All machines designed, built, and sold by Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing undergo a thorough Safety Risk Assessment.  All Isthmus Project Managers are trained in completing both hazard-based and task-based risk assessments.  In addition, a cross-functional ISTHMUS team provides oversight and expertise to all projects on an ongoing basis. We use an objective scoring method based on several applicable industry standards, including ANSI 12100 and ISO 13849 (parts 1 and 2) standards. The assessment process begins during machine design and is reviewed by the project team and customer team prior to final design approval.  Completion of the preliminary assessment may reveal the need to include a variety of common safety elements in the design of the machine, including, for example:

• Machine Hard Guarding
• Area Scanners
• Light Curtains
• Cell Access Requests & Estop Recovery Routines

Special attention must be given to standards specific to robot safety, as defined by the Robotic Industry Association (RIA) via ANSI B11.  Safeguarding devices for robots fall into one of several categories:

• Mechanical limiting devices
• Non-mechanical limiting devices
• Presence-sensing safeguarding devices
• Fixed barriers
• Interlocked barrier guards
• Awareness devices (e.g. flashing lights, whistles, horns – always used in conjunction with other safeguarding devices)

The Safety Risk Assessment is reviewed again as the machine nears completion, to ensure the identified safety measures have been implemented, and to assess whether additional measures are needed.  The completed Safety Risk Assessment documentation is delivered to the customer prior to machine installation, as part of the complete documentation package.