Last edit: 25/07/2023
The Standard ANSI B11.19 contains the methodology for Risk reduction in Machineries. In other terms the Risk Analysis is the first step and that should be done in compliance with B11.0. For each identified risk, the B11.19 can be used to reduce it.
Therefore, the objective of the standard ANSI B11.19 is “to establish the requirements for the design, construction, installation, operation and maintenance of risk reduction measures used to eliminate or control hazards to individuals associated with machines”.
The standard recommends 3 steps, similarly to ISO 12100:
• Inherently safe by design;
• Engineering control – guards, control functions, devices;
• Administrative controls.
Responsibilities are set for both manufacturers and users, who are responsible for identifying hazards and reducing the associated risk, using risk reduction measures necessary to achieve a safe working environment.
ANSI B11.19 is used in conjunction with the B11.0 standard. If the risk assessment is performed as described by ANSI B11.0 and the risk reduction complies with requirements of the type C standards and ANSI B11.19, the machinery will have an acceptable level of risk.
Application
The process of risk reduction is illustrated in the figure.
If hazards cannot be eliminated, guards, safeguarding devices, awareness devices or safeguarding methods should be used.
If these options will not work, safe work procedures, complementary equipment or training and maintenance (in the order) should be used.
The risk factors cannot be completely eliminated however, if the risk reduction measures are correctly applied in the order given by the standard, they allow to reduce the risk up to an acceptable residual risk. During this process, the team must make sure that no new risks are introduced.
ANSI B11.19 does not provide the requirements for the selection of risk reduction measures, but only the implementation of the risk reduction measure once chosen. No hierarchy, no level of risk reduction, or any relationship between risk reduction measure options are implied within the standard.