Machine safety standards play a pivotal role in guiding both manufacturers and operators toward best practices that mitigate risks and guarantee workplace safety.

Staying up to date with machine safety standards is not just a regulatory requirement; it's a commitment to the well-being of both manufacturers and operators. There are four crucial standards which stand out in defining the benchmarks for machine safety throughout their lifecycle — BS EN ISO 13855, BS 14200, BS EN ISO 13849-1, and BS EN ISO 14119.

BS EN ISO 13855: Get the positioning right

Understanding the correct positioning of safeguards is paramount to effective hazard prevention. BS EN ISO 13855:2024 Safety of machinery. Positioning of safeguards with respect to the approach speeds of parts of the human body defines human approach speeds and the effective positioning of safeguards to protect machinery users.

For manufacturers, this standard provides clear guidelines on how to design machines with operator safety in mind, optimizing the placement of safeguards. Operators, in turn, benefit from machines that are ergonomically designed, minimizing the risk of accidental contact with hazardous elements and promoting a safer working environment.

The 2024 updated standard introduces clearer guidelines and figures, specific reaching distance calculations by applications, and improved methods for distinguishing approach paths. These advancements ensure a safer working environment and reduce the risk of accidents.

Visit our dedicated page to understand all the updates on this standard.

BS EN ISO 13849-1: Ensure precision in safety design

BS EN ISO 13849-1:2023 Safety of machinery. Safety-related parts of control systems. Part 1: General principles for design homes in on safety-related control systems, providing a blueprint for their design and implementation. This standard, crucial for manufacturers, aids in achieving the required safety performance levels of machines.

Its use empowers manufacturers to optimize machine control system design, ultimately minimizing the likelihood of hazardous events.

Explore our wide range of manufacturing standards by visiting our Manufacturing & Processing Goods topic page.

BS EN ISO 14119: Safeguard with interlocking devices

Interlocking devices stand as sentinels against hazardous areas of machinery. BS EN ISO 14119:2025 Safety of machinery. Interlocking devices associated with guards. Principles for design and selection addresses their design and selection, offering manufacturers guidance on their application to ensure effective risk reduction.

For machinery manufacturers, compliance with this standard means seamlessly integrating interlocking devices into the machine design, enhancing safety without compromising efficiency. Whilst machine operators, in turn, reap the benefits of reliable barriers against potential dangers, creating a secure working environment conducive to productivity. The latest version of this standard now includes clarification of how interlocking systems can form part of wider safety isolation and lock-off.

BS 14200: Machinery maintenance for comprehensive safety

BS 14200:2023 Maintenance of Machinery. Specification provides users with requirements for the approaches to be taken so that machinery remains in a safe, reliable, and effective condition throughout its working life.

There are many factors which influence the type and rate of deterioration of machinery, these include:

• the level and frequency of use,

• understanding the user responsibility for reviewing life expectancy of machinery, based on the application of the equipment to undertake the task and environmental conditions,

• the maintenance regime in place,

• the selection and competency of persons undertaking maintenance tasks and how to evaluate their effectiveness,

• maturity risk assessment to demonstrate continued life expectancy, and more.

Typically, as equipment begins to age, the rate of deterioration and the frequency of component failure begins to increase.

As a result, BS 14200 serves as a cornerstone document, guiding users and manufacturers of machinery through a systematic approach to risk management. By providing rigorous risk assessments and risk reduction strategies, BS 14200 not only ensures compliance but fosters a safety-centric culture among machinery owners and users.

To learn more about how standards support machine safety, visit our Machine Safety in Manufacturing topic page.

The benefits of machine safety standards

By adhering to these standards, manufacturers can produce machines that not only comply with regulations but also prioritize the safety of those who interact with them. Simultaneously, operators can trust in the reliability and effectiveness of the safety features incorporated into the machines they operate, fostering a culture of safety in the industrial landscape.

Ultimately, a shared commitment to these standards ensures that the future of machinery is not just efficient but safe and sound.

Ensure the safety of your machinery by adding these standards to your collection today.

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