BS EN 15811:2014

What is BS EN 15811 - Fixed guards and interlocked guards for moving transmission parts about? 

BS EN 15811 is a standard covering fixed guards and interlocked guards for moving transmission parts, ensuring operating safety and performance in agricultural applications. 

BS EN 15811 specifies the safety requirements and their verification for the design and construction of fixed guards to be opened or removed by the use of a tool and interlocking guards with or without guard locking for moving parts of the power transmission on self-propelled ride-on machines and mounted, semi-mounted or trailed machines used in agriculture. 

BS EN 15811 specifies the type of information on safe working practices (including residual risks) to be provided by the manufacturer. 

BS EN 15811 deals with the significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant for fixed guards to be opened or removed using a tool and interlocking movable guards of moving parts of power transmission used as intended and under the conditions reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer. 

Note: BS EN 15811 does not cover - 

• Agricultural and forestry tractors 
• Aircraft and air cushion vehicles used in agriculture 
• Lawn and garden equipment 
• PTO drive shafts between agricultural and forestry tractors and mounted or towed implements 

Who is BS EN 15811 - Fixed guards and interlocked guards for moving transmission parts for? 

BS EN 15811 on Fixed guards and interlocked guards for moving transmission parts applies to: 

• Manufacturers of agricultural and forestry vehicles 
• Dealers and importers of agricultural and forestry vehicles 
• Testing houses for agricultural and forestry vehicles 
• Safety assurance services 

Why should you use BS EN 15811 - Fixed guards and interlocked guards for moving transmission parts? 

A fixed guard is an integral element of a machine that provides physical protection. A safety fence, barrier, coverings can be used as a guard. Interlocking guards can be opened or removed, they automatically shut off or disengage the power source. These are especially handy in circumstances where operators need to open the guard or access the machine's guarded parts. 

BS EN 15811 provides users guidance on requirements for fixed guards and interlocking guards along with verification of safety requirements, ensuring the operational safety and integrity of the machines. 

BS EN 15811 provides users guidance on information for use, operator’s manual and safety signs, enabling the standardization of information disclosure, operational instructions and safety protocols. 

BS EN 15811 provides users guidance on mechanical hazards and relevant clauses, including crushing hazards, shearing hazard, entanglement hazard and drawing-in or trapping hazard, enabling the development of safety protocols to prevent machine malfunction. 

With obedience and compliance of BS EN 15811, users can assess fixed guards and interlocked guards for moving transmission parts, enabling risk reduction and development of safety protocols for the safety operability and longevity in agricultural applications. 

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN 15811:2014 supersedes BS EN 15811:2009, which is now withdrawn. 

Changes in BS EN 15811:2014 include: 

• Modification of the title to indicate the scope of the standard 
• Reference to the procedure of risk assessment was introduced in Clause 4 
• Requirements for interlocking guards with or without guard locking were added in 5.3 
• Editorial modifications were made