Safety Distance Measurement and Inspection of Safety Devices

As an equipment operator, you carry the responsibility of ensuring reliable employee protection and meeting all regulatory obligations. This makes the regular verification of your electro‑sensitive protective devices (ESPE) – including light grids, light curtains, and laser scanners – indispensable.

Pilz provides certified inspection services to support you:

• for maximum legal certainty,
• for maximum productivity and
• for maximum protection.

Why is safety distance measurement mandatory?

During operation, machines and safety devices undergo natural wear, adjustments, or process changes. These factors can cause safety distances to deviate without being detected — which is why safety distance measurement is indispensable.

Routine inspections verify compliance with statutory safety requirements and provide the basis for enhanced worker protection and minimized operational risk and liability exposure.

Protective devices must also be checked whenever rebuilds, modifications, or unusual incidents may influence safety. This obligation is stipulated in the Work Equipment Ordinance (AM‑VO).

Protective devices are classified as safety‑critical work equipment, making regular inspections a statutory obligation. The operator is required to perform inspections prior to first commissioning, following any change of location, and at defined intervals under conditions of high usage.

These inspections support worker safety, reduce the risk of operational interruptions, and provide legal protection for the company.

AschG §37

Inspection of work equipment:

Work equipment must be inspected regularly if it is exposed to loads that may cause safety‑relevant defects. ESPE (electro‑sensitive protective equipment) are regularly subjected to stress through the interruption of the protective field → therefore they are subject to mandatory inspection.

AM‑VO §13

Functional check of protective devices:

During initial commissioning and after repairs, protective devices such as light barriers and light curtains must be inspected.

AM‑VO §8

Periodic inspection:

Work equipment subject to mandatory inspection must be checked at least once a year, and no later than every 15 months. ESPE (electro‑sensitive protective equipment) are included in this requirement because they perform safety‑relevant functions.

Assembly, modification, relocation, or changes to processes/controls

• The safety distance must be re‑verified.

Regular use, high wear, or potential impairment of protective devices

• Annual inspection recommended, including stopping‑time measurement.

Regular use, high wear, or potential impairment of protective devices

• Annual inspection recommended, including stopping‑time measurement.

Exceptional events (accident, repair, extended downtime, external influences)

• An extraordinary inspection is mandatory to restore safety.

If you would like personal support or have any questions, we are happy to assist you.

Simply get in touch with us and secure your free consultation!