Machine Guarding Systems in the US and Canada

Machine guarding is the use of physical barriers — fences, panels, doors and interlocks — to separate operators from hazardous machine motion.

In US general industry it is governed by OSHA 29 CFR 1910, Subpart O, and benchmarked against the ANSI B11 series of consensus standards. Internationally, the design and construction of guards follows EN ISO 14120, and safety distances follow EN ISO 13857 and ANSI B11.19.

Satech supplies modular perimeter guarding: bolt-together steel posts and framed mesh panels that enclose machines, robot cells and automated lines, and can be reconfigured when the layout changes.

Satech Machine Guards are supplied across North America through our partnership with Schmersal USA, a market leader in machine safeguarding.

Schmersal is your point of contact for quotations, orders and technical support in the US and Canada, and complements our Machine Guards with safeguarding locks, safety switches and automation components.

You can also start from our contact form: upload your layout as a DWG, PDF or STP file and our Technical Office will size the perimeter and prepare a free, no-obligation quote.

The choice depends on several key variables that must be evaluated together: the frequency of access to the protected area and the required opening methods, the impact resistance level defined by the Risk Assessment, the layout configuration to be protected, and any hygienic requirements of the installation environment.

These are general guidelines: the optimal solution often emerges from the combination of multiple factors. Our sales team is available to help you choose the most suitable modular machine guard for your application.

Minimum heights are determined by the distance from the danger point, following the reach tables in EN ISO 13857 and, in North America, ANSI B11.19.

The standard minimum height for Satech systems is 63.8 in (1620 mm). When the risk of climbing over or the distance to the hazard requires a greater height, the systems are also available at 87.4 in (2220 mm) and 103.1 in (2620 mm), up to 125.2 in (3180 mm) for ImpactGuard with 2.4 in (60 mm) posts.

The correct choice depends on the specific Risk Assessment for each installation; our Technical Office provides free support for dimensioning. For a complete overview, please visit our reference standards page.

The fundamental requirement is that fixed guards require a tool for removal, while interlocked guards stop the machine before access is possible.

A second requirement concerns perimeter continuity: every opening, material passage or cavity in the guard must be evaluated against the applicable reach distances to verify that it does not allow access to the danger zone.

In the United States, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1) requires one or more methods of machine guarding to protect operators and other employees in the machine area, listing barrier guards among the accepted methods, while 1910.212(a)(2) requires guards to be affixed to the machine where possible, secured elsewhere when attachment is not possible, and not to create a hazard in themselves.

OSHA is performance-based and does not certify specific products: guard openings and reach distances are commonly assessed against the consensus standards used as benchmarks in North America, primarily the ANSI B11 series, and the equivalent EN ISO 13857 internationally. In any case, the assessment always depends on the specific Risk Assessment for the installation.

Satech's Technical Office designs the perimeter layout from drawings provided by the customer, optimizing the configuration with standard system modules to minimize costs and materials. Framed system panels are available in 7 widths, a versatility that allows virtually any requested layout to be covered.

For those who prefer to work independently, two options are available. With the 3D library on TraceParts, Satech models can be downloaded in formats compatible with the most common CAD software.

With the free Disegna software, you can design your own perimeter directly by importing the machine floor plan and automatically generating the Bill of Materials to attach to the order.

Satech maintains a permanent stock of standard products. For stock components, lead times are 6 business days.

For standard products not in stock — panels, doors, accessories and locking systems — lead times range from 8 to 18 business days depending on the component, and are confirmed at the time of quotation.

Our Technical Office is available for a precise estimate based on your specific needs.

Yes. Satech provides free, no-obligation quotes prepared by the Technical Office based on the layout of the machine or installation to be protected.

You can upload a DWG, PDF or STP file directly in the contact form, or describe your needs for an initial assessment.

For those who prefer to work independently, our free Disegna software allows you to design your own perimeter and automatically generate the Bill of Materials.

Yes. Satech operates with a Management System certified by Bureau Veritas according to three international standards: ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environment) and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety).

These certifications confirm that production processes, environmental management and working conditions are periodically audited by an accredited third-party body.

Satech also participates in the EcoVadis program for evaluating sustainability practices throughout the supply chain.