Tuesday, June 04, 2013
Emergency Stops - What are the Requirements?
Emergency Stop buttons, or E-Stops, are an important component of machine safety. While they are not considered a safeguarding device, since they do not prevent access to a hazard, they are often a necessary and required control on machinery.
If you are installing an E-stop, or already have one, you’ll want to make sure that it meets the CSA requirements.
1. E-stops shall override all other machine controls and cause all moving parts to stop,
2. E-stops shall be red, mushroom head style,
3. E-stops shall have a yellow background,
4. E-stops shall be unguarded and easily accessible, and
5. E-stops shall require manual re-setting and shall not initiate a cycle start.
The E-stop in the figure on the left fails on two accounts. It performs like a push button and does not stay de-pressed when activated. It also is not red in colour. The figure on the right shows a proper E-stop.
