U.S. and International Regulations mandate the use of protective Safety Fences around machinery, adhering to precise construction standards and safety distance guidelines. Without these Fences, machinery can't be operated.
For example, Perimeter Guarding needs to:
- Be constructed in a way that prevents climbing EN ISO 14120-5.18
- Include retained fasteners when disassembled EN ISO 14120-5.19
- Allow clear visibility of production processes EN ISO 14120-5.2.4
- Be positioned at a safe distance from hazardous areas EN ISO 13857
EN ISO 14120 (excerpts)
General requirements for the design and construction of fixed and movable guards
Removal
EN ISO 14120-5.3.9
Demountable fixed parts of Guards shall only be removable with the use of a tool. Fixed Guards shall be designed to prevent easy removal.
Rigidity
EN ISO 14120-5.4.3
(...) Guard frames (...) and infill materials shall be selected and arranged to provide a rigid and stable structure and to resist deformation.
Machine viewing
EN ISO 14120-5.9
Where viewing of machine operation is required through the Guard, materials shall be selected with suitable properties. If (...) wire mesh is used, this should be of adequate open area and suitable colour to permit viewing. Viewing will be enhanced if the perforate material is darker than the area observed.
Anti-climbing
EN ISO 14120-5.18
Climbing on guards shall, as far as practicable, be inhibited by design. Considerations shall be given to this possibility in their construction and the selection of materials and shapes. For example, by eliminating horizontal structural members and the horizontal component of mesh fabric from the outside surface of the guard, climbing is made more difficult.
Reaching over protective structures
EN ISO 13857, 4.2.2
Reaching through regular openings
EN ISO 13857, 4.2.4.1
The size of the opening “e” refers to the side of a square opening, the diameter of a circular opening, or the smallest dimension of a slot opening. For openings exceeding 120 mm, safety distances should be implemented as outlined in section 4.2.2.
* If the length of the slot opening is ≤ 65 mm, the thumb serves as a stop. In such cases, the safety distance for protective structures can be reduced to 200 mm, offering significant space savings.
- EasyGuard
- ImpactGuard
- FastGuard
Minimum safety distance 120mm
Maximize Space with Reduced Distances
Our mesh slots, available for Framed Systems, are engineered to enable the installation of Machine Guards closer to hazards. This design allows for more efficient use of floor space around your machinery.
Safety distances to prevent access by lower limbs
EN ISO 13857, 4.3
When upper limb access through an opening isn’t feasible, the safety distances for lower limbs can be determined using the values in the provided Table.
“e” denotes the same types of openings as described in section 4.2.4.1.
* When the width of the narrower slot is 75 mm or less, the distance can be reduced to a minimum of ≥ 50 mm.
* * Slot openings with an "e" greater than 180 mm, as well as square or round openings with "e" exceeding 240 mm, are large enough to permit whole body access.
