SIGMACert keeps it safe in the workplace

In 2011, SIGMA (professional association of importers of machinery for (civil) construction and material handling) created the Belgian Safety Label SIGMACert.

With the SIGMACert label, Sigma aims to fulfill the duty of care for employers to provide work equipment with integrity throughout the entire life cycle for employees. This is in line with the Royal Decree on the safe use of work equipment (art. IV.2-14 of the Codex on well-being at work). Indeed, many activities are not subject to a legal inspection by an external technical inspection service (EDTC). If these inspections occur annually, they can also fulfill question 9.2 of the SCC questionnaire version 2017/6.0. Does an accident happen ? Then, thanks to this structured and documented procedure, you can demonstrate that you have done everything possible to make safe work equipment available to your staff.  

Schedules are currently developed for forklifts, pallet trucks-stackers, attachments, batteries and loaders, excavators, wheel loaders and concrete pumps.

This mark does not replace the statutory inspections of lifting and hoisting equipment under Articles 280 and 281 of the General Regulations for the Protection of Workers (ARAB) or the provisions of the Codex on welfare at work. These must be carried out by external technical control services (EDTC) that have ISO 17020 accreditation and must be recognized by the Minister of Work.

Process

Sigma member companies are completely vetted every 3 years by the Vinçotte certification body to be SIGMACert certified. They have their staff and dealers certified as SIGMACert experts: in addition to professional training supplemented by training by the manufacturer, they receive a course in carrying out safety inspections from the training operator EDUCAM. They have up-to-date knowledge of the specifications and know which legal safety regulations apply to the equipment in question. Vinçotte is responsible for carrying out periodic audits to guarantee their competence and objectivity.

SIGMACert at the customer site

Experts inspect work equipment annually for a fixed list of items and affix an official SIGMACert inspection sticker with the year on the inspected machine for immediate visibility of the last inspection date. Clients receive a clear online report with the result of each inspection.

Benefits of the SIGMACert inspection 

• Safer machines, fewer accidents
• Better monitoring of machinery
• Documented system that machines are tracked and maintained
• Faster detection and immediate resolution of defects (if any)
• Inspection and repair in one intervention, also for more complex machines à Limited downtime of work equipment = time and cost saving
• Helps prevention consultants make choices when purchasing safe work equipment
• Strong signal to customers and employees that work equipment is safe=
• VCA approved inspection report

Is SIGMACert valid abroad?

Periodic inspections are mandatory under the European Directive 95/63/EEC on which the Belgian directive is based. Directive 95/63/EEC is also valid in other EU countries. SIGMACert is therefore valid in other EU countries. To be sure that it is also considered sufficient elsewhere in Europe, it is advisable to check with the competent authorities whether the SIGMACert inspection is also valid there. The Netherlands and Belgium have mutually agreed that both inspections (BMTW inspection in the Netherlands) are accepted in the respective countries.

SIGMACert is not a commissioning report

In a submission, before the first use of a new piece of work equipment, the employer must verify that it has the necessary CE documents and that the environment and the way it will be used are safe.

The SIGMACert inspection verifies annually that all components are still safe.