Reference Works
The Main Standards in the Field of Machine Safety
Suggestions for additions to this list can be sent to: jdl@ysafety.dk
Introduction
When working with machine safety, you often find yourself wondering: "What exactly was the standard for mechanical shielding?"
There are many standards in the field of machine safety, but a handful of them apply to most machines. We have collected them in this list for you to use as a quick reference guide. Certain standards are mentioned multiple times because they cover several overarching topics.
Tip: Press Ctrl+F and search for the specific keyword or standard you are looking for, or use the table of contents below.
Table of Contents:
- Risk Assessment
- Shielding, Fences, and Gates
- Emergency Stop and Operation
- Functional Safety
- Electrical Equipment
- Logistics Systems and High-Bay Warehouses
- Instructions for Use
1. Risk Assessment
EN ISO 12100 General principles for design — Risk assessment and risk reduction
The de-facto standard for risk assessment. Used regardless of the type of machine you are dealing with.
- Type: A-standard
- Harmonized under: Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
ISO/TR 14121-2:2012 Risk assessment — Part 2: Practical guidance and methodological examples
This document provides practical methods for conducting a risk assessment. Many will recognize its content as the “hybrid method.”
- Type: Technical Report
2. Shielding, Fences, and Gates on Machines
EN ISO 14120 Guards — General requirements for the design and construction of fixed and movable guards
The go-to standard when designing mechanical shielding. It helps you decide whether to use a fixed guard or a movable guard with an interlocking device.
- Type: B-standard
- Harmonized under: Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
EN ISO 13857 Safety distances to prevent hazard zones being reached by upper and lower limbs
Contains tables specifying how large openings in shielding can be and the required safety distances to a source of danger.
- Type: B-standard
- Harmonized under: Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
EN ISO 14119 Interlocking devices associated with guards — Principles for design and selection
Used when implementing limit switches and locks on movable guards. Covers, among other things, protection against tampering (defeat).
- Type: B-standard
- Harmonized under: Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
EN ISO 12100 General principles for design — Risk assessment and risk reduction
In addition to being the de-facto standard for risk assessment, ISO 12100 also contains fundamental instructions for machine shielding.
- Type: A-standard
- Harmonized under: Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
3. Emergency Stop and Operation
EN ISO 13850 Emergency stop function — Principles for designThe primary standard for emergency stops.
Contains information about stop categories and how emergency stop functions must be performed.
- Type: B-standard
- Harmonized under: Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
EN ISO 13851 Two-hand control devices — Principles for design and selection
Describes the requirements for how two-hand operation on machines should be implemented.
- Type: B-standard
- Harmonized under: Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
EN 60204-1 Safety of machinery — Electrical equipment of machines — Part 1: General requirements
The de-facto standard for electrical power on machines. It also contains instructions on specific requirements, such as the correct colors for buttons.
- Type: B-standard
- Harmonized under: Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
4. Functional Safety
EN ISO 13849-1 Safety-related parts of control systems — Part 1: General principles for design
The primary standard for functional safety, utilizing Performance Levels (PL).
- Type: B-standard
- Harmonized under: Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
EN IEC 62061 Functional safety of safety-related control systems
The second major standard for functional safety, utilizing SIL levels.
- Type: B-standard
- Harmonized under: Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
EN ISO 13849-2:2014 Safety-related parts of control systems — Part 2: Validation
The second part of the 13849 series, dealing specifically with the validation and testing of safety-related control systems.
- Type: B-standard
- Harmonized under: Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
EN 61511-1 Functional safety - Safety instrumented systems for the process industry sector
Specific to process plants. While this list focuses on machines, the 61511 series is essential when dealing with process installations.
- Type: B-standard
5. Electrical Equipment on Machines
EN 60204-1 Safety of machinery — Electrical equipment of machines — Part 1: General requirements
The most important standard for electrical equipment on machines. It is essential to reference this standard whether you are building or purchasing machinery.
- Type: B-standard
- Harmonized under: Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
6. Logistics Systems and High-Bay Warehouses
EN 619 Continuous handling equipment and systems — Safety requirements for equipment for mechanical handling of unit loads
If you design machines involving conveyors, roller tracks, or end-of-line systems, EN 619 is indispensable.
- Type: C-standard
- Harmonized under: Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
EN 528:2021+A1 Rail dependent storage and retrieval equipment — Safety requirements for machinery
Use this standard if you are building a machine defined as a high-bay warehouse system.
- Type: C-standard
- Harmonized under: Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
7. Instructions for Use
EN ISO 20607 Safety of machinery — Instruction handbook — General drafting principles
Following the instructions in this standard ensures you are well on your way to creating a compliant and high-quality user manual.
- Type: B-standard
- Harmonized under: Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
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