Earth-moving machinery and other heavy equipment assist in the speeding up of not only earthwork but also materials handling, demolition, and construction. BS 6912-4 is an International Standard that discusses the safety of earth-moving machinery.
BS 6912-4 is the fourth part of the multi-series, and specifies the performance requirements and location for a key-locked starting system or other equivalent means of obviating unauthorised starting of earth-moving machinery.
BS 6912-4 applies to all types of earth-moving machinery as defined in ISO 6165.
BS 6912-4 on key-locked starting systems specification on earth-moving machinery is useful for:
The starting system's aim is to deliver the torque required to attain the required minimum cranking speed.
BS 6912-4 provides specification for either a key-type ignition switch or a lockable master disconnection switch to obviate its unauthorised activation. The locking device and any provision for padlocks are also provided in BS 6912-4 to secure the starting control.
BS 6912-4 allows authorised machine operators to readily access controls in the driving position so that they can do their work smoothly. This mitigates risks related to the operator being distracted.