Machinery Advisory Technical File Contents
The first section of an Advisory Technical File contains details of a Hazard and Risk Assessment in which categories of risk are identified. These categories of risk determine the level of action needed to reduce risk, which is a primary requirement of the Machinery Directive.
Only then can an Advisory Technical File be written which details how compliance with the Machinery and any related European Directives has been achieved. Where risks have already been reduced sufficiently the Advisory Technical File contains statements which carefully explain why. Where further action is needed to reduce risk, the best action to take in order to achieve compliance is identified.
An Advisory Technical File details each essential health and safety requirement and how compliance has been achieved or the actions needed to achieve compliance with the Machinery Directive. When further action is needed to achieve compliance, recommendations or technical solutions that apply specifically to the machine are offered. It is recognized that different solutions can be implemented to achieve the same result and where possible other options are identified.
Topics covered in an Advisory Technical File
There are seven sub-sections in Part 1 of Annex I of the Machinery Directive and these apply to all types of machinery. The seven sub-sections in Part 1 of Annex I of the Machinery Directive have about 45 requirements that need to be addressed. Major topics that are considered, if applicable, are listed below.
 The integrity of electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic control systems including fault analysis.
The rating and reliability of components used in electrical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic control systems.
Mechanical handling systems.
Covers, guards, emergency stop and powered failure.
Control devices and their identification.
Operator Intervention.
Ergonomics.
Internal lighting.
Requirements for combined machinery.
Stability and mechanical strength.
Lasers and software.
Fire and explosion.
Acoustic noise and vibration.
Control of emissions.
Electrical safety and EMC.
Installation, Operating and Maintenance instructions.
The Finished Advisory Technical File
An Advisory Technical File is written in the format of a finished Technical File and can be edited by the manufacturer once the action needed to achieve full compliance with the Machinery Directive has been taken.
Finally we cover the following topics:
Identification of the required CE and other markings and any warning labels.
Preparation of a template Declaration of Conformity for use by the manufacturer.
Caution:Once the Advisory Technical File has been converted into a final Technical File it is very similar to a Design Guide and is a valuable document that must be held in the strictest confidence.
Once the manufacturer has completed the final Technical File they can confidently put the CE marking on their machines.
Contact QNET for a cost estimate of preparing your Advisory Technical File!
BACK
| 