You may or may not be aware of the information floating around about the Electro Magnetic Fields especially with your spot welding equipment. As usual the motor trade is getting small snapshots of information often distorted by various welding companies.
A couple of facts in layman’s terms:
- The new EU Directive 2008/46/EC is not transferred into national legislation at this present time.
- The new EU Directive is not only for spot welding machines, it is all electrical equipment including phones, computers and other machinery.
At the present moment the EU Directive is not very palatable reading.
Please find below an question/answer session in which we believe will help you the customer, understand what is currently happening.
Whose responsibility will it be when the directive comes into force?
1: The Manufacturer:
“The manufacturer of the product will produce the machine to meet the EU Guidelines and produce instruction manuals for the correct use of the equipment for the employer and the employees.
The manufacturer shall also provide all necessary information with the product with regard to minimising exposure. This shall include recommendations for correct installation, welding cable-layout, minimum safety distances from the equipment, the welding cables, guns and torches to the body and other relevant information such as special precautions if needed during maintenance and repair."
2: The Bodyshop:
From 1st May 2012 the employer will be responsible to evaluate their workplace with regards to the Electro Magnetic Field (ie. Risk Assessment), of their equipment. Then take appropriate action if the critical value regarding the directive is exceeded.
Do you in the Bodyshop have a problem?
If yes, you must comply, as it is your responsibility to protect your employees.
On my welding equipment where is the problem likely to be?
Welding cables, between the transformer unit and the gun.
Does my welding supplier have a solution for me if I cannot meet the criteria when it comes into force?
We can only speak on behalf of all welding companies/suppliers approved by Snap-on Equipment Solutions for the FSE programme. However, the answer is to all four approved suppliers and their Inverter Spot Welders Yes.
When will the upgrade be available?
In time for the new legislation in May 2012.
If I am thinking of buying a new welder should I wait for the new legislation?
No.
You are welding modern cars with high-tech steels. It is far safer to weld correctly than have a car welded with the wrong welder and risk of the weld failing.
If I buy the welder now, how do I know that you will be fair with my company if I need the upgrade?
All Inverter Spot Welders approved by Snap-on Equipment Solutions for the FSE programme WILL meet the new EMF requirement by May 2012, either they already meet the legislation or if not they WILL be upgraded on the field, this is a guarantee by all four approved suppliers.
How do I – the customer – accept what you say is fact and not fiction?
All four FSE Approved/Tier 2 suppliers are long established companies and are market leaders. This gives peace of mind and security to our customers for long-term relationships.
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