Product Code: ILSC2009_902

Practical Assessment of Laser Processing Machines
Authors:
Michael Barrett, Pro Laser Consultants; Abingdon Great Britain
Presented at ILSC 2009

The safety of Laser Processing Machines is an important part of the machine design and the validation process. International standards such as ISO 11553 Parts 1, 2 and 3 give excellent guidance but within the European Union further measures must be taken to ensure compliance with established EU Directives. Although the Directives themselves are not a legal requirement, their enactment into the law of individual EU countries effectively makes them a legal requirement. The purpose of these safety related Directives is the enhancement of the health, safety and welfare of workers and to allow free trade throughout the EU without hindrance at Country borders.
This paper suggests the Directives that need to be considered in order to show compliance. Standards giving the detail to supporting legislation are described with greater detail given for some of the revised standards that have been issued more recently.