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Master'sOff-Road, Special Vehicles & Machinery Applications open

Master’s in Operator Safety and Access Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in operator safety and access engineering, with 12 modules covering machinery risk assessment (UNE-EN ISO 12100), protective structures (ISO 3471, ISO 3449), restraint systems, access and work at height, guards, emergency stops, person detection, maintenance safety, fire protection and safety culture, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Assess machinery risks to ISO 12100.

02

Verify protective structures and restraint systems.

03

Design safe access for operation and maintenance.

04

Select guards and stopping devices.

05

Implement person detection systems.

06

Define safe maintenance procedures.

07

Promote safety culture in machinery fleets.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Product safety engineers working on construction, mining or agricultural machinery.
  • Occupational health and safety technicians dealing with machinery risks.
  • Fleet safety managers responsible for operators and maintenance staff.
  • Functional safety engineers validating lockout and stopping functions.
  • Machinery operator trainers who want a deeper technical basis.
  • Accident investigators analysing rollovers, run-overs and falls.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the construction machinery sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • UNE-EN ISO 12100 (risk assessment and risk reduction)
  • ISO 3471 (ROPS structures)
  • ISO 3449 (FOPS structures)
  • ISO 2867 (access systems)
  • UNE-EN ISO 13850 (emergency stop)
  • UNE-EN ISO 13857 (safety distances)
  • ISO 16001 (hazard detection systems)
  • ISO 19014 (functional safety of earth-moving machinery)
  • SolidWorks
  • Ansys Mechanical
  • SISTEMA (IFA)
  • Siemens Jack
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Machinery accident statistics
  2. 1.2Rollovers and falling objects
  3. 1.3Run-overs in the work environment
  4. 1.4Falls from the machine
  5. 1.5Entrapment during maintenance
  6. 1.6Fires and burns
  7. 1.7Exposure to noise, dust and vibration
  8. 1.8Hierarchy of preventive measures
  9. 1.9Manufacturer and user responsibilities
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of a rollover accident
  1. 2.1ISO 12100 methodology
  2. 2.2Machine limits and intended use
  3. 2.3Hazard identification
  4. 2.4Risk estimation and evaluation
  5. 2.5Inherently safe design measures
  6. 2.6Guards and safety devices
  7. 2.7Information for use
  8. 2.8Residual risk management
  9. 2.9Documentation of the assessment
  10. 2.10Lab: risk assessment of a loader
  1. 3.1Rollover protection to ISO 3471
  2. 3.2Falling-object protection to ISO 3449
  3. 3.3Operator protection against projectiles
  4. 3.4Destructive testing of structures
  5. 3.5Absorbed energy and permissible deformation
  6. 3.6Occupant safety zone
  7. 3.7Repair and modification of structures
  8. 3.8Certification and plates
  9. 3.9Structures on agricultural tractors
  10. 3.10Practical: verification of a rollover protective structure
  1. 4.1Seat belts in machinery
  2. 4.2ISO 6683 requirements
  3. 4.3Anchorages and their strength
  4. 4.4Seat belt reminders and interlocks
  5. 4.5Seats with integrated restraint
  6. 4.6Actual seat belt use on site
  7. 4.7Awareness campaigns
  8. 4.8Seat belt maintenance
  9. 4.9Investigation of accidents without seat belts
  10. 4.10Case study: seat belt interlock on a dump truck
  1. 5.1ISO 2867 requirements
  2. 5.2Steps, rungs and handrails
  3. 5.3Service platforms
  4. 5.4Fall prevention during maintenance
  5. 5.5Harness anchor points
  6. 5.6Lighting of access routes
  7. 5.7Anti-slip surfaces on steps
  8. 5.8Access on large machines
  9. 5.9Folding and powered access systems
  10. 5.10Workshop: design of a service access
  1. 6.1Fixed and movable guards
  2. 6.2Safety distances to ISO 13857
  3. 6.3Protection of hot parts
  4. 6.4Protection of power transmissions
  5. 6.5Guard interlocks
