Compliance of a Filter Press

Discover how Alps Group brought a filter press machine into compliance by conducting a thorough and comprehensive risk and safety assessment.

Automation Engineering Equipment Security
BASF Business Case Alps Group
BASF Suisse SA
Chemistry - Petrochemistry
Business case BASF Alps

Context

BASF Colors & Effects, located in Monthey, manufactures high-performance pigments used in various applications such as automotive paints, plastics, and inks. The site was using a filter press dating back to the 1980s to filter residues in corrosive liquids. However, this equipment, which includes a hydraulic press and membrane plates, no longer met current safety standards.

Filter press compliance

To execute the necessary actions to bring the filter press into compliance, ensuring operator safety, protection of installations, and adherence to legal requirements.

Business case BASF Alps

Achievements

To bring the filter press into compliance, Alps Safety, the industrial safety division of Alps Group, followed a rigorous methodology, which included:

  • Conducting a risk analysis (RA version 0) according to the ISO12100:2010 standard
  • Studying corrective measures such as the addition of immaterial barriers and the expansion of the work platform
  • Assisting in the selection of safety solutions and components, as well as the development of safety control circuits
  • Calculating the performance levels (PL) of safety functions (SF) and validating the concepts and components according to ISO13849-1
  • Managing the follow-up of compliance work, both internally and with external service providers
  • Preparing the safety function validation plan conducting on-site testing, and writing the test report according to ISO13849-1-2
  • Updating the risk analysis and PL calculations after the compliance work
  • Drafting safety instructions, including descriptions of residual risks and safe behaviors for operators and maintenance personnel
  • Issuing the CE declaration of conformity once the standards were met
We had already worked with one of the founders of ALPS Safety on other successful projects in the past. I greatly appreciated this new collaboration with another one of their experts. Not only did he demonstrate professionalism and pragmatism, but he was also a very pleasant person. The responsiveness and speed of intervention matched our internal processes. Once the budget is approved at BASF, things need to be done quickly. In summary, a very positive collaboration.
BASF Suisse SA