Pilz: How exactly does Key in pocket work?

Key in Pocket has attracted attention since its introduction as an alternative to tagout lockout, as it not only improves work safety and optimizes workflows, but also provides convenience and productivity for workers in the field.

Key in pocket is actually one of the IAM (Industry Access Management) identity access management solutions, which consists of a security controller PSSu or PNOZmulti2 and a reading unit PITreader, which can effectively prevent unauthorized restart of equipment and ensure the safety of personnel entering dangerous areas for related operations.

Pilz: How exactly does Key in pocket work?

　　Essentially, it provides purely electronic restart protection, and the entire safety system meets the requirements for redundancy.

Key in pocket app "3 steps"

Step 1: Check in

When entering the danger zone, the operator verifies his identity at the safety door using a personal electronic key on the PITreader. With the corresponding LED button or PITgatebox, once the user's permissions have been verified, their ID will be stored in the safety list of the corresponding security controller, thus completing the system check-in action. At this point, the dangerous movement of the machine stops, and the operator can open the safety door and enter the equipment area with his or her own personal electronic key (i.e. "key in pocket").

　　Other operators with personal electronic keys can access the equipment area from the same security door, or from different security doors, in the same check-in method.

Step 2: Check out

The check-out method is the same as the check-in method, the operator can use their personal electronic key to check out via the PITreader, and at the same time, his security ID is removed from the safety controller's safety list. The machine can only be restarted if the safety list is empty, i.e. all operators who have entered the machine area have left. But before the device restarts, there is one more very important step that should not be overlooked!

　　Step 3: Blind spot checking

If the device itself is large and does not have an overall field of view, a "blind spot check" is also required according to 5.2.2 in accordance with EN ISO 13849-1. This requires a visual inspection of the device in hard-to-see areas to confirm that it is "cleared" before restarting the device.

　　Advantages of Key in pocket

Compared to traditional tagout-and-lock technology, the advantages of Key in Pocket are very clear:

It's fast

If someone gets the key back, the system starts quickly; If someone loses their key, the system can be used to shield the lost key and reassign the key

Good value for money

Key in pocket's solution, which is more competitive in terms of overall price.

Good flexibility

Key in pocket offers greater flexibility than traditional tagout lockouts. It is able to know in real time who is in the dangerous area of the equipment, and it is no longer necessary to consider how many people can enter the equipment area, because permissions can be temporarily blocked. What's more, the same person does not need to enter and exit at the same security door, which greatly improves the work efficiency of personnel.

Key in pocket's solutions protect operators and machines and are the perfect embodiment of Pilz's overall safety philosophy.

Pilz: How exactly does Key in pocket work?

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