Machinery Series: Introduction to Safeguarding and Safety-Related Control Systems

21 August 2025

Introduction

Machinery often incorporates safeguards to protect users from hazards. Those responsible for the safety of machinery need to understand the basics of how these safeguards and their associated control systems operate. This course builds on the PUWER, Machinery Risk Assessment Essentials and UK Machinery Regulations courses and provides delegates with a wider understanding of what safeguards are available, how they are applied and how they work in conjunction with a control system.

Learning outcomes

Delegates will be provided with information that will help them to:

• Understand the applicable legislation, with reference to applicable guidance material
• Know the types and the principles of operation of guards and protective devices such as light curtains and laser scanners
• Understand the principles of operation of control system components such as relays, safety relays and programmable devices
• Know the basic principles associated with control system safety

What the course will cover

This course will provide a basic overview to the design of safeguarding and safety-related control systems. The training will include an introduction to different safeguarding types, and their suitability for particular applications. It will also include control system logic, and specification of safety-related control systems to achieve risk reduction. Delegates will gain practical experience of various elements of the training, during interactive group sessions.

Who should attend?

This course is aimed at delegates with limited knowledge of safeguarding and safety-related control systems; roles may include machinery users, mechanically biased maintenance engineers, project engineers and safety professions who may be responsible for purchasing machinery, assessing the effectiveness of safeguards on machinery, or considering making modifications to existing machinery safeguards.

Venue

The course will be run at the HSE Science and Research Centre in the spa town of Buxton.

Buxton is in the heart of the Peak District and has good links to major roads and motorways, mainline train stations and Manchester International Airport.

Details of hotels in the Buxton area can be found at www.visitbuxton.co.uk

Price

£580 per person (includes course notes, lunch and refreshments).

Book Course

Please note that all courses must be paid for via credit card at the time of booking.

Some of our training courses can also be delivered in-company, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Email: HSEtraining@hse.gov.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)203 028 3704

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