Machine directives are standards that are transcribed into law, describing safety regulations for machinery builders/developers.
Examples of such standards are:
- Australian Standard AS4024 - Safeguarding of machinery.
- Canadian Standard CSA Z432-04 - Safeguarding of machinery.
- USA Standard NFPA 79 - Electrical standard for industrial machinery.
- European Standard IEC 60204 - Safety of machinery – Electrical equipment of machines
Standards like these end up in directives like the European Union (EU) Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC).
The standards themselves are not technically laws, but the law specifies you have to conform to it (just like building codes). And honestly, they're more legalese than technical in nature. However, there's a good possibility some technical knowledge is required to answer them.
Would questions about these standards and/or directives be welcome here? If so, are there any specific hazards to keep in mind when asking questions about such?
