Safety of electrical equipment

Contact: Dr. Michael Thierbach (thierbach@kan.de)

Electrotechnical standards are prepared primarily at international level, by IEC. International guides also provide the framework for European and German standardization.

KAN is involved in the following subjects in this field of standardization:

• Electrotechnical standards in the field of the safety and health of workers at work
• Consideration of non-electrical hazards in standards for electrical machines

For further information on the subject, see KAN Report 23 – Consideration of non-electrical hazards in standardization in support of the Low Voltage Directive

Electrotechnical standards in the field of the safety and health of workers at work

In the field of electrical engineering, both company regulations and regulations concerning the nature of products have always been laid down in standards. In 1985, however, the European Community created a legal foundation specifying new key aspects for the interaction of OH&S and standardization: while requirements concerning the nature of products are fully standardized within the framework of the European single market, and European standards have a major role to play in this regard, only minimum requirements are specified at European level for the safety and health of workers at work (company regulations); the Member States may impose stricter regulations depending on the state of their national legislation. In this case, therefore, uniform European standards are counter-productive. The framework for their preparation is explained in the European Commission Memorandum on standardization within the framework of article 118A.

Electrotechnical standards which lay down company regulations, whether together with requirements concerning the nature of products or not, must be revised (see "Article 118a EC Treaty – EU Memorandum checklist" in KANBrief 2/98). At KAN, German occupational health and safety institutions have drafted a document ("OH&S and standardization") together with DIN and DKE which summarizes the modified legal framework of the EU and presents a common working basis.

Consideration of non-electrical hazards in standards for electrical machines

Contact: Angela Janowitz (janowitz@kan.de)

Harmonized standards for electrical machines must be consistent with the essential safety requirements of both the "Low Voltage Directive" and the "Machinery Directive". A heterogeneous set of standards has emerged for these machines in which the consideration given to occupational health and safety aspects varies greatly. A mandate issued by the European Commission calls upon CEN and CENELEC to revise the existing standards accordingly.

For further information on the subject, see:

• KANBrief 3/03: Measurement of vibrations: Comparable methods for comparable machines
• KANBrief 3/99: Requirements for electrical machines
• KANBrief 1/98: Electrical engineering – Standards in the area of conflict between the Machinery and the Low Voltage Directive
• KAN Report 23: Consideration of non-electrical hazards in standardization in support of the Low Voltage Directive