title: An investigation of safety design practices of metal machines.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Machinery safety issues are a challenge facing manufacturers who are supposed to create and provide products in a better and faster way. In spite of their construction and technological advance, they still contribute to many potential hazards for operators and those nearby.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to investigate safety aspects of metal machinery offered for sale on Internet market according to compliance with minimum and fundamental requirements.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out with the application of a checklist prepared on the basis of Directive 2006/42/EC and Directive 2009/104/EC and regulations enforcing them into Polish law.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On the basis of the study it was possible to reveal the safety aspects that were not met in practice. It appeared that in the case of minimum requirements the most relevant problems concerned information, signal and control elements, technology and machinery operations, whereas as far as fundamental aspects are concerned it was hard to assure safe work process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In spite of the fact that more and more legal acts binding in the Member Countries of the European Union are being introduced to alleviate the phenomenon, these regulations are often not fulfilled.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Engineering Management, Poznan University of Technology, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mrugalska
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arezes
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design / Q000592:standards*; D005062:European Union; D020407:Internet; D066192:Manufacturing Industry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011044:Poland; D012449:Safety / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence
keywords: EU directives; machinery design; safety