Risk assessment on machines with ce marking and with embedded industry 4.0 enabling technologies

Abstract

The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC introduced the obligation for the manufacturer to carry out risk assessment on machines in the design and construction phase according to a structured and iterative process as described in the ISO 12100 standard that also provides the aspects to be taken into account to identify all hazards and the associated risk. However, the rapid technological development that is characterizing the fourth industrial revolution is leading to equipping the machines with increasingly sophisticated sensors and technologies and this implies new assessments on the safety aspects. In particular, new human–machine interaction, smart machines with learning ability, machines equipped with sensors that report in real time their operating and health status thanks to the connection made possible by the Internet of Things, the potentiality of augmented reality, are all aspects that now must be considered. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to show the risk assessment process by proposing the well-suited techniques used in each of its phases and to highlight the new safety aspects to be taken into account when the machines with CE marking are equipped with the Industry 4.0 enabling technologies. Future developments in standardization and research in this direction will be tracked.