Glossary · Risk assessment and risk reduction
Safeguard
German: Technische Schutzmaßnahme
In machine safety, a safeguard is a guard or protective device used to reduce risk. A guard is a physical barrier; a protective device, such as a light curtain or two-hand control, reduces risk alone or together with a guard.
- Machine safety
- Risk assessment
In one sentence
A safeguard is a guard or protective device, such as a fixed guard or safety light curtain, that keeps people away from a hazard or stops it.
Example
A press uses a fixed guard around the flywheel and a safety light curtain at the point of operation; both are safeguards.
Explained in context
Context cards connect this term with others to answer one question. Also in British English and German.
How it applies
- Machine safety: Guards are designed to ISO 14120, interlocking devices to ISO 14119, and protective devices must be positioned using the approach speeds of ISO 13855. A safeguard that is badly positioned or easily defeated gives false confidence.
- Functional safety: A protective device or interlock is part of a safety function; its control circuit must meet the required Performance Level or SIL.
- Technical documentation: Describe each safeguard, its purpose, required checks and how to restore it after maintenance. Warn explicitly against removing or bypassing it.
- Evidence: Inspection records show that guard integrity is maintained over time.
Safeguard vs. information for use
A safeguard is a technical measure that acts on the hazard or the person's access to it. Information for use only tells people about risks and how to behave. Information for use is the last step of risk reduction and never a substitute for a practicable safeguard.