  6. 6.6Bonnets and access panels
  7. 6.7Protection against pressurised fluids
  8. 6.8Fire protection
  9. 6.9Guard testing
  10. 6.10Practical: guard selection for an engine compartment
  1. 7.1Emergency stop to ISO 13850
  2. 7.2Control lockout when leaving the cab
  3. 7.3Prevention of unexpected start-up
  4. 7.4Hold-to-run controls
  5. 7.5Operator presence systems
  6. 7.6Bump starting and its prevention
  7. 7.7Functional safety of controls
  8. 7.8Validation of safety functions
  9. 7.9Maintenance of devices
  10. 7.10Lab: validation of a lockout function
  1. 8.1Run-overs around the machine
  2. 8.2Radar detection systems
  3. 8.3Camera detection with artificial intelligence
  4. 8.4Personal proximity tags
  5. 8.5ISO 16001 requirements
  6. 8.6Warning and stop zones
  7. 8.7False alarms and acceptance
  8. 8.8Integration with machine control
  9. 8.9Detection testing
  10. 8.10Case study: proximity system in a quarry
  1. 9.1Energy isolation and lockout
  2. 9.2Stored hydraulic energy
  3. 9.3Electrical energy in hybrid machines
  4. 9.4Supporting raised loads
  5. 9.5Working under the machine
  6. 9.6Changing large tyres
  7. 9.7Safe tools and procedures
  8. 9.8Permits to work
  9. 9.9Training of workshop staff
  10. 9.10Practical: lockout procedure for an excavator
  1. 10.1Causes of fire in machinery
  2. 10.2Ignition sources and fuels
  3. 10.3Prevention inspections
  4. 10.4Automatic fire suppression systems
  5. 10.5Early temperature and smoke detection
  6. 10.6On-board extinguishers
  7. 10.7Operator evacuation
  8. 10.8Fire investigation
  9. 10.9Insurance and claims
  10. 10.10Case study: fire suppression system for a combine harvester
  1. 11.1Training of machinery operators
  2. 11.2Competence accreditation
  3. 11.3Pre-use inspections
  4. 11.4Signage and communication
  5. 11.5Incident investigation
  6. 11.6Safety culture on site
  7. 11.7Leading safety indicators
  8. 11.8Coordination of business activities
  9. 11.9Continuous safety improvement
  10. 11.10Case study: safety programme for a fleet
  1. 12.1Selection of machine and environment
  2. 12.2Initial risk assessment
  3. 12.3Analysis of access and guarding
  4. 12.4Proposed safety functions
  5. 12.5Person detection system
  6. 12.6Safe maintenance procedures
  7. 12.7Training plan
  8. 12.8Cost analysis
  9. 12.9Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SolidWorks, Ansys Mechanical, SISTEMA (IFA) and Siemens Jack, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for machinery risk assessments, safety function validation and audits of access and guarding. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: UNE-EN ISO 12100, ISO 3471, ISO 3449, ISO 2867, UNE-EN ISO 13850, UNE-EN ISO 13857, ISO 16001, ISO 19014.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of UNE-EN ISO 12100, ISO 3471 and ISO 3449 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:SolidWorks, Ansys Mechanical, SISTEMA (IFA) and Siemens Jack, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete operator safety proposal for a real machine, from risk assessment and guarding to person detection, safe maintenance and training, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Risk assessment
Carry out an ISO 12100 risk assessment of a loader.
Structures and restraint
Verify a rollover protective structure and design a seat belt interlock.
Access and guarding
Design a service access and select guards for an engine compartment.
Detection and maintenance safety
Specify a proximity detection system and a lockout procedure for an excavator.
Master's Thesis
A complete operator safety and training plan for a real machine, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Product safety engineerOccupational health and safety technicianFleet safety managerFunctional safety engineerMachinery operator trainerAccident investigator
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with SolidWorks, Ansys Mechanical, SISTEMA (IFA) and Siemens Jack, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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