BS EN 1870-17:2012+A1:2015

What is BS EN 1870-17 – Radial arm saws about?  

BS EN 1870-17 is the 17th part of the BS EN 1870 multi-series that discusses the safety of woodworking machines. This European standard helps its users of the woodworking industry to create a safe work environment for the workers by ensuring the machinery meets the minimum safety requirements.   

BS EN 1870-17 specifies all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events as listed in Clause 4, relevant to stationary and displaceable manual horizontal cutting cross-cut circular sawing machines with one saw unit (manual radial arm saws), hereinafter referred to as “machines”, designed to cut solid wood, chipboard, fibreboard, plywood and also if these materials are covered with plastic edging and/or plastic laminates, when they are used as intended and under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer including reasonably foreseeable misuse. 

The requirements of BS EN 1870-17 apply to all machines whatever their method of control e.g., electromechanical and/or electronic.  

Note1: BS EN 1870-17 does not apply to:  

• Machines set up on a bench or a table similar to a bench, which are intended to carry out work in a stationary position, capable of being lifted by one person by hand; the bench can also be an integrated part of the machine if it consists of hinged legs which can be extended down 
• Machines fitted with hydraulically powered machine actuators  
• Machines fitted with powered work-piece positioning  
• Machines fitted with the facility for either ripping, milling (including trenching and grooving), sanding and/or drilling 
• Machines equipped with more than one saw spindle speed 
• Machines with integrated feed  

Note2: BS EN 1870-17 is not applicable to manual horizontal cutting cross-cut circular sawing machines with one saw unit (manual radial arm saws) which are manufactured before the date of its publication as EN. 

Who is BS EN 1870-17 – Radial arm saws for? 

BS EN 1870-17 on the safety of woodworking machines is useful for: 

• Manufacturers of woodworking machines 
• Designers of woodworking machines 
• Health and safety bodies (regulators, safety inspectors) 
• Maintenance personnel 

Why should you use BS EN 1870-17 – Radial arm saws?  

Radial arm saws are one of the commonly used sawing machines in the woodworking industry. These saws are fixed to a table and require a lot more human effort for setting up a wood and cutting it. Due to these close human-machine interactions, the chance of accidents is always high hence these saws need to meet certain safety requirements. 

BS EN 1870-17 classifies various types of hazards like mechanical, electrical and other workplace factors that can contribute to causing accidents while operating these sawing machines. BS EN 1870-17 also provides you with solutions to minimize the risk of these hazards.    

In conclusion, the guidelines of BS EN 1870-17 enable you to design better and safer manual horizontal cross-cutting sawing machines to ensure the safety of its end-users