IMPORTANT SAFETY MESSAGE
About the Universal Safety Mat
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SCIENTIFIC TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Call: 1/888/510-4357 in USA and Canada
Universal Safety Mat UM Series Rev. C
© STI 08/2000
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1 I
MPORTANT
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AFETY
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ESSAGE
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1.1. A
BOUT
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NIVERSAL
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AFETY
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AT
A presence sensing mat and controller are general purpose presence sensing devices designed to
guard personnel working around moving machinery. The use of this type of guarding system is
regulated by government safety agencies. Please contact STI in California, USA at 510-608-3400 for
additional assistance.
Whether a specific machine application and presence sensing mat and controller installation
complies with government regulations depends upon several items, including: the proper
application, installation, maintenance and operation of the presence sensing mat and controller.
These items are the sole responsibility of the purchaser, installer and employer.
The employer is also responsible for the selection and training of the personnel necessary to
properly install, operate and maintain the machine and its safeguarding systems. For example, the
presence sensing mat and controller should be installed, check out and maintained only by a
qualified person, as
“a person or persons who, by possession of a recognized degree or certificate of
professional training or who, by extensive knowledge, training and experience, has successfully
demonstrated the ability to solve problems relating to the subject matter and work.”
(ANSI B30.2-
1983)
The machine operator must notify management if the machine, tooling or safety devices are not
operating properly. Never use the machine if it or the safety equipment is not is proper working
order.
The following additional requirements must be met before using a safety mat and controller system:
• The machine on which the presence sensing mat and controller are installed must be capable of
stopping motion anywhere in its cycle or stroke. Never use a presence sensing mat and controller on a
power press with a full-revolution clutch.
• Do not use a presence sensing mat and controller:
– on any device with inconsistent stopping time or inadequate control devices or mechanisms.
– where the environment, such as corrosive chemicals, may degrade the performance of the
mat and/or controller.
– to initiate machine motion.
• When a presence sensing mat and controller are used as a safety device, the employer has the
responsibility to ensure that all applicable federal, state, and local requirements, rules, codes and
regulations are satisfied.
• All safety related machine control circuit elements, including pneumatic, electric or hydraulic
controls, must be control reliable as defined by ANSI B11.19-1990, 5.5, which states in part
“...the
device, system or interface shall be designed, constructed and installed such that a single
component failure within the device, interface or system shall not prevent normal stopping
action from taking place, but shall prevent a successive machine cycle...”
• All other machinery or equipment must meet OSHA standard 1910.212 for general machine guarding
plus any other applicable regulations, codes and standards.
• Additional guarding such as safety light curtains or mechanical guards may be required if the presence
sensing mat and controller do not protect all areas of entry to the point of operation hazard.
