Functional Safety Checks
Functional Safety Checks are the practical validation of your machine's "nervous system." While a visual inspection confirms that a guard is present, a functional safety check verifies that the guard actually works when it matters most. This process tests the active safety-related parts of control systems (SRP/CS) to ensure they react correctly to inputs, faults, and power losses.
For North American manufacturers, this is often a step up from standard OSHA lockout/tagout verifications. In the EU, you must validate safety functions against specific Harmonized Standards like ISO 13849 (Performance Levels) or IEC 62061. This involves simulating failures—such as cutting a sensor wire or welding a contactor shut—to prove the system fails to a safe state.
These checks are the final exam for your Risk Mitigation Measures. You cannot simply assume your emergency stop circuit works because the schematic looks correct; you must physically test and record the results. This validation report is a mandatory component of your Technical File and provides the ultimate evidence that your machine meets the Essential Health & Safety Requirements (EHSRs).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a functional safety check the same as a routine maintenance inspection?
Do we need to test every single safety interlock?
What documentation is required for functional safety checks?
