OAL strengthens machine safety credentials with CMSE® certification
OAL, a market leader in automation, robotics and vision inspection for the food manufacturing sector, has announced that its Technology Director, Mike O’Sullivan, has achieved CMSE® – Certified Machinery Safety Expert (TÜV NORD) certification.
The internationally recognised accreditation covers all aspects of machinery safety, from risk assessment and safety-related control systems to compliance with current machinery directives and standards.
Why machine safety matters in food manufacturing
For food manufacturers, machine safety is not just a compliance requirement; it is directly linked to operational risk and business continuity. A safety failure can stop a production line instantly, impact output targets and, in the worst cases, put people at risk. At the same time, systems must operate within strict hygiene and space constraints, often alongside operators in fast-moving environments. This makes safety design more complex than in many other industries.
As more sites look to introduce robotics, particularly fenceless systems, the importance of getting safety right from the outset increases. These systems rely on safe interaction between people and machines, rather than physical separation. That means safety is built into how the system behaves, how it responds to operators and how it integrates with the wider line. For manufacturers, this is the difference between a system that works in theory and one that runs reliably in production.
O’Sullivan brings extensive experience in robotics and automation, having previously held positions at KUKA Robotics and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. At OAL, he leads the development and deployment of fenceless robotic pick and place and palletising systems designed specifically for food production, where safety, hygiene and operational efficiency must work together.
“Machinery safety isn’t an afterthought in automation. It’s the foundation. The CMSE® – Certified Machinery Safety Expert certification means we don’t just meet international safety standards, we exceed them. That matters more than ever, as our fenceless pick-and-place and palletising systems bring people and robots closer together on the factory floor.”
Machine safety shapes your automation options
If you are planning automation, especially involving robotics, machine safety will shape what is possible on your line.
It influences where equipment can be installed, how fast it can run and how operators interact with it day to day. Getting it right early avoids redesign, delays and compromise. Getting it wrong can limit performance or stop a project altogether.
“We work in environments where safety is non-negotiable. Having CMSE® – Certified Machinery Safety Expert accreditation within our senior technology team gives our customers confidence that the systems we deliver are designed to the highest safety standards from the outset.”
Start the conversation
If you are looking at automation or reviewing an existing system, it is worth understanding how machine safety will affect your application.
OAL works with food manufacturers to design and deliver systems that are safe, practical and built to perform in food factories.
