Functional Safety

Developers, manufacturers and users of machines must adhere to standards and guidelines. As a rule, this is the only way in which they can guarantee the safe condition and safe use of their components and systems.
 
Dealing with these standards is not easy, however since the standards have been devised for different areas of application. It is not uncommon for contradictions to arise making it difficult for users to find their way.
 
In each case, both manufacturer and user have to supply a certificate of conformity confirming the adherence to the relevant standards. For an item of software to fulfil the demands of the required level of safety integrity, comprehensive error prevention measures must be planned in the individual development phases.
 
From the very beginning, long before coding has begun, care must be taken to avoid contradictory requirements and gaps in the specifications of architecture and details. This is achieved by means of comprehensive planning, documentation and verification.
 
In the starting phase it is equally necessary to think about the module and integration tests that will later be required and to document them in the specifications.
 
The safety standards support the entire development process by specifying measures scaled in their effectiveness which are to be used according to the safety classification.
 
Depending on the size and complexity of hard and software project, it may be necessary to fall back on supportive tools in order that the safety goals can be demonstrably reached.

EN IEC 61508
Functional safety of electrical/electronic/programmable electronic safety-related systems

EN ISO 13849
Safety of machinery - Safety-related parts of control systems

 
EN IEC 62061
Safety of machinery - Functional safety
of electrical/electronic/ programmable 
electronic safety-related systems in use with machines

EN ISO 25119

Safety-related parts of control systems for tractors and machines for agriculture and forestry