Emergency stop button on MPG missing 1

[Lowe5000]

I work for a manufacturer of large double column milling machines.

On one type of machines it is possible to start the spindle in set/safe mode from the operation panel.
The machine can then be entered and operated with the MPG (hand wheel) that is connected to the operation panel via spiral cable that can extent several meters. The MPG allows to initiate axis movements but nothing else.

The spindle can not be stopped (or started) with the MPG. There also is no emergency stop button on the MPG.

Spindle speed and axis feed rate are limited in set / safe mode (30-50rpm / 2m/min).

The problem is my supervisor tells me that the missing E-Stop button on the MPG is not required by the machinery directive. I doubt it, given that an operator could get entangled by the spindle with no means to stop it.

Unfortunately I have no idea where to find the relevant section in the directive. Could someone please point it out to me?

 

[micalbrch]

Chapter 1.2.4.3. (Emergency stop) of the Machine Directive:
Machinery must be fitted with one or more emergency stop devices to enable actual or impending danger to be averted.
The following exceptions apply:
— machinery in which an emergency stop device would not lessen the risk, either because it would not reduce the stopping time or because it would not enable the special measures required to deal with the risk to be taken,
— portable hand-held and/or hand-guided machinery.
The device must:
— have clearly identifiable, clearly visible and quickly accessible control devices,
— stop the hazardous process as quickly as possible, without creating additional risks,
— where necessary, trigger or permit the triggering of certain safeguard movements
Once active operation of the emergency stop device has ceased following a stop command, that command
must be sustained by engagement of the emergency stop device until that engagement is specifically overridden;
it must not be possible to engage the device without triggering a stop command; it must be possible
to disengage the device only by an appropriate operation, and disengaging the device must not restart the
machinery but only permit restarting.
The emergency stop function must be available and operational at all times, regardless of the operating mode.
Emergency stop devices must be a back-up to other safeguarding measures and not a substitute for them.

Does that answer your question?

 

[Lowe5000]

Yes, that was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!