Missed Our ASSP 2025 Presentation? Here’s What You Need to Know About Machine Safeguarding Today
Our Clarion Safety Systems team had a rewarding experience this past week, being a part of ASSP Safety 2025. From thought-provoking discussions with fellow safety professionals to sharing practical insight on machine safeguarding, it was an energizing few days focused on what matters most: keeping people safe.
We were especially proud to contribute to the conversation, with our own Mark Stewart, Divisional President of Arrow Industrial Solutions, leading a session on “Machine Safeguarding: Driving Safety Through Risk Assessment, Guard Implementation & Control Reliability.”
If you weren’t able to attend Mark’s talk, no worries – we’ve got you covered. In this recap, we’ll walk you through key takeaways from the presentation and share helpful resources to support your safety goals. Whether you’re an EHS leader, engineer, or plant manager, our mission stays the same: to help you reduce risk, prevent injuries, and protect your workforce with modern, standards-compliant solutions.
Why Machine Safeguarding Remains a Top Priority for EHS Leaders
Workplace safety isn’t a one-time project, it’s a continuous effort. At ASSP Safety 2025, it was clear that manufacturers and safety professionals are still facing serious challenges when it comes to:
- Identifying outdated or non-compliant guarding
- Balancing safety with productivity
- Keeping up with ANSI B11, OSHA, and ISO 13849 requirements
As regulations evolve and liabilities increase, the demand for robust, turnkey safeguarding solutions continues to grow. If your facility has aging equipment or a complex mix of automation and manual processes, machine safeguarding is one of the most important areas to evaluate.
Key Takeaways from Our ASSP 2025 Session
Understanding Today’s Safeguarding Landscape
Many facilities are still operating with guarding that was installed years, or even decades ago. During the session, our team highlighted how to:
- Identify the 12-step risk assessment process
- Differentiate between acceptable, control reliable guarding and outdated solutions
- Choose the right safeguard for your application: fixed, interlocked, presence-sensing, or custom
We also covered practical implementation tips for a control reliable safety system, and how to determine what level of control reliable your application may require.
What Attendees Asked Most
The Q&A session revealed recurring concerns, such as:
- "How do I know if our control systems are reliable?"
- "Can I retrofit safety without disrupting production?"
- "What kind of standards are there for robotics?"
These are real-world concerns that we address every day in the field — and we’re here to help you solve them.
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Machine Safeguarding Services Available to You
Arrow Industrial Solutions offers comprehensive, turnkey safeguarding support. Whether you're looking for expert guidance or full project execution, we provide:
- On-site machine risk assessments and compliance reviews
- Guarding system design, fabrication, and installation
- Electrical control panel upgrades and system integration
- Functional safety consulting and control reliability upgrades
- Support for OSHA, ANSI, and ISO compliance documentation
We’re backed by a trusted network of safety experts and system integrators, including training and risk consulting partners like Machine Safety Specialists to deliver tailored solutions that meet your facility’s needs and safety goals.
Stay Connected: How to Access Our Tools, Insights, and Team
Didn’t catch us live at ASSP? There are still plenty of ways to benefit from our machine safety expertise.
- Download free guides, checklists, and case studies
- Sign up for upcoming webinars and trainings
- Talk to an expert about your next safeguarding project
We’re committed to helping you protect your people, reduce risk, and achieve compliance — on your timeline and budget.
FAQs: Machine Safeguarding at a Glance
Machine safeguarding refers to the design and implementation of physical and electronic controls that protect workers from injury during machine operation. It’s essential for complying with OSHA and ANSI requirements and preventing life-altering incidents.
The best first step is to perform a machine-specific risk assessment that considers current OSHA standards, ANSI B11 guidelines, and ISO 13849 functional safety requirements.
It includes evaluating your current safety circuit architecture, upgrading components like relays and interlocks, and verifying that the system meets the necessary Performance Level (PL) under ISO 13849.
From site machinery assessments to full-scale safeguarding projects, our team works alongside you to design, build, and implement practical, compliant solutions tailored to your facility and machines.
