CMSE® – Certified Machinery Safety Expert

Machinery requirements have changed significantly over the past number of years with the increasing use of automation and robotic systems, resulting in the need for intelligent Machinery Safety strategies. The changing requirements of legislation have impacted the use, maintenance, and operation of machinery. With machinery being designed, modified and upgraded to meet these requirements, it is necessary for companies to ensure that their relevant personnel have the knowledge required to make informed decisions on Machinery Safety. The CMSE® course has been specifically developed to provide the market with an expert level training in the area of Machinery Safety and to enable those who complete the training to prove their competence through independent certification.  

The Certified Machinery Safety Expert certification will provide you with the competence for the safeguarding of machines and plants. You will gain comprehensive knowledge and practical understanding of the machinery lifecycle. This includes everything from risk assessment to the creation of safety concepts, and application of functional safety principles, leading to the concrete implementation of compliance strategies. CMSE is a globally recognised qualification enabling a 360° approach to Machinery Safety.  

In cooperation with TÜV NORD, Pilz offers the qualification to become a CMSE® – Certified Machinery Safety Expert. The course gives a detailed view of the subject of Machinery Safety and is divided into five modules which convey comprehensive knowledge on and about the machinery lifecycle. The CMSE® modules are standardised worldwide and are of a consistent level. The awarded TÜV NORD certificate is valid internationally. 

Module 1  

• Introduction to Training  
• Introduction to Safety  
• Motivation for Safety  
• Health and Safety Management  
• Introduction to Legislation and Standards   
• Introduction to Safety Legislation  
• Standards Introduction  
• Relevant Machinery Standards   
• Advantages of Compliance  

Module 2  

• Equipment and Workplace Regulations  
• European Legislation  
• Equipment Safety Directives  
• Workplace Safety Directives  
• US Regulations and Standards  
• CE Marking and the Machinery Regulation  
• CE Marking  
• CE Marking Process  
• Machinery Regulation  
• Route to Compliance  
• Special Type Machinery  
• Requirements from Other Directives  
• Occupational Health and Safety  

Module 3  

• Motivation for Risk Assessment  
• Definitions and Terminology  
• Risk Assessment Standards  
• ISO 12100  
• Security Assessment  
• Methodology  
• Risk Assessment Overview  
• Workshop  

Module 4  

• Mechanical Guarding  
• Introduction to Guarding  
• Standards Related to Mechanical Guarding  
• Guard Types  
• Safety Distances  
• Safety Components  
• Introduction to Safety Components & Technologies  
• Electrical Safety  
• General Requirements  
• Incoming supply  
• Protection against electric Shock  
• Protection of Equipment  
• Equipotential Bonding  
• Control Circuits and Functions  
• Operator Interface  
• Other requirements  
• Technical Documentation  
• Verification  

Module 5  

• Functional Safety of Control Systems ISO 13849 and IEC 62061  
• Safety Related Parts of Control Systems Standards  
• ISO 13849  
• IEC 62061  
• Functional Safety of Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems  
• Introduction to Theory  
• ISO 4414/ ISO 4413 Fluid Power Systems  
• Pneumatic/ Hydraulic Control Systems   
• Workshop  

Your best path to qualification:

• Introduction to Machinery Safety
• Fundamentals of Machinery Safety
• Electrical Safety in Industrial Installations – IEC 60204

• Mechanical designers  
• Control engineers  
• System integrators  
• Control system designers and machine builders  
• Companies that operate plant and machinery  
• Technicians and engineers 
• EHS manager and personnel  

The training is provided in both classroom and online format with a live instructor. Participants are required to attend on specific dates and times. For online training, a laptop equipped with a webcam, and Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge is required to participate.  

An examination takes place at the end of the training. The examination can be in paper format (classroom-based training only) or online format (classroom or online training). The exam is 60 minutes, and 40 multiple choice questions are asked. A score of 80% or above must be achieved to pass the examination.  

If the examination is passed, you receive the globally recognised TÜV NORD certificate of “CMSE® – Certified Machinery Safety Expert”. The certificate is valid for four years and then can be extended for another four years by taking part in a recertification.  

Detailed information, conditions for taking part and registering can be seen at www.cmse.com. You receive all information on CMSE and you can test your knowledge using the CMSE quiz.

To successfully participate in the expert training, you must verify that you have sufficient knowledge in the field of Machinery Safety. At least one of the following criteria must be fulfilled:  

• 5+ years’ experience in the area of Machinery Safety  
• Long term professional experience and training in one or several areas relating to Machinery Safety e.g., technology, safety-related design and construction, safety-related maintenance and repair (5+ years)  

OR  

• Qualification and 1+ years’ experience  
• A formal qualification(s) in the areas of general science, engineering, technology, construction and design, or maintenance and repair of machinery from a university / technical college where the training lasted two or more years AND  
• At least one-year practical experience in one or several areas relating to Machinery Safety, e.g., technology, safety-related design and construction, safety-related maintenance and repair.  

Are you unsure about whether your current qualification corresponds to the required level? Feel free to get in touch with us. We are pleased to offer individual support and outline possible alternatives that will enable you to achieve the qualification level for CMSE®.

CMSE is the ideal preparation for qualification as CECE – Certified Expert in CE Marking.

Understand the requirements of European Regulations and standards in relation to machinery.  

• Discover how these may be applied to the design, build, maintenance and operation of machinery used within the European Economic Area.  
• Recognise and identify the obligations to be met when specifying, designing or putting a machine into service.  
• Enhance your competence in designing safety systems.  
• Attain a personalised and internationally recognised certificate issued by TÜV NORD as a CMSE® –Certified Machinery Safety Expert (upon successful completion of the examination).