ANSI/PMMI B155.1-2011 is on track to be released in early 2011. It is the latest version of the standard that was first published in 1972 by the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI)
The objective of the standard is to eliminate injuries to personnel from packaging systems by establishing requirements for the design, construction, reconstruction, modification, installation, set-up, operation, and maintenance of packaging machinery systems.
Risk assessment is promoted as the principal method for analyzing hazards to personnel and achieving a level of acceptable risk, providing guidance without limiting options.
The standard has been harmonized with international (ISO) and European (EN) standards. It is addressed to manufacturers and to end users, the novice, and the expert. To this end, the standard advises, promotes, and simplifies the implementation of these standards and methods.
The look and feel of the standard has been updated and includes the use of colored text and graphics. The ever-increasing use of robotics has lead to the inclusion of guidance for incorporation.
The standard is not intended to include food or end product safety, nor is it to be a handbook or training manual as some expertise of design or operation of machinery is expected. Adoption of this standard by users and manufacturers of equipment will enable that equipment to be installed globally.
The rewrite committee includes subject matter experts from users of the equipment, manufacturers, component suppliers, legal, and insurance professionals. As this is an approved ANSI document it is developed through an industry consensus process.
--Mel Bahr, PMMI B155.1 Standard Committee Chairman, and founder, chairman and executive vice president of MGS Machine Corp.
