key in new safety standard

The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI [www.pmmi.org]) has published the new B155.1-2006 safety standard for packaging and packaging-related converting machinery. This revised version, approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI [www.ansi.org]), is harmonized with the international (ISO) and European (EN) standards by the introduction of hazard identification and risk assessment as the principal method for analyzing hazards to personnel and achieving acceptable risk.

The requirements of this standard apply to new, modified or rebuilt industrial and commercial machinery that performs packaging functions for primary, secondary and tertiary packaging. The standard describes procedures for identifying hazards, assessing risks and reducing risks to an acceptable level over the life cycle of the packaging machinery, encouraging risk-assessment activities during the design stage of the equipment.

“Both suppliers and users of packaging machinery have responsibilities for defining and achieving acceptable risk for operating specific equipment,” states Fred Hayes, director of technical services at PMMI. “Although the responsibilities of the supplier and the user differ over the life cycle of the packaging machinery, under the revised standard, each uses the same risk-assessment process.”

This edition of the standard integrates the requirements of ISO 12100 Parts 1 and 2, and ISO 14121, as well as U.S. standards. Suppliers meeting the requirements of ANSI/PMMI B155.1-2006 should conform to the requirements of these three ISO standards, which will facilitate meeting the requirements for CE certification.

“The driver for harmonizing the international, European and ANSI/PMMI standards is to achieve a 'one standard, one conformity assessment, ship anywhere' status for manufacturers,” adds Hayes. “The revised B155.1 standard gives real-world guidance on how to conduct the recommended risk assessment, ultimately helping manufacturers build safer and more productive machinery that can be shipped all over the world.”

The first version of the PMMI B155.1 standard was approved by ANSI in 1973. The 2006 edition, the fifth version approved by ANSI, underwent the most substantial revisions since its inception and includes comments from 28 industry professionals, including representatives from machinery builders, safety experts and packaging machinery end users.

The new safety standard is available for $65 on www.pmmi.org (located under “Shop PMMI”) or by contacting Fred Hayes at [email protected] or by phone at 888/275-7664.