Pilz New Zealand Strengthens Machinery Safety Consulting Services with Expanded Industrial Security Expertise

Auckland, New Zealand – As manufacturers across New Zealand embrace AI, smart manufacturing, and increasingly connected industrial operations, the convergence of machinery safety and cybersecurity is creating new challenges. Managing risks across both physical and digital environments has become critical to maintaining safe, secure, and resilient production.

While machinery safety remains a critical priority, organisations are also navigating growing demands around compliance, operational resilience, functional safety and cybersecurity. As machinery, industrial networks and operational technology (OT) environments become more interconnected, businesses are recognising that managing risk requires a broader approach than machinery safety alone.

To help organisations address both traditional and emerging risks, Pilz New Zealand continues to strengthen its machinery safety consulting services while expanding its expertise in Industrial Security. By combining machinery risk assessments, functional safety consulting, safety audits, compliance support and Industrial Security assessments, Pilz helps organisations create safer, more secure and more resilient operations.

Organisations responsible for designing, supplying, operating or modifying machinery in New Zealand are required to manage risks under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) and apply appropriate risk management practices throughout the machinery lifecycle.

In practice, many organisations use recognised standards to support their machinery safety programs and demonstrate the application of industry good practice. The most commonly referenced machinery safety standard in New Zealand is the AS/NZS 4024 Safety of Machinery series, which provides guidance on machinery risk assessment, safeguarding, safety-related control systems, safety distances, emergency stopping functions and the prevention of unexpected start-up.

Other recognised standards and frameworks commonly applied in machinery safety and Industrial Security projects include:

• ISO 12100 – Safety of Machinery: Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction

• ISO 13849-1 and ISO 13849-2 – Safety-Related Parts of Control Systems

• IEC 62061 – Functional Safety of Safety-Related Control Systems

• ISO 14119 – Interlocking Devices Associated with Guards

• ISO 13855 – Positioning of Safeguards with Respect to the Approach of the Human Body

• IEC 62443 – Industrial Communication Networks and Industrial Security

Pilz New Zealand helps organisations understand how these standards may apply to their machinery, operating environments and safety objectives while developing practical and achievable risk reduction strategies.

Historically, machinery safety programs focused primarily on protecting people from hazards such as crushing, entanglement, shearing, impact and unexpected machine start-up.
While these risks remain important, today's industrial environments are becoming increasingly automated, connected and data-driven. Modern machinery often interfaces with industrial control systems, remote access technologies and wider business networks, creating new challenges that extend beyond traditional safety considerations.

As a result, organisations are increasingly seeking expert guidance not only on machinery safety, but also on Functional Safety, operational resilience and Industrial Security.

Pilz New Zealand provides consulting and engineering services that support organisations from machine design and procurement through to operation, modification and ongoing improvement.

By combining machinery safety expertise with Functional Safety engineering and Industrial Security knowledge, Pilz helps organisations identify risks, prioritise improvement actions and implement practical solutions that support both safety and productivity.

Machinery Risk Assessments and Hazard Identification

Effective machinery safety begins with understanding risk.

Using recognised methodologies based on international best practice, Pilz consultants assess machinery, production equipment and automated systems to identify hazards, evaluate risk levels and recommend practical risk reduction measures.

These assessments provide organisations with a structured roadmap for prioritising improvements, supporting informed decision-making and reducing exposure to machinery-related hazards. Risk assessment of machinery - Pilz NZ

Safety Design and Functional Safety Engineering

The most effective safety solutions are often integrated early in the design process.

Pilz works alongside machine builders, system integrators and end users to develop safety concepts that align with operational requirements while reducing risk. Services include Functional Safety assessments, Performance Level (PL) calculations, Safety Integrity Level (SIL) assessments, safety control system design reviews, guarding and interlocking concepts, and safety validation support.

Drawing on standards such as ISO 13849 and IEC 62061, these services help organisations verify that safety-related control systems achieve the required level of risk reduction while supporting reliable machine operation. Safety design for machinery safety - Pilz NZ

Machinery Safety Audits

Many organisations operate equipment that has evolved over time through upgrades, modifications and process improvements.

Independent machinery safety audits help identify gaps between current machine conditions and recognised good practice. These reviews provide visibility into areas requiring attention and help organisations prioritise future improvement initiatives as part of their ongoing safety management programs. Machinery Safety Evaluation - new service from Pilz - Pilz NZ

Industrial Security Assessments

As industrial systems become increasingly connected, the relationship between safety and security continues to grow.

Cybersecurity incidents affecting industrial control systems can create consequences that extend beyond data loss and operational disruption. In some circumstances, they may also affect machinery availability, reliability and safety-related functions.

To address these emerging challenges, Pilz New Zealand has expanded its consulting portfolio to include Industrial Security assessments. Drawing on recognised frameworks such as IEC 62443, these services help organisations identify vulnerabilities within machinery, operational technology (OT) environments and automation systems, supporting a more holistic approach to risk management that considers both safety and security requirements. Industrial Security Services - Pilz NZ

International Compliance Support

For New Zealand machine builders, OEMs and manufacturers exporting equipment internationally, compliance requirements can vary significantly across regions.

Pilz provides support for international requirements including CE marking readiness, Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 considerations, Functional Safety requirements, international machinery safety standards and broader global market access requirements.

This helps organisations improve confidence when supplying machinery into overseas markets while reducing compliance uncertainty. Conformity assessment of machinery - Pilz NZ

While machinery safety consulting is often associated with compliance obligations, many organisations increasingly view it as a strategic investment in workforce safety, productivity and long-term business performance.

A structured approach to machinery safety can help organisations identify risks earlier, improve decision-making, minimise downtime and strengthen operational resilience.

What sets Pilz New Zealand apart is its ability to combine machinery safety consulting, Functional Safety expertise, Industrial Security services, engineering support and workforce training into a single integrated offering.

Drawing on practical industry experience across a wide range of sectors, Pilz helps organisations bridge the gap between theory and implementation. This enables businesses not only to address current risks but also to build the capability needed to manage future challenges as industrial environments become increasingly automated and connected.

A key differentiator for Pilz New Zealand is its integrated approach to risk management.

Rather than focusing solely on compliance assessments, Pilz combines consulting services with engineering expertise, machinery safety training, Functional Safety support and Industrial Security services. This integrated model enables organisations not only to identify and address risks, but also to build internal capability and strengthen long-term safety culture.

As machinery becomes more complex and industrial systems become increasingly connected, organisations are recognising the value of having a trusted partner capable of supporting safety, security and compliance requirements throughout the machinery lifecycle.

As new technologies like AI, digitalisation and industrial connectivity continue to transform workplaces across New Zealand, organisations face increasingly complex machinery safety and Industrial Security challenges.

Successfully managing these challenges requires more than compliance alone. It requires practical expertise, structured risk management processes and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing risk throughout the machinery lifecycle.
Through machinery safety consulting, machinery risk assessments, Functional Safety expertise, Industrial Security services and engineering support, Pilz New Zealand helps organisations develop practical solutions that support safer workplaces, stronger operational resilience and sustainable long-term performance.

Whether introducing new machinery, upgrading automated systems, reviewing compliance obligations or strengthening Industrial Security resilience, Pilz New Zealand provides the expertise needed to help organisations manage risk with confidence and prepare for the future of safe and secure automation.

For more information about machinery safety consulting services or to discuss any challenges you are facing with your machinery right now, contact our team at Pilz New Zealand [email protected]