EN 13857:2019 Safety distances
In future, EN ISO 13857:2019 Safety of machinery — Safety distances to prevent hazard zones being reached by upper and lower limbs will replace EN ISO 13857:2008, which is currently still listed as a harmonized standard in the EU Official Journal and thus gives a presumption of conformity.
"This document defines values for safety distances against reaching hazardous machine areas for industrial and public areas. The safety distances are suitable for protective constructions. It also contains information on distances that prevent free access by the lower limbs.
Compared to EN ISO 13857:2008, the following changes have been made:
- Adaptation of the concept of low risk to align with ISO 12100
- Clarification added that openings of 180 mm in the protective construction allow full body access
- Addition of requirements for the protective device where there is a risk of foreseeable misuse
- Editorial revision of the standard
The provision of the data refers to persons of the following age / application groups:
- 3 - 13 years (upper limbs)
- ≥ 14 years (upper and lower limbs)
Not considered / provided in this standard:
- Data on prevention of lower limb access in children (0-13 years)
- distances to protect against hazards generated by machine emissions (e.g. radiation, noise, dust, heat sources, etc.)
- Measures to prevent hazard areas being reached by climbing over (see EN 14120)
Changes compared to EN 13857:2008
It can be noted that the standard has mainly been editorially revised - changes to the significantly important data such as dimensions for safety distances, access or intervention sizes etc. have not changed.
The following essential topic was added as an independent major item (4.4) in the standard:
consideration of the access of the whole body
The following opening sizes allow access for the whole body and must not be used without additional protective measures.
- Slotted ≥ 180mm
- Square or circular ≥ 240mm
This is only an excerpt of point 4.4; the core information mentioned was already noted in the respective tables in the old edition of EN ISO 13857:2008 - only a new clarification of the facts is given.