New standard published for maintaining machinery

As equipment ages, the rate of deterioration and frequency of component failure tends to increase. With this in mind the British Standards Institute has published a new standard: the BS 14200:2023 – titled ‘Maintenance of machinery – specification’. 

It sets out a pragmatic approach to ongoing machinery maintenance by putting processes in place that monitor and identify decay, and adjust inspection and maintenance frequency as appropriate.

The standard is for anyone advising, planning, preparing and supervising the maintenance of machinery.

It specifies requirements for the approaches to be taken so that machinery remains in a safe, reliable and effective condition throughout its working life. 

BS 14200:2023 applies to all powered or manual machinery and associated components, where deterioration of the equipment performance could expose persons to a significant increase in risk to their health and safety. 

What does this mean for you?

Commenting, the Tilly Group said the new standard specifies all the areas of maintenance that the ‘user’ needs to consider over the working life of the machinery. Whilst there’s no definition of ‘user’, it’s clear this refers to the person/organisation that owns or leases the machinery and either uses it or directs it to be used on their behalf. 

‘User’ should not be confused with the operator who has been tasked with operating machinery on behalf of the user, explained Tilly mechanical engineering safety consultant, Steve Simmons-Jacobs.

In the case of most agricultural machines, the original equipment manufacturer [OEM] has often already determined the best maintenance schedule for the machine’s expected lifetime and provided details of this in the handbooks or literature supplied with the machine. 

The ‘Tilly’ maintenance system already meets the specification of BS 14200: 2023 and provides reassurance to those participants who have their agricultural trailers checked on an annual basis by Tilly-approved competent persons. 

This does not mean that the ‘user’ can ignore the periodic checks that are necessary to keep the machinery functioning properly throughout the year. It will be necessary to keep records to show that all periodic checks are being carried out and acted on should something require closer scrutiny or repair. 

This new standard will assist the legal profession in determining if a ‘user’ has followed due process in ensuring that machinery has been maintained in a manner that meets Puwer and the Health and Safety at Work etc Act: 1974 – or if a lack of maintenance was a contributory factor in an accident. 

Using the Tilly system on an annual basis and a proper system of periodic checks for your agricultural trailers will show that you, the ‘user’, took your responsibilities seriously, Steve concluded.