Additive Manufacturing Facility Safety Management Services

Overview

Our AM facility safety management services help AM technology users manage the inherent process risks within an AM facility and comply with regulatory requirements and industry standards. 

Facilities are evaluated against the requirements of UL 3400, the Outline of Investigation for Additive Manufacturing Facility Safety Management. To date, UL 3400 is the AM industry’s first resource to provide guidance around how safety and AM come together and addresses the three layers of AM safety: material, equipment and the facility as a whole. 

UL 3400 references applicable standards from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Fire Protection Association, UL Solutions and ASTM International, among others, and can be easily adapted for regional code and safety requirements.

Identify and manage AM facility hazards

We help you reduce risks within an AM facility through a phased approach:

• Phase One: site assessment and evaluation plan
  On-site assessment of the current or future AM facility which includes layout, material handling and storage, AM and ancillary equipment, workforce and hazardous locations. Identifying near-term and future-state safety considerations and opportunities for immediate remediation. A detailed course of action will be prepared to achieve optimized safety and operational guidelines, including abatement, mitigation and management.
• Phase Two: final review/readiness assessment
  UL Solutions' experts will review process hazard analysis (PHA) and assessment of process safety management system elements for the operation and maintenance of the AM facility. This includes confirmation and review of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and required safety documentation in accordance with UL 3400.
• Phase Three: certification
  In addition to Phase One and Two, organizations pursuing certification against UL 3400 are also required to have AM equipment certified or evaluated by a third party, workforce safety training focused on AM risks and hazards, and ongoing surveillance to ensure continued maintenance of safety management practices. Upon meeting the requirements of UL 3400, facilities will be issued a certificate and digital badge.

Knowledge gained through UL Solutions services may also help reduce your organization’s liability by mitigating the risk of employee injury as well as equipment and facility damage.

Services may be purchased separately or as a comprehensive certification package.

Benefits 

An approach to safety for every AM experience level

Our AM facility safety services address the needs of the following audiences:

• Organizations new to or in the early stages of integrating AM that may be unaware of what is required to provide a safe AM environment that meets existing standards and regulations
• Organizations that have already implemented AM and wish to enhance their knowledge of the proper management of the AM process and associated material hazards
• Code officials seeking technical assistance to approve an AM installation.

Why UL

Our AM industry knowledge, combined with our deep expertise in areas such as field evaluation, hazardous locations, workplace health and safety, building materials and fire safety, uniquely positions UL to provide leading, comprehensive AM facility safety solutions